We are living in uncertain times. To me it almost feels like we are in a pressure cooker of social, economic, political and environmental stew.

In such times itโ€™s natural for the prehistoric “lizard” part of our brain to kick into survival mode.

This is a problem because if we are here because of our thoughts and actions of the past, then clearly the answers and solutions to many of the problems we now face are still yet to be discovered and absorbed. To paraphrase Mr Einstein, “We cannot solve our problems with the same level of thinking that created them.”

So often in life the actions and understandings required for us to thrive in the future, are actually the opposite of those that we cling to, to survive, now.

You canโ€™t perform a winning Olympic dive without leaving the safety of the diving board.

You canโ€™t land a new job without taking time off work to interview.

You canโ€™t make interesting new friends without leaving old perceptions and prejudices behind.

Richard Liew, NZ Entrepreneur
Richard Liew, Editor, NZ Entrepreneur.

If we want things to change, the choice is clear and present at all levels โ€“ individual, collective, universalโ€ฆ Will we keep clinging to what we are already doing? Or will we try to do something that we perhaps yet donโ€™t know how to do?

At the individual level, your answer will determine your ability to grow, adapt and interplay harmoniously with the ever changing environment around you. Borrowing a surfing analogy, itโ€™s the difference between you being able to masterfully and joyfully ride the waves or being smashed by them.

At the collective level the stakes are even higher.

One choice leads to stagnation, ignorance and distrust, the other leads to learning, progress and understanding.

On the face of it, this is no ground breaking observation. It sounds perfectly logical.

But in my experience, when the time for talking is over, itโ€™s another matter entirely. Itโ€™s just really hard to step out of our comfort zones. At some level there seems to be some sort of irrational being in all of us that wants to fight tooth and nail for why we should keep doing what we’ve always done.

When it comes to entrepreneurship, enterprise and innovation you simply canโ€™t make progress without stepping into the unknown.

Thatโ€™s why entrepreneurs are such a special group of people to me, because everyday they stare down their inner saboteur and find a way to walk the walk. I believe they are our best hope for solving the many critical challenges our world is facing. (Take a browse here at NZ Entrepreneur to read about just some of our entrepreneurs tackling all sorts of problems and advancements big and small.)

We need more enlightened entrepreneurs right now, not less.

And if you donโ€™t believe you can be part of that better brighter future, the following poem is for you.

Let’s walk the walk together.


The Saboteur

You are the voice inside my head, the saboteur in waiting, unseen, unsaid.
Ever lurking in the dark, watching, listening for the faintest of sparks.

For when I dream you are always there,
to sow seeds of doubt, and those of fear.

Like a wolf in sheep’s clothing, you proclaim the voice of reason, smiling.
But behind it a lie, malevolent, beguiling.
Any glimmer of hope, opportunity or decisionโ€ฆ
People, ideas and possibilities, you greet all with doubt and suspicion.

How you got here I do not know.
You once praised and encouraged, but long ago.
Now instead of ‘you can’, ‘you should’ and ‘you will’,
your whispers are cynical, insidious, ill.

Shutting me down before I can blink,
you’re a slave to comfort and what people might think.
The child once full of promise, unrecognisable now.
Older, smarter, wiser, ‘stay safe’ is your vow.

But stay safe from what?
You say I can’t fail if I don’t try?
You’d have me tiptoe through life, so I can comfortably die?

Well damn your safety, and the advice you are giving.
You’re not my saviour, you’re just preventing me from living.

Listening to you I’ll be stunted and small.
Instead of life expanding, I’ll retreat from it all.
I’m sick of ‘no’, ‘you can’t do it’, and ‘who are you kidding?’
I’m wise to you now, and to your bidding.

If half of the cure is becoming aware, times up saboteurโ€ฆ
I know that you’re there.

Poem by Richard Liew


To read or share the poem without the editorial click here. Or to download your own copy in PDF click here.


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