Five Lessons From My Friend

A. Say It

When we met in 2021, he always said he would complete his five-year PhD program within three or four years. As it turned out, he completed it in three years and five months. That remarkable achievement made me realise that what people say out loud to us is one thing; what we say out loud about ourselves to others is another. I believe we need to create spaces where friends can verbalize their vision for their lives. Words are seeds.

B. Money Management

During our conversation, he mentioned that he wanted to retire in 20 years—something that had never crossed my mind. He showed me a website, and together, we modeled some low-risk investments with guaranteed percentile returns. For example, if I start with an initial investment of $10,000 in a mutual fund and add $2,000 every month over 20 years—assuming inflation is at 3% and returns are 10% — we saw the potential outcome. Compound interest is truly a wonder that young people need to understand early.

He also talked about life insurance and the idea of borrowing from it to buy a home instead of taking a loan from a bank, which is vulnerable to fluctuating interest rates. He emphasized the importance of having liquid cash—say, $10,000—because some things in life respond only to money. Additionally, he highlighted the need for an extra source of income and the importance of either starting early or scaling what is currently bringing in little.

Although he has read books like The Richest Man in Babylon, he prefers more practical books that offer specific steps to take. It is good to read, but it is better to read practical books. Beyond that, he prefers books relevant to his local economy, as they are more relatable and actionable. The smart investors and future leaders are those who not only read but read wisely.

C. Nothing Is Beyond You

Despite his academic background being in a slightly different field from his current career, he told me he believes there is nothing they do there that is harder than what he has done elsewhere before. He looked for parallels and drew strength from his past. We must learn to do the same. Like David, we must remind ourselves: I have not fought a giant before, but I have fought lions, bears, and wolves.

He also aims for top companies—some of the biggest in the world—and no wonder he ended up in the number one of them all. We have to aim high in life and realise there is a space for us there. When I mentioned that I tend to shy away from big names and titles, he challenged me to confront that thought by speaking out loud, identifying a link between me and that opportunity, and utilising it as a stepping stone. He believes there is always a way—whether by taking a big leap or a small step. As Rumi said, when you start walking on a way, the way appears.

D. Write It Down

When we first had a casual boys’ conversation about relationships, he quickly pointed out the importance of knowing what truly matters in life- and to you- and, beyond just knowing, writing it down. There is something deeply powerful about putting things into writing. Two to three years later, by a stroke of serendipity, his path intersected with that of his now dove of love that they do lovey-dovey, you get it :). Though he did not recognize her at first, the things he had written down plotted a graph and formed a pattern that led him directly to her—one of value, virtue, and valour.

E. Career Progression

As we talked, he asked about my long-term career plan. It was a difficult question—not because I couldn’t answer it in an interview but because he is my friend, and I didn’t want to give a scripted response or lie. He pointed out that it is worth thinking about it now and reflecting on the steps needed to get there. A future we do not plan for is the one that surprises us when we arrive. He also suggested considering industries with growing demand, such as finance or energy—or both. These are financially rewarding spaces to work in. As we think about building wealth, we must identify spaces and opportunities that will yield maximum returns for our skills and knowledge. Passion, opportunity, and rewards must align.

F. Serendipity

As we spoke, we couldn’t ignore the reality that, as Clayton Christensen said in his TED Talk, sometimes life forces people to implement strategies they never planned. No one plans to fall sick and spend their savings on medical bills. No one expects their spouse or family members to be in similar situations. No one anticipates being a victim of scams or facing negative life events that alter their career trajectories. We must embrace God and keep praying that He remains our shield. Life happens, and may the negative events that destroy the efforts and hopes of many years never happen to us.