Beware long thread - To aspire and inspire 
For years, people told me that I was growing up too fast. They said I should take a step back and relax. To chill and enjoy life while I was young. But I lived my life otherwise. I didnāt enjoy much. I didnāt pamper myself much.

For years, people told me that I was growing up too fast. They said I should take a step back and relax. To chill and enjoy life while I was young. But I lived my life otherwise. I didnāt enjoy much. I didnāt pamper myself much.
I lived life on my own terms. I didnāt listen to what most people had to say. I chose my own path. I had my goals. Long term goals. Not short term ones. I followed my passion. I told myself I should never drag my ass to work. I should always love and be satisfied with what I do.
I worked hard while studying in uni and at one point I even worked two jobs just to support and sustain myself. I flipped chickens at Nandoās to pay my bills and to buy my favourite cars and I delivered pizzas at Pizza Express for extra savings. I never depended on my parents.
I sacrificed many events, late nights, drinking sessions, parties, night outs and refrained from buying luxuries for myself. I didnāt eat out much. Most of the time, Iād pack home cooked food to school and work. Occasionally, Iād head out and give myself a well deserved treat.
I didnāt buy myself the latest phone. I didnāt buy myself the latest laptop. I didnāt buy myself the latest trendy clothes. Instead, I used the same phone for years. Used the same laptop for years. Bought basic clothes for school and work. Bought stuff when they were on sale.
So did I miss out? No, hell no. Today I get to treat myself with whatever I want. Those years of sacrifice have pushed me to become who I am today. Even though I can afford a comfortable life, I still pack food from home, use the same old laptop and buy basic clothes for work.
And why do I choose this life? Because Iād rather buy my favourite car then get drunk every weekend. Ambition is sexy. The weekly alcohol isnāt. This is who I am and who I choose to be. You reap what you sow and I believe that one day Iāll see the perks of all my sacrifices.
Iām not saying I donāt party. I do and when I do, I party hard. But I always found a balance. I also learnt to say no to people. I didnāt see a need to always party just because the people around me were doing it. I told myself that I should always be in control of my decisions.
COVID-19 taught me the power of financial literacy. It taught me the power of giving and the power of freedom. It taught me to value the little things Iāve got in life. This pandemic is indeed the biggest wake up call for everyone. The job you have today may not always be around.
You donāt get to choose how you were born or how youād die. But the life you live between birth and death is in your hands and no one elseās. Your actions today will determine the consequences you face tomorrow. One small step you take today could put you 5 years ahead in life.
I didnāt come this far in life solely because of luck or being given everything in life. Alot of it was my hardwork and sacrifices. Some people think Iām very smart. But in reality Iām nowhere near smart. I just work hard. My secret is 45% hardwork, 45% sacrifice and 10% luck.
Talent gets you far but to me, hardwork will always beat talent someday. If you stay driven, focused and motivated, you will definitely achieve whatever you want in life. The universe will give you whatever you ask for, only if you put effort into it. I didnāt sit around waiting.
I have failed many times in life and its my failures that are fuelling my hunger for success today. The lion isnāt the strongest animal in the jungle but the reason why it is king of the jungle is because of its attitude. It doesnāt give up until it gets its target. Stay hungry.
Set goals. Move up the ladder. Aim for the skies. Dream big. Belief in yourself. Focus on the positives. Filter out the negatives. The roughest storm builds the toughest sailors. Ending this thread with my all time favourite quote, āTough times donāt last but tough people do.ā
