I recently took part in an entrepreneurship competition called The Big Break Legacy (You could say it is the African equivalent of The Apprentice). It was a great experience. I came 2nd — being the youngest person and only female in history to ever reach the finale. As if that was not great enough — I won a brand new Chevrolet Cruz!

It was a nice little car. I drove it around for a while, about two months to be exact. I was fairly happy with it until one fateful Saturday. My sister happened to take it to the shopping centre and it got stuck. Yes, a brand new car, beautiful as can be, got stuck in the parking lot of the local shopping centre — the gearbox just stopped working. I had to drive to her, try to fix it and eventually call a tow truck — oh, it was just a mess.

The worst part was that when it finally got to GM on the Monday morning, they said that they could not find anything wrong with it — and how could I disagree? It was moving as smooth as ever. I took it home, drove it around for about three more weeks, until it got stuck at a parking lot, AGAIN! That was that, I just sold it. I was not prepared to wait until I was speeding on the highway to find out what other manufacturing faults that car might have had.

BUT that experience made me realise something: It is astounding how much faith we have in the ability of others. Just think about it, when you walk into the showroom of any car manufacturer, all you ask about are the models in stock, the features thereof and what colours are available. No one ever bothers to ask about the quality of brakes, gearbox etc. One might be quick to say, “Well, that’s because we assume that the technicalities have been mastered due to perception created by the brand.” I fully agree but have to extend that — the power of branding far extends beyond us just assuming that quality exists, it creates faith in the manufacturer’s ability.

We have so much faith in the ability of manufacturers (which are mere human beings), that we are willing to put our lives in their hands on a DAILY basis. Think about those window washers hanging from the 9th floor, those plane passengers on the British Airways flight, you in that building at this very moment… We are all assured of taking another breath of fresh air, not by constant reminders from the manufacturer, but by our extreme faith in the capabilities of others!

If we can have so much faith in others, that we literally put our lives in their hands, why do we not have even the minimum amount of faith required to pursue our ideas as entrepreneurs?

You see, at times, it is not the world hampering our progress but rather the immense in faith that we have in the capabilities of others and none in our own…

There are 3 major beliefs that make those destined to be great, come short of even being average:

1. The belief that the capabilities of others > Our own capabilities
2. Our capabilities are > The capabilities of others — therefore the world owes us something
3. Fear predicts fact

The belief that the capabilities of others > Our own capabilities:

Too often than not, most overestimate the competition and underestimate themselves. Too often we measure the strengths of others against our weaknesses. We tend to look at the greats as people who have never been average when evidence proves that all of them were once as insecure and as unsure as we are. Actually, most of them still are.

You’re insecure? Guess what, so everybody else! The difference between the greats and the average is that the greats, despite of being average, pursued greatness relentlessly. You see, the world hands no man success on a silver platter. Success does not pre-select its recipients from birth. Anyone in the relentless pursuit thereof can obtain it — it’s an easy target like that.

The only reason that others are making it and you are not, is not due to luck but due to hard work and perseverance. Nobody else was blessed with your ideas and that is not by chance. It is due to the fact that it is your duty to contribute to the advancement of humanity by fulfilling your purpose.

We are all alive for a reason and that reason is communicated to you through the ideas, the dreams and the ambition that you have. Everyone has something that is for them and what is for you can never be denied. Yes, there will be others with similar ideas, but the manner of execution, is what will set you apart — as it is what sets your competitors apart.

So when you see someone seemingly superior remember this:
 They ran their own race and competed with no man.
 They measured themselves against themselves — concentrating on being and doing better today than they were and did yesterday.

The greats are not necessarily better than anyone else but have just been pursuing their purpose longer! Thus if we were all born the same way and success has no pre-selection process — if you just put in the work, if you just fulfill your purpose then surely, I mean surely, you ought to get what you give if not better!

So when you see someone SEEMINGLY superior, hold your chin up high, push your chest out and beat it with your fist if you have to but you HAVE to say this and you have to say it loud,

“I AM DESTINED FOR SUCCESS”
Believe that…

Our capabilities are > the capabilities of others… therefore the world owes us something:

Now while some do not believe that their capabilities amount to much, some are SURE theirs are a phenomenon! Yes, talent always is BUT it being a phenomenon is NOT GOOD ENOUGH — well at least not in this lifetime!

You can have a great idea (that “first of its kind” type of idea) and the world could not care less! Most people are out here thinking that having remarkable ideas will have the world standing on its feet and that that creates an entitlement to greatness of some sort. Sorry to burst your bubble, but the world owes you nothing.

Your parents, God, the universe or whoever you believe in owe you nothing! All that these parties should give you is oxygen to breathe — whatever you do once that is given, is all on you.

You need to get up and you need to show up — hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard. Your capabilities are not superior to anyone else’s. We are all on the same par and success has no pre-selection so it only gives to those in line and you only get in line if you get up and show up. Contrary to popular belief, success is not going to come knocking!

Everyone is born with the same quantity and quality of capabilities, it might not be the same type but the quantity and quality are the same. So you are not entitled to greatness, and others are not great by luck — it is all about the right beliefs, having ideas, implementing those ideas and relentlessly pursuing greatness.

We all merely have the opportunity to be great, not the entitlement thereto. Fate is what happens to us, destiny is what we do despite of our fate. Make greatness part of your destiny.

Say it with me, “I AM DESTINED FOR SUCCESS”.
Believe that…

Fear predicts fact:

The third thing and I reckon the most detrimental of them all, that hampers ones greatness, is the fear of failure. Most reckon that the immense fear that they have is an indication of the outcomes if an opportunity is taken.

Most are so concentrated of what could happen if they fail rather than what could happen if they succeed. You need to realise that fear is inevitable –everyone faces it. It is what one does despite of that fear, that seals the deal of greatness or that of mediocrity.

It has been said that confidence is the state of being the only one aware that you are afraid. I could not agree with the statement more. As I write this, I am scared. Scared of sounding somewhat dumb, scared of making errors and more than anything, scared of failing to make an impact on at least one life. But because I know that speaking truth into existence is my purpose and that my purpose matters to me THAT much, I am doing my best despite the fear.

You see sometimes you need to remove yourself from the picture and realise this: your purpose is way more important than your insecurities. You serve the world not, by neglecting it. In fact, you are depriving the world of A LOT by not implementing a solution to the problems faced by many. If you are not willing to put your fear aside and pursue your purpose for yourself, at least do it for society at large. You owe The Creator, the universe or whoever blessed you with your ideas and talents, at least that much. If you view your purpose this way, greatness seems inevitable.

Yeah, you know what’s coming… say it with me, “I AM DESTINED FOR GREATNESS.”

Believe that…

It is of equal importance to address the elements that are hampering your path to greatness as it is to get tools and motivation of how to pursue your purpose and become great.

Do not let insecurities, ego or fear rob you off your legacy. Should the three musketeers try however, look them in the eye and say….
“I AM DESTINED FOR GREATNESS.”