To build a successful business, you must be a long term thinker.

I'll explain.

My Uncle married a white lady from Ireland.

Beautiful woman and nice to a fault.

In 2018 she came to Nigeria and spent some time in the village.

She had heard a lot about me so she asked me to

come see her.

Spending time with her was beautiful.

She always wanted to learn about our culture, practically always wanting to go to the farm with her white delicate skin.

I discovered two things within the few days I spent with her.

One was her love for books.

This lady would read 50 pages of a book a day.

In two days, she had read and finished 'There was a country' and moved on to 'Things fall apart.'

I saw active learning and hunger for knowledge.

But the second thing I discovered taught me a lesson.

One day, while we talked about goals, plans and the future, she told me she had a 40-year goal and plan.

40 years ahead, she had already planned what her life would look like.

"What if you die before that time?"

Her reply was:

"I don't know when I'll die. I may as well die this minute and it'll be all over. But while I am still alive, I need to be deliberate about what I want and spend everyday taking steps to getting it."

That day left me with a huge lesson.

When I discussed it with my uncle, he told me it was common with them.

And it is true.

Jeff Bezos has a 100-year plan.

Jack Ma said he had a 50-year plan when he was starting out.

Of course, you are no Bezos or Ma, and your experience is not same as theirs.

But people who think long term win where people who think short term lose.

Short term thinking makes you want instant wealth.

This is why Ponzi schemes succeed.

To succeed, play the long game.

Give yourself to the process.

A seed planted today doesn't become a tree today.