70. DO YOU HAVE THE RIGHT MINDSET? Jack’s Japa Empowerment - Diaspora Handbook - Nijaa Diaspora Empowerment - Jack Lookman Limited

70. DO YOU HAVE THE RIGHT MINDSET?

This question should haunt you, but in a positive way.  Because it is critical to your international success.  Not your degree, accent, or passport; your thinking.  Do you think like a victim or as a visionary?  Do you react or respond?  Do you wait for change or instigate it?  The correct mindset is what distinguishes Nigerians who succeed in the UK from others who simply exist here.

If you travelled abroad expecting it to be easy, you've already set yourself up for frustration.  This place promotes problem solvers, not complainers.  The weather is harsh, the system is complex, and the expense of living is not cheap.  However, if you consider each hurdle as a stepping stone, you will grow. It’s about perspective. 

Mindset also entails believing that your past does not determine your future.  You might start at the bottom, doing menial tasks, but that doesn't imply you'll stay there.  The question is, are you learning?  Are you saving?  Are you growing?  Stop comparing yourself to others' timeframes.  Concentrate on your lane.  Own your journey.  Success may be delayed, but with the correct attitude, it is never denied.

You must also adopt a global perspective.  Think beyond your street.  Beyond your job.  Beyond the United Kingdom.  The internet has made the world smaller.  If you have an open mind, you can live in Leeds while earning money in Lagos, London, or Los Angeles.  Do not let the United Kingdom confine you.  Allow it to launch you.

So, ask yourself every morning: Do I have the right mindset? Am I proactive or passive? Am I building or just busy? Because the right mindset doesn’t just help you survive in the UK. It helps you build too.