Happy New Year 2021, soar like eagles!

When the clock ticks midnight tonight, the world will bid goodbye to the challenging year that was 2020 and welcome the brand New Year 2021 with renewed hope and enthusiasm.

Traditionally, the dawn of the New Year is spiced up with wild celebrations. This is the moment often marked by spontaneous celebrations, including fireworks and drum beating. There is generally a feeling of triumph and achievement by people.

Reaching this far was not easy, especially in a very challenging year in which most plans and dreams were shattered by the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic declared a global health problem by the World Health Organisation. It is, therefore, proper to be grateful to the Creator for the gift of life that has enabled us to see another year.

The New Year tends to provide many an opportunity to reflect on their achievements in the ending year in terms of spiritual, career, business, personal and academic goals. This is the time many draw up plans and resolutions they hope will make them better persons than they were in the previous year.

But then, if truth be told, plans or resolutions do not have to wait for the dawn of a New Year. You just have to do it, instantly so.

To achieve more, one needs to discard old bad habits and do business unusual. It has been said before that doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results is next to insanity.

If you seek to do great things from January 1 2021, you will need to do away with distractions such as obsession with social media, especially the gossip, and television. Discarding procrastination and being consistent when doing things are the other key ingredients to success. Above all, do not be contented with your current environment or status, but always have the hunger to achieve more even if it means going out of your comfort zone.

If you seek to turnaround your individual fortunes, I would recommend that you get a copy of the newly released book Making Your First Million by our own Henry Kachaje. This is a book that gives one a step-by-step guide with practical workable ideas on how to make more money legally.

Investment in books like Making Your First Million will be more worthwhile than blowing money buying Internet data simply to be forwarding and reading chain messages and gossip that adds no value to one’s life.

In the book, Kachaje stresses that people become what they think and this applies even to financial capabilities. He argues: “If you do not think in millions, you will not earn money in millions—simple. Your earning limitations are first set in your mind before they manifest physically.” Millionaire mindsets are influenced by what one reads, hears, watches and discusses frequently, states Kachaje in the book.

I can add that one’s circle of friends also has a greater influence on one’s success. Remember the saying: You can’t soar like an eagle when you hang out with chickens!

In other words, good time and resource management will determine the speed at which transformation in our personal lives as well as in the business circles will take place and bring about a positive change.

I thank you all for the support over the years mostly through your constructive criticism. I do not take such gestures for granted. Despite its challenges, 2020 also saw Business Unpacked being decorated by Media Institute of Southern Africa (Misa) Malawi Chapter as Best Column of the Year. I dedicate the award to you dear readers.

May God bless you abundantly and give you more wisdom as we continue with the “unpacking” journey.

Wishing you a happy New Year 2021!