This journey started in the most unlikely place: the gate of a Montessori school in Cotonou, Benin, where I worked as a math teacher.

It was my week on “gate duty.” So every morning, I stood under the scorching sun, smiling as parents dropped their kids off.

Let me be real: I hated standing out there in the sun, but it was part of the job, and I had to do it. (Kudos to all our teachers.)

One morning, I noticed a parent who stood out from all the others.

She was always on time. Some days in gym clothes, other days in a sharp business attire. I could tell she was a lawyer.

She smiled at everyone and carried herself with such confidence, and charisma, and I admired it.

That’s when the thought hit me: "I want that for me. I want the freedom: to choose my own path, to grow into the highest version of myself, and  live the life I know I’m truly capable of."

That was the spark for me. The quiet moment when my vision was born. 

Lesson for you: Create a personal vision for your life, one you’re emotionally connected to and that clearly captures what you want to achieve.

I turned to my colleague and said,“Let’s go back to school, so we can get a proper degree, and earn better pay”

Her reply came instantly:“I can’t afford it. Where am I going to get that kind of money?”

And that right there is why most people never achieve their goals.

Their inability to think beyond their current situation.

They start by asking the wrong question, and kill the dream before it even begins.

Instead of asking: “Can I do this?”

Ask: “How can I do this?”

That one phrase—How Can I—changes everything.

Here’s why:

When you ask “Can I?” your brain fires up the amygdala (the fear center). That’s when everything feels impossible, especially if your goal is bigger than you.

But when you ask “How can I?” you activate your prefrontal cortex (PFC), the part of your brain responsible for problem-solving, planning, and decision-making. It shifts you from impossible to possible, from excuses to ideas, and from roadblocks to solutions.

That’s exactly what I did.

I asked myself:“How can I raise money to pay my tuition for my first year?”

Then I started making a list of ways to do it.

That small shift in thinking changed the entire trajectory of my life.

I didn’t only graduate from IRGIB Africa University with a first class. I went on to earn an Executive MBA from Quantic School of Business & Technology Washington, DC, and completed my Doctorate from HBI University, Hartford, CT.

All because I chose to BuildRegardless.

Lesson for you: Ask better questions and do things afraid!

Your mind controls everything.

If you believe you’re incapable, your thoughts will create excuses that stop you even before you start.

For example, if in your mind you believe “I’m not smart enough,” your thinking will whisper: “I’ll fail anyway, why bother trying?”

But if your mindset shifts to “I can do this,” your thoughts begin to ask: “How can I prepare better? Who can I reach out to? What resources can I use to make this possible?”

Action steps for you:

The goal here is to examine your thought patterns and identify limiting beliefs you need to let go of.

Your thoughts control the actions you take.

If your thinking is full of doubt and excuses, you won’t move forward. You’ll procrastinate, overthink, and stay stuck.

But if your thinking is positive and solution-oriented, you’ll be willing to take a step. You’ll do the research, ask for help, or make one small move toward your goal.

So pay attention to your inner dialogue. Are you feeding yourself reasons to quit or reasons to push forward?

Action steps for you:

The goal here isn’t perfection. The goal is execution. Keep it simple and get it done as quickly as possible.

Action steps for you:

The goal here is:

• Identifying what worked and what didn't - so you can double down and focus on the right things.

• Repetition and building expertise - because mastery only comes from doing multiple reps over time.

Your results reinforce your belief and feed back into your mindset.

When you see progress, no matter how small, it strengthens your confidence. You start thinking: “If I did this, I can do more.”

Even failure can build you if you reframe it. So instead of just asking “Why did I fail?” ask: “What did this teach me?”

Then go back, adjust, and try again.

Action Step for you:

The goal here is to reframe your results as lessons, strengthen your belief, and build momentum for the next cycle.

Expose yourself to communities, people, and resources that stretch you. When you’re around people aiming higher, it challenges you to raise your own standards.

Don’t share your vision with everyone. Not everyone will understand your why. Some people are small thinkers, and if you’re not careful, they’ll shrink your dream before it even has a chance to grow.

Don’t neglect the power of prayer and faith in God. As a Christian, my source is Christ and His teachings, my guide. Faith carried me through seasons when I had nothing else to lean on.

Whenever I doubted myself, I leaned on this truth: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).

Closed mouths don’t get fed. Share your vision with the right people and let them know what you’re seeking. When the opportunity arises, they’ll be more likely to connect you to it.