One key lesson from my recent American tour is the importance of documentation. In Africa, one area where we often fall short is in keeping records. We engage in numerous impactful activities that go unnoticed because we fail to capture them adequately. We have countless unsung heroes who operate in the shadows, unsure of how to bring their work into the light. The truth is, no one can derive value from something kept in the dark. Just like winking at a fine girl in the dark might make you feel like you’ve tried, but nothing significant will come of it.
African have accomplished many things that, when properly packaged and presented, could make many of us glow with pride from within. So, why aren’t we documenting our journey and achievements? Why are we not showcasing what we’ve done to broader audiences? Why are we hiding? Trust me, it’s not humility. Humility is not about thinking less of yourself; it’s about thinking of yourself less. It’s not about posturing beneath your capabilities so others won’t feel intimidated; humility is shedding light on other people’s work and giving them an opportunity to shine. You can’t bring light if you don’t have light.
Before it’s too late, start documenting. Keep every record, value every exposure, appreciate every platform, and seize every opportunity. If you win an award, document it. If you’re featured in a newspaper or journal, capture it. If you complete a training, collect your certificate and document it. If you attend an event and present a paper, document it. Even if you pray and receive answers, document it. You are more potent with proof of what you’ve done than without it. Those who ascend and thrive in this world are those who master the art of ensuring their testimonies are backed by evidence.
Consider this: even the God of the universe documented His activities from Genesis to Revelation, gathering multiple witnesses to write different accounts and keeping records spanning thousands of years. If God documents, who are you not to? Get a file, or a folder, or use a cloud storage platform to start organizing everything. Documenting is the first step; we’ll discuss the next one later!
Hope you catch the essence of this memo!