| Three years ago one of my friends, Herman, was | | | | the company while also getting an education for |
| sitting at home without a job and without any | | | | himself. Instead of spending the R1000 that he |
| education. He did not know what he wanted to do | | | | was earning every month, as most 19 year olds |
| and he did not believe that he had the skills to | | | | would do, he saved the money and paid for a |
| secure even the most junior position. Today | | | | Microsoft course to become MCSD certified. At |
| Herman is a successful software developer and | | | | some point the company got a small web |
| about to be promoted to senior developer. He is | | | | development project which they were not really |
| the perfect example that it is possible to succeed | | | | interested in, but Herman again jumped at the |
| if you're prepared to work for your success. | | | | opportunity and developed that system. That, in |
| At the time, 2004, I was working for a company | | | | turn, opened up more doors for him and today he |
| that needed to promote their website on the | | | | is one of the main resources at our company's |
| Internet. I did not know much about Search | | | | biggest client. |
| Engine Optimization, but I knew that we needed | | | | Three year ago Herman had absolutely nothing |
| to get some links to our site and that this could | | | | and knew nothing about computer or the Internet. |
| be a very tedious task. I asked Herman whether | | | | I remember watching him in the beginning as he |
| he'd be interested in a boring and low paying | | | | searched the keyboard trying to find every key |
| position and he immediately jumped at the | | | | he needed to press. This year I had the pleasure |
| opportunity and said that he would do anything to | | | | of seeing his excitement as he bought his first |
| earn some money. I explained the situation to my | | | | vehicle and today he is far more successful than |
| manager and the company offered Herman | | | | most of his friends. Herman is not a genius and he |
| R1000 per month for working 4-5 hours every | | | | did not win the lottery or have his success |
| evening and he accepted. For those of you who | | | | handed to him on a plate. I hope my good friend |
| don't know the South African Rand, one US dollar | | | | does not take this as an insult, but to me Herman |
| is worth approximately seven rand, so R1000 is | | | | is like a bulldog. He went out there and said "thank |
| roughly US $140. It's nothing for 4-5 hours per | | | | you for this opportunity, now let me show you |
| day. | | | | that you won't regret your decision". Although he |
| I left that company a couple of months later and | | | | had no previous experience or knowledge, he was |
| returned to work for them again at the beginning | | | | given a small opportunity and he made a huge |
| of this year, 2007. On my first day back on the | | | | success of it. |
| job I was pleasantly surprised to hear my | | | | I have only spoken about my friend Herman in |
| manager praising Herman as one of his top | | | | this article, but you must be blind if you cannot |
| resources and his most faithful employee. He said | | | | see the message here. You are bound to get |
| that if he had a problem, he knew that he could | | | | some opportunities in your life, even if it is a |
| count on Herman to get it resolved. Was this the | | | | measly R1000 per month. Don't sit back and say |
| same guy who believed three years ago that he | | | | that's not good enough or it will never work. Take |
| did not have the skills to find any work | | | | every opportunity you get and give it your best. |
| whatsoever? I could not believe my ears. | | | | There are so many lazy people out there that if |
| During the three years that I was away, Herman | | | | you are prepared to work hard, you are bound to |
| had used every opportunity to improve himself | | | | be noticed and given more opportunities. |
| and worked ridiculous hours to prove his worth to | | | | |