The Economics of Success and The Next Step

I think before we could walk, talk, or think for ourselves, we were introduced to the economics of success and the next step.  Before we could stand, walk, and jump, we first had to learn how to crawl.  Before we could say full sentences, we first had to utter words that only made sense to babies but were absolute gibberish in the world of adults.  

There were certain steps we had to take from babyhood to adulthood to be deemed successful in society and in life. After beauty, I think the next thing people focus on is being successful and the steps they need to take to get there.  

We are brainwashed to believe that unless we do things the way society has mapped for us to do it, we won't be successful and we will miss the next steps of our lives.  

To be successful, we are always told to follow the habits of rich and successful people to be rich and successful. If it were that simple, there would be no poverty, and third world countries would not exist...  

I think along the road of nation-building and bringing up people in society, we missed the importance of individuality.  

Yes, some things can be achieved when followed to the tee and the copy-cat effect is used.  However, there are just some things that can only be achieved when the aspect of individuality is put into place.

Before I read Outliers - the real story of success by Malcolm Gladwell, my idea of success and steps needed to be taken to be successful was completely flawed.  

You see, from what Malcolm Gladwell says in his book, success is indefinable and unpredictable.  You could be successful based on the era you were born in, the family you were born into, your upbringing, Hardwork, opportunity, personality, and luck. 

This made me realize that the next step which we are so fond of dwelling on, is also unpredictable even when they have been mapped and planned by charts we have set out for ourselves. 

For example, Sarah could have gone to school, got a degree, landed her dream job, and be happy.  While Jessica did everything Sarah did but instead of working for someone else, she started her own company and became successful in doing it.  

Then there is Samantha who took the exact path as Sarah and Jessica, but is still broke and jobless after 5 years of looking and can't even get a menial job to do. Perhaps on her way to her next step, she did something wrong!  In the eyes of society, she is deemed unsuccessful and pitiful and she is probably at the point of giving up.  

However, according to Jack Ma and Malcolm Gladwell, that is not the case, because timing is everything.   There is a time and place for everything. Whether we choose to believe it or not. Just because a person, or a few people become successful at the age of 25, doesn't mean it will be like that for everyone.  

We may have been created in the image of God, but we are individuals nonetheless.  And our individuality determines how far we go in life and how far we will need to go to get to that place of success.  Whatever and wherever that may be.

Imagine if Jack Ma, the founder of Alibaba had given up after countless rejections, where would he be today?  He definitely would not be wealthy or successful if he had let the disappointments and rejections he faced daily, dictate to him his next step, and worthiness.  

Then he switched lanes, took a different path, which brought him to the road of success. Or perhaps, the road of disappointment was the path he needed to go through to get to the road of success and the next step.

The steps that people take in life to bring them to a place of success are not the same steps we are meant to or expected to take. No two paths can be the same, not even for twins.  

We were all created individually and the path that has been designed for us is designed specifically for our feet and the way we walk.  

I have been out of school now for two years with two degrees, one and a half Masters, one published paper in a book, and three published papers pending. I always expected to find a job the minute I was done and I never thought I would have a problem because of my qualifications, but so far, that has not been the case. 

Little did I know that along the way of looking for a Job, God would direct my hands instead of my feet and in doing so, I became a writer/blogger.  

Nobody knows what the future holds.  Heck, we don't even know what tomorrow holds, but one thing I do know for sure is that our next step is never designed the way we expect them to be. 

However, if we are destined to get to a particular place, no matter how long it may take or how many turns we may have to take, eventually we will get there.  Right now, I'm a writer/blogger without pay, but tomorrow, whenever that maybe, I will become what I am meant to be.

As Malcolm Gladwell once said, "Buried in that setback, was a golden opportunity......"  Embrace and endure the setbacks, delays and rejections you have to face and keep working on that dream and idea that you have, or that job that you want. Knowing that your opportunity is right around the corner. Your turn is coming, keep going!