I completed my BSc. in Civil Engineering in 2007 and immediately enrolled in the ACCA professional accounting qualification, which I finished in 2009. Not long after, I pursued an MBA and completed it in 2011. That mix of technical, financial, and business knowledge turned out to be a powerful combo. By 2012, within five years of leaving school, I had moved into a Head of Department role and was earning nearly 10 times what I earned when I started out in 2007. If you do the maths, that’s roughly a 58% return on investment each year.
Honestly, I highly doubt that if I had used the money for my tuition fees to invest in land, stocks, or any other “hot” investment, I’d have earned anywhere near that return. I think it was Warren Buffet who said, “The most important investment you can make is in yourself.” I’ve come to truly believe that. Knowledge and wisdom really are the most powerful assets you can ever own. Even King Solomon, when given a blank cheque by God, asked for wisdom—and look where that got him!
Early on in my career, I discovered that being knowledgeable gave me a real edge in the world. It opened doors. It gave me confidence. It earned me respect. So I made a personal decision to commit to a lifelong journey of learning. And I didn’t wait for formal classrooms or expensive seminars. I simply looked at my daily routine and found a hidden opportunity.
I spend about three hours on the road every day commuting to work. At first, that time was just dead space—music, traffic, frustration. Then one day I thought, “Why not turn this into a mobile classroom?” So I started listening to audiobooks and podcasts instead. I focused mostly on topics like business, finance, leadership, and personal growth. I subscribed to apps like Blinkist, Castbox, and Kindle to keep my reading consistent and easy.
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