Nowadays, it is not difficult witnessing comments on social media and gatherings of those who made it readily undermining those “still to make it” and/ or are struggling. Remarks such as, “they are lazy”, “they have an entitlement mentality”, “they are no hard workers”, “they want quick fixes”, “they want handouts” are not rare to hear. While such cases exist, generalising can be and is dangerous. Usually, such comments come from those attributing all their success to their effort alone and nothing else. Indeed, if God exists and does what we are told He does, it would be inappropriate taking credit exclusively. But where divine grace often seen as “luck” exists and experiencing good behind-the-scenes occurrences and opportunities without our active knowledge, it would be wrong to take all credit for all the success. Nevertheless, can it really be acceptable for anyone to generalise negatively about failures and challenges that many experience? By Nimroth Gwetsa, 30 November 2023.

The key to success is doing your best to avoid vanity, pride and conceit. In other words, it is better remaining humble and not making everything about yourself. By humility, it does not mean encouraging timidity and allowing yourself to be trampled on. Neither does it mean encouragement of a lack of confidence. Quite the opposite. Looking at Jesus Christ, we cannot avoid acknowledging the many unprecedented miracles He performed attesting to His greatness. Nothing written about Him has revealed any shred of vanity or self-praise or conceit in Him. Though we are told He had the power to do all those unprecedented miracles He is said to have done, He, Himself never attributed any of those occurrences to Himself but His God. If such humility cannot be an example for our expected conduct, nothing ever can.

Many a times successful people find it easier looking down on others still to make it. If such acts improve own feelings, nothing qualifies anybody to condemn such behaviour. But, success depends on many factors and not just individual contribution. Obviously, one’s efforts and actions play a major part and role in the attainment of success. Personal actions and drive are imperative for success. No one has ever succeeded sustainably without doing anything, and no one has ever succeeded sustainably by waiting on anyone to do anything for them. While acknowledging that personal actions, effort and drive are important, those are not always enough to ensure success. In other words, there are other secondary contributors to success not directly linked to one’s direct efforts, but support or contribution by others. Perhaps then those lamenting others and labelling them lazy are trying to reflect on the personal drive and effort required to attain success. Perhaps their lament stems from seeing people refusing to do anything until intervention is provided. Then, I would agree that no success can be attained in doing nothing and waiting for a messiah. The messiah seems triggered by faith one has in doing all one can to make it even when no support is provided, that by grace or luck, He provides such required intervention. Like the paraphrased saying attributed to Gary Player goes, the harder you practise, the luckier you will get.

In this era, there may be no manna from heaven coming, thus we ought to do something to put food on the table. Giving up pursuit of plans cannot be the easier option simply because a way-out cannot be seen. Ensure you die having tried your best. Notably, there is a season for everything. Your niche offerings may not be the flavour currently but will one day. Life is too complex and full of dynamism that no one can predict the future with certainty unless miraculously. Previously, becoming an architect was an “in thing” because there was a property development boom then. With a litigious recent past we emerged from, becoming a lawyer was an in thing. The diversification and digitisation era also made having any IT skill the flavour. Such cyclical opportunities are not limited to the professional office bound occupation. Recently, egg providers have experienced a boom. Before then and recently, providers of hardbody chickens have experienced their sectoral boom. Fact is, one never knows when their offerings will be in demand. Thus, it is best to not lose one’s core skills and offerings because they may be in demand soon.

Nevertheless, it is plain cruelty having the resources you can share without losing anything and not availing them to others in desperate need thereof. Sometimes people do not require funding but opportunities to apply their skills gainfully because they are willing to earn from their craft than being funded or given handouts. Many make the mistake of assuming people need funding when an opportunity to serve is all they require to be incubated to build and grow therefrom.

Whatever your situation, humble yourself. Indeed, there is power in humility while doing your best confidently and boldly without being too loud. The rewards are greater in such a situation than when forcing recognition, lording over others or bragging. I do not know about you, but it is far more rewarding having been initially undermined only for those condescending to discover your greatness!

If everlasting and worthy reward is what you seek, consider humility as the prerequisite for success.

And when employed or empowered, do not squander such opportunities or ruin it for others. Some things are not worth saying because of their triviality. However, for completeness and reinforcement of common sense, they are worth being stated. Opportunities are squandered when poor effort is made in accomplishing expectations of the benefactors of such opportunities. When given a chance, break the stereotype of people being lazy, having bad attitude, always making excuses and requesting more favours before even proving themselves. Troubles follow opportunities. The situation would be as though demonic forces have been unleashed to steal your joy. You are likely to experience repeated setback and feel hampered from accomplishing your goals and meeting expectations. While such should be expected, attitude makes the difference. So does behaviour and handling of those setbacks. People find it easier focusing on themselves and not the benefactor. They expect benefactors to understand and be lenient to their situation yet they are in the probation period. Unless specifically given the reprieve by the benefactor, do all in your power to prove your worth by availing yourself and delivering amidst setbacks than always bending backward to sacrifice the opportunity so you can attend to what you deem, unavoidable personal matters. I would even echo the words of Christ that, “let the dead bury themselves” if it means having to prove yourself to the benefactor that it was not a mistake and a waste of resources giving you that chance.

Perhaps the benefactor will notice your effort, dedication and sacrifice and could feel compelled to reward you greatly in return. Again, echoing the paraphrased words of Christ, “problems will always be with us”. Thus, it is not worth it destroying possibly the only chance you have on occurrences beyond your control. If anything, sacrifice those other external pressures so you could focus on the expectations of your benefactors until earning their trust. Trust is built once and you will be trusted forever until losing it on a misstep. Should you fail to impress your benefactor, you will find it difficult earning their trust and would have to slave away to secure it. By then energy to continue could be depleted. Discouragement and vicious circle of hopelessness will then begin.

All these are avoidable if we are focused, become diligent in all we do even when no one is watching because that reveals your integrity. Integrity is trivialised in some circles now, but there is growing need for people to show demonstrable record of integrity. Better practice doing and being good now and making it a habit than being pretentious, as you will be discovered.

Humble yourself.