There are two questions that people frequently ask me: One is, “What drives you?” And another is, “How do you manage?” It is the extent and nature of what I do that provokes these questions from others around me.
I am a Pharmacist trained from the National University of Lesotho. I am an author of self-help books. My first book with the title, A Talent Pay Cheque, was published in London in 2017.
I wrote A Talent Pay Cheque while I was still a student at the university. I have written a total of four books now and many short stories but have only successfully published one book. My second book with the title, Life In All Its Fullness, is expected to be published in July this year.
I’m an inventor. My game with the title, ‘Salesmaze’ is under preparation for the marketplace. I have been working on this board-game for over four years now and have occasionally submitted the game concept overseas for professional review.
I’m a commercial farmer. I have cultivated this year two fields of potatoes. One is a small plot while another is a two and half acres of land. I am a developing entrepreneur and investor.
What drives me?
I’ll begin by answering the first question. Money! Making money is what drives me. Yes I’ve said it and I’ll say it again, money!
I grew up in an environment where making a lot of money was criticized and often associated with evil. In my community, rich people were categorised as being anti-Christ and judged that they would not go to heaven on the basis of the Holy scriptures: 1 Timothy 6:10, NLT which says, “love of money is the root of all evil,” and Matthew 19:24, NLT which says, “it would be easier for a camel to go through the eye of the needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven.”
In addition, wealthy individuals and families were customarily associated with consulting evil spirits in their efforts to attain wealth. Therefore, myself and many other children grew up with no solid intentions to become rich but only with the inherent plan to obtain education and serve.
You are probably aware that in our society and country at large, people who successfully complete tertiary education were historically regarded as being successful. At least they were considered as having greater advantage towards success.
As a result, professionals and trained technicians have ordinarily followed only a career predetermined by their academic training. In the beginning and for some time this approach to life was working.
However, with the growing population density, constrictions in local economy and advancement in technology, it has become dismally hard for graduates to readily find jobs upon completion of their training. Those that have been lucky enough to secure jobs are remunerated at marginally low rates so much that they eat from hand to mouth and hardly have anything in their savings.
A 2018 survey conducted by FNB Limited reported that 80% of its clients depleted their incomes within the first two weeks of earning.
How do I manage?
With respect to the second question, reading… Reading books and biographies about rich people is what helps me to manage and do what I do the way I do it. Through reading I learn the do’s and don’ts of attaining riches.
In realisation of some of the social and economic changes, I was compelled to look at life differently and it was through reading books that I obtained insight on what direction to take in order to flourish and create wealth irrespective of the economy around me.
In particular, “The Richest Man In Babylon” by George Clarson, “Rich Dad Poor Dad” by Robert Kiyosaki and “Why We Want You To Be Rich” by Donald Trump and Robert Kiyosaki were leading mind-openers towards my perspective and value of money, business, investing and creating wealth.
From these books I have learned the value of generational and sustainable wealth and I have come to appreciate the pleasant activities, living conditions and lifestyle made possible by a fat bank account. While as individuals we continue struggling to find a harmonious balance between wealth and religion, I urge you today to get started making money and some answers you might find on your journey.
Here is a mind-set programme that I recommend you start with, resolve to make your money, and a lot of it, within legal and biblically acceptable approaches. This kind of thinking will ease your spirit and allow yourself to appreciate monetary rewards that come as a result of your hard work.
Robert Taolana is a Pharmacist, Author and Public Speaker. To invite him to speak as keynote speaker, mc, facilitator or motivational speaker call/WhatsApp: +27747655932 or email: [email protected].