The Start is the most important part of your vision

 The most important lessons in life are at the START.
The START, is when we are most terrified, uncertain, experience consistent failure and rejection, have the strongest will to throw in the towel, take mockery from people who don't believe in us personally, cry the most and are very broke. All you have with you is your achievement in abstract form i.e your vision.

On the other hand, at this point is when you begin to understand and believe in God's promises my favourite being, "Do not fear for I am with you." The Most High knows that this promise has given me hope in my toughest moments and He has never failed to deliver.

We also learn life's most important lessons. Here are a few that I've learnt:

• Start somewhere, anywhere. Just begin the race. When I started my business, I never understood that one can begin anywhere until I realised 10/- could actually pay my rent! My point is I learnt that it doesn't matter where you start, just start. Eventually, along the way the pieces of the puzzle begin to come together to create a reality of your vision. 

• No matter how much life beats you down, you can always rise up. I cannot count the number of times I was rejected by customers before they could actually begin to accept my products. It really hurt my feelings and more than often I felt I should just give up and go back to my previous employer and beg for a job. What I realised, is my customers weren't putting me out, but they were simply telling me, "Go back to the drawing board. You can do better". With that in mind, whenever I came back, I got more customers!

Many a times we tend to think that we will never get back on the saddle after quitting that frustrating job, being retrenched or fired, experiencing a break up or divorce, failing that exam, being rejected by family or having a business that isn't growing. The truth is, the human mind is more creative when you are experiencing a tough moment. It begins to restructure itself to find a solution. All it needs is your approval which is flowing with it. All you need to do is to be wise and listen to it just as God says, "A wise man falls 7 times but rises the 8th.." You are stronger than you think. Do not underestimate your mind.

• Everything happens for a reason and there is something for everyone as long as it is guided by The Almighty. There are times you find yourself giving your best to someone, a project, a job or a client but the intended recipient expresses disapproval. It kills your confidence and self-doubt creeps in. This isn't the intention for your action. The negative reaction from the recipient can be interpreted in 2 ways:

1. S/he wasn't the actual recipient and someone else is supposed to be the recipient.
2. Do it in another way. Basically, try it again but differently this time.    

• Be grateful. This isn't only to express gratitude to the Most High but somehow it has a positive effect on your mind, CNS and heart. Whenever, you get down on your knees at the end of the day and say," Thank you God", your heart and mind switch off the worry emotions and ward off negative thoughts. You slowly begin to smile as your memory begins to release thoughts of all positive events in your life.This calms your nervous system and your body relaxes. In addition, you sleep better. Thank your customers/clients, a co-worker, friend, neighbour, spouse, children, family member and anyone who has had a positive impact in your life. When you do this, you not only begin to have a positive perspective of challenges but you also draw people close to you thereby building your support system. Moreover, it builds your character.

• You need people.Oh! This, I can relate to. I always thought I could do it by myself. My business has cancelled that perception. It actually got me asking, "Can you buy your own products? Can you market your products to yourself?" It challenged me and the truth is, we need people to drive us to our destinations. I've met very kind people to name a few Kawira (Treton hostel matron), Ann and Sally (Mawingu hostels matrons), Kilonzo (Remix hostel security officer), my suppliers, Mr.and Mrs. Makokha (CEO and Directors of Ramna Ltd.) Mr. Bramwell Simiyu (CEO of Kuku Bora, he uplifted my soul when I was hopeless), The BetterWay Africa family, Margaret Wanjiku, Agade, all my customers and the list is endless. My point is, you need people to believe in your dream so that they can give you the necessary support to get there. For all those that I haven't mentioned, thank you very much.

• The last but most important lesson is put God first. Well, He knows where your money is or how your need will be fulfilled. Ask Him for guidance, thank Him (oh, trust me, He works better when you thank Him), trust Him even when everything according to your sight seems impossible. In a nutshell, walk by faith and not by sight. So, just keep doing what you are doing and let Him do His bit. He never disappoints (I can attest to that). Thank you Father.

#personaldevelopment #growth #grinding #inspirational