Growing up poor: 10/10

Boy ain’t this the truth.

I grew up in a trailer in Appalachia. Well below the poverty level.

In fact, I remember: 

• Only having 1 bag of freeze-dried ground beef in the house for food

• Being 12 the first time I ever had new clothes, because I bought them for myself

• My parents borrowed money from me when I was 13 (I had a lawn mowing business)

Even though this was tough, I had a good childhood. I’m certainly not complaining.

My parents were amazing. We were just poor.

Long story short, JDR is talking about me in this quote.

I learned early on that no one was coming to save me. If I was going to make anything out of this life, it would come from actively and urgently developing my skills.

The idea of optimalism started early on. I would have to be the optimal version of myself at each step of the way.

Opportunities were rare with my upbringing. So, I had to be ready when they showed up.

And in this way, I have been able to accomplish more than should have been possible:

• 1st generation college graduate

• Executive-level position at tech company

• Successful semi-professional music career in a large city

So don’t look at your circumstances as a handicap. See them as a superpower.

Use those superpowers to create your own reality, and prove the universe wrong.

Get some.

Swanagan

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