Alusine Barrie: Truth Is Discovered In Action - What We Say We Want And What We Are Truly Committed To

Hi,

Permit me to discuss an important issue. This is something I've had to grapple with a lot, because in many ways I consider myself a big dreamer, the people I've been around think so too:). Having big dreams is great, it's the important pre-requisite, but it's not what changes things. I was reminded of it when one of my students shared his big dream with me the other day. So as I'm advising you, I'm also advising myself.

These days it's as easy as opening your eyes to meet people (young as well as old) who dream of changing the world or who hope to become the next big name in something. Actually it's always been that way, we find it easier to say what we want to do/be rather than actually being in the process of doing or becoming those things we dream of. Talking about things we want to do is so easy, doing them on the other hand is a whole different game.

However, this is by no trivial matter, especially for young people with all these big dreams and ideas. You think you have lot of time to wander around aimlessly, telling everyone about your grand dreams and schemes while doing nothing to bring them to fruition. When you are young is the time you have the energy and space to act on your goals and desires. Ideas are great, after all everything around us - the computers, mobile phones, the places we work, the cars we ride in, the restaurant we go to, everything we admire and gain value from was once just a dream in someone's head. However, at some point they had to take action to bring that dream into fruition.

A the end of the day, the way you spend your time and the things that hold your attention often tell the truth about what you are really committed to. If you say you would like to start your own business or found your own organization but spend the best hours of your day on things not aligned with the goal or that are by nature mutually exclusive with your goal and ambition, you need to re-assess yourself. Do you really want to pursue this thing that you say you want to pursue or are you just enjoying talking about it. 

We don't get get rewarded for the things we dream to do/become someday, so pick up your axe and cutlass and get to work on your dream. That skill you have always hoped to develop, it's not going magic its way to you, you have to study it, work on it, practice it.

If a friend tells you about a big dream they have, pat them on the shoulder and tell them (in a kind tone of course;) "Everything we enjoy and admire today was once just someone's dream, but they did the work and brought that dream to life, so go do the same". Once the dream/goal/destination has been established, execution should follow; no time to waste.

At some point you just have to start working on your big idea. You don't have to start big, start small. You may not do it right first time, there may be starts and stops and road blocks etc., but none of these should stop you from taking the action.

At the end of the day your thinking will not produce any benefit for you or the people around you. But your action, not matter how little can have an impact. So develop an action bias, take more action, daily action, the path will get clearer the more you do. And of course, the feedback you gain will be invaluable...

At the end of the day, our actions will always speak louder than our words. 

Regards,

Alusine Barrie.