How to Win: Navigating Life’s Queue

Life, in many ways, can be likened to a grand queue—a long line where each of us stands, waiting for our turn to hit that personal home run. This home run represents the ultimate success or achievement we each aspire to, whether it’s financial security, professional recognition, or personal fulfillment. But here’s the catch: we don’t get to choose where we start in this line of 100. Some begin at position 98, while others might find themselves at 47, or even at the very back at 110. These starting points are influenced by factors often beyond our control—our environment, family background, influence, wealth, and more. However, while you can’t choose your starting point, you can influence how quickly and how many positions you can advance at any given time.

Imagine you’re standing at position 70. You might start questioning, “Why am I here?” or “How do I even know where I am in this queue?” The truth is, most people don’t know their exact position, and that’s okay. Here’s a little secret: assume you’re at position 110. Yes, assume you’re even further back than you thought. Why? Because it instills a sense of urgency and determination. If you picture yourself near the back, you’ll work harder, push further, and seize every opportunity to leap forward.

Take, for instance, the story of John, who was born into a modest family with little financial security. He could have easily resigned himself to his circumstances, believing he was too far back in the queue to make a significant leap. But instead, he assumed he was even further back and worked relentlessly to educate himself, build a network, and seize every opportunity. Today, John is a successful entrepreneur, having leapfrogged many who were ahead of him in the queue.

But what if you’re one of the fortunate ones blessed with wealth, influence, or a powerful family name? In that case, consider yourself starting at the 80th percentile. The advantage is yours, but that doesn’t mean the work is done. In fact, complacency is your biggest enemy. Take Sarah, who came from a well-off family. She had all the resources to succeed but realized that relying on her starting position wasn’t enough. She pushed herself beyond her comfort zone, pursued her passions, and is now a leading figure in her industry. The comfort of a favorable starting position can lull you into staying put while others, starting from farther back, leapfrog ahead of you.

For those unsure of where they stand, assume the worst, then work as if you’re pushing from the very back. It’s the mindset of a winner. Even if you’re further along than you thought, this approach guarantees that you’ll never take your foot off the gas.

Now, to the big question: how do you make those leaps forward? It all starts with defining your personal home run. Is it a fortune of 10 million naira? Maybe 100 million or even more? Whatever it is, you need to visualize it clearly. Once you have that vision, calculate how far away you are from it and divide that by your life expectancy—let’s use the life expectancy of a black man in the US as a reference, which was about 76 years in 2021.

For example, if you’re 30 years old and your home run is 100 million naira, you’ve got 46 years to close that gap. But remember, life isn’t linear, and neither is your progress up the queue. Sometimes, you might leap from position 70 to 20 in a year, while other times, you might inch forward slowly. Take the story of Aisha, who spent years making little progress in her career, only to suddenly find herself propelled forward after a single breakthrough. The key is to keep moving, to keep pushing, and to always remember that your starting point doesn’t define your finish line.

Overall, while we might not choose where we start, we absolutely control how we progress. Success isn’t just about moving forward—it’s about understanding the game, setting your own rules, and knowing when to make that leap. So, where do you stand, and more importantly, where do you want to be? Life is a journey, and your position in the queue today doesn’t determine where you’ll end up tomorrow. Keep your eyes on the home run, and don’t be afraid to make that leap.