by Wendy James
Life doesn’t always unfold the way we imagine. You can set a goal, map out every step, work with all your strength, and still watch the plan fall apart. It feels unfair. It feels heavy. Some days, it feels like failure.  But hear this truth; failure is not the end. It is simply redirection.

A goal is the dream that pulls you forward, to start your own business, to graduate, to build a home, to play professional sport, to travel the world. It is the big vision that lights a fire inside you.  An objective is just one step on the road to that goal, applying for a loan, passing an exam, saving for a course, training daily, submitting a business plan.

When an objective doesn’t work out, that does not mean your dream is dead. It only means you need a new path to get there.

When Disappointment Strikes

This is where many young people stumble. A rejection letter, a failed grade, a closed door, suddenly the mind whispers, “Maybe I’m not good enough. Maybe this isn’t for me.” That voice is dangerous. That voice lies.

One setback does not define your worth. One rejection does not erase your potential.

If the first path is blocked, find another. Couldn’t secure a government contract? Maybe a cooperative is waiting for your talent. Didn’t get into university this year? There are online courses and scholarships that can prepare you for the next try. Didn’t see your music career take off yet? Use the time to volunteer at events, grow your network, sharpen your craft.

Think of the Linden–Lethem trail during rainy season. The road is muddy, rough, unpredictable. Sometimes you get stuck, sometimes you have to take a detour. But with patience and persistence, you still reach Lethem. That’s how success works.

When one step fails, don’t abandon the dream. Ask yourself; Is my goal still alive inside me?

• What new step can I take to move closer to it?

A Story to Remember

Back in the mid-2000s, I knew a young man named Keon who once sold DVDs in Stabroek Market. His first attempt to rent a shop failed,  the landlord chose someone else. For a moment, he thought his dream of running a business was over. But instead of giving up, he started small, offering mobile IT services from his backpack. Slowly, customers grew, his reputation spread, and eventually, he opened his own store.  He didn’t change the dream, only the route.  Today Keon owns 4 mini-buses and he also drives his own taxi still.

Young people of Guyana, remember this; frustration is temporary, but your vision can last a lifetime. Do not let disappointment harden into depression. Do not mistake one closed door for the end of the journey.  When one road closes, stand tall, take a breath, and choose another. Your goals are still waiting for you. And you are still strong enough to rise.