We all know that life happens and challenges are inevitable. Some of the challenges you will have control over and others you won’t. The ultimate test to life's challenges is how you react. 

I have a confession to make… The truth is...nothing in my life has just happened. Every opportunity, job interview, meeting or connection has happened because of preparation. I have a true story to share with you that demonstrates this.

Do you find yourself intimidated by people’s position, title or social status? Professor, Billionaire, CEO, Bishop, Queen, President or Minister are some of the titles and positions that are common in society and in the corporate world. Have you ever been intimated by the thought of engaging with individuals who hold prestigious titles or are in positions of power?

The reality is, the critic will always be there! Whether you want to: run the Comrades Marathon, start a business, present a speech at an international conference ... someone is bound to discourage you and tell you all the reasons why you can’t or shouldn’t do something.

Earlier this year, I made the decision to go back to school to pursue my Master’s degree in Communication Management at the University of Pretoria. I admit that the first 6 months of this journey were challenging. I was focusing on my business, running a youth development programme and concentrating on my studies…it was overwhelming!

I strive to live a courageous life. This pursuit for courageous living has seen me embark on some bold, adventurous and passion-filled pursuits such as traveling alone for my first trip overseas, leaving my 9 to 5 job to build my business, going back to school to pursue my Masters degree, and most recently sharing a weekly inspirational email with you that I hope you are finding valuable :)

Growing up my parents worked in retail. My Dad at Pick 'n Pay and my Mom at Clicks. For the most part of my childhood we never had a car at home. I remember how my mom would take her lunch break at work to fetch me at school so she could walk with me and drop me at the taxi rank. Even though we didn’t have a car, my parents always made sure that I never missed great opportunities. Whether it was participating in sports, cultural or academic activities, I always saw my parents make a plan. Either they asked close family and friends for lifts or they taught me how to use taxis.

Recently, I had the honour of being interviewed on a local radio station in Johannesburg, Radio 702, to share my entrepreneurial journey and passion for youth development with the Friday presenter stand in for the popular Redi Tlhabi show - Mr Frank Magwegwe.  The interview was scheduled for 11:00 am and the producer requested that I arrive at 10:45 am on that Friday. What transpired was a testament to the power of punctuality.