"You don't have because you don't ask" - but how can you ask if you don't know and how can you know if you don't research?
If I got paid 10,000 Tanzanian shillings for each time somebody asked me to "help" them with something they could research all by themselves, I would have made almost as much as I have made since I have been in business. Jamani, kwanini hatupendi kujituma na kufanya utafiti kabla hatujaamua hatuwezi wenyewe na tunahitaji msaada?
I'm not talking about complicated research methodologies here people (God knows I suck at that), what we're advocating for is for us to start thinking independently, always seeking to solve a problem by ourselves. There is a joke about a manager who has a placard on his desk that says " What is your problem and what is your solution?" So as soon as you walk up to his desk and want to ask for "help" you must first ask yourself have I done everything I need to do to solve this myself or, as I have always urged my team, can you at least suggest a few options for the business to explore.
Huu utamaduni wa kufikiri na kutatua matatizo wenyewe ni kitu kipya kwetu. Jamii ya kitanzania hua unabeba watu; nyumbani, majukumu ni ya Baba, halafu Mama, halafu ndugu wakubwa. Mpaka mtiririko ukufikie wewe, you have piggy backed off of many other people who would have solved the problem for you; mtaani, kijijini, kazini, serikalini, tunaheshimu kwamba kunawakubwa kwahiyo uhuru na utayari wako kutatua matatizo unategemea na cheo ama nafasi yako ukiilanganisha na za wengine. Kwa wavivu, huu utamaduni unasaidia sana, I just have to sit here until this thing falls down to me on this chain of command. I won't do anything unless asked to and what I can't do, my boss has to because s/he is ultimately accountable for even my responsibilities.
By not taking initiative to find out how you can independently solve the challenges that face you and those you are responsible for, you will forever be at the mercy of those who know the issue, it's challenges and available options to solve them. Watu hawawi wataalamu kwa kusoma tu, utaalamu unakuja kwa kutenda zaidi.
Here are 10 FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) and my answers to them:
1. Q: How do I write a CV? Can you write my CV?
A: Google "CV samples" or "CV templates" or even "How do I write a CV" and use a template to do it yourself
2. Q: Are there any vacancies at X?
A" read newspapers and or call in to find out
3. Q: How can I do that when I didn't study for it?
A: You don't have to have a certificate for everything you do (of course there are areas you better not
attempt to venture into without certification), go to a library, surf the net, search for information by typing in the subject matter, speak to people in the area, ask to volunteer at a place that deals with that area and you will gain experience.
4. Q: Do you know if X and Y offer scholarships?
A: No, I don't know. Why don't you visit their site, call their office or go in person to find out
5. Q: I can't do this, can you do it for me?
A: No, I won't but I can teach you how to so you can learn (better still, google it!)
6. Q: What should I ask for for remuneration?
A: I don't know, what do you need?
7. Q: How do you know that? Lazima umesoma sana e?
A: Not at all, nauliza watu (naowajua na nisiowajua) maswali na nafanya utafiti kwenye tovuti mbalimbali
8. Q: Ile sehemu lazima iwe ya ngazi ya juu sana, mtu kama mimi naweza kuingia pale, kweli?
A: Nenda ukajaribu
9. Q: I thought that word/expression fits?
A: It doesn't. Why don't you look it up in a dictionary/thesaurus
10. Q: Nimesikia nchi X inasoko kubwa la Y, si ndiyo?
A: Sijui, naomba utafute kwneye internet ama uende kwenye ubalozi wao
Honestly, there is so much information that is readily available out there that we have no excuse for not knowing. How do I, where do I go to, When does it...questions can be answered a lot faster and cheaper than one thinks if only they would get out of the house or for those that can afford to, switch on the computer/television, open a book etcetera.
Next time you have a question, try go through the following steps:
Step 1: Ask yourself what it is exactly you are faced with and write down the "problem"
Step 2: Ask yourself why you want to address this issue right now (is it as important as you think?)
Step 3: Ask Yourself what you would need to solve this challenge (information, people's advice, skill, money etcetera)
Step 4: Choose the avenue that gives you 80% control of the situation
Step 5: Do independent research of what it takes to succeed (make sure to ask relevant, impactful questions)
Step 6: Do something to the greatest extent you can after having found out how to solve the issue
Step 7: Present what you have already done to someone who can help you move farther (and don't be shy to ask)
Remember, people really do want to help lakini you discourage them ukienda na 100% ya changamoto ukitegemea atakutatulia. Do all you can (the best you can after you have done research and now know how it can be done) and present it to someone ama where you can't do it yourself for reasons of technical know-how or capacity then be clear as to what they other person can do and what's in it for them to help you (siyo lazima iwe hela).
Tunahitaji kujenga utamaduni wa critical, creative and independent thought and problem solving orientation kama watanzania. Wageni wanafanikiwa Nchini kwetu zaidi kwasababu wanafanya utafiti na kujua pakugusa kupata mavuno mengi zaidi kwa kutumia nguvu ndogo sana. Nguvu yao ni kwenye fikira na maandalizi.
Vijana wakitanzania, tufanye utafiti ili tuweze kujitegemea, kujipanga, kuhifadhi nguvu na kuvuna na kuweka akiba kubwa zaidi kuliko pale ambapo tunamtegemea mwingine.
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