14/05/2024
I RETIRED AT 47 YRS FOR SELF EMPLOYMENT
I know this is scary to many of us. And many in our 30s ,40s we have not even given it a thought to be self employed..we want to work for that organisation until our strength is gone. Self employment is a decision one makes not in a day, it starts way back. Many of us are thinking of working for that organisation or company until all our strength is gone with old age and retire at 60. My humble question is, when are you going to pursue your God given dreams, passions, purpose for your life? At 60?
I would like to talk to both the younger generation who have just finished school and looking for a job ,and to someone who is in their 40s or 50s that it's not too late to think of self employment.
To the youths, when I was in my late 20s , I made the decision to become self employed before my 50th birthday. The Decision came about when I saw some elderly people working and struggling at an old age for food. It made me wonder what happened in their prime yrs. Could this have been avoided? I questioned myself.The thought also came about with the desire to do what God had put in me when I have the strength. Yes even in my late 20s early thirties I knew my passion, and my reason for existence. This did not just come.....a deliberate choice to walk with God helped me know my purpose in life. My heart cries when I see a very poor person, it hurts me and my desire is to uplift someone. My heart cries out when I see hopelessness and I knew I was called to give hope. With my own experiences of trying moments, God has also helped me to reach out to others.
So to you a youth, this is what I can say:
Start planning for self employment in your late 20s and early 30s.Dont wait until your strength is gone.
With the little money you make working, start saving and investing it. Make a deliberate decision not to consume 100% of your money. I made up my mind in my early years of being employed to save. Yes I started saving at 27 yrs old, at least 30% of my earnings. It was a bold step because it involved self denial and sacrifice, at this age, your friends are buying the latest fashions and toys in town. Be focussed.
For you young one, who is looking for a Job but can't find one, don't despair and don't waste time. Start your business NOW and start small. By the time you are in the 40s you will not be where you started. You will be an expert in your field and somebody the community can look up to. Check me on my upcoming article on how to start a business for more insights.
Don't just save start investing in something. If you just save ,there is your enemy devaluation,and that money will be useless sooner or later. Think of a business idea you can run with while you are working as a side hustle...that which will not require much time from you because u need to give ur employer your full attention and time. For me ,at that time I choose to invest in real estates. In our time business options/ideas were few because very few people talked about doing business in the early 2000s. For you young one, entrepreneurship is the current discourse...everyone is talking about it and there are many business ideas and opportunities out there.Explore them.
Be ready to live a modest life not extravagant life. Be focussed on your saving investing mission. Of course don't entirely deny yourself a living.Make sure you and your family eat well and dress modestly while you pursue your passions.
Know that you are unique and special. Do you know that there's is none like you on this earth? None who has the eyes , hair, toes like you. You have your own footprint.Live ur life and walk your path not somebody's. This helps you to be focussed. Know who you are by having a connection with your Creator. Pursue those God given dreams and passions in you. One would ask , how will I know my purpose for life? I will tackle this topic in my future posts. Follow us on this page so that you don't miss it.
Don't compare your life with another person. Know where you are going and get focussed. Yes, as you save, you will have to deny yourself some luxuries for that moment and postpone for later. Rent a house that you can afford to pay and also make savings. Don't live in a big house that takes 50% of your salary...this is a foolish business decision.Yes others may laugh at you living in that small house but just laugh it off because you know what you are doing...saving and investing mission.Live within your means.dont compare your life with another person because you are on a mission to become self employment one day and even before you are 50 years old!
Be a person who is learning continuously. Have the appetite to learn more about business. If possible attend events as your side hustle . Learn from others who are ahead of you. Have mentors in your life, not only in business but also spiritual life for life is not only material,it should be balanced.
Life is worthless having it all ...the riches of this world but no relationship with your Creator who is ready to walk with you and guide you all days of your life. Make a decision to walk with God. Make a decision to depend on the wisdom of God not man. He will show you the purpose for your life and help you live it.God will sustain you even when you are hopeless. Be humble and know that the strength you have,the life you have, the riches you have are all gifts from God. That's why we need to depend on Him and worship Him.
Earlier, I said I will talk to the youths and also those in their 40s and above. This article focusses on the youths. For those above 40 ,let's meet in my next article.
