Young Men with Purpose: Part 5

                                                                                                                                                                         

Sam is a visionary. He’s also a leader, a thinker, and a guy with rare strength of character. As the oldest of five close siblings, Sam excelled in many areas from a young age – our family first met him when he was just twelve years old, and even at that time, it was clear that he had an exceptionally interesting future ahead of him.

In the years since, he’s become dynamic, well-respected, and a highly skilled communicator (take a listen to his awesome answers on the Dave Glover Show here). God has blessed Sam with strong principles, a deep love for his family, and a great vision. He is an inspiration to many, and it’s exciting to see where God is leading him!

I recently had the privilege of interviewing Sam; here is what he wrote…

Can you describe a bit about yourself and your vision?

My name is Sam Saffa, I’m 20 years old and reside in St. Louis, Missouri. I hold a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Liberty University and I enjoy experiencing life through the countless communication tools available in the 21^st century.
My passion lies in seeing people succeed and achieve the hopes and dreams they have set for themselves. If you’re not helping other people, you may be doing things wrong.  

What books have you read that have fueled your vision?

Besides the Bible, there have been a few books that have really helped me be the best person I can be and powered my engine on the cold, dark days.

Do Hard Things by Alex and Brett Harris

212: The Extra Degree by Sam Parker

How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie

Politics can be intense – how do you find balance in your life?

Politics is intense. The governor’s race that I’m currently working with averages a day off every 15-16 days. A great way to find balance is to make time for what you really care about. If you’re working 18+ hours a day nonstop for something that you’re not necessarily passionate about, it can be draining. Make sure to create time for exercise, family time, or whatever else you feel helps you relax. Your boss will thank you, as will your body. Productivity is directly tied to the health of your brain; if your brain is tired, your decision will not be as sharp. What gets you out of bed? Find that activity, and stick with it.

How do you maintain integrity as a Christian in the rough-and-tumble of the political sphere?

Stay grounded in the word. You won’t navigate life’s dark waters without the “lamp unto your feet” to guide you. And at the end of the day, you have to realize that while there is darkness in the world, most people are genuinely good people. Find those people who make you better and ask questions. The only stupid question is the one never asked.  

What is your biggest piece of advice for young men interested in going into politics?

Politics is all-consuming. It’s a unique industry with unique challenges and opportunities. It is a world solely focused on money and power. My piece of advice would be: have a goal.
If you don’t have a goal, an end in sight, an accomplishment you’re shooting for, then there is no reason why you shouldn’t fall victim to the lust of power and wealth. I’m not saying wealth and power are bad, quite to the contrary. I’m simply proclaiming Proverbs 29:18 on a larger scale: “where there is no vision, the people perish.” If you don’t have something worth fighting for, any cause will get you there.