Why is it that often in life, we are ashamed to admit how truly ambitious we are? We feel embarrassed to admit we want to be the next Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg or the next James Mworia?
Do we keep these thoughts to ourselves because the first time we ever mentioned our true ambition, a teacher, parent or perhaps a well meaning friend, laughed at us? Is it because when we confided in someone and told them that we wanted to be a heart surgeon, or astronaut they laughed and asked, “… but how can you achieve that when you have never even travelled out of Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana etc?”
So while this may be a limiting factor for some, hurdles can be overcome – as one of our Motivational Monday quote says: “Empty pockets never held anyone back. Only empty heads and empty hearts can do that“ Norman Vincent Peale
Take a look at these amazing Africans from various backgrounds. If they can make it, then why not you? So next time someone asks you “Why?” simply reply: “WHY NOT?”
1) Herman Chinery-Hesse described by the BBC as Africa’s “Bill Gates” – co-founded the SOFTtribe, one of the leading software houses in West Africa http://www.21stcenturychallenges.org/focus/herman-chinery-hesse-thesofttribe/
2) Dr Kludze – Ghanaian, NASA Scientist http://www.ghanacommunity.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=9927
And just to prove that success has no age barrier, how about William Kamkwamba who was 14 years old, when he transformed his village in Malawi by building electric windmills out of junk http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8257153.stm By the way, read his book ‘The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind’. It is very inspiring. I would urge you all to think and dream BIG! To read more posts by Miriam, click HERE
