Social Mobility Hack 2.0
When the thoughts to write this came to me, I was looking for a befitting title. I toyed with “Social Mobility for the Nigerian Soul” but I realised that I am now global, hence I dropped it (if you have not noticed, I am blowing my trumpet). “Social Mobility: 21st Century Edition” was another that I toyed with. It sounds better but for no reason, I dropped it (Yes, this is the beauty of being the author, you can do and undo).
The core of what I want to talk about is about social mobility. In order to achieve it, you must develop yourself. Though social mobility sounds like big grammar, what it means is that you moved from where you used to be to where you want to be. It could be upward or downward. Since we are Homo sapiens, we favour the upward movement.
Let me give you the formal definition as stated by Wikipedia
Social mobility is the movement of individuals, families, households, or other categories of people within or between social strata in a society. It is a change in social status relative to one’s current social location within a given society.
To break it down further, it means that you were born in Amukoko & Ajegunle but in a given period of time, you moved to Banana Island. For my brethren in the abroad, it means you were born and bred in the projects and then you made it to become a landlord in Manhattan. That movement in location and the kind of people you now mix with is social mobility.
Social mobility is hard. It takes painful planning saddled with adamantine resolve mixed with the injection of laser-focused vision. Because it is hard and requires deliberate effort, many fall-off the way trying to achieve it. Every day of our lives, under my dad, was a day to be reminded that you need to aspire. My dad tutored us on the vision he had for the family. As such, some lifestyle were not tolerated. Some “sins” cannot be forgiven. As kids, we knew what was expected. Some did not make sense but having someone to cast the vision was very very important. It beat us into shape.
Let me give you an idea of what I am talking about. If your parents were Professors in a university, having a Masters in any discipline will not be celebrated. It is expected. Your probability of going to college is almost 100%. But if your parents were butchers, working in abattoirs, the probability of finishing secondary school is quite low. If you go to University then you have done well. The environment and the persons therein determine to a large extent, the aspirations of the folks there.
When parents push themselves to the brink to provide a good education for their kids, it is not for education sake. It is because most times, they want those kids to be in a certain environment that will enable them to get into certain networks. Unfortunately, the side effects of these decisions are not counted when the plan is on. Social mobility can push around.
In the early 70s and 80s, getting into the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) was a big deal. It was not about getting an education. It was not about serving the country. It was a means to an end. It was a social mobility tool. Why ? because the military ruled and ran the country. And if you are in the “right network” (those whose coup succeeded), you will be rewarded handsomely. It was the means to be in the elite class in Nigeria. I am sure by now you are getting to understand my social mobility drift and ideology.
Right now, the easiest way to social; mobility is to be a politician or find a way to associate with them that are in the ruling party. For others, it is to be a soccer player. For some, it is to be the next WizKid. The worrisome statistics is that you can get only one Jagaban in a lifetime. Bourdillon can only contain one lion. For every soccer player, about a thousand could not make it.
Since these careers path seems to allow only a few to strive, then developing yourself to be a person of value in your chosen field seems to be the next best thing to do for yourself. This is where self-development comes in. We all need others to function. The accountant needs bankers. The bankers need doctors. The doctor needs to decorate his/her house. The list goes on. And on. And on. ( I did this for the effect. Isn’t it great? You feel me. The power of being the author. I am flexing it…big time)
In today’s world, some things have changed but in order to be socially mobile, you will need to do these few things.
1. Attend University: College is not just about getting a certificate but by all means get the certificate. It is about navigating various situations that involve intricacies. Managing your classmates, schedules, deadlines, emotional intelligence, bullies, preparing for exams, budgeting your money etc. This is what a college is about. I will add, that in all you do get a second class upper aka 2.1. It just makes life easy. Are you doomed for making anything less? No. But why do you want to go through the arduous road in life?
The concept of college is that you are given something to do while you had little distractions in life. It is a test. So, if you cannot handle life when you had light and self-chosen responsibilities, what will you do when you are burdened by responsibilities that are imposed on you? Your grades are a demonstration of how you applied yourself with the resource at your disposal.
2. Get Work Skills: Photography, sewing, design, sound engineering, coding, organising, writing …anything that catches your fancy. Try and pick up something that will help you through life. There are folks that prepare one PowerPoint for $500. Yes, they are that good. When you see the PowerPoint, you will know why they can charge $3,000.
In today’s world, where competition for resources is rife, being resourceful makes you stand out. Resourceful people solve problems. Problem-solving is the number one attribute employers, entrepreneurs; investors etc lookout for in the people they went to work with. It will not be bad to be that doctor that uses AI to create world-class art. Or the historian that codes. These things come in handy. Skills are life savers.
3. Form Network & Alliances: Let me give you a hack on this. Don’t go out looking to form networks; rather live out your values and your “people” will come to you. Or more succinctly put, when you meet your people (shared values), you will naturally connect. Today’s classmates, office colleagues, fellow people of faith, etc that you easily connect with are those in your network. They have other interests that might be of help to you. Form meaningful relationship with them in a way that is symbiotic. Bring value to the table and everyone will be fine.
Unfortunately, people want it the other way round. They want to be in the network of the reigning people of today while trashing those they already know. Even when some information emanates from your circles, you will not be told. Homo sapiens are sensible and sensitive. Go and learn emotional intelligence, social graces and how to function in a group. Keep your thanks for now. Thank me later…in cash. Lol.
4. Improve Soft / Social Skills: Networking, communication, personal finance, engaging friends of friends, assertiveness etc. These skills will help you do well in life. Read the book of Proverbs. It can be done in about 90 minutes and you will be amazed at what Solomon documented as per when it comes with dealing with other Homo sapiens. Delve into Ecclesiastes. You will learn a lot. How do you relate with powerful people in a non-subservient manner? Who has power in a setting? How do you walk the room? You need to know what is going on in the environment that you are. The more you learn and use these life skills and social graces, doors will open. Tact is a great skill; get it. As you can see, the whole of life is one big, gigantic construction area.
5. Be Resourceful: Be the plug (plug = expert; according to millennials ). Find something that you are very good at and improve at it. I have no special skill but I seem to know how to connect people to what they are looking for. What can you help people with? People will gladly pay for it. Do you know how to commercialize that skill of yours? If you don’t ask questions. The quality of your questions will determine the answers you will get. Someone is willing to pay for that thing that is super easy for you.
Learn to swim, drive, cycle, sew, code, draw, make presentations, analyse spreadsheets, short cuts for difficult tasks etc. Most times it is not because you will need it but you never know when it will be required. Be the plug.
6. Self Improvement: Make this a BIG force in your life. In whatsoever field that you are, you can improve. Read a book on that topic. There are various podcasts that provide diverse perspectives. Select movies in your area of interest. Binge watch Netfix on that area. YouTube is a zinger; too many free courses. And when you have identified an expert that you align with, pay for that course. Yes, they are free stuff on the internet, but there is nothing like the guidance from a genius — an experienced one for that matter.
7. Actively Look for Opportunities: This is a full-time job. Look for opportunities in your area of interest. Search for them like a diamond — scholarship, better jobs, development jobs, social opportunities. Go for that networking event. Check for where you can contribute your presence, skills and resources. It is give-and-take and not “take-all-the-time”. That is where the balance is. It was while I went to help out a friend with his programme that I met a young man who engaged me. After our conversation, a week later he called me to ask if I can speak at the TEDx that he is the co-curator. Why not? I love speaking engagements. It was a case of “I-need-life” has met “I-offer-life”. Symbiotic.
In this game, you are the hunter. Hunt for opportunities. Track them down. It might cost you sometimes but the view is always better from the top. That is why it is called the grand view…the helicopter view. Can I get an “Amen” somebody? Amen!!!!
8. Take Responsibility: Don’t blame this and that. When it favoured you, it was God but when it did not favour you; the system became crooked. “These people are bad. They are all occultist”. I meet too many people who think more about their abilities than they actually are. When they are not chosen they blame everything under the sun including climate change. My guy, take responsibility. Ask questions. Seek to improve. When you take responsibility, the whole world will conspire to assist you. Until then, you can complain to high heaven. Just don’t turn blue.
9. Don’t Count Yourself Out: I have written about this before. The race is not for them. The race is for us. You are in the race. You are in the race to win. It is a mortal sin to count yourself out. Why are you like that? Why have you made it harder for you to succeed? You can read more about it here.
10. Be Hungry: No one will let you into the next phase of your life. Life is not a stroll. You must be “hungry” to get there. While you are grateful for where you are, you should be hungry for the next level. If you are not as hungry as a man gasping for air, you will not know what it means to breathe easy. Success enables you to breathe easy. It creates a pathway for others.
And finally, in all you do please have a spiritual anchor. The race of life can throw you in different directions. You need an anchor to hold unto while you aspire. If you do not, you will have no problems with cheating people and breaking natural laws in order to be socially mobile.
Social mobility will not lower its standards for you. Take that word with you and put in your best in whatsoever your hand findeth to do. My work is done.
You can check out my other works on personal development Asking, Managing Access In Relationships How To Ask, Authenticity, The Power Of Saying “NO” and Now I Arise.
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