Is it true that youth is folly? You are always in a rush to get somewhere. The ‘older’ ones wonder where to. You want to get there: somewhere, everywhere, now and not tomorrow.
Most recently, I have been impressed by the abilities of a sizeable group of young, brilliant minds. Their average age? 23 years of Kenyan brilliance!
These young people had the chance to present the vision that they have for their projects in the next 12 months. These are projects that they have worked on for the past six months. Projects that will change the way we think and do business. Projects that aim to make life so much simpler for the world.
A year ago, at about this time, hope for the next generation was diminished. The future seemed rather bleak for the generation that is coming after the baby boomers and Gen X, at least for me. I had come to the general belief that the Xennials and Millenials are not ready for the world.
Yet again, experience has proven me wrong.
There’s a crop of young, energetic, driven, and highly informed men and women that are gearing up for the world; the world of tech and innovation. Technology that will revolutionize the way we transact, teach, and build our world. These young people are the next frontier and they have just started.
So here goes my letter to the young person;
Dear Xennial and Millenial,
The world is moving fast; what was ‘in’ yesterday is no longer new. There is a constant shift in a matter of hours. You are in the world at a time where your skills are essential as compared to your certificate.
You belong to the world of opportunity…but only if you seize it and work for it. The acceleration lane to success (however you may define yours) is HARD WORK! You just have to put in the WORK.
No one owes you anything and the sooner you realize it, the quicker you will use the immense abilities that you possess.
Yours is a world of creation and ownership. Innovation, intelligence, intellect (which we all possess), and opportunity is your panacea. This is the best time to be young and to thrive while at it.
Your power sits within you and everything you want is on the other side of fear and entitlement.
Awake and see your potential and that of the world around you.
Here’s to the creators and owners of tomorrow…Dear Young Person(aka youngin).
A shout out to the innovation fellows at Impact Africa Network who are owning their future a drop of sweat, resilience, and positivity at a time.
