The Allure to Fame and Success – Case of the Wanderlust Success Phenomenon

Immediately it became public that a group of young Ghanaian men embarked on a 10,000km road trip from Accra to London, Social media and traditional media especially in Ghana got lit with admiration, comments, likes, etc. These daring men brought the spotlight on Ghana, receiving attention from media houses all over the world including the BBC. They have lifted the flag of Ghana high. Of course, they have achieved a historic feat that will continue to endure for a long time. Some members have recounted through interviews they granted the media the warm reception received in some of the countries they drove through. They specifically mentioned Morocco where a policeman upon hearing they were from Ghana volunteered to lead them with his motorcycle in joy through traffic, right up to a point. According to one of the wanderlust crew, the policeman mentioned Abedi Pele (A successful Ghanaian football legend) upon hearing they were from Ghana. Of course, he wanted to also be part of the Ghana or Wanderlust success, and indeed he is; He is now mentioned as part of the story. His attraction to the fame and success of Abedi Pele's country and that of Wanderlust's success is a fundamental human need that has a place in psychology – Maslow's Hierarchy of needs.

Pictures of their entry into London showed warm reception from friends and admirers, some taking memorable photos and having fun with them. It is a proud moment for any Ghanaian to be associated with these daring men at this time.

It comes as no surprise that people from all walks of life are lured to the possibility of being linked with renowned and successful people in a world where celebrity and success seem to be the ultimate markers of achievement. A fundamental human need to be a part of something remarkable, to bask in the glory of success, and to have a piece of that spotlight is often at the heart of the fascination of such relationships, which frequently goes beyond simple adoration. The extraordinary trek of the 10,000km Accra to London Expedition is one recent example that precisely depicts this phenomenon.

Indeed, people all across the world are fascinated by this Accra to London Expedition, a risky and bold journey that covered an astounding 10,000 kilometers. The trip served as a great example of teamwork, bravery, and the unwavering pursuit of a difficult objective in addition to being a testimony to human tenacity and resiliency. People from all walks of life were captivated by the expedition's narrative as the globe watched in wonder as the team set out on their epic adventure.

The propensity for people to want to be associated with others who experience success or celebrity is one of the most fascinating elements of human nature. This tendency has its roots in our evolutionary past when being a part of a prosperous group frequently boosted one's chances of survival and well-being. However, in today's society, the need for survival has changed into a need for social approval, recognition, and the possible advantages that come from having connections to powerful people.

Through their steadfast commitment and sheer willpower, the Accra to London Expedition's participants not only won over the hearts of the public but also the admiration of many others who were eager to tie themselves to the expedition's success. This habit, which is also known as the "halo effect," is a cognitive bias that makes us assume that if someone has one excellent feature, they probably have other commendable qualities as well. People thought that by being associated with the expedition team, they would benefit from the team's success and improve their reputation and image.

Moreover, having ties to well-known or prosperous people can raise one's perceived social capital in a society where social media and the ongoing urge to display oneself are pervasive. When someone publishes a photo with an expedition member or writes a story about their connection, likes, shares, comments, and retweets flood in, fostering a sense of community and affirmation online.

The desire for inspiration is another powerful psychological force in action. People are compelled by tales of overcoming adversity and pursuing daring objectives. These characteristics were present in The Accra to London Expedition, making it a potent source of inspiration for people from all areas of life. People could link themselves with this motivation and utilize it to fire their aspirations and dreams by associating with the expedition and its participants.

Associating with successful and well-known people is a phenomenon that transcends all demographics. The pull of connection is still strong for everyone, both business titans and ordinary people. This universal appeal can be traced to the intrinsic drive to belong to something significant and the common yearning for importance.

In summary, the attraction of being linked with successful and well-known people is a nuanced yet fascinating element of human psychology. The Accra to London Expedition is a striking illustration of how individuals from various backgrounds are drawn to the air of achievement, bravery, and tenacity. Along with capturing the world's attention with their incredible journey, the expedition's participants also provided a window into the desire shared by all people to be associated with greatness. As long as people are aspiring to fame and success, there will also be people enthusiastically desiring to be associated with their accomplishments to feel accepted and validated.