The Sunday Mail
Brian Ngosi
ONE summer weekend in 2022, I attended a sports gala with a single intention – to watch
That year I had gained weight and participation in sport was less of a reality for me, but I would be good spectator.
During the event, I told one of the sports gala organisers that I wanted to compete in the athletics 100-metres race.
It was out of the blue.
Do not take forever to make a decision.
His reaction was exactly what I expected, but I insisted on registering for the race.
He could not believe that I was serious; and that was when reality dawned upon me.
Stop justifying your condition.
Society will not hesitate to show you the reality of your condition.
I was quickly reminded of my weight.
But I chose to pay a deaf ear.
The 100-metres race was the last event of the gala.
Nearly everyone who got wind of my intention to compete asked me if I was serious.
Don’t let people’s opinions discourage you.
With a smile I would jump up and do stretches, just to show my seriousness.
Sometimes society fails to see the effort you put in.
But boldly confront your challenges.
I made a decision and was going to stick to it.
At some point I even asked myself if I was serious.
The task was huge.
But my determination was rock solid.
I convinced myself I would run my race and nothing was going to stop me.
I had never competed in competitive athletics all my life.
There are things you have never attempted that must be done, if your life is to move forward.
I ran the race of my life, and to the surprise of many (including myself) I took fourth place.
Out of nine competitors, I came out fourth!
Do not live in fear; you can achieve more than you think.
Explore your full potential. The results may change the world, or at the very least you will learn something out of it.
While others were celebrating the winner, I was celebrating running my own race.
Celebrate your positive efforts.
The same people who would question your capabilities will join the queue to congratulate you.
The best decision you can make is to decide to run your race, not for anybody else but yourself.
If you worry about what people are saying or will say, you may miss a great opportunity.
I surprised myself and others around me.
It gave me a new perspective on life.
Consider everything else as noise and focus on your race.
Sometimes it is the environment itself that is the noise.
Inflation, unemployment, poverty, domestic violence, hunger, and pandemics constitute a long list if challenges that may affect your race.
But look beyond these challenges.
Excuses cannot justify not running your race.
Take a step and do things that will surprise you and others.
You will only realise that you have the potential if you explore your limits.
When you find yourself in an unfamiliar place do not shy away, instead choose to believe in yourself and enjoy every challenge.
You do not need to be on the drawing board for too long.
Just start.
Unless you run your race, you will never know what you are capable of.
*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
