Soapbox
12 PRINCIPLES I LIVE BY
Embrace your own agency
1. Personal Responsibility For One’s Actions
Victimhood is the opium of those who don’t believe in themselves.
If you don’t take ownership of your actions, you’ll never be great.
When you reject playing the victim and take ownership of your actions, you empower yourself to change your situation.
No matter your starting point, the important thing is to keep moving forward.
2. Independent Thinking
Think for yourself, and don’t mindlessly repeat what you’ve been told.
Question every belief you have now and ask yourself:
“Is this necessarily true?”
Challenge the status quo.
Just because everyone is doing it, doesn’t mean it’s RIGHT.
When you start thinking for yourself, you open your mind to new perspectives.
And this is the starting point of the process of finding solutions.
3. Success Based on Merit
Success isn’t necessarily about who you know or where you come from.
It’s about what you do with what you’ve got.
As the Ancient Greeks say,
“That which is noble is difficult and worth striving for.”
Focus on honing your skills and putting in the effort.
Merit-based success builds confidence and commands respect.
Earn your achievements.
4. Honesty and Integrity
When you're honest, people know they can rely on you.
Your word becomes your bond.
Integrity means doing the right thing, even when no one is looking.
It's about staying true to your values and principles.
My favorite saying from Dolly Parton is: “Find out who you are and do it on purpose.”
You can’t buy a good reputation.
5. Personal Health and Well-being First
You can't pour from an empty cup.
Taking care of yourself is the first step to helping others.
Prioritize your physical, mental, and emotional health.
Eat well, exercise, and get enough sleep.
Take time for self-care and activities that recharge you. When you're healthy and balanced, you're more effective and resilient.
By being at your best, you can better support and uplift those around you.
6. Lifelong Learning and Growth
The idea that we learn from 5 to 18 (meaning SCHOOL) is the most ridiculous idea EVER.
Learning is a lifelong journey.
Embrace every opportunity to gain new knowledge and skills.
Read books, take courses, and stay CURIOUS about the world.
Learning to make sense of the world is crucial and is a never-ending pursuit…
Because nothing happens in a vacuum.
The one constant thing about the future is CHANGE.
Changes that will come ever faster and bigger.
When you commit to lifelong learning, you stay adaptable and relevant in a constantly changing world.
7. Keep a Sense of Humor and Lightness
Life can be tough, but it doesn’t mean you have to be.
A good sense of humor can help you navigate challenges and keep things in perspective.
Don’t take yourself too seriously. Laugh at your mistakes and learn from them.
Everyone loves to be around someone who can make them smile.
Maintaining a sense of humor helps build stronger relationships and creates a positive environment.
Crack a joke, share a laugh, and don’t be afraid to have a little fun.
Life’s too short to be serious all the time!
8. Take Action Now Rather than Tomorrow
Procrastination is the enemy of progress.
The best time to start is always NOW.
Waiting for the perfect moment only delays your success.
When you take action today, you build momentum and create opportunities for yourself.
Small steps add up to big changes.
Tomorrow is not guaranteed, but you have today to make a DIFFERENCE.
9. Magnanimity
Be big-hearted and generous.
Magnanimity means rising above petty disputes and showing kindness and forgiveness.
When you’re magnanimous, you don’t only give yourself peace, but you also inspire others with your graciousness and generosity.
True strength lies in compassion and understanding.
10. Communicate Hard Truths
Honesty is important, even when it’s tough.
Hard truths can be uncomfortable, but they are necessary for growth and progress.
Sugarcoating the truth only delays the inevitable and can cause more harm in the long run.
People value and appreciate those who are truthful, even when it’s difficult to hear.
11. Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Innovation and entrepreneurship go hand in hand.
To succeed in business, you need to think DIFFERENTLY and be willing to take risks.
Innovation means coming up with new ideas, products, or ways of doing things.
It’s about finding BETTER solutions to problems.
Comfort is a sign that you’re ready for the next phase of growth.
Stay curious, embrace change, and always look for ways to improve.
12. Criticize by Creating
Anyone can point out flaws and problems.
But true change-makers offer solutions.
My father told me never to come to him with a problem unless I also had a solution.
My parents believed that no matter what is available and where you are, you should “turn everything that surrounds you into things that work for you.”
That's why my lifetime mantra is to CRITICIZE BY CREATING.
Magatte Wade is a distinguished entrepreneur who bridges the cultures of Senegal and Silicon Valley, drawing insights from her experiences in both environments. Wade is the co-Founder of Prospera Africa, the leading governance platform developing Prospera Cities (next generation special economic zones). As the Director of the Center for African Prosperity at Atlas Network, she brings a unique perspective to her role. Wade has been invited to share her expertise at prestigious institutions and events, including the UN, Aspen Institute, and several renowned universities. Wade has written a book, The Heart of A Cheetah: How We Have Been Lied to about African Poverty and What That Means for Human Flourishing. In addition to founding and leading the skincare company Skin Is Skin, she hosts her own podcast, “The Magatte Wade Show.” Recognized as a prominent figure in African entrepreneurship, Wade will be awarded the Julian L. Simon Memorial Award by the Competitive Enterprise Institute later this year. This post began as a thread on X, where you can follow Wade. We encourage you to follow her on her Substack as well.
This is one of the best lists of principles to live by that I've seen. It's much more than a list; it provides enough detail to make it functional.
Great list with enough detail to put it into action. I wish every high school student could be provided this list and given opportunities to find out how to put it in action in their lives.