INDEPENDENCE MESSAGE TO THE ZAMBIAN YOUTHS AND EMPLOYEES

Zambia turns 52 years old since it obtained independence from colonial rule in 1964. In these past  years we have seen some levels of development , increase in road networks , hospitals , Universities and other infrastructure which came about after liberalisation of the economy . I must confess however, that Zambia could have done far much better than this after 52 years of self rule . Currently, whether big or small  we are witnessing high alarming levels of poverty, high unemployment levels just to mention a few.The economy is worse , kwacha is weak , prices of essential commodities are skyrocketing , economic productivity is sluggish and it's just too much over dependence on copper which we can't even control the prices .

Generally speaking, Zambians are intelligent , friendly and can be hardworking but most youths and employees exhibit high levels of  laziness from my own observations especially after working in both private and public sectors. The dependence syndrome is too much to a large extent which has given birth to the dream killer called LAZINESS which is well articulated by the author of the "Book Free Yourself from the Dream Killer " by Choolwe M Choolwe. He rightly points out that laziness is one of the most , if not the most , lethal and universal dream killer. He further illustrates that, " A highly motivated lazy person is of no use to his own dreams . A highly resourced lazy person will sooner or latter , lose his resources because laziness hinders the most important ingredient of dream attainment which is action." When you interact with fellow youths , you will hear a lot of dreams a lot of wishy washy but all these not accompanied by equivalent actions which results into mere dreams . I have seen some  relatives and friends who started well and earned some good cash but laziness was given a multiple entry visa and today it's a sorry sight . Friends you have the fundamental right to deny LAZINESS VISA in your life. 

Joel A Barker said, "vision without action is merely a dream. Action without vision just passes the time . Vision with action can change the world ". This simply tells us that we can dream all what we want eg nice jobs , nice cars , nice houses , great qualifications , great businesses etc but without corresponding action all this is but a mere dream and you will not actualise any . In my few years of existence , I have never seen anyone who has achieved much without putting in much . All those who get genuine excellent results study extra hard to obtain those grades, they put in more hours of study than an average student . When I was pursuing my masters degree, I decided to pursue another post graduate Diploma course at the same time and believe me it was not easy because at one point I had to do 13 courses and my only strategy was to sleep less hours during that semester to balance my courses and reduce or on UNNECESSARY activities so that I could study hard and smarter. Finally, I completed all the programs without failing any subjects. Always do activities that a NECESSARY to your dreams . If I was damn lazy to study , I would have failed or simply quitted . Prosperity does not come on a silver plate, you have to sweat for it and there is no shortcut to that.

I am pursued that Zambia and her people can do better that this if only we can remove laziness in our approach to economic development starting from individuals to the Nation . No laziness in looking at best economic policies which will see more entrepreneurs, more private investments owned by
Zambians with other partners , promotion of property rights which will enforce sense of ownership
and jealously guard our investments . Remember , everyone's business is nobody's business ! When someone borrows a car, there is a tendency of even overspending , careless driving because it's not yours but when it's yours you drive carefully and protect it from avoidable accidents . As youths , let us own our decisions and investments.Protect Zambia in your own capacity because this is our land given by the sovereign God. 

As to the employed youths including myself , employers are interested in deliverables-Results and Results. Recently, I have had the privilege of training staff in Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and it's interesting to note that most employees waste a lot of time on works that doesn't really answer the Key Performance Questions (KPQs) which makes a number of employees not delivering to as expected. It is said, “Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted.” 

Focus on your KPIs and this will earn you even a promotion . Promotion does not come to lazy people unless it's not objective .The bible says , "a lazy fellow is a pain to his employers." Proverbs 10. Do you really want to be a pain to your employers ? Remember many people are applying for the same job you have , so don't take your job for granted , give it a job security though your hard work and delivering results . 

I am confident that Zambia will arise and do better if only we can work more hard, remove laziness and focus on delivering  results than taking too much. As a youth, divorce laziness permanently in whatever you are doing, be it studies, work , business , prayer etc. Take it personal and be radical as nothing good will knock on your do , you have to go out there and work for it. No more manna in any forms
to fall from heaven, you have to work for it. 

I would encourage you to read the book "Free Yourself From The Dream Killer " by Choolwe M. Choolwe. This book has inspired me a lot to work even harder .I refuse to be lazy in my life . 

Happy Independence Day to Zambia and her lovely people .