Last year, Victor and I finally made it to Fiji on our first trip to the Pacific. But the journey to get there was one filled with patience, perseverance, and a little bit of life’s detours.
Years ago, my brother and I had competing coin and stamp collections. My dad, always a supporter of our hobbies, traveled the world and would bring back coins and stamps to add to our albums. Among our most treasured stamps were those from Sierra Leone and, notably, Fiji. I always admired the beauty of Fiji through those stamps and dreamed of one day visiting.
Fast forward to our honeymoon. Both Victor and I easily agreed that Fiji would be our dream destination. But on our way there, while in transit in Los Angeles, we got a call from our travel agent. A coup d’état had just occurred in Fiji, and our safety could not be guaranteed. The alternative? Hawaii.
We had a fantastic time in Hawaii, but the question lingered for almost a quarter century: When would we go to Fiji?
Finally, after all those years, we found ourselves in Fiji on our anniversary morning. The realization that we made it there was more than just the fulfillment of a travel dream—it was a reminder of the power of perseverance. Through all the interruptions, setbacks, and unexpected detours, we never let go of our goal.
In life, and in our professional journeys, perseverance is key. We will all encounter hurdles, and it is easy to lose sight of our dreams along the way. But as I have learned, it is critical to keep going, setting small goals and following through with consistency. When we reach our destination, the value of perseverance becomes clear.
I continue to persevere in my journey as a scholar-practitioner, working to enable sustainable change through education, entrepreneurship, and leadership. Progress is being made, and I am excited about what is yet to come.
What are you persevering toward in your life right now, and how can you make sure you will stay the course?
Dr. Memuna Williams has a BA and MA in Translation, an MBA, and DBA. Her doctoral thesis illuminates how SMEs develop social responsibility programs across four phases and 13 categories. Dr. Williams and her husband Victor have three sons. Connect with her at: www.linkedin.com/in/dr-memuna-williams-dba-8193b01
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