The MIT economists Abhijit Banerjee and Esther Duflo found that the world’s poor typically spend about 2% of their income educating their children and often a larger percentage on alcohol and tobacco. It may feel politically incorrect but the blunt and ugly secret, supported by UN studies, is that if the poorest families spent as much money educating their children as they do on wine and cigarettes, their children’s prospects would be transformed.
My intent with the above is not to get into a political discussion on a very complex problem. However, one of the foundations for self accountability is honesty and acceptance. Once we face the truth, it is possible to move forward. Often times the challenges we face seem out of our control. But when we step back and take an honest assessment, there is usually much more we can do. It takes the will to change, and belief that we can change things for the better. The alternative, accepting victimization and the consequences, is in my opinion the far worse alternative.
Altering where and how we apply our personal resources, however meager, often can lead to profound change. Try a few percent here instead of there …it is a great feeling to embrace self accountability.
with Character,
Lorne
Build Character, Have an Impact, and Inspire Others
