By Dr Wilfred Isak April
THESE past few months, I have been talking at great length about what it takes to be a true entrepreneur.
I think it is my duty to alert all readers that no entrepreneurial dream or idea will thrive without internal motivation.
To illustrate the essence of internal motivation, I find it important to share my personal story with you all today.
I think my story applies to each reader as the majority of personal successes in life are usually accomplished after the individual determines not to give up when they experience failure. This reality should suggest that dreams and goals are absolutely possible, but most often are not achieved because we quit during the most difficult times, not realizing the prize is just a few steps away.
In the same vein any dream or goal in order to be realised most certainly will be accompanied by temporary failures that requires consistent effort.
Would you believe me that my personal journey to serve on my high school learner’s council demonstrates this principle; and more importantly, should suggest what is necessary to become a successful entrepreneur.
It was the spring of 1996 and I was perhaps unlike most 11th graders who just want to finish school because I was absolutely determined to accomplish one of my many dreams and goals and that was to serve my fellow school learners.
At that particular point in time I thought there was no one as committed and desirous as I to achieve their goal, and to do whatever it took to accomplish it.
However, like most of our dreams and goals in life, as we pursue them we inevitably face challenges, setbacks, disappointments, doubts and fear, and even occasional failures. Such was the case in pursuit of my dream.
To say the least I lost the election. Like we all do far too often, I allowed the losing of the election to determine my potential and serve as the excuse as to why my dream was never achieved. Through this failure of mine, I realised that in order to accomplish my personal goals, I needed to forget about myself, and seek to help and serve others.
From organizing community projects to supporting social groups, ironically I rediscovered my own self-confidence through serving and helping others.
I learned that the right kind of popularity in society was not found on the soccer field, in the classroom, nor because you are a student leader or a high profile political leader in the government. It will be made evident in the character reflected from the mirror and service rendered to others.
Although I did not realise my dream to serve as a student leader at that point in time, today I am fortunate to work in a service organization which gives me the platform to serve others. So – what is your dream in life?
Do you believe that it is possible to start your own enterprise and are you willing to do whatever it takes to achieve it.
Remember I did not get the opportunity to serve others because I am popular, talented, I am simply doing this because I taught myself the necessary elements to achieve success: desire, belief, action, getting up after failing and persistence. More importantly if you have an entrepreneurial dream, success comes not because the dream was realized, but it is because of the character you developed and the people who were willing to give a helping hand when you needed it most.
Next week, we shall look at some of the essential documents required to register you enterprise in Namibia.
• Dr Wilfred Isak April is a lecturer in the Department of Management Sciences at the University of Namibia and lectures in Organizational Behaviour, Leadership and Entrepreneurship.