Paradigm Shift: An African challenge - Introduction

Majority of people in Africa including governments, big corporate etc. are unable to utilize opportunities at their disposal to the best of their abilities because they are afraid of change, reluctant to accept new ideas and fear the uncertainty that comes with change. Forgetting that there is no success that comes without change and no change that comes without uncertainties. So change is inevitable, delaying change can either limit your success or increase your success. Change and time go hand in hand, identifying the right time to change is the catch.

A friend who is very fat, whenever people ask him, why is he becoming too fat? He becomes defensive and make comments such as 'No... i am not fat, what you see is a sign of good living'. I do not blame this friend of mine for thinking that it is a sign of good living to be 'FAT', because many African Cultures and perhaps other cultures in the world associate being fat with a sign of being happy and living comfortably well. A lot of times we are made to believe in fallacies/myths that are at times irrelevant to the 'NOW', most of this believes are highly attributed to society norms.

Social believes have a great influence to change, shape up the person we'll become and success of the community/society and country. History clearly show us that people, communities, societies or countries that adapt their believes in response to the window of change are in most cases successful compared to those that delay change, this is because change comes with opportunities and those that recognizes this opportunities hugely benefit from the opportunities that comes with change. Those that delay changes in most cases end up not benefiting anything because all opportunities will be exhausted. One of my favourite proverbs, is a Chinese proverb that says "When the winds of change blow, some people build walls and others build windmills".

Everyone wants to change the world but no body wants to change. Ideas are the catalyst of change, but the fear of failing and lack of believe in the power of one has been a major barriers or obstacles to change in Africa. A lot of people have ideas, but many of us are afraid to fail hence do not try.  Another major challenge is a lack of believe in the 'power of one', many people believe that they cannot realize their own ideas alone, and they make themselves believe that they need other people to realize their own ideas. So they end up procrastinating the implementation of their idea, and more determined individuals will snatch up the opportunity. This underestimate your own  abilities/capabilities and reduces one' potential. Believing in your abilities helps you achieve your goals and it is a starting point to make others believe in you.

Africans should stop blaming colonialism and imperialism as the cause of challenges and the failure to overcome this challenges. Instead we should change the way we perceive our selves, things and start looking at change/challenges as an opportunity to improve. Change symbolizes that life is moving forward, hence it is very essential for the progression of humanity. Changing your mindset is the starting point to becoming the successful person, game-changer, trend-setter you always wanted to become.

'Be the change you want to see'