Stop being delusional—hoping things will get better and you will start getting more jobs won't automatically make things better for you. It's a mirage! So is thinking your life would become more fruitful because you just clocked 40! What concerns the universe with the number of years you've wasted? The universe only cares about the number of investments you have made in your life. It's the set of investments you make that takes you from point A to point B.

Many people still believe things get better with time. I used to live in that unguided thought. Nothing changed for me, not until I changed for things! I put my success on time before. I told myself that my life would be better later in the future as if time was a money-doubler or a life-beautifier. I couldn't have been more wrong. Time alone doesn't solve problems or unlock opportunities. It's the actions we take, the knowledge we acquire, and the relationships we build that truly shape our destinies.

This misconception can lead to complacency. Many individuals think that just waiting for the right moment or the right age will magically transform their lives. They might even celebrate small milestones, believing they’re entitled to success without the necessary effort. But waiting in vain can rob you of the energy and determination needed to seize opportunities when they arise.

Think about your life, not your years. Let me tell you, you won't get better with time and your earnings won't skyrocket simply because time passed by. No way! If that was the case, Methuselah would have been the wealthiest man who ever lived. The man lived 969 years—you and I would even wish to get half those years, yet the only thing recorded about his life was he lived and he died. Those were all they knew of him. Don't be like him!

You will get better because of how much you invested in yourself within a period of time. You will need to invest your money. I know this is not a generation that likes to invest their money in their growth. Most folks are just looking for freebies. It's often funny to hear them say: “Do I have to pay for it? Why can't I get it for free?" As someone who has helped tutors get online teaching gigs through my mentorship program, I know this for a fact: professionals who run away from spending money on their growth rarely make good money in their profession. I'm not saying all you have to invest is your money. But if you can't receive a debit alert for your growth, stop hoping for multiple credit alerts. That's being a thief of your own future fortune.

While I advocate for professionals to invest in their growth, I must also emphasise that money isn't the only thing you have to be willing to invest for a productive life. Here are different valuable things you need to invest into your growth:

  • Your time: it's funny how you organise free Webinars to share premium knowledge and someone would tell you: “Please, send the slide. I was too busy to attend." In 2024, those who would succeed would be those who weren't too busy to attend what would help them grow.

  • Your mind: develop your mind by surrounding yourself with those that are doing well in your industry. Follow them on social media. Engage their posts. Ask them valuable questions. How can you succeed in your career when all the colleagues around you are paupers and are desperately looking for better opportunities in other industries so they can dump the profession?

  • Your energy: it takes more than your time to win in any field. There are days I get exhausted even though I never stepped out of the house. Exploring online tutoring tools can be energy-draining sometimes. Imagine downloading an app you've never used before and having to spend your energy testing every button or icon?

True growth demands more than just a few dollars here and there; it requires a commitment to investing in yourself holistically. Time alone won't shape the life you desire; it's the active choices you make and the dedication you show in nurturing your skills, knowledge, and connections that will ultimately pave the way for your success. Embrace the journey of self-investment, and remember: it requires you and only you to take charge of your future and create the life you envision.