Growing up my family was very poor. In fact, poor may be a understatement. From living in homeless shelters, cars, going without running water or electricity for several months, without food for multiple days that was reality for me.
Despite my upbringing, I didn’t hit rock bottom until the age of 16. My Mom who had been a inconsistent yet constant force in my life, no longer could function as my Mom due to her battles with Bipolar Disorder. The year following was one of the worst years of my life. However at the age of 17, I left home for good and finally started build the life my family needed.
Growing up, I thought basketball was my only way out. All of the “successful” people I had access to utilized basketball as the blueprint for success. So thats what I did.
However I wish someone would have told me different.
When you are raised in poor, you lack the opportunities which are gained via exposure. That exposure to the spectrum of success and the associated professions is a priceless education. Being Black and poor meant that problem was exponential in nature. The greatest lie ever told is that you cannot achieve the success you desire when you are poor. Its time to change the narrative.
As a kid my goal was to take care of my family. I thought basketball was my only way (other than the military). I also believed that you needed a college degree to achieve my goal of financial security for my family. The traumatic experience of being poor essentially gave me tunnel vision and I failed to realize opportunities which are readily available that could have lead to the financial security I desired.
For instance my Uncle worked as a Electrician (lineman) for the department of water and power. Because of poor family dynamics and the subject of “money” being taboo in Black families, I had no clue that being an Electrician was lucrative career which did not require a college degree.
That wasn’t the only example I had. My other Uncle was a real estate broker with his own firm. Before that he was a general manager of a large grocery chain. All the which he did without a degree. While making more money than anyone in my family.
Like I said I was an idiot with tunnel vision. To my defense that tunnel vision was created secondary to poor family dynamics and an inability to discuss money due to cultural constructs. Now playing college basketball was great. Those experiences are priceless. But they were pitstops on my ultimate goal which was taking care of my family financially. I didn’t need basketball to get there.
My mother died four years after I graduated from the Naval Academy. Looking back if I could have avoided playing basketball and just started working in a trade at the age of 17, I would have done that so I could have time back with my mom. But hindsight is 20/20 and I can’t. What can do is share my experience and let you learn from it.
There are several careers that do not require a college degree but provide the financial income which can allow you to achieve financial independence.
It is insane that trades are not promoted as a means to achieve financial independence.
As a surgeon, I recognize I am a profession that is considered one of the highest income generating fields in the United states. However I understand to enter this profession it is not without liabilities or drawbacks.
In order to obtain a high salary in professions such as law or medicine, it requires years upon years of training and dedication. That dedication often results in substantial student loan debt. There are ways to mitigate that debt such as scholarship programs or exchanging your future time for tuition (ex. National Health Service Corps or the Military Health Professions Scholarship Program). the military or the national health service Corps however those come with their own liabilities as well.
You can create generational wealth and generate your own financial independence without becoming a surgeon a lawyer a pharmacist etc. if you pay attention to the careers that will generate a high income.
Generational wealth is not tied to a profession. It’s tied to a mindset. My mindset as a 17-year-old was fixated upon helping my family financially. Because of the way I grew up I could not recognize that basketball wasn’t my only way out of my reality.
If you are going through a hard time and you cannot see a way out to look for examples or a person who has the success that you envision. Use that individual as a blueprint and motivation to obtain success.
I hope this article can provide some insight and help you generate a plan to obtain success that you want in your life.
As always if you have questions or concerns regarding creating an emergency fund, investing, real estate, insurance, or planning for the future, don’t be afraid to speak with qualified financial advisor. Smart Asset has a great tool to find an advisor in your area or feel free to email me (contact@surgifi.com) to help you on your path to financial independence.
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