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CHAK A CHAKA– HERE IS YOUR PERMISSION SLIP

|Chak a chaka — Luo for “just start.” |


I watched an interview the other day of a really famous person who shared how difficult it was for her to build her new business in quiet because of how much scrutiny she gets, whether she steps out or not. Her life has been so thoroughly dehumanized and monetized that even her silent moments become topics for endless debate and banter on national television.

And the clickbait headlines on social media? Unprecedented!

It made me reflect on how hard it already is to start a business and build it from scratch.
Now imagine adding the extra pressure of fame on top of that. Even the thought of failure becomes unbearable, you can’t even risk it privately!

Yet, building quietly is often essential, especially if it’s your first time or you’re wrestling with doubt and fear. Those quiet moments give you space to reflect, regroup, and plan your next move.

Personally, I have been quietly building something, too. In fact, it’s been so quiet that my Life Coach recently called me out:

“Don’t you think that at some point you will have to invite some ‘noise’ into what you are building?” she asked.

Needless to say, that question terrified me! So, naturally, we dug deeper into why so many of us fear putting ourselves out there. And let me tell you, it was a lot!

At the start of the year, I declared my word of the year as “Audacity.” But as I took stock the other day, I couldn’t help but wonder: have I truly lived it, especially when it comes to the brand I’m building?
Your guess is as good as mine. Let’s just say... I’ve fallen short.

But I have also given myself grace. After all, picking that word was my attempt at stepping out my comfort zone and I’ve made some small steps in that direction. Here, we celebrate progress, however small! (* Insert makofi ya kilo*)

Maybe you can relate. You have been working on something behind the scenes for what feels like forever, but launching still feels daunting. The truth is, it often takes just one small step to move the needle. It doesn’t have to be bold and audacious. Don’t overthink or wait for circumstances to be ideal. Just do it!

Lately, these are the questions I’ve been sitting with:

  • Ø  To what extend is building in the quiet an excuse for fear?
  • Ø  How long should this quiet period be?
  • Ø  How can I tell when it’s time to shift from quiet to noise?
  • Ø  What should I do to quickly facilitate that shift?

Funny enough, leaning into these questions didn’t trap me in overthinking but they actually pulled me out of the rut. They brought clarity where there was confusion, courage where there was hesitation, and a small but steady spark to keep going. They reminded me that it’s okay to question and to act because sometimes, the very act of asking is what moves us forward.

So, if you’ve also been quietly building, holding back, waiting for the perfect moment, consider this your sign.

Here is your permission slip. Signed. Sealed. Delivered.  

Chak a chaka!

 Oh yeah, and please check out my new baby here.



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