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Running your race (1)

Many people are complacent, thus satisfied with status quo. The comfort zone is domiciled by uninspired individuals. Everyone who will be great must not only be able to think strategically, they must also be ready to act deliberately. Being deliberate is a major key to greatness. Entrepreneurial leaders don’t wait for inspiration before they act; they have a sense of purpose and are self-motivated. Self-motivation is pivotal to inspiration. Imagine a student who doesn›t turn in his/her assignment because such has no inspiration to do it. Imagine a pilot telling his crew that he lacks the inspiration to fly. Imagine parents telling their children that they are waiting for inspiration before they can begin effective parenting. Imagine a farmer waiting for inspiration to plant or harvest. When you imagine these scenarios and many more, you will understand that, as professionals and pioneers who are called to fulfill a specific purpose on earth, we must take our missions as an assignment and not as a hobby. You can’t be self-motivated and not run with your vision. Greatness is guaranteed when there is a commitment (capacity) to reach your next level in life (academics, business and career – (ABC), as well as contentment (character) with your present level. Contentment is the succour (therapy), while commitment is the ‘score’ (happiness) in the race of life. Everyone needs ‘therapiness’ to get to the top unscathed. Nothing can stop a self-motivated individual. An entrepreneurial leader is not controlled by his past, pocket and people.

It is one thing to dream about success, but striving for success can be a daunting task. By realizing that success is a process which involves small, doable steps and support from others, you will be prepared to achieve any goal you set your mind to. Let’s face it, everyone wants to be successful. People want to have more money, be happier, be healthier, travel without worrying about the expenses, build intimate relationships with their loved ones, and live quality lives in every area. The question is: are you ready for all those that you desire? I strongly believe that everyone can achieve their dreams, accomplish their goals, and live a life that they desire, but it is not going to happen immediately. Success is a long-term process, not something you can achieve within a few days. While it is true that it takes some people less time to produce extraordinary results and shorter time to achieve great success these days, it is still going to take time.

Setting goals is great. However, knowing how much you want to make, your desired career or business and where you want to be in a few years are all very important. Creating a vision board and visualizing where you what to be in life is always very powerful. What is even more important is preparing for success. Have you ever asked yourself, “How will I manage and react when my dream life becomes reality? Am I ready for success?” They may sound silly, but they are not, really. A lot of people do not prepare themselves for the changes that come from embarking on new adventures or journeys. Success does not happen by accident, you have to be intentional in achieving your goals. You know those lottery winners that win $500 million and then a few years later they are bankrupt? They achieved their dreams, but never prepared themselves to achieve it. They didn’t prepare for success. They didn’t plan for how their lives would change. So what happened to them? They revert to where they started. You have to prepare for success the same way you plan to achieve your goal. Change, no matter the magnitude, ruffles us even if we want the change so badly. You have to prepare your body, mind and spirit for a new life. Therefore, when it all becomes reality, one will be unperturbed. You are just going with the flow and savouring the success.

RUNNING WITH VISION

Vision is the ability to think about or plan the future, deploying imagination and wisdom. The journey of an entrepreneur starts with vision! Literally, it takes illumination to see the unseen. In the same vein, it takes vision to see the unforeseen. Vision is the torch that lightens the untouched. Vision is the “inner light” that brings about clarity and familiarity in uncharted paths. Entrepreneurs see opportunities in every situation and seize them. They envision possibilities and take initiatives. They are dreamers and doers! What vision is to leadership is what innovation is to entrepreneurship. Vision drives knowledge while knowledge drives innovation. An entrepreneur is a leader; he sets the pace! An entrepreneur is a thinker; he resets the space! Leadership is the ability to create rules and to set goals. It is the capacity to follow through to see that rules are followed and goals are accomplished. Innovation is the ability to apply creative solutions to problems and opportunities to enhance or to enrich people’s lives. Innovation is the specific function of entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurship on the other hand is a function of the entrepreneur. E = f (e).

RUNNING WITH KNOWLEDGE

Knowledge is the driver of entrepreneurship. You cannot do or go beyond what you know or the information you have. The word ‘entrepreneur’ originates from a thirteenth-century French verb, ‘entreprendre’, meaning “to do something” or “to undertake”. Knowledge drives creativity while creativity engenders entrepreneurial productivity. Knowledge precedes productivity. When it recedes, productivity drops. Entrepreneurship is about problem solving, innovation, value creation, and in this modern age, technology application. Moving from entrepreneurial creativity to economic prosperity requires a strategic investment in knowledge and information (innovation), as well as training and education (human capital). Knowledge is the first factor of production and productivity, before land, labour, capital and enterprise. It serves as the bedrock of innovation, ideas, information and practices. Knowledge economy promotes greater reliance on intellectual capabilities rather than physical or natural resources. The human development of a country cannot be divorced from education and innovation. The global economy is a combination of knowledge and technology.

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