Advice To Young People Who Want To Be Successful: My College Grind
Masterclass By: Aaron Kumanja • Editorial: Leaders Mandate
I didn’t come from comfort. I didn’t have options. I had a mission.
I was in my final year of college when this journey began to crystalize. I had already started a business just to survive—I was a photographer. My days were not normal.
Young man, young woman—if you truly want to be rich, you must be willing to live differently. You must be willing to be misunderstood. You must be willing to be alone sometimes. Here is the reality of what it takes to break out of poverty and build an empire.
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Consult with ExpertsThe Blueprint: The Reality of Sacrifice
Before the world even woke up, I was building myself.
The 5:00 AM Foundation
I would wake up at 4:30–5:00 AM. From 5:00 to 6:30 AM, I prayed, read, and prepared myself mentally. That was my foundation. Then I picked up my camera and went out.
Walking The Market
I walked from Kirkman Road (Plot 19) to Sanganai Inn, where there were truck drivers, brick sellers, and sand suppliers. That was my market. That was my opportunity. I took photos. I created value. I earned something. From there, I moved through Tynwald North, then Area D, pushing, selling, working—before even stepping into class.
Exhaustion & The $1 Meal
By the time I got to college, I was already exhausted. I missed most morning lectures. Sometimes I slept through them—especially that long Strategic Management class on Tuesdays. Not because I didn’t care, but because I was carrying a different kind of responsibility.
But I never quit. I would wake up, attend what I could, go for lunch—a simple $1 plate, my only meal for the day—and then head straight to the library. From afternoon until 9 or 10 PM, I studied. Then I took a combi back home. And the next day, I did it again.
If you want to compress years of struggle into a shorter time frame, you must master these 6 principles.
1. Your journey will not look normal
If you are chasing wealth, stop trying to fit into average routines. Wealth is built in sacrifice, not comfort.
2. Start where you are with what you have
I didn’t wait for capital. I used a camera. That was enough. What do you have in your hands right now?
3. Discipline beats motivation
There were days I was tired. Days I didn’t feel like waking up. But discipline carried me when motivation failed.
4. Focus is a superpower
No girlfriend. No distractions. Not because I couldn’t—but because I couldn’t afford to lose focus. I had one shot. Every hour had a purpose.
5. Sacrifice now, gain later
Missing comfort today can create freedom tomorrow. Many people want both at the same time—you can’t.
6. Run your own race
Stop comparing your journey to others. What looks “normal” is often what keeps people average.
You must be willing to be tired—but still move.
The Future Value of Struggle
Because one day, the exact same story that looks like a bitter struggle today… will become the unbreakable foundation of your success.
Run your race. Stay focused. Build your future.
Start Building Your Empire Today
If you want to build your first million, stop looking for comfort. Embrace the discipline required to build the foundation of your success.
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