So what is your story? 

-Where were you born?

-What school did you attend?

-Are your parents divorced?

-What do you believe in?

These questions are a reminder of where we came from, who we are, and a reminder of where we are going. Unlike a chemist, I call these experiences our true building blocks; a different kind of DNA. No single person in this world has had the exact same experiences in life. Similar? Yes, but never exact. In the following paragraphs, I intend to appeal to your head and not your emotions. Sympathies are often times than not our worst enemies. I believe that our true problems are buried in the backyard. I also believe that  in the same garden lies our potential. In everyone's life there comes a time when we need to look back in order to see the future! I call it a time to gain perspective.  

Gaining perspective by looking through the past is so important for success because it is the only raw form of motivation. A type of motivation that lies within. This is because what pursues us pushes us. The bad, the good and the worst in our past all help to create a perspective of the future. I am not oblivious of the fact that not all of us have similar backgrounds. I would be foolish to think that, regardless; we all have what we have because of either what we did or because what others did for us. A friend of mine in college used to say "We need to pay our dues". Somewhere down the line, someone had to do some dirty work. Either your parents, yourself or aunts or brothers, someone paved the way for you to go through.  

When some people look back, they are reminded of things that they never want to remember. I sympathize with them, but we cannot solve a problem by running away from it. Some lost all their inheritance because they had to pay parents’ medical bills. And you wonder why money is important to them! I know a friend who never wastes food, because his grandmother was in a Nazi camp. I also know a friend who exercises often because he can't risk a heart attack that his one parent suffered. What am I talking about? It is the past that pushes us to see the future. It is in our nature to want to make life better for those who come after us. That is the idea behind life insurance and other forms of savings. But we can only do that when we look at our past and see the ugly in order for us to look into the future and see the beautiful. As for me, I will never forget days when I had to study at night using a candle lamp,  and when my mother worked night and day to pay for my school fees. These are the iron fibers that make me. So here I stand, because of the past, more motivated than before, and burning with passion to twist the hand of fate. The rule of fate is one that I intend to break every day. My best days are yet to come, so are yours too. If only you dared to look back, you would see that one act, that one person, that true motivation that will catapult you into your dreams. Because there is no other option, there will be no other option, and there was never any other option, but to pursue your dreams and succeed. It is the individual dream that I believe in and not the American dream. 

Finally, let me remind you of the greatest trap in life. The greatest folly in life is to forget how you became successful in the first place. Some people call it complacency, some call it pride, some blame it on drugs, or fame or what have you, I really don't give a dime. The bottom line is if you forget how you got here, this will be your last destination for sure. Remember success is common but maintaining success is rare! I know success comes in different packages, but at one point it knocks on your door. We all have had a stroke of luck here and there, but maintaining success is more of an art than it is about hard work, intelligence or any other thing for that matter. I don't want to bore you with the stories of the many successful people that made it then but now are filled with regret waiting to die. Don't be one of those, lest you say I did not warn you. Athletes know this very well, yesterday success is not a guarantee for tomorrow. On the other hand, it is possible to grow in success, if we dare to seek motivation from our past and never forget where we came from. As for me, I am unapologetic about my past, in fact, I'm pretty rude about the future: I want to fucking change my future so bad, that my past would look like another life. 

So when you start your new job/company never forget what got you here in the first place. In fact, I will never forget what got me that scholarship at age 14. I will remember it clearly like it was yesterday. I will remember the past, hard work, integrity, humility, respect of superiors, respect of the law, dedication, the power of knowledge through reading, and finally where I am going. I hope you too will take time to draw motivation from the past as you live your lives, and stay successful.  

What is in your past that motivates you, that inspires you to action?  What experience in your past make you tear up with passion?  What don't you want to see in your kids? That experience is your true motivation. Know it and you have discovered yourself and nothing will stop you. 

Good luck and may you break the rule of fate every day of your life.