As 2022 comes to a close and we eagerly await what’s in store for 2023, it’s time to reflect on what 2022 meant to me. It was a year of multiple endings, hard work and multiple new beginnings, what a rollercoaster of a year. 2022 was the year I finally made my first million, but also the year that I lost my first million. Yes, you read correctly, making that first, marvellous million and losing it in the same year seems pretty much impossible, but it happened. I have no regrets at all.

“When it feels scary to jump, that is exactly when you jump, otherwise you end up staying in the same place your whole life.“

My self employment journey started in Covid, March 2020, we had just started coming out of hard lockdown, I was supposed to go back to work the next day. The entire lockdown was spent working remotely, 7 days a week, more than my usual hours and making more money for the business than before lockdown, all while 90% of the non sales staff sat at home doing nothing. We were then told we would not be getting our full salaries and would be taking pay cuts, obviously this made me furious. This was ultimately my turning point in in life and looking back, I was not born to be an employee.

I woke up and decided, I can’t gamble with 100% of my salary, I have to pay the bills, my car, my house, support my Wife (Fiancé then) and still make a living. But with a reduced salary I was more than willing to take a chance on life and entrusting myself with that responsibility was the best decision I have ever made. I typed an email to my manager and hit send, I walked up the stairs, where my Wife was still working from home and said, ” My Sexy, Ek het sopas bedank. ” and that was the beginning of this special journey.

“Everything that happens once can never happen again. But everything that happens twice will surely happen a third time.”

#1 – On 1 December 2020, my shop was robbed by thieves. I had no insurance and lost R 100 000 and the time spent on getting those bikes in store, servicing and advertising them, all my work gone in 3 minutes.

#2 – In 2022, I was taken for a ride where I honestly trusted too easily (My downfall in life), I momentarily lost sight of my dream and vision, I also had a lack of judgment and the gypsies had scammed me. Deep down I wish I could recover the financial loss, but I’ll take it on the chin as school fees. I kept my side clean and I believe in Karma.

#3 – On 1 December (Yes, again) 2022, my shop was robbed again by thieves. I had learned my lesson and had substantial insurance cover, but I still ended up losing a great amount of money and learned more lessons along the way.

The quote above this paragraph speaks volumes to the pattern that we see in my three events. I lost everything once, if it were just a random occurrence or a fluke, it wouldn’t have happened again. I lost everything for a second time and that meant that it had to happen again and it did, I lost everything again, my life savings, the entire year’s work, all gone. I faced many challenges, encountered thieves, scammers and distractions, but all of these paved the way to getting one step closer to reaching my lifelong dream and there’s no way anyone or anything will stop me from achieving it. I truly believe that when you want something very badly, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it. Yes, there will be obstacles and thieves, but they are mere passengers on your journey to achieving what you are destined for.

When life puts you in tough situations, don’t say “Why me?”, say “Try me!”.

I honestly believe that these three events were meant to happen to me, they have shaped me into the person that I am today. I can say with full confidence that I survived what would’ve broken many other people. I don’t say this because I believe that I’m better or special, I say this because I am a fighter. I have so much to offer this world, retreating and laying down would be an injustice to myself and those around me. Within a few days we had moved into a new store, much bigger, much nicer and exactly what I had always wanted, now the hard work begins, I have taken a leap of faith and claimed that 2023 will my best year ever. My dreams might seem further away than ever, but in reality, I’m almost there. Most people give up just before a breakthrough, when they are on the very brink of success.

“A friend to all, is a friend to none.“

Aside from business, in 2022 I did a lot of personal growth, this year was a true eye opener. I didn’t loose as many people in my life this year, only because I restricted access to myself. I no longer entertain meaningless relationships & friendships, if it’s toxic, I’ll cut you off and good luck getting in if I recognise the signs early on. The way I detach myself from people is by far the scariest part about me, because I can love you to death and never speak to you again. It can often feel as if you did something wrong, the truth is that sometimes people simply aren’t ready for all you have to offer. I’ll probably end up with only a handful of people in my life, but at least I know I’ll be 100% myself. What’s the use in having relationships & friendships with limits, where you need to hold back on giving, hold back on caring, it gets frustrating having to limit oneself because someone might take advantage. Once I get a different vibe, you get a different me. Loving and caring without limits is what we were born to do, the issue is finding the people who will match your effort in this fake and pretentious world. People only care about their personal gain, parties, temporary highs, trends, literally anything besides true connections. Most might call me old school, but I’m pretty sure there are some old school people left in this world who are still pure and intact with themselves.

“You are not too much. You have never been too much. You will never be too much. The very idea is preposterous. Because you were born to be you. All of you. Not a tiny acceptable sliver. Not a watered down version with colours dulled and edges softened. No. You were meant to be every last pulsing, bleeding, loving, crying, feeling bit. Just look at you, arms empty but still open. My God, you are beautiful.”

The best advice I can give you is to be content with yourself, this way you’ll have the ability to notice the signs and move on. You won’t need courage to move on if you are content with yourself because your relationship with yourself sets the tone for every other relationship you have. Just be yourself. Let people see the real, imperfect, flawed, quirky, weird, beautiful and magical person that you are. If they don’t like it, rest assured many other people will.

“This is me, take it or leave it.”

I’ve come to realise that many people think they still know me, fortunately I’m not the same person I used to be, I still have a lot of growing to do, but I’ve come a long way and I’m proud of that. I am Leon Slabbert. I’m stubborn and set in my ways, I’m very impatient, I’m addicted to perfection, I’m very proud, I’m curious, I’m determined, I am too loyal, I’m sensitive, I’m demanding and I’m mysterious. Under the mysteriousness you will discover a die hard friend who is caring with only pure intentions. I believe that when your intentions are pure, you never lose anyone, they lose you. I wear my heart on my sleeve, I show every single emotion openly and honestly, be it happy, sad, love, excitement, disappointment or anger, what you see is what you get. Don’t mistake my kindness for weakness. I am kind to everyone, but when someone is unkind to me, weak is not what you are going to remember about me.

2022 – Thank you for all the lessons. 2023 – I am ready.

All in all, 2022 was a huge success. I came out much stronger, learned lessons that no school or university could ever have taught me and most of all, I grew as a person. Growth is never by mere chance, it is the result of forces working together.

If you got this far, thank you very much, you have no idea how much I appreciate it, you are awesome! Please leave a comment (2023 – I am ready! or something) or any thoughts in the comment section. Have a great 2023, may all your wildest dreams come true, may you be blessed abundantly and may you be loved in the same way that you choose to love.