Racing Ahead

Being a "Milkshake" in the boardroom demands a belief in ones' self; Enough courage to look at the display of tea mugs, and saucers on the large mahogany table, and still feel comfortable enough to hold that straw high. When last were you a milkshake in the boardroom?
This edition zooms in on a life of a Zimbabwean who chose to pursue his individual dream, and not blend in with the average person around him.
The current young superstar who is recognised all over the globe for his insane athletic ability is Ngoni Makusha. This average boy was born in Chitungwiza and grew up without a single pair of decent shoes. His only form of footwear was a tatty pair of rafters.
On his own initiative this humble boy from Chitingwiza who was destined to live a simple life as a hustler in "Chi-Town", walked into a Zimbabwe scholarship programme for athletes and said to the head trainer. "Nothing good ever happens in my life, but I know that I can jump. Can I train?" Ngoni couldn't afford the fees much less the transport money that would take him too and from practice.
The coach of this institution saw Ngoni's raw talent and ended up supporting Ngoni with meals, a good education, as well as an intense training program that would launch Ngoni right into his destiny.
Ngoni went from having raw skill to being a refined athlete in months, and eventually received a full scholarship to Florida State University in America.
Soon after this, a gold medal from the 2006 regional Zone Six Games hung round his neck in the long jump, as well as a bronze medal in the 100-metre sprint at the All-Africa Games. It was then when his coach told him that he was going to be the next Carl Lewis.
Two months ago Ngoni ran at the National Collegiate Athletic Association. Despite a wet track and a poor start he won Gold and broke the NCAA record in the 100 meters. On July 30 2011 he came second to Asafa Powell in his first professional event in Hungary.
Ngoni is now poised to compete for Zimbabwe in the 2011 World Champs, from August 27 to the 4th of September. One thing we can learn about Ngoni Makusha is that all it takes is that one conversation to turn your gift into a calling.
"But," I hear you say, "that's one individual, not me, and I can't even run." Of course, you can't run, that is not the point of the story. You do, however, have a unique skill set and dream that, despite circumstances, is achievable.
Geographic location and lack of equipment failed to hold Ngoni back from using his unique gift to make an impact in the world; he took a chance and found a way to reach an incredible dream. No one else in Ngoni's family or community had achieved professional status in sports. He was the Milkshake in the boardroom.
Too often we lose focus when we let the environment around us become a hindrance to our dream. The way to look at it is: One day these obstacles will be the exciting part of my success story.
Mental strength to conquer the negative thoughts directed at us by close friends who "know what is best for you" as well as the doubts of your own creative mind. Picking yourself up from failure and starting all over again are hallmarks of many great entrepreneurs.
Too often we admire the end result of people's lives and forget the pain and tribulation that they started from. Perhaps you are in the middle of achieving your dream, or maybe you need to "resurrect" a stagnant dream off the shelf? Either way, take some time to refocus on the benefits and advantages of achieving this vision. Then, holding to that, look around and see where you can take the first step out of your comfort zone.
Let's have more Ngoni's . . . and better yet let's have some more coaches. Zimbabwe is full of talent and raw skill.
Men, like nails, lose their usefulness when they lose direction and begin to bend.