LOVE LETTER TO TANZANIA: Who benefits from ‘success’ literature?

Do words like “explosive success”, “power and influence” or even “millionaire” appear in the titles of motivational books you enjoy, dear reader? If you admire “ultra-achievers”, try to emulate the habits of the “world’s richest” or aim for “the top”, perhaps articles written by dream squashers like this one will irritate you.

In my books, the quest to become “wildly successful” is overrated. Of course we wonder how far our unique talents and hard work can take us, but we should distinguish between reasonable, perhaps even noble goals and destructive blind ambition.

Authors of “get rich quick” books use the reverse logic of self-made millionaires to enhance their own wealth by getting us to invest in literature which implicitly blames you, dear reader, for not “yet” being rich and powerful. Let us not fall victim to the reverse logic trap. It may be true that a particular business tycoon could not have succeeded without “the right attitude” and hard work. It is false, however, to conclude that therefore all who choose the same attitude and work hard can become “ultra-achievers”.

I hope books on probability and logical reasoning will soon become best-sellers, helping those tempted to dedicate their lives to chasing illusive extremes, but eventually discovering bigger hurdles than their own attitude in our world of inequity and unequal opportunities.

Human beings are cooperative by nature. We do not function well, may even become emotionally unstable, if we set ourselves apart too much from the rest of humanity. Let us remain human. While climbing the financial or career ladder, we need to carefully consider whom and what we leave behind on the lower rungs – and at what price we proceed towards “the top” in pursuit of great material wealth and power.

Recently, I heard youngsters on a train chat about their idols. Their discussion was so passionate that its volume made eaves-dropping almost unavoidable and reading the newspaper near impossible. Hearing the words “world’s greatest achievers” made me shudder, as they were combined with names of people a more mature person might describe as hedonistic or ruthless, even including power-hungry individuals who are causing considerable tension in the international community.

The fellow human beings I find admirable and awe-inspiring do not have high public profiles or prominent positions in society. They tend to be kind hearted, strong people who lead by example, live ethically and enrich others’ lives – often without monetary rewards. It is unlikely you have heard their names as they do not employ public relations experts to manage their social media profile to their “advantage” to reach a global audience. But locally, their contributions matter.

Everyday citizens’ self-control and moderation contributes more to our collective good than unbridled selfish ambition. I find people who are uncomfortable with hyperbolic praise inspiring. Globally renowned “great achievers” may have earned their fame and fortune and motivated others, but financial success and status do not sum up the whole person, do they? Admirable people who shine in some areas of their lives also err in others. There is no such thing as a perfect person, a worthy idol. The world’s most admired easily fall from grace. Their public image crumbles as soon as the media decide to tear their reputation to shreds. So, if you ask me, instead of looking for all-round admirable people, let us emulate the many commendable qualities and praiseworthy actions of regular unassuming people in our communities.

If there is a hero quality which impresses me, it is humble restraint. Ironically, in our world of superlatives and excess, those who reject extreme wealth, extreme power and even extreme language, increasingly stand out. The many global citizens quietly making a difference in others’ lives are what humanity needs. Silent heroes, not the “world’s best”. Is there a book on “Becoming a philanthropists before you make your first million”? I would like to buy a copy.