10 lessons from an unconventional journey to success

Credit to Author: Canadian Immigrant| Date: Tue, 06 Jun 2023 22:32:51 +0000

“Don’t let a lack of traditional credentials hold you back. You have the power to shape your own journey, just as I did,” says Tanzanian-born self-made professional and author Emil Rem.

My journey to becoming a successful entrepreneurial CPA and author is unconventional, to say the least.  Everything I’ve learned, I taught myself. Growing up in England, I was expelled from high school for failing too many courses. College wasn’t in the cards for me either. In my early twenties, I could barely do simple math.

A relative who worked for an accounting firm agreed to take me in and train me. I flunked my first two attempts at qualifying exams. With only one shot left— after three failures, you’re out —I asked myself: Did I want to secure this qualification and move on to a brighter future? Once I decided I wanted to pass, I discovered that I could—and I did.

Today, almost four decades later, I have a thriving financial consulting practice. And, five years ago, with no formal training, I started my journey in creative nonfiction. With the help of an editor, I’ve published two books, Chasing Aphrodite and The Heart of New York, and a third is nearly complete.

While I don’t advocate quitting high school, I firmly believe that people often view their credentials — or lack thereof— as limitations. They see themselves as qualified only for what they’ve been officially trained to do. But it doesn’t have to be this way.

Here are 10 principles that helped me succeed as an entirely self-made professional and author, and I believe they can help you too.

Believe in yourself.  The first step to achieving anything is believing that you can. My journey was marked by failures, but I never lost faith in my ability to improve and succeed.

Stay open to any and all suggestions.  It’s so easy to say ‘no’ due to ego and preconceived notions.  But opportunities come from saying ‘yes.’

Have the chutzpah to insert yourself into situations.  Opportunities rarely fall into our laps. We need to have the courage to seize them, even if it means stepping out of our comfort zones.

Make strong connections with the right people.  It’s not just about networking—it’s about building relationships with people who inspire, motivate, and support you.

Focus on relationships first, even more than closing a deal. I’ve always prioritized long-term relationships over short-term gains. This approach has brought me more success than any single deal ever could.

Come up with good ideas and don’t be afraid to share and execute them. I once saved a client a significant amount in taxes with an innovative strategy my colleagues didn’t think of. He has been a faithful client ever since.

Laugh at yourself. Humor can be a powerful tool for acknowledging that nobody’s perfect and we’re all learning all of the time.  It also keeps things in perspective and makes you more relatable.

Never stop learning by doing. Real-world experience has been my greatest teacher. It’s how I learned accounting, and it’s how I became a writer.

Practice integrity and generosity. Success isn’t just about making money—it’s about making a positive impact on others.  What goes around comes around: your generosity and integrity will come back to you in the form of opportunities.

And above all, always dream big. It was my audacious dream to pass the CPA exam, which led me to a successful career. It was my daring dream to write books, which made me an author. Your dreams can lead you to extraordinary places, too. Don’t let a lack of traditional credentials hold you back. You have the power to shape your own journey, just as I did.

Learn more about Emil Rem at https://emilrem.ca.

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