We recently connected with Javed Morgan and have shared our conversation below.
Javed , thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
That’s well thought out question, I can actually give a few instances, during my Elementary years in Jamaica. I vividly remember having quite a few fights with this young man who tried to bully me almost every day in school. For him to respect me, backing down from this kid was not an option for me. So we would fight almost every day, those moments taught me to be resilient. Because I had to get ready, stay ready, both mentally and physically. Why? Because at any given moment he could try to fight me.
Another circumstance that made me resilient. Failing 5th grade, twice! When I migrated to the U.S.A from Jamaica. My grades were subpar and as a result, I had to repeat the 5th grade, when I moved from Jamaica. Even though I was promoted to the 6 grade in Jamaica. Due to failing two classes upon completion of my 5th-grade year here in the States, I had to attend summer school. During this time period, I constantly spoke to myself, got laser-focused, and studied harder than ever before. To make sure I passed my classes in the summer. Lastly, would be my close cousin passed away with sickle cell when he was 7 years old. I was 8 at the time. These moments helped me to form my resiliency toward life.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
Now that’s loaded there. Part of what makes me who I am is growing up in Jamaica and in the United States. I watched my parents work really hard minimum wage jobs. My parents did not receive adequate education, which resulted in these low-paying jobs. While watching them live paycheck to paycheck, only expressing the words “save” from their mouths. This prompted my curiosity about money. Watching my parents work so hard at their jobs forged my fortitude towards life and is part of my DNA makeup on working smarter and harder.
I am a pretty laid back guy, don’t allow anything to bother me really. My mantra in life “everything is working for my ultimate good” whether the scenario is good or bad. It’s all working in my favor. I enjoy peace and water front views, I jam out to smooth jazz and gospel music when I am not listening to a podcast, audiobook or something Inspirational.
In regards to upcoming things. I recently launched a course that has 5 elements of financial mastery. This course talks about the psychology of money, investing/retirement strategies, building, maintaining, and establishing credit, and retiring a Tax-Free Millionaire. I’ve simplified the talk around money. Anyone can understand it and more importantly, implement what they’ve learned. In regard to events, we host several events throughout the year. On July 27 we have a couples event. On August 8th Florida Retirement System event. On August 17th “Million Dollar Baby” event for parents wanting to make their kids millionaires.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I’m so excited that you asked that! Three qualities that were and are the most impactful for me would be Resilience, being able to communicate, and the ability to Unlearn and Relearn. Resilience, regardless of what you face. Could be a death in the family, a financial setback, etc. You must develop comeback power and mental fortitude in spite of what you’re facing. Next, communication is your way of getting what’s in your head out in the physical world to someone to facilitate things being done. Your ability to do that can carry you far or hinder you in life substantially. Also, listening is a part of communication.
Lastly, our ability to unlearn and relearn. We’ve been programmed with bad and wrong information for far too long, if we don’t unlearn those ideologies and belief systems, it will be extremely difficult to attain the level of success we desire in whatever capacity we desire. A major area of my life thus far has been my faith in Jesus. I know everyone doesn’t believe in Jesus. But have some kind of faith. When times get rough in your life, if you don’t have anyone higher than yourself, to be able to trust in and call on. Then I don’t know how long you will be stable mentally. Life can throw some wild curveballs at you. Prayer and my faith in Jesus have kept me through many tumultuous times.
If you’re on your journey. You must develop these areas of your life, you must have a deliberate, intentional, fixation, borderline obsession to make these improvements. Most people don’t make the effort to improve, they simply just go through life. Which is why we have: the haves and the have-nots. So decide to be a part of the haves! Each day set aside 10–20 mins to listen to self-improvement podcasts, set aside time to pray, meditate (could be your drive to and from work) take time to learn how to communicate effectively, and read or listen to books. This will all help you to become a better version of yourself.
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
There’s not one single impactful thing my parents did. It would be multiple. That being said, I’ll share two. First, showing me tough love, in addition to not allowing me to hang with just anybody. My mom was the nurturing party out of my parents. She would talk to you sternly while my father on the other hand was the disciplinarian, strict, and told you straight talk no chaser, no care about your personal feelings. This tough love prepared me for the real world. The real world is like a dog-eat-dog world, people will use and abuse you, and people will curse you out just because. People will be outright mean to you, just as kids tried to be mean to me throughout my middle school years. If you are not prepared for that mentally, it will be a culture shock when you experience it, and can cause depression. Thankfully I was prepared well.
Many of the friends I hung out with shortly in my teens, except one, have either died, been in jail, or are currently in jail, or doing some form of drugs. The one friend who I am still close with to this day is Chris. The only friend my parents were okay with me hanging out with. Those two things saved me stress, time, and headache.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://howmoneyworks.com/javedmorgan
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamjavedmorgan/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/javed.morgan
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/javedmorgan/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCgat1B_a6PoVykIJYbGpLw
