One of the things we do not get to choose in life, is the family we’re born in. At least, before surrogacy and donors became prevalent, babies were born in families they found themselves. Absolutely nothing could be done to influence that, way back.
The assertion that “all humans are created equal” is largely factual, but can be disputed. This forms the basis of this piece. There are headstarts and drawbacks, amongst humans.
Headstarts are simply leverages, edges or advantages. It is veritable to state that, a child born in an affluent family has a headstart in life. Access to good education, healthcare, social interactions and exposure are some of the numerous benefits.
Drawbacks, on the other hand are the setbacks or difficulties a child from an indigent family, would contend with. Such a child has to grapple with malnutrition, hunger, limited access to education and poor healthcare, little social interactions or network.
Yet, such children still grow and can become great, even without headstarts or leverages.
I do not discount the fact that, a headstart is a useful launch pad for success. The Nigerian business mogul, Femi Otedola, benefited from his father’s wealth, business connections and exposure. He grew his wealth exponentially. His sense of industry and business ethics significantly contributed to the success story. The headstart was handy but he didn’t stop at that.
In the same vein, the popular Gospel artist and business man, Frank Edwards, had drawbacks, early in life. His mom sold beancake on the street in Enugu, in the Eastern part of Nigeria. He unashamedly hawked the beancakes and fuelled the embers of fire for her to produce her products. Life was hard, he was obviously handicapped, but he pushed hard regardless. He learned how to play the keyboard in church and had passion for music. He honed his craft and followed through the process of becoming.
He might not have been noticed early, but he kept pushing, blending Gospel music, with rock and pop. The uniqueness distinguished his craft.
Today, we celebrate an icon, who has added several feathers to his nest. He was born local, grew up local but has evolved to become an international brand, standing tall and waxing strong.
What then is the essence of a headstart? What are strengths in drawbacks? As good as headstarts are, it is not a guarantee to a lasting success. It is simply not sustainable if you can not grow it, fuel it or improve on it.
Recent studies have revealed that millionaires and billionaires are self made, started from the scratch, with zero headstart in life and business.
Ramsey’s Solutions Study posit that 79% of millionaires did not receive any inheritance. Eight out of ten of them invested in their companies, working assiduously to see it grow.
What then are drawbacks? Drawbacks or setbacks are momentary. Hurdles in track events are placed there to challenge the athletes to increase their speed, flexibility and proficiency. Hurdle runners are better in mobility, endurance, speed, power and coordination, than their counterpart. The drawbacks eventually become leverages. Life is indeed a twist!
It is therefore safe to conclude from the foregoing that, drawbacks are setups. Whereas, headstarts can become a trap that could inhibit success if not judiciously utilised. So, if you were born without a silver spoon, brace up and stop moaning. When next you are tempted to view people around you with headstarts with a green eye, consider the end and know that life itself permits scaling up. Appreciate it if you have the privilege of a headstart and brace up if all you had at the inception was just a drawback. Either way you are the architect of whatever pans out.
Life is a confluence, in the end the high and the low get to meet. See your drawbacks as an opportunity to grow and never imagine that your headstart is enough to catapult you if you do nothing to grow it.
Ebunoluwa Ibibo
Golden Muse
