EVERY PERSON IS CREATIVE

 The most successful people are daring. From the late Steve Jobs of Apple and Bill Gates of Microsoft they all listened to their guts. I recently visited the university students who were showcasing different products at Makerere University Entrepreneurship Expo at Freedom Store. I was impressed with their level of innovation and creativity. Some of the questions that I asked some of the students was whether their businesses were registered. The answers were not very convincing because it seemed most of them were still in mentorship stage and I do not blame them because they are still students. 

My major point is that we need to reach a point where students jealously protect and test their ideas in the real market. I have often told Business Administration students that they should be the leaders of Uganda's economy since they study business courses but I have been surprised for a business student says he or she lacks a job. If they lack jobs then it is an opportunity for them to create one. With the so many innovative course units that university students study the time is now for them to implement these ideas and solve social issues. The job market is now looking for innovators and problem solvers. It is good to earn a good degree but the real question that the world will ask the graduate is what problems are you solving in the community? The earlier a student grasps this important question the better. 


In a recent article in the New Vision it was noted that over 500,000 graduates are riding boda bodas. This should be an indicator to the current university graduate or youths that times have changed. No longer is a steady job awaiting you after graduation but you may need to develop a savings culture to raise capital for your business. I was recently talking to a university student and he told me he has a side business at Campus and I encouraged him to keep it up. I was also amazed by a certain student who had a sweet business in class. This shows that these students are creative .

Uganda is a land that is full of opportunities but most of our youths are neglecting them. A number are focused on going abroad to look for greener pastures( which is not bad because every one is looking for better standards of living) but we should not neglect our country. Each  one of us has a role to play in shaping the nation's development. It may even mean going back to your home village to start a community initiative. All of us think that are opportunities are only in Kampala yet there are very many abundant opportunities in our home areas. We need a paradigm shift.

In his book After University What Next, Ambrose Kibuuka gives an example of a former security guard who read his book and upgraded his studies and today he is working with a government parastatal What does this indicate? The power of human potential once discovered can alter the world.

HOW TO NURTURE CREATIVITY.

1.It starts from home. Parents have a critical role to play

2.Overcome fear

3.Read inspiring books

4.Act on your dreams

5Mind your association

6.Upgrade your studies

7.Develop a curious mindset

8.Travel

9.Embrace and learn from failure

10.Volunteer your skills

11.Add value to humanity.


Every person has the power to be creative. But as Brian Tracy noted in his book The 100 Absolutely Unbreakable Laws of Business Success, doubt and fear tend to hold us back.


Phillip Kiryowa

Personal Finance Coach(CPC)

Advanced Empowerment Link

+256752615916

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