Instead of Cursing Darkness, Light the Candle!

Zimbabwean entrepreneurs are urged to move from hesitation to action, embracing risk, innovation and execution as key drivers of business success in a fast-changing economy

Zimbabwean entrepreneurs, it's time to shift the narrative! We've all been there, stuck in paralysis of analysis, waiting for the perfect moment, the right funding, or the ideal team to launch businesses. But let's be real, that moment might never come in a classical eureka case! The truth is, whether all things are equal or not, the best time to start was actually yesterday, and the second-best time is now! Mark Zuckeberg, the Facebook multi-billionaire is on record for saying “the biggest risk is not taking any risk. In a world that is changing really fast, the only strategy that is guaranteed to fail is not taking risks!” In other words, he is saying ‘don’t wait for the perfect moment, seize the moment and make it perfect!’

If you are a businessperson, who already has an existing runway, please take off without delay. If you do not have a runway, no problem. Every entrepreneur should realize that it is their duty to take a shovel and create one for themselves and for generations to come. Venture out the way a duck takes to water.

As an entrepreneur, you're wired to innovate, disrupt, and create impact. So why spend another day stuck in the "what-ifs" mode? Here's the thing: perfectionism is just a fancy word for procrastination. Do it anyhow and perfect it later. The market won't wait for you to be ready; it'll move ahead with or without you. So time is of essence. 

Here are a few tips to assist you in unlocking and unleashing yourself into action as 2026 unfolds into full steam:

Tips to Light Your Spark

• Start small, start now: Break down that big idea into tiny, actionable steps. Just take the first step.

• Embrace the 80% rule: Done is better than perfect. Get your product to market, iterate, and improve.

• Surround yourself with doers: The energy is contagious! Connect with fellow entrepreneurs who'll push you forward.

• Fail fast, learn faster: Not every shot will hit the target, but each miss teaches you something new.

• Celebrate small wins: Momentum builds momentum. Acknowledge progress, no matter how tiny.

The world is waiting for unique and practical solutions to today’s problems. Let's stop cursing the darkness and be brave enough to light the candle. Your entrepreneurial journey starts with a single step. Take it today. As Peter Drucker says, "The best way to predict the future is to create it." So, what's holding you back in 2026?

Professor Mufaro Gunduza coaches and mentors Business Intelligence at Mount Carmel Institute (Harare), Indian School of Management, (New Mumbai), and UNISA, among others. He is the SADC Investments Advisor to Dr. Farzam Kamalabadi, Founder of Future Trends Group and Special Presidential Envoy on Business and International Relations, Government of Botswana. He has written several books, including Unleashing Blue Sky Thinking, Spotting Business Opportunities, and Big Picture Thinking (Bookboon Publishers, London & Denmark). He has just assumed the Presidency of the Southern African Chamber of Commerce. He can be contacted on WhatsApp: +263774868896 Phone: +263718925350

Email: mgunduza@yahoo.co.uk