by Phindile Ndlovu, Founder and Director of Bhekizenzo Foundation
I realized something the other day. I was so miserable, wondering if my job fulfilled me and if entrepreneurship is worth it. I was tired of feeling anxious, tight deadlines and constant cultivating relationships. Have you ever just wanted to stumble across a few million Rands and then switch off your phone? Spend your money and not worry about anything? Well, that was me, unmotivated and frustrated.
I think what frustrated me was the slow process of success. I was nowhere close to where I want to be and I had so many things taking up my time, I just felt like a hamster on the wheel. Great news, my frustration did not last too long. I did not stumble on a few million, but I did stumble on a TD Jakes’ sermon. He mentioned how we want success and not pain. We want positions and not sacrifices. We want to influence and not responsibility.
I soon realized how the process is so vital. It teaches us how to plan, set up systems that are crucial should my business take off. More important than taking off is understanding how we want to finish. Taking off without a plan on landing will result in crashing. He mentioned the 9/11 devastating saga. He shares how the pilots never bothered themselves to learn how to land because they know it will end. When we use the process to understand how to land, we will not crash, we will land, regroup and take off again.
Instantly, I felt positive again. I went over and sent messages, wishing potential clients a great weekend. I worked on a proposal and updated my social media pages. The process is a necessary time. We use it to become better, to do better and to understand exactly where we want to go.
I challenge everyone - entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs to embrace the challenges that come with their roles. I challenge you today to see this process as a time to prepare you for your next promotion in life. Do not wish to be an overnight success because odds are, you will be an overnight failure with no knowledge on how to bounce back. Success is lovely, full of challenges, sacrifices, pain and responsibilities. Show up daily expecting a win, work towards a win. Carry yourself like you are a winner even when that bank notification does not come, suppliers are late, sales are looking down - be positive and be innovative. You will not win a battle you have already lost in your mind.
What are you currently struggling with in your business and workplace? Share with me and I will help you if I know how. Let me know what book you are reading; I would love to get it. Sometimes sharing is important, not to fix the problem but to get a different perspective. I hope you have a different perspective on your current struggle. You are not alone, we are all fighting, working and learning.
Leadership and success have high prices to pay. Pay up.
Phindile Ndlovu is passionate about Community Development pertaining skills development and education for the youth. She is experienced in driving life changing community development campaigns. Passionate about self-development and leadership, she works and speaks with young people across the Gauteng Province in South Africa, motivating and coordinating her vision and goal setting workshops through her organization, Bhekizenzo Foundation. Her skillset is based on project design, brand awareness and organizational surveys, amongst many others. Phindile has strong, professional media and communications expertise, particularly with event coordination and campaign strategy planning. She has obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Political Studies and Sociology at the University of Witswatersand Johannesburg. Learn more.
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