If you were not born into a wealthy family

If you were not born into a wealthy family, or you were not born with a silver spoon in your mouth. Here are five mistakes you should avoid if you really want to change your life. And this is not to say those born into wealthy families don't work hard. They actually do. They work hard and they work smart. But the truth is, if you don't have family money, powerful connections, inherited property, or someone waiting to rescue you just in case things go wrong. Some mistakes will cost you much more than it will cost other people. So the first mistake you should avoid. Trying to look successful before you become successful. When you come from a humble background, the pressure to prove that you are doing well can become very strong. So the moment you start earning a little money, you want to show off. Sometimes subconsciously, you want more clothes, the latest phone, a new car, or lifestyle that will make people respect you. But understand this, looking rich and building wealth are two completely different things. Someone else may waste money and still have a family business. They may have properties or family inheritance to fall on, but you may not have that safety net. Before you upgrade your lifestyle, upgrade your skills, upgrade your savings, expand your knowledge and your sources of income. There's absolutely no shame in looking ordinary whilst you are quietly building an extraordinarily wealthy life. Number two, refusing to start small because you are thinking of what people will say. Sometimes pride keeps people from opportunities that could have changed their lives. Let me explain, you don't always begin where you deserve to be. Sometimes you begin where the door opens easily. Because sometimes what matters is to get your foot in the door. Your first job may not be your dream job. Your first business may not look impressive. Your first apartment may not look beautiful. So start where you are, learn what you can, and quietly build consistently. Because there is no embarrassment in starting small. Number three, depending on hard work without becoming valuable. Many of us are told to believe that if you work hard, eventually everything will work out. But to be honest, hard work alone is not enough. You can work extremely hard at something the world no longer values and you still remain stuck. So you need useful skills, you need knowledge, you need leadership, money, communication, business, or whatever is relevant to the path you have chosen. Ask yourself, what can I do to solve a real problem? What skills do I have that can create opportunities beyond my current circumstances? Hard work is powerful, let no one lie to you. But hard work combined with valuable skills can completely change your life. Number four, being around people who make your growth feel like a betrayal. Be careful of environments where your ambitions are mocked. Sometimes the people around you will make you feel stupid for wanting to learn, for wanting to save money, for wanting to go back to school. They can't seem to understand why you yearn to grow. But here's the truth, growth will change you. It is actually supposed to. But that does not mean you should be arrogant or abandon the people who supported you. It simply means you cannot allow loyalty to an old environment to destroy your future. You can love people and still refuse to inherit their limitations. Number five, believing someone will come and save you. This one is difficult, but very necessary. Help me come. People may support you. God may even send opportunities in your favor. But you cannot build a life around the hope that someone will help you, someone will notice you, employ you, sponsor you, marry you, or carry your responsibilities for you. Become an active participant of your own life. Go for the opportunity, learn the skill, take reasonable risks, send that email, save the money. Leave that environment, try again after the rejection. You may not be responsible for the circumstances you were born into, but at some point, you become responsible for what you do with them. Coming from a humble background is not something you should be ashamed of. It means you have to be intentional. You may have to delay certain pleasures. You may have to learn things your parents never taught. You may have to build the foundation that the next generation of your family will stand on. And honestly, that is not a small responsibility. So ask yourself this honest question: Are your current decisions helping you become the person who will change your family's story? Or are you repeating the same patterns you once prayed to escape? Think about this for a moment and share this with a brother or sister who needs to see this. My name is Kwabena Afriyie Akoto-Bamfo and I'm just a brotherly advice, and I'm only looking out for you.