Can You Create Something from Nothing? Yes, you can.

“Sarah, the lights go out at 6 PM each night. I can’t get ahead when curfew is this time. I study, but only when the daylight is on. I have ambition, but I’m stuck here at the bottom of the log. I am not the teacher’s favorite. What do I do?”

Wherever you are, however limited you feel, the first thing to know is that you can create something from nothing.

Just knowing that it is a possibility will put you on a path of learning.

The one who is most painfully aware of your situation is?

You.

If time is your biggest limiter, and you feel like while everyone technically has 24 hours in a day to spend, but you are so behind for XYZ reason, then consider:

During the major portion of my day in which I have freedom, what can I do then, instead of trying to do it later or earlier in the day?

It is okay if you are not the favorite of your teacher.

It is okay if you are not the team Lead.

What matters is that you study hard where you are.

Your ambition does not care if you have the same amount of time as everybody else.

Your ambition cares about finding something – an advantage – instead.

During your day, while you are free, even if you are busy working or studying or taking care of business or family, think:

What feeds my ambition? The tournament tonight that I can’t watch! The new textbook that the teacher has on her desk. I want one to study.

What do I see that I like? The strong build of that building? The sleek shape of that cell phone? The way Auntie does the laundry so efficiently but neat!

Why does it excite me or challenge me? If I don’t want to be the top student, is it because I want to be the top architect? Do bridges make me wonder for hours straight?

Once you have found what it is that your ambition wants, then don’t fret if you don’t have any more time in the day.

Your ambition is being fed already, and your thinking will change as your eyes scan for opportunities every day.

How did the founders of great companies begin? Much like you. Full of ambition, but no luck! We all begin with no luck. But as life will have it, as we go through the day, just our luck! We find something that feeds our ambitions.

That bridge. I want to build something that will connect our region to the next online! What would appeal to both populations of people that are so different economically? I wonder…

That laundry! I want to have a laundry business, so I can spread Auntie’s skills and knowledge everywhere. Teach women how to do it quick, so they can study more before they have to cook later in the day!

Where are you? Where are your ambitions?

Did you know that without your ambition, you can’t build something from nothing?

You need that. Your ambition.

It is your ambition that makes you clever.

It is your ambition that leads you to speak — or not — wisely.

It is your ambition that makes you smart.

Strong.

Brave.

Elite.

What makes the best the best?

They create something from nothing every day.

You should too.

Start today.