The Future
Has in fact begun!
Do you remember when we used to wonder what our parents were doing wrong — why they couldn’t afford certain luxuries for us or even for themselves? Meanwhile, kids in the next neighborhood had parents with nice family cars, successful businesses, and comfortable apartments.
The reality is, history is repeating itself.
Right now, you’re in the same shoes. There are things you can’t afford for yourself, and for those who are married, you’re probably telling your spouse, “It’s normal, we’re just starting out.” But here’s the hard truth — “We’re just starting out” doesn’t come with an expiration date. People move from that phrase to “Well, they have one kid, we have two, we can’t compare,” and then to “Gratitude is key, we’re just thankful.”
Now, there’s nothing wrong with gratitude, but if we’re not careful, we may be walking the same path our parents did — one that led to a lifetime of financial struggle.
Some of these struggles are systemic. Ask yourself:
- What job or skill do you have that can actually afford the life you need, not just what you want?
- Does your current role provide a clear path to promotions and higher earnings?
- If you lost your job today, how easily could you get another one or a better-paying opportunity?
- What business do you have that can pay you equal to or more than what you currently earn?
For many of our parents, their lack of answers to these questions led to a cycle of financial hardship. Yet, here we are, making the same mistakes, as if we’re the first humans to walk the Earth.
And let me just throw this in — one of the biggest mistakes you can make, one that guarantees a life of lack, is refusing to learn and follow instructions. The opposite — being teachable, accepting corrections, and applying knowledge — will set you up for success. But don’t just take advice from equally mediocre people. That’s even worse than ignoring advice altogether. Listen to those doing better than you. Their wisdom has the power to accelerate your growth.
Now, back to those critical questions. The answers?
- Become indispensable in your workplace. Be so valuable that the system struggles without you.
- Learn new skills — both present and future-relevant ones. If a skill is at risk of becoming obsolete, get ahead of it and acquire new ones. It’s hard, but in your spare time, develop additional competencies.
- Find a business niche you can capitalize on. Many people have built wealth while keeping their day jobs, ensuring they never go broke again.
I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it again: What you can’t get because of a lack of money, you can often get with enough knowledge — and vice versa.
Don’t wake up one day trapped in the future you always feared. Stay proactive, do what needs to be done now, and avoid a life of constant “let’s just manage.” Because if you’re not intentional, the things you can’t afford today might still be out of reach in your so-called better future.
