The road travelled less

It might be of imminent importance to ask, ‘Which road is to be travelled and how to know the road ahead is not filled with dangerous, unkind consequences?’
In the thinking gathered by various experiences the road less travelled does not amount to various, ordinary looking methods for fallible human being. It is the impression given by writings from various sources. Mentioning any specifics would not give any relief to crafting a viable path to finding the exact road less travelled. All roads seem to have been travelled from the eyes of fallible human life.
At this stage it may become clear that the road being talked about is fulfilling life. ‘Life.’ Everyone talk about it, but do we know what life really is? It would be a foolish pre-empt for anyone, let alone the speaker in any hall, to proclaim the whole idea of life. However, it would also be foolish to stop asking, creating a path that one wish to uphold.
This is a wishful path that I would like to think, understand is my current reality and anything therefore would be resolved by intervention of great meaning. This seeks to clarify, in wishful reality, the kind of environment, people and situations that I come across.
It was Tuesday evening in his house; Owen just bought a small but stylish house through his meagre salary. He has been renowned as a handful, friendly, yet wise man, among his employers, peers. In his two-seater couch he sat reading a book about sound, practical personal financial management, while the sound of classic music sinks deep the hard text of his book. He is clearly deep in concentration and finding some solution from the resource. He has bought a house in joint partnership with a woman. ‘A very lovely women, someone who melt my heart,’ he said. The house was bought in conjunction with his dream car, a mini cooper. It was not exactly the design he had intended to buy initially but when asked, he said, ‘which dream has never had alteration of some sort.’ A very realistic observation indeed!
Owen had gone through some rough patches in his life, and one would not have imagined that he may pull through this magnificent arrangement. ‘He did not look the type,’ one observer said. But deep in his heart he knew all along that he may, one day, through sheer will and persistent receive what is dear to his heart. ‘I use to tell myself that there is no road less travelled. I was just following someone else’s steps. Who that person is, I have no idea,’ he simply said. But who would think they are following someone else’s steps if they knew not who the person is, what he did? ‘It comes at a great price to choose a path that you have no complete knowledge of, but through planning, wishful thinking and some form of pragmatism a way could be found. I had written my plans thousand times, some I have not achieved but most are still in my heart and one day, just one day, they will come to fruition.’ The confidence he sold to me made me realise that with confidence, initiative, the possibilities are endless. However, he does not give an impression of someone who has achieved anything in his life. Perhaps modesty is one of his principles. Or not! ‘I would like to live as a poor man with lots of money,’ he quoted Pablo Picasso, the greater artist.
Talking about money, how does he manage to survive without a fat bank balance? Doesn’t money buy these things he possesses? Yes, money does buy things one possesses, but I was taught that it’s not how much you earn but what you do with what you earn that matters. Perhaps his study of economics is of great help. In economics, there’s an opportunity cost. One may not achieve all things at once with limited resources, to acquire them. A car and house in almost at once. It was, from the onlooker, a predetermined occurrence. However, when looking closely one realises it was a risky opportunity that paid off handsomely.
The thinking behind this observation has somehow human nature in it.
‘It would be foolish to state that people do have intuitive understanding of material possession. But for me, material possessions are just ordinary way of upping one’s living condition. People should not disregard the fact those things comes at a cost through one’s ability to maintain the so-called ‘decent living standard conditions,’ he explained. ‘I still dream and hope to maintain my living standard without further incurring small debts. That, I understand, need iron-will self control, which I shall strive for,’ his honesty sometimes get one to think there’s quite a lot this man wants to achieve in his life. ‘Career-wise, I still want to work for more experience and more money until I have completed brainstorming, researching and seeing through my entrepreneurial venture.’ ‘What venture?’ I asked, surprised about yearning of a man to still run his own business. ‘In my deep knowledge, I want to start something big and fancy.’ Like what, I wondered. ‘When you look at various ideas that are available and the chance to steadily gain market share within your area of specialisation you need to look at all possibilities and strategically use those to your advantage.’ Owen impressed with his general business wisdom, but what kind of business does he want to start. ‘Currently, I’m looking at billboard and signs business(outdoor advertising) and when my mind grasp with fuller understanding of the stock market, I would venture into stock market; while steadily working hard keeping my job as a customer service agent at a shipping company. Furthermore, I would still like to work in either marketing, account management, PR, sales or advertising industry,’ he outlined his wishes. How much does he want to earn or how much does he think he’s worth? ‘I think with my current responsibilities I’m worth at least R25, 000, 00 before tax, monthly.’ What an amount. But who’s willing to pay such an amount for two-year diploma holder? ‘There’s always a way. As long as I look at the right places, send those applications for posted positions, then I will get lucky, who knows.’ Agreed, an attempt is nearly a sure way of making your own luck.
The change of things, however, does not seem to have deterred many people with realistic plans. What may be Owen’s plans? ‘I have come to the realisation that it is very important for one to remain true to his goals. No one is ever sure of the future, but one has the power to shape his future for his own liking,’ he said,’ but I have to be sure that there is a positive future that I am trying to shape for myself while combining the power of knowledge that I might accumulate,’ he continued. Owen has vowed, during his early age that he wants to be both wealthy and knowledgeable. By the beginning of September 2009, after getting married to his beloved wife, Owen set out to become a successful trader. ‘My focus, when it comes to trading has been looking at medium term investments. I got lucky to have a supportive wife beside me. She understood my yearning for mastering the art for finance and share trading.’ This is the man who have embarked on a journey that many would have seen very risky. He started his own cleaning business at the beginning of 2010, January. ‘I know it was a risky plan, but I think I am fortunate enough to have become a successful business man,’ he said, modestly, but how did it start? I thought that’s something which anyone could have taken for granted. I suggested to my wife that we sell her car, thus we can buy a ford bantam in order to get into cleaning business. I had saved few rands in order to buy cleaning equipments detergents I started without any clients, but I knew what clients I was looking for. It took a lot of networking, marketing and advertising to get the business going. With the funding from the small business funding programme I managed to raise enough funds to cover my operating cost for three months. Then I landed a contract with a new building that was towards completion by the time I had opened my business. I had to do a lot of convincing because my form of cleaning was mainly carpet, and windows for industrial, office and home. Personally, I think I was lucky because I have no qualification in this industry. It was pure entrepreneurial instinct that I had’ he said.
In the field of success, which has, not surprisingly, became the field one need to consistently make relevant observations that ensure one’s perspective does not deplete from the people he might need to advance his causes.
‘I am not categorically stating that my success was without problems, but it was the will to go on that objectively gave me the brainpower to overcome most of my problems,’ Owen said, ‘I faced some great challenges at a young age and I managed to deal with them like a real professional,’ he continued.
Some admirable qualities that I have come to see within the heart of subject of the road less travelled, is that he believed in luck and hard work.
No matter what!
Life is a journey which many of us would like to see many wonderful things. ‘I have been branded as grumpy. But at the end of the day, I had this ability to see that something would go wrong, thus I have to act quickly in order to prevent the wrong from occurring.’
But what about being branded grumpy?
‘Most people who thought I was grumpy came back to me after a few moments to thank me for the invaluable foresight that I have provided.’
In his capacity Owen seem to be a man who anyone can call work-in-progress. ‘I am no extraordinary, but I always believe that I can do extraordinary things. Change the world. Empower myself beyond the belief of many.’ What an inspirational observant that anyone can make.
Before many get tempted to consider this profiling as mere talk but no action. Let me take you to the situation which Owen had encountered to prove his yearning for greatness in his stride. From the year 2004 he vowed that he wanted to achieve something in his own capacity. As an avid reader, he believed that knowledge acquired in books can be applied with great verve, enough consideration to match the living of modern day classicism. He set out below goals to achieve:
1. To become an efficient presenter of information, and knowledge.
2. To earn R10, 000 after tax on my first job
3. To own and drive a mini cooper
4. To marry an intelligent and beautiful wife.
5. To own shares.
The above goals have been a successful thus far and they have formed part of his life. However, as he had learned that to challenge himself to the limit he has to set as many goals as possible. Many of them are what we may call qualitative and rather realistic goals. We will detail a couple below for minimal light they give.
1. To earn at least R25, 000 per month before the age 28
2. To become an effective marketing genius
3. To be an efficient and effective planner of creative yet strategic marketing plans
4. To become a strategic networker

The above goals are just the ones which have formed part of the mindset which Owen has had due to them. It was within the understanding of the people who worked very closely with him that he had a different mindset. Those who could not understand thought him a misfit. However, it was just a davinci personality that he upholds. To illustrate that further, it is worth noting that Owen was the kind who does not have, in his philosophy, the idea of undermining, ridiculing another individual. This has shown in his changing his method of human nature in 2005 after he completed his diploma. Owen went to self develop himself greatly towards the understanding of the working of human emotions. He discovered that the main block between people in dealing with one another, mainly to resolve conflict, has been the playground of emotions. Thus he set out to remain logically objective in all his interaction with people. What did he seek out to do? Normally anyone would have thought this task a mammoth but that was not the case with Owen. From hereon we saw an individual who happened to be known, through unfounded reasons, as tactless and lacking in humility turning his weaknesses into the greatest advantage ever.
It is imperative that when one’s mind is in the state of disarray, mainly the visual mind, should be genuinely propelled to visualise only the positive that happens or happened. This should be a recurring thing because the mind, with its three aspects, has the way of seeing happen in real life what it created in its own state. Mental dimension if one would call it.
It was on a Friday; Owen was invited to a lunch by his probable new manager. The atmosphere was relaxed and he was clearly enjoying this grand gesture. Getting to know the person who he’ll be reporting to beforehand, in a rather casual setting. There were four of them that were being on that cafe. The main purpose of the meeting was the signature of the relationship that would be made to last for the maximum of three years. With Owen focusing his service on the new company. Quite close to the company that he would have loved to serve before embarking on a daring journey to become a marketing manager, or shall we say ‘his desire to become an industrious marketing genius.’
The discussion ranged from everything that normal people, when they had met in a restaurant, discuss or converse about. Owen, as a qualified chief executive listener, was on the listening side. He posed questions here and there but he was mainly the listener.
In his ideal life, Owen would like to live a life with a purpose that any ordinary human being would consider normal. Having an exciting adventure with his wife while not abandoning the harmony that he has with his friends, family and other human beings. However, the main focus would be on building the successful relationship with his wife. Ideally, he would be living with his wife in the manner below:
Refraining from having resentments towards her, ensuring she have the same feeling about her.
Making sure everyone contribute towards the success of the relationship, joint financial contribution
Supporting each other on most ventures that one wish to embark on, eliminating any negativity from either party.
Being completely open to each other, regardless of the mistake that one has done. Being forgiving in the knowledge that we share a life for spiritual, emotional, mental and financial gains in our relationship.
This is an ideal which has many positive outcomes in the world of success. He had learned, through trial and error, that in a relationship anyone has to remain committed regardless of the difference that occurs. In real world, where relationship pessimism has multiplied by tenfold, it is worth noting and revealing, through genuine commitment, that to survive and build a successful relationship one needs to anticipate and cure any mental negativity.
It remains an observation of great consideration that the world is changing faster than we have changed, sometimes beyond our comprehension. On the 7th of October 2009, at the company I work for, the managing director of the company cam to announce very concerning news to the staff. Downsizing has been the most talk about occurrence within organisational changes. There it was, Owen having read about it in his addictive bookishness, coming to reality. It was stated that due to global changes, the company was going to lay-off some staff. The company was a big enterprise, but it has now seen it within its own convenience to become biggy small. It was announced on the day that the next two weeks the selection will be made for those who stay and those will be retrenched.
Because events like this affect anyone who has genuine concern about their career well being, Owen was affected gravely. He became part of those whom the company has decided to lay-off. He was a hard worker, undoubtedly, but he was affected. He was committed to the dreams of the company but he was affected. Nevertheless, he looked forward with great hope and pragmatism that would ensure his dreams stays intact. The company would pay out the retrenchment package. Owen was, prior to the event, searching for the career that he had planned and studied diligently for. He also had two prospects which were far more promising to rope him into the vision of the company. Because he understood that company’s like to ensure everything is under control they there was not much doubt that whatever may occur it was to occur for his advantage. He somehow understood and practiced the law of attraction, which helped him solve most of feelings without further delays. In his practical view, he was much closer to realising his dream career and salary than any other moment. This is a man whom we have mentioned that he dreamt a beautiful life with the love of his life. And he was not ashamed to acknowledge that all good things or anything he had worked for is due to him. He believed in his ideas, so strongly, to come to fruition with ease and precision. After getting the job he had been waiting for, Owen did a financial transaction that became so smart in the long run, to the jubilation of his wife. He received a retrenchment package of, at least, R104, 000, 00 before tax. R10, 000, 00 was for reskilling purposes as per retrenchment procedure. He was left with R70,000,00. He divided the remaining balance for the following:
R10000,00 to repay his loan
R7500 to repay car finance
R7500 to repay bonds finance
He took R35000,00 to buy a metallic blue ford bantam in order to be able to travel to work.
Doing so was a smart thing based on long term view. He would be saving at 8% on each instalment that he had and would left with more cash in his account each month; to allow him to pursue other purposes. He admitted that it was pure luck and smart planning that got him into good financial position.
Nevertheless, his emphasized bookishness has taught him that, to reach his vision in less time he has to be in a place of believing, knowing, and feeling that he has already achieved his vision. He applied those lessons in sync with his pragmatism. He encompassed his life within a notebook kind of sort. He wrote more about himself within his pre- and post- achievement. As well as the thinking that motivated such action. This was a man who wrote in conjunction with his state of mind. Doing so was not about showing self-worth or ego but showing his true emotions, thoughts he could not articulate during normal human interaction. Although he knew and believed that time was just an illusory idea, he was still obsessed with what time can permit humankind to achieve measure his achievements. It was worth noting, without any judgement call, what his daily life entailed, outside of work. Owen did not shy away from modern social media such as facebook. He would spend considerable amount of time updating his facebook status, writing creative notes, commenting on friends’ status. He would also use his internet knowledge to writing active articles about himself and his experiences on a blog. On another normal day, he will be hanging out with people for staying in touch with reality and maintaining his influencing abilities. Furthermore, he was a romantic at heart to make breakfast for his wife. Life was a pleasurable experience that he could not get over. He understood his limitations and used it to his advantage. He did admit to having an ego, while he was also working hard on taming the ego. His yearning, in all sphere of life, was to ensure he has considerable amount of deep wisdom and intellect to make commendable observations about all kind of decisions. His, in short, was to be a philosopher king, with pride. He had the innate ability to practice vivid visualisation. Vividly visualising the results he desired brought to him enough, sustainable success. It was a rather simple, yet, crucial step in leading his road to continuous perseverance and pragmatism. He believed that life would not necessarily offer him everything but he also knew that what effort he gave to life would rewarded greatly. In short , Owen was an imagination machine that any genius would be comparable to. He was giving himself enough room to manoeuvre without any sign of stubbornness, arrogance but with humbleness, integrity and purism. This was not to say he was gullible to life but he did not deny his gullibility to books. Books! Mastering as many subject in his life belonged to one of his lifelong dreams. Owen loved many meaningful subjects and he hoped those subjects would be of great use in most of his life’s encounters. He also wished subjects and books loved him. He yearned to make decisions based on his learnedness, self-developed knowledge. Over the next two months he knew that he would need to make real his dreams of earning an amount of R25, 000, 00 per month, in order to make sure the security of his life remains intact. He would also ensure that he continue his studies. This time around he would not make the mistake of not finishing his studies like before. He has worked through some of the situations that would position him to the core of his success, in his endeavour, thus opening the way for the clarity in his concentration and memory.
He had showed the need to live a life of inner resourcefulness by formulating and applying four values that he would live by:
Smart work:
-doing what one loves and having fun doing it
Truth:
-speaking what can be validated as fact and with integrity
Wealth:
-living the life of prosperity, i.e. savings, investments, property ownership and few luxuries
Wisdom:
-continuous learning, experimenting, usage of current knowledge and experience for the advancement of one’s life.

Owen knew the power of infinite intelligence would be the main attraction for the realisation of his life’s purposes. Furthermore, details regarding the planning of his success were the share trading strategy and unit trusts investment. The former and latter was a detailed concept applied to achieve below vision:
Share trading- online trading which has become the new norm for monitoring one’s money making was for:
-To generate an additional income to cover other expenses
-To invest for pure money making and to afford a car, furniture and clothes
Unit trusts- also an online account which enable an investor to monitor the flow and growth of his investment
-To use the invested money for car service and remodelling of the house he owned.
These accounts enabled and revealed, in particular, the financial savvies of money hungry Owen. He understood very well that in the world of survival, it was necessary to have enough financial back-up when all other qualities you have may not save you instantly.
The power of money was borne within his blood that he single-mindedly saw money as the primary reason for happiness. He also understood that as the primary reason for happiness, what money can help one accomplish becomes the secondary reason for happiness. However, he understood that he has to work on his capacity to bring to fruition the ideal his heart is yearning for. He assessed his capacity to make money and found that he has enough capacity to realise his goals. With additional luck, there was no stopping this man from reaching his goals. The additional luck he had in mind was the luck he was taught to make himself. He had faith in his ideas and strength to overcome any obstacle that threatened to stand in his way. He was ambitious and there was no way he could accept defeat or let any negative thoughts enter his mind. He also found the strength in the intelligence of his wife because he understood and believed that most of the greatest man on earth had the unconditional backing of their wives; and he also yearned to live a great life . Her intelligence and will to stand by him made his advancement a lot quicker and admirable. In less than three weeks of having lost his job, he was on the verge of landing the job of his dream. Owen had wanted to work as an account executive and two organisations had made their point that he is to get the position of his dreams. He was constantly checking his email and waiting for the phone to ring, announcing he should come for the interview. Within the wait, he was also ensuring the prospect was reminded of his willingness to work twice as hard to ensure he land the position. He had enough faith in landing the position of his dream. His creative and constructive ability ensured that indeed he landed the position. It was not long before he was working as twice as hard in the new position. Once occurrence that worth observation was the way he hyped himself into the landing of the account executive position. Owen said from the 25 January,2010 he would be earning R25,000, per month. In return for this money he would be giving the most brilliant, efficient and effective service which he is capable, rendering the fullest possible quantity and the best possible quality service as an account executive. He believed he will earn this money in his account each month. Owen’s faith was so strong that he can now see this money before his eyes. He can touch it with his hands. It was now awaiting transfer to him in the proportion that he delivers the service he intends to render in return for it. He was awaiting a plan by which to accumulate this money and he followed that plan when it is received.
In his ensuring that he faced the future with more determination he decided that he had to let go of the past. He used his devil-may-care attitude and killer instinct to wipe out the scratches that he inherited from the past. His was the choice to live his life according to his values, philosophy, dreams, thoughts and goals.
Owen did not disregard the art of finding substance within the subjects of his liking. He saw in a subject of his liking an opportunity that may be transferred to wealth accumulation and he regarded the pragmatism of his capacity to send to the world of real riches. Throughout, he always had an unbeatable believe in luck through hard work. However, he yearned for a kind of friend whom he can share, converse, plan, and put to action ideas that comes to mind in perfect harmony. Owen knew that the kind of friend he needed would share the same dreams and desire with him and they will both encourage and help each other to carry out their plans. Someone who have the love of studying, extensive reading, love of classic music, non-judgemental and very honest to the core. He wanted this kind of friend to be in the safe side of his outward character on his quest for remarkable success. This kind of friend had the potential of being a business partner in the near future.
It would be an exaggeration not to point out that Owen had fears to overcome in his adventure of risk, passion and good surprises. He had to overcome the fear of losing, failing and not being the best of his ability. This was the momentous challenge that he had to face, one or another, sooner or later. He overcame those fears in his mind before the actual fears bringing themselves forth. He knew that if he had to live life to his fullest he has to unlimit himself from the thought, criticism and opinions of others. Basically, he had to weigh his decisions based on the knowledge of true value to him and his preferences. Without fear but with unmatched desire to succeed.
He saw in his life a man who deserves utter happiness according to his standards, not standards set by another. Utter success according to his hard work, wits and the unlimited power of his mind. His respect for people could not be matched, however, he has an expectation for people to respect, not to like, his decision and his need for personal space. What started as a modest desire into his life has become the most burning desire. Owen had a burning desire for making wealth in the most successful way possible. He had become a ‘necessary risk-taker’, when it comes to money-making adventure. Every second, every minute, he was consumed by the desire to reach financial success. He vowed to take as many risks as he could, as long as there was great reward lurking before his eyes. His mind had been programmed to believe that he was strongly programmed to make enough money, spend very wisely and with ease, within his means.
In his stage of great success yearning he also had the desire to posses, in great abundance, extensive problem solving skills, unmatched creativity, intelligible persuasion, ability to see through people’s true desires and fondness. His love for a challenge has given him hope and practical dedication to examine himself. In his adventure, he wanted more than being a good communicator of information, or money making machine; he needed fulfilment to the core.

Exquisite recovery

Wow! What a journey one has been in. For the past six years I have been in a journey. The most secretively fascinating journey that felt good to the heart.
However, there's more I have to journey through before I can plainly say,'This is me to the fullest.' Now I'm currently riding the wave of recovery from any form of backlog I have experienced over the past twelve months. I know this is going to require extra effort for me to fully recovery without experiencing any serious public relation disaster.
To get to the goal I'm currently working, I have conditioned myself to go through each pain in my thinking, thus I would clearly know the road is worth every encounter before anything.
I am working extra time to ensure the permanence of exquisite recovery.