This weekend, I was listening to Simon Sinek's Start With Why. I watched his Youtube video when he was talking about Start With Why and it is so powerful because there are so many businesses out there and we always begin with "what we do" and "how we do it", but not many begin with "why".
I came from a very humble beginning. When I was growing up, I only got to see my parents twice a year. I never had a childhood around my parents and I don't even know how it's like to be in my parents' arms. It never happened because they were always in a different city to make a living.
That planted seeds in my head - that money separated our family and I didn't want that to ever happen to my family. That is also why I am very grateful that I was able to come to the US and work towards my goal - which is to become financially free. To never have to worry about money, for money to never dictate whether I could do certain things.
When I got to the US, I thought that in order to become successful, I had to have a degree, so I got my Master's Degree in Business. But the truth is if you want to go to college, go for your passion and not the pension. I have seen so many people including myself, who get their degrees and work hard for years to pay off their student loans, making it very hard for them to get ahead.
It was not until I read Robert Kiyosaki's book, Rich Dad Poor Dad, and learned to shift my mindset from employee to entrepreneur, that I started looking for different ways to become an entrepreneur and investor. It is my 12th year in the US and I have looked for different ways to become an investor, I have started many different types of business ventures and investments, and I have done it all. I've been through a lot of challenges, invested a lot of money, and lost a lot of money in the process. I know how it feels to have a strong desire to become financially independent and free without guidance. There will be a lot of trial and error.
When I was in Real Estate, I realized that I needed to learn more about money because even when I went to school for business, I did not know how to manage my money. I went to a financial advisor for help, but all they did was ask questions about our finances and put us in a mutual fund without enough education. That is why I understand how frustrating this can be. I have been through all of that, including when you do not know if your money is working for you or if it is working for somebody else while you are paying a bunch of fees.
But I am very grateful and I never give up. I keep going no matter what. No matter how many mistakes I make and how much money I lose, I keep going because I am very determined to become financially independent. I do not want what happened to me to happen to my children, and I will do everything, regardless of how long it will take. I am committed to making it happen.
Once you become committed to what you want to happen, the resources will start coming to you.
I am also very grateful that I met my mentor in the financial industry. He taught me a lot of things - how to manage my money, how the principles of investment work, and from then, I became more confident. I realized that I can become the master of my own money. I can become the master of my own finances. I applied the things he taught me and built an even stronger financial foundation for myself, and fast forward to today, we are living in a lovely home with a beautiful family. My parents have retired, and my family lives in my house.
I am very grateful that I have accomplished that. This is not meant to impress you, but to inspire you that it is possible if you keep going. If financial independence is really important to you, do not ever give up. Keep searching.
I have a really strong WHY. If I did not, I would have given up many years ago.
Another great mentor I had was a very successful billionaire. He wrote the book that says "You Can Too!", and on the cover, it says,
