Life Owes You Nothing

The truth in society is that life doesn’t owe you anything.

Not a tender, order, job, bed, single meal, palatial home, or flashy car.

Not even you tenderpreneurs with pointy shoes and inside connections, or public officials employed full time who dabble in business on the side, are entitled to anything.

The quicker such misguidedly nauseating entitlement beliefs are discarded and you get on with life, the better.

If not, there is the risk that you will influence others, whiners, especially children, including your own ones, who might be inclined to also develop an entitlement culture.

It is fact that the government’s responsibility is to create a stable and conducive environment in which an economy prospers and where people can engage in entrepreneurial activity and create wealth and jobs in the process.

And to provide quality education, healthcare and social services that provide for orphans, the vulnerable, sick people and the aged in society.

Much remains to be done, but there is progress and everyone must play their part.

Allegedly there is a place called Utopia, where it is said the government, laws and regulations and social conditions are perfect, but until somebody finds that mythical Utopia it will remain an imaginary country.

If you feel wronged, freeloader, don’t go around pretending the country and its government owes you a living.

Rather spend your time observing right there in your own community how diligently most people go about productively contributing to the development of Namibia’s economy, from grassroots up.

You will see people working very hard trying to make a living.

No one is going to give you anything for free just because you harbour an entitlement notion.

As a German-speaking friend, who resides in one of the capital’s high-density suburbs, often says: No matter the chance, opportunity, help or support some people get, by choice they will remain victims for life.

Young adults at that early stage in life’s journey must understand that the world owes nobody a living – only the opportunity to make a living.

It is our responsibility as the baby boomer generation, those born between 1946 and 1960, to help younger generations prepare for a better country and world.

We must guide them on the importance of planning for what lies ahead in terms of personal relationships, their selected career path and more broadly, for what life offers and brings.

Help them grasp that they must never buy somebody a drink expecting reciprocity. Buy the drink to be social, for their friendship and company, but not with an ulterior motive in mind.

The same applies to doing somebody a favour and expecting something in return.

By accepting that nobody owes them anything, young Namibians will discard the notion that something will be received in return for free.

They will learn and accept that there is no entitlement and what others give is never going to be more than what one creates oneself.

Young people must be taught to believe in themselves, set goals and work towards achieving that objective.

Also be guided to understand that the secret to a successful career or success in business comes at a price, which is hard and smart work.

• Danny Meyer is reachable at danny@smecompete.com