Do your homework

Brian Ngosi

Most people these days suffer from guess work.

People can discuss problems for hours on end without coming up with a tangible solution.

Take time to reflect on your source of information.

Do your homework first before opening your mouth.

Maintain your honour and dignity by avoiding communicating falsehoods.

Give substance to what you let out.

The advent of social media has seen almost anyone having access to the whole world at the click of a button.

Take care not to corrupt the world by communicating without thought.

Remember that once spoken words cannot be taken back.

The least you can do is to apologise.

But, it’s not the same audience that will gather to listen to your apology.

In many discussions I have found people out of their depth.

Despite not having full information, they insist on making up stories to continue their narrative.

Do not speak just because you have the platform, or because you have been asked to speak.

Allow yourself to have full information about the topic first.

If you are not an expert in the area seek to learn or excuse yourself.

Learn from gurus in that area.

Cheap talk does not benefit anyone.

Always avoid petty opinion, hearsay and rhetoric.

One measure of greatness is the ability for one to separate facts, opinions, guesses, and hearsay.

Be clear of what you want to say.

Do not mix up what you heard, what you saw, what you know and what you assume.

You can have an opinion on issues that you do not understand, but it is likely to be wrong.

Guard against the risk of misinforming and misleading others.

A correct opinion forms from proper understanding.

Facts speak for themselves; there is no need for dilution.

If it is hearsay, do not stand on the word as if it is your own experience.

There are chances that the person who initially said it may not have done their homework.

Do not embarrass yourself with rhetoric.

The solutions that society cannot be ridden with errors.

Avoid raising false hope.

It takes one misplaced communication to suffocate a whole generation.

The experienced know better and consider a background check to confirm the link between reality and the proffered solutions.

The mere fact that you are a fundi with decades of experience does not qualify you to go before an audience without doing your homework.

Do not fall into the trap of communicating what has or cannot be verified.

You need to create time to ensure you are sharing a message of hope to your audience.

Some information is needed as a source of livelihood.

Be careful what you share.

Some people look up to you and take what you say seriously.

There are certain topics that should not be packaged as jokes.

Contribute to progress by making sure all you share is well thought out and verified.

Be the voice of reason; do your homework.

 

*Brian Ngosi is a life coach and motivational writer with a desire to inspire individuals to make a difference for the greater good of society. Brian can be interacted with on: [email protected], Facebook: #BN_inspired or WhatsApp: +263772440383