To overcome fear…

... replace it with a habit. If you are afraid to write, write a little, every day. Start with an anonymous blog, start with a sentence. Every day, drip, drip, drip, a habit. If you are afraid to speak up, speak up a little, every day. Not to the board of directors, but to someone.…

When you are being left behind

When threatened with obsolescence, entrepreneurs must adapt and innovate or risk falling behind their competition. Staying relevant and competitive in a rapidly evolving world requires a proactive mindset, adaptability, and a willingness to embrace change. This billboard is a classic illustration of what soccer commentator Uncle Dan Setshedi used to say: Fighting with their backs…

“Ain’t I a Woman?”

That man over there says that women need to be helped into carriages, and lifted over ditches, and to have the best place everywhere. Nobody ever helps me into carriages, or over mud-puddles, or gives me any best place! And ain’t I a woman? Look at me! Look at my arm! I have ploughed and…

Reading and pain

You think your pain and your heartbreak are unprecedented in the history of the world, but then you read. It was books that taught me that the things that tormented me most were the very things that connected me with all the people who were alive, who had ever been alive. -- James Baldwin, The…

Mattering vs. Popular

The gardener may not be doing work that is popular or well-known, but they are doing work that changes the lives of the people who come to visit the garden. The gardener is focused on nurturing the plants, ensuring that they receive the right amount of water, sunlight, and nutrients. They may spend hours working…

Learn by doing…

When I'm afforded the privilege of leading business workshops with budding entrepreneurs, I am reminded that while sitting back and absorbing knowledge has its advantages, nothing beats getting your hands dirty and really starting your own enterprise. For me, doing something instead of just listening is preferable. Learning by doing is the name of the…

Mutton dressed as lamb

The phrase "mutton dressed as lamb" is used to describe someone, who is dressing in a style more appropriate for a younger person. "Mutton" refers to meat from a mature sheep, while "lamb" refers to the meat of a young sheep. So, the phrase suggests that the person is trying to pass himself off as…

Laughter

Sometimes, in life, we encounter situations or challenges that are so frustrating that all we can do is laugh and move on. Laughing in the face of adversity can be a powerful coping mechanism. It can help us to release tension and stress, and it can help us to gain perspective on our situation. When…

Kindness boomerang

Kindness is not just a fluffy, feel-good concept, it is a critical component of successful communities, relationships, and businesses. When people feel seen and respected, they’re more likely to focus on what needs to be done, instead of becoming offended or defensive. Kindness and positivity are contagious. When you bring kindness to your interactions, you…

Sawubona, making eye contact

The thing about making eye contact is that once you see, it becomes very difficult to un-see. Once you see poverty, it becomes difficult to walk away untouched. Making eye contact is one of the most powerful things you can do as a human being. Avoiding connection through eye contact is a common coping mechanism…

God is not a contingency plan

God is not a contingency plan, but the masterplan. He is not something that can be invoked as a backup or last resort in times of need or uncertainty, but rather represents a fundamental aspect of reality and existence. God is not something that exists outside of or separate from the natural world, but rather…

Followed

In real life, if you're being followed, you have a sense of it. A sensation. A sense of knowing that someone is following you and monitoring you. Without a question. And then there are instances when you swear you are being followed even when no one is. It's the polar opposite on the internet. If…