Chapter 4

Independence

Self-Reliance

Never make a habit of depending on others to do what you are capable of doing yourself. Accept help when you genuinely need it, but strive to remain independent, capable and responsible for your own life. Strive to stand on your own feet, provide for yourself and take responsibility for your future. You want it, earn it!

Your problems get solved when you stop waiting for someone else to solve them for you. Your aims and objectives get fulfilled when you stop waiting for someone else to fulfil them for you. And your work gets done when you stop waiting for someone else to do it for you. See the pattern here—if you want to make a success of something, be dependent on no one.

A man builds for himself rather than living on what another man has built. Self-worth comes from being self-made. There is nothing noble in living off someone else’s hard work; true dignity cannot be found in consuming the harvest of another man’s toil. Want nothing from anyone. A man who wants nothing cannot be owned, controlled, or manipulated. Always follow your inner compass, disregard the crowd and go your own way. Dependence is your enemy.

Your Own Path

Outcomes are shaped by your decisions, your discipline, and your consistency. This is one of the strongest predictors of success and life satisfaction. Do not go cap in hand to anybody, ever. If you want something that depends on somebody else, accept that it is not something you can have right away. Depend only on yourself. Work hard, build something for yourself, and be your own man.

Broadly speaking, there are two kinds of people in life: “takers” and “creators”. The “takers” chase the appearance of success, focusing inward on wealth, possessions, and how they are perceived. They usually watch from the sidelines—quick to judge, criticise, and take rather than create. In contrast, “creators” focus outward on progression, working and building genuine success by improving themselves and uplifting the world around them. The latter means a life with meaning and fulfilment. The former does not.

Whichever path you choose in life, have the confidence to make it your own and go your own way. Someone else’s journey may not be right for you. Independence is crucial, and there is deep self-worth in building a life through your own efforts.