What's Holding You Back? - Let Go

Have you ever wanted to do something so bad, yet did not do it? You probably started working on it and one negative comment or self doubt made you shrink or take a back seat. Could be as simple as applying for a course, a job or promotion, maybe you have always wanted to move towns or countries and have a fresh start etc.

We all have certain things or goals we hoped to accomplish whether small or big  that hit a wall because of this or that... I am certain we had our justifications as to why we did not accomplish the mission. Some of the simple yet tough things like saying I'm sorry or I was wrong or perhaps taking your business to the next level sometimes go unsaid or undone because something inside us holds us back.

I want us to reflect on what in life we fear the most. Some of my fears growing up were

• what would people think or say of me? - it killed some of my opinions and who I was as a person
• Not being cool ( I know! now I think it's stupid)
• Being embarrassed - I learnt that you can get over embarrassments its just for a moment🙈
• Failing in life - it kept me from even starting some projects who knows what would have come of those projects I could have succeeded had I been persistent

It is not a bad thing to have things that you fear, however when it gets to a point that they stop you from realizing your full potential or living a fulfilled life calls for a re-evaluation of your priorities.  At the end of the day, focus on what you want to achieve and see if your fear is more important than your goal. Could be that you are in an abusive relationship, where you are being disrespected yet still opt to stay. Is that what you signed up for? Relationships are supposed to make us better not bitter and insecure.

Moving from the comfort zone, takes courage and its never easy. Sometimes one has to leave employment and go start their business, there is no assurance that the business will succeed but what would you rather? Would you rather know you did everything that was in your power to do or live with the fears and regrets of "What if's"?

Sometimes it is easy to think that some people have more courage than others, but we all are capable of achieving whatever we desire as individual's, families, organizations and or countries. The right question to ask self is, what is holding you back from realizing your full potential? What is holding you back from starting the Mentor-ship Program you have always wanted or to start or the barber shop? What could be holding you back from exercising and or eating healthy? What is stopping you from expanding your business? I mean no one forces you to live your life the way you do, that means whatever is holding you back can be released and gotten rid of for the better. We can have excuses of the weather not being the best, lack of finances, family friends... but at the end of the day, the ball is on your hands.

I do not know what is holding you back, but I do know that whatever it is, you can overcome and go after your dreams and desires. I hope we can all find the courage to go back and rekindle the dreams we had forgotten about, it is time to release what's holding you back. Break the glass, get out of the box you are the pace setter it's possible, You are possible! Today is the perfect day for a new beginning, forget the risk and take the fall if its what you want then its worth the fall. You don't need to have it all figured out, you just need to start and with time you will succeed💟💟💟💟

YOUR TIME HAS COME!

The time we have all been waiting for is finally here, lights out, its show time! Enough of the talk, waiting and hoping someone else would take action or make your dreams come alive. No one knows you better than you do, but all I know is that you have the potential to do and become anything that you have ever wanted to be. Its possible! 

Lupita Nyongo receiving an Oscar Award,  
photo retrieved from Africa Leadership Magazine. 

At this day and age, your dreams are possible from wherever you are, be it in a village inside a forest or in the biggest of cities in the world. All you have to do is to believe in yourself, create a plan and take action! The American dream we all used to long after can be actualized wherever you are, it is no long for a chosen few or those who get lucky. Look around, see the Lupita's of this worlds representing Kenya and Africa in the world's lime light - shows with passion, commitment and dedication anything is possible. 

The time for sleeping as Africans and waiting for our leaders and greedy politicians to develop our continent is far gone. Each and every one of us has a duty, to take action in whichever area that interests them in making a difference for a better Africa. The newly elected President of the United States of America (USA) recently made it clear to all the world leaders that its time for him and USA to put America First. So if all we relied on was hopes of additional aid, its time to think outside the box and see what you have and how it can help you get to where you want to be. 

In case you live in some of the cities in Africa and think you have a pretty good life think twice. Most countries in Africa are still lagging behind in basic necessities not to mention the sustainable development goals. Some of our relatives, friends, and or fellow citizens still defecate in the open endangering other with preventable disease like Cholera. Drought is still a normal word, it affects us every year yet little is done to prevent it from reoccurring. I can go on and on and on, but it's time! 

What one thing can you volunteer for in your free time to do? Could you mentor a young girl or boy; clean up a dirty river, visit the slums and teach on life skills... you may have your fancy job, a good life but as time goes by the odds are also catching up with you. 

While at it, if you have a job and you love it great, find something else you can do to add value to your work and build your country. If you have been looking for a job for years and found none, do not give up. What is it that you can do on the mean time, you could help build an economy by starting your business. There are countless opportunities waiting to be explored. Every problem we have is a business opportunity waiting to be executed. Think outside the box, what difference can you make, you do not need money to make a difference all you need is a will and like they say, where there is a will there is a way. The time has come for you, to go out and make things happen. Its your time, lets make the best of it! 

Your time has come, photo courtesy of williamsforbishop.org