Are you a Small or Medium-sized Enterprise? Are you a stall owner or service provider? Are you an organization looking to have the biggest fundraising campaign of the century? Are you an event organizer looking to sell the most tickets this festive season? Or do you have this one entrepreneurial idea that you’ve been wanting to pursue for the longest time?
Well, I’m sure this is not a new concept to you but truth be told, the biggest barrier preventing you from penetrating your desired market as an African micro-entrepreneur with the next big idea isn’t a lack of resources but waiting for that “perfect” variable. This may be waiting for the perfect moment, the perfect product or even the perfect economic period.
However, just like any big idea, or any decision in life, there will never be the right time. Sometimes you just have to let go of what you call "perfect" and jump. (Because of course, it's not every time you will wait for when the variables are favorable) Everything will always be in a state of flux.
It's the same for business, fluctuations will always be there in every economic activity, there will always be a “better’ product and there will always be hurdles you will need to overcome to get your "perfect" solution to your "perfect" customer.
Today, the focus is on the finished product or the final outcome, loosely understanding or recognizing the need for respecting and trusting the process it takes to get there. Immediate gratification is the "perfect" word to use. We want that dopamine and we want it now. Deep down we all want a shortcut, even I do, I won't try and take the high road on this one. But, as stated in the beginning of this paragraph, we need to recognize that this process is necessary for one to fully enjoy the finished product.
Yes, it might get boring, hard, uncomfortable and slow. Then from the distance in the horizon comes RALP, seeking to change the status quo, to disrupt the flow of what is called normal, call it the shortcut that makes the journey joyful, engaging and more. Here, there is no quitting or stalling or starting over again and again. You no longer have to sit down on that big idea brainstorming on how you can take it to the next level of growth. No time to wait for perfection. RALP jumps at that opportunity to run with what you have and creates tools around improving what you have as you go along. The road ahead no longer seems like a stone throw away every time you get closer to the peak. As the famous writer John Steinbeck once said:
“And now that you don’t have to be perfect, you can be good.”
Starting ugly today, beats waiting for a "perfect" tomorrow. The longer we wait for the perfect logo, perfect product photos, or that one free weekend from work or life, the more sales stall and others get a chance at testing your "perfect " idea before you do. Remember the proverb on planting trees:
“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is now”,
At RALP, we believe the same can be said about any idea or concept. It takes time to plant it, water it and watch it grow. The perfect business would have been started years ago and with the tools and systems we have put in place, the best other time to start is now.
Join the RALP community today. Give that crazy idea a chance and see how it goes.
By AJ, shaping stories for RALP
