In case you missed the announcement, Afri-love turned 4 years old yesterday! To celebrate, I've curated 56 of my favourite snippets from the years. It all kicked off yesterday and today we continue with numbers 22 – 37. Enjoy and stay tuned for the final installment tomorrow.
(22 – 23) … But there are excuses we give ourselves
- Just as there is no absolute when it comes to identity, neither is there an absolute with aspiration. Yet we convince ourselves daily that some dreams are not viable — "There are so many ways to get to Mombasa and so Many Stories to Tell"
- Reading about how others have followed their dreams, overcome barriers and put themselves first — above other people's expectations of them – reminds me of the value in following my own dreams — "This is Not Where I Wanted to Be: A Reminder to Stop Running and Be True"
(24 – 26) And barriers we create for ourselves, and each other
- I observe again and again, how forgetful I can be when it comes to remembering what's in my best interest — "9 Acts of Kindness"
- Being in the Diaspora does not make us more privileged, learned, talented etc. and it definitely doesn't make us more superior! — "Is There Any Use for the Term 'Afropolitan'"
- It seems an unfortunate trend that Africans don't really back each others' ideas from day one and are always skeptical of each others' ventures … We just need to figure out a way to work together — Mutsai Musa in "Interview with Mutsai Musa of AfroMP3"
(27 – 30) What if we embrace collaboration rather than competition?
- It all reinforces that, as different as our backgrounds, experiences and lives may be, ultimately, we have a huge amount in common. And if that isn't a reason for solidarity … — "Dispatches from WOW 2012: Highlights from the Women of the World Festival at the Southbank Centre"
- I think it is time African creatives collaborated a lot – this sharpens each of the collaboratees and increases exposure for everyone — Mutua Matheka, "Interview with Artist and Photographer Mutua Matheka"
- Your peers are your greatest resource and your support system. Artists thrive in communities — Kesha Bruce, "In Our Own Hands: An Interview with Artist Kesha Bruce for the 6×6 Summer Blog Tour"
- Learning to trust my intuition and vision and, most importantly, surrounding myself with like-minded ambitious entrepreneurial youngsters has been my saving grace — Kathryn Buford, "Interview with Live Unchained Co-Founder Kathryn Buford"
(31 – 37) What if we strive for excellence?
- If your product is good enough, Africans will find a way to get it it regardless of any difficulties — "Learning from the Success of Nollywood"
- If you don’t take time and money and invest in learning how to run a business, it’s going to be hard to actually make enough money to live on — Kesha Bruce, "In Our Own Hands: An Interview with Artist Kesha Bruce for the 6×6 Summer Blog Tour"
- Let us also take time to be good in our craft. Let us spend time being good at what we do. I trust that the big bucks shall also find us somewhere along the way. One can never be too good, there is ALWAYS something to learn, even from someone 'inferior' — Mutua Matheka, "Interview with Artist and Photographer Mutua Matheka"
- Perfecting your product for your local market can eventually translate into global success — Andrew Mugoya in "Learning from the Success of Nollywood"
- I've seen mediocre ideas in shiny packaging be heralded as genius. I've seen excellent concepts not even given a second glance because, on the surface, they just weren't engaging enough — "Afriapps Post: Is Your App Getting Noticed? Presentation is Everything, Part I"
- In this connected world, your competitors could be thousands of miles away. Compare yourself with top performers worlwide. And then aim to go one step further than them — "6 Pieces of Advice for Starting a New Business in the Afri-Sphere"
- Being yourself and being unapologetic about it makes it harder for others to compete on the same basis — "6 Pieces of Advice for Starting a New Business in the Afri-Sphere"
Which are your favourite nuggets?
Illustrations by yours truly. Second image from "Dispatches from WOW 2012: Highlights from the Women of the World Festival", third image from "6 Pieces of Advice for Starting a New Business in the Afri-Sphere"
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Related:
- The Wisdom of Crowds: A Collection of Treasures from 4 Years of Afri-love, Part I
- The Wisdom of Crowds: A Collection of Treasures from 4 Years of Afri-love, Part III
- 3 Years of Afri-love: Top Posts from the Last Year
- The Best of 2012: Art, Design, Interviews, Commentary and Music
- How Does Africa Inspire You: My 10 Favourite Interview Responses to Date
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