By PROF. VINCENT BAGIRE
In many previous Issues of this Magazine, I made a case that starting a new year needs a kind of ‘spark’ or a fresh thinking point that drives action. This was in light of continuous bitter experiences that we all have of unfulfilled desires in the past year. As I always emphasize, the very first energy to act is within our hearts. That inner feeling of what each one of us is and understands will drive action outwards. Whether one is embraced with the opportunity, the initiative is internally ignited.
Today, I want to build on the same. In a December public lecture to the Laity of Uganda and beyond, through the Uganda National Catholic Council of the Laity (UNCCLA), series that run every second Thursday, on Uganda Catholic TV and various Social media, I was asked to talk about planning or not for a new year. I emphasized that at the start of any new year, we dedicate, knowingly or unknowingly, a resetting of the mind to reflect on the past year.
One key tool that is obvious is putting our mind to the future. Somehow, we put ourselves to think ahead. Some people will do it formally
by jotting down what was done in the previous year, desired but not achieved and what could be possible in the New Year. Others will allow their mind to linger about several issues and part off to the wanted and unwanted; achieved or not and desires of the new times. The action attached to the mind then should be looking around. Many physical things that catch our eye are direct prompts for setting our direction. Make a walk within and around the home; business premises, workplace, garden, or simply in the woods.
We need to understand ourselves, what is around us, the opportunities or limitations and what is possible around us to be that person
we aspire to be. Why am I here and not there? In management, the technical word that quickly relates to this is self-assessment and situational analysis. Take time off to recognize what is within your reach that can help you to get involved in some activity for a
living. What resources can be exploited?
Look at groups of young people in villages, with clays down valley and marram dunes around; with exploitable capabilities within the hearts. A small line somewhere that “I will not manage that” keeps the year at a standstill. The important aspect truly around us is to widen our world outlook. When we do not recognize how ahead others are, we hardly seek the direction to also start. By looking around, we get those insights
that build initiative. The initiative will drive action. In Uganda, many citizens find themselves without vision and certainly not looking ahead but also not moving ahead.
It is very possible to have resources around but constrained to put them into proper use. One such resource at the disposal of Christian
leaders is social capital. I will mention again that within the congregation in our places of prayer are different professionals with skills,
networks, contacts, the will and the money, among other resources. All these assets are desired daily by the leaders to plan or
implement various projects for the Church.
I know that one challenge for us leaders, individuals, or groups is to look ahead as against thinking ahead and looking around. This is the simple logic I wish to package for Catholic laity leaders as we venture into the deeper ends of 2024.
The Author is a member of the
Episcopal Commission for the Laity and
Professor of Management
at Makerere University Business School.
Email:vbagire@mubs.ac.ug
