With hindsight: Dear Ramzey…
Your life, career and future are up to you and you alone. Your biggest challenge and greatest achievement will be finding what you were put on this earth to accomplish and how to use that knowledge to create something phenomenal that inspires and opens the hearts of others.
You’ll learn that success comes down to three factors: hunger, desire and hard work. Don’t assume it will be easy. You will need to push yourself if you want to be the absolute best you can be.
Listen up: don’t let anyone tell you that you aren’t good enough. If you find that mainstream schooling isn’t for you, that’s okay. You have talents and gifts that no school can teach, but you must find your purpose.
You’ll make mistakes along the way, but they won’t define you. In fact, the lessons you choose to find in your mistakes will shape who you are and how you evolve.
Never let stereotypes or labels define who you are; it’s who you surround yourself with that will influence the person you become. There’s only so much you can do to help others. At the end of the day, if they don’t want to help themselves, listen to your instincts and know when to let them go.
No matter what happens, or how bad a situation gets, always take the time to reflect. Look for the good in the situation and turn that experience into a great opportunity.
When you find your purpose, take the time to be the best you can be through using coaches and mentors. Look to the greats outside your field to learn about how they achieved success; their knowledge and lessons will be invaluable to you.
Always push the boundaries and challenge the status quo; don’t look at things in the same way as everyone else. You were blessed with a creative mind for a reason. Don’t accept ‘no’
for an answer and don’t be afraid to break the rules, so long as it doesn’t get you into too much trouble.
When you come across roadblocks, channel your thirst for knowledge into books and people, and you’ll be able to solve every problem. Always remember you can learn anything and everything you put your mind to.
Always remain grateful for what you have and show appreciation to those who have helped you in life. Support your family and be there for them; help them grow and help them to improve.
When it comes down to it, you are responsible for your own opportunities. The harder you push yourself, the greater opportunities you will create.
Above all, believe in yourself. You have a vision and a purpose. Find out what you love to do and share it with the world. Channel your hunger to become the best version of you. Never stop learning so you can continue to lead, inspire and teach others along the way.
Be relentless, and remember, there’s always a way — you just need to find it.
Ramzey Choker