The Power of Consistency: Starting Small

On a warm, breezy day in July 2019, I sat in front of my computer, heart racing and hands trembling slightly as I stared at the Wealth.ng app on my phone. For months, I’d been listening to success stories, reading books, and watching videos about wealth-building. Every success story I came across seemed to revolve around one central theme—taking that first step, no matter how small, toward something bigger. But for me, that first step had always seemed like an insurmountable challenge.

I had always admired the stories of individuals who were financially independent—those who had built empires and created generational wealth. They seemed to have started with massive investments, insider knowledge, or even some form of luck. But for me, that wasn’t the reality. I didn’t have a fortune to begin with, no lucky break to fall back on. My financial foundation was shaky at best, and I often questioned whether someone like me, with little money to spare, could ever dream of building wealth.

Yet, despite the doubts, I felt an insatiable urge to break free from the limitations of my current financial situation. Growing up, I had seen my parents struggle. They worked tirelessly to make ends meet, but they never seemed to accumulate wealth. There were no financial freedoms in their world. They lived paycheck to paycheck, always saving but never truly growing their savings. I didn’t want that for myself. I wanted more. I wanted to build a future where money didn’t control my every decision.

But how could I, someone with little financial knowledge and limited resources, begin such a journey? That question lingered in my mind for months. Every time I read about others who had achieved great wealth, I felt further removed from the reality of it all. It felt as though I was too far behind, too late to start.

That’s when I stumbled upon Wealth.ng. I had heard of the platform before but never truly considered using it. It offered an easy and accessible way to invest, even if the amounts were small. After some contemplation, I made the decision to take the plunge. With a deep breath and a silent affirmation that this moment would be the beginning of something bigger, I clicked the “Deposit” button. The amount I entered was ₦2,000—hardly a sum that would set the world on fire, but for me, it was the first step toward something I’d been dreaming about for so long.

For the next few months, I continued making small deposits. Week after week, I added whatever I could afford—₦500, ₦1,000, whatever I could spare after covering my daily expenses. It wasn’t easy. There were times when I felt like I wasn’t making progress. I’d look at my portfolio and think, "This isn’t enough. I’m never going to get ahead."

But instead of giving up, I decided to shift my focus. It was never about the amount I was contributing. What mattered was that I was building the habit of investing. That in itself was a win. Slowly but surely, I began to see my portfolio grow. The small deposits added up, and I felt a sense of pride each time my balance increased—even if just by a small amount.

But life had other plans. In early 2020, I faced a series of unexpected expenses—medical bills for a family member, a sudden car repair, and even an emergency fund for a friend in need. I had to withdraw funds from my investment to cover these costs. The total withdrawal amounted to ₦2,988—less than what I had initially invested. I was disheartened but not defeated. The temptation to give up lingered. Was it even worth it to continue? Was I just going to be stuck in a cycle of depositing and withdrawing?

Despite the setback, I refused to give in. “Wealth isn’t built overnight,” I kept telling myself. I knew setbacks were part of the process, and I was committed to staying the course. I couldn’t control everything, but I could control my actions. I chose to refocus on my long-term goal: building financial security, no matter how small the contributions seemed.

By mid-2020, after a year of small deposits and consistent learning, my portfolio had grown to ₦7,500. While the growth was modest, I had started to notice a shift within myself. It wasn’t just the money that mattered—it was the discipline I had cultivated. Each small deposit wasn’t just an investment; it was a lesson in patience, consistency, and the importance of staying the course.

“Starting small is what matters,” I would remind myself each day. The consistency of showing up, no matter the amount, was what would make the difference in the long run. With each deposit, no matter how small, I was getting closer to my goal.

By the time 2021 came around, I had a renewed sense of purpose. My focus had sharpened. I realized that true wealth-building wasn’t about one big windfall; it was about the long game. I began to track my spending more carefully and found ways to save even more. I discovered small habits—cutting out unnecessary subscriptions, reducing impulse purchases, and setting aside a fixed amount each month to reinvest. All of this contributed to a steady increase in my portfolio. By mid-2021, my investments had risen to ₦9,000, and I started to notice the magic of compounding.

Of course, there were still moments of doubt. The market fluctuated, and there were times when I questioned whether I was making the right decisions. I almost gave up during some particularly tough months, tempted by the idea of spending what I had saved or enjoying the fruits of my labor. But then I remembered why I started in the first place. I wasn’t just investing money—I was investing in my future. And with that thought, I found the motivation to keep going.

In late 2021, I hit a milestone that felt monumental to me: my portfolio reached ₦12,283.83, a 68.2% growth from where it all began. This growth wasn’t just in terms of the numbers. It was growth in my mindset, in my discipline, and in my belief that anyone, no matter how small their start, could build something substantial with the right approach.

Now, when I talk about my journey, I emphasize one core message: it’s not about how much you start with—it’s about starting. Starting is the hardest part, but once you commit to the process, stay consistent, and keep pushing forward, the results will come. It may take time, but the journey is worth it. The growth isn’t just in the wealth—it’s in the person you become along the way.

Today, I am not a millionaire, but I am wealthier than I could have ever imagined in 2019. More importantly, I am richer in knowledge, discipline, and confidence. My journey is far from over, and I continue to invest, learn, and grow, determined to achieve even more.

And no matter where this journey takes me, I will always remember that it all started with ₦2,000 and the courage to take that first step.