Dr Strive Masiyiwa
Dare to tackle challenges even one tiny step at a time.
A psychologist once took a very advanced tablet computer and gave it to a small group of young girls (under the age of 9) living in a refugee camp, and not yet in school. After one week, she found that they all knew how to switch it on, and had found their way to use some of its Apps.
The same experiment, performed with older people over the age of 20, yielded almost nothing!
The psychologist also found that the adults had a lot to complain about concerning a device they had not even learned to switch on.
What was the difference?
Fear!
The older you get, the more fearful you get to experiment, and try out new things, including new ways to solve old problems.
Every day there are many things you can do to ensure you don’t fall into this trap…
Think about it!
Some of you have heard me say it before: “Big Problems are usually solved by people with the humility to make small starts.”
There are a lot of people who see a Big Problem, but they have no capacity to find a place to start solving it, which usually requires them to make even baby steps, which they often fear to do.
When I see a Big Problem, I enjoy seeing how to start solving it one step at a time.
Chipping away, day after day…
It can be months, but usually some years, and suddenly I’m there: Big Problem solved!
Next time someone tells you about a Big Problem ask them, “How do YOU propose to contribute to solve it?”
And watch how surprised they get!
Somehow we all want others to solve problems we see, and that is why nothing ever happens.
Next month, for example, school holidays start and also our Christian brothers and sisters typically gather in big religious services across Africa…
What I want to say to each of you is this, if you are thinking about traveling and getting together with family: Be careful. Be part of the solution…
These are still dangerous times! Do not let your guard down. If we want to end this pandemic once and for all, YOU have to do your own part, #MaskUp, and keep socially distanced. Last year’s Christmas holidays started a whole new second wave, far more devastating than the first one. This can’t happen again.
Do not take unnecessary risks with your life or anyone else’s!
If you jump out of a plane without a parachute, you will pay the price. If we all jump selfishly into living a “normal” life without taking prudent health precautions… I do not even want to think about how a Third Wave will hurt our people and our economies.
Be fearless, but not foolish.
#MaskUp
#KeepASafeDistance
#EverythingTurnsOnThis
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