Isn't it just so darn exasperating when your kids can't see their own potential? No matter what you do, they insist that they can't do something that you know they will excel at. And once they cross that hurdle, and take that first step - they soar! But the frustrating thing is that it happens again, and again. And each time you need to encourage and support them.

So here we are - an intensely vibrant country that is smaller than a virus on a pimple on the backside of the world - with so much potential and so little to lose - and yet we can't seem to take that first step into the rest of the world. Is it maybe that we're scared?

So what's the worst thing that can happen if you take some time out to dream big dreams of your family conquering the international commercial world? What will it cost to spend a few hours on the internet seeing what other firms in similar fields around the world are doing? Or getting on a plane to check out a few new places?

I have been overwhelmed by two main themes in the replies to the last Petes Weekly. On the one hand we have a whole bunch of ex South Africans - all over the world - optimistic about this country and wanting to do business with us. And on the other we have a whole bunch of local business owners - with excuses! Let me share a few:

Bollocks! [Interesting thing about all of these folk is that these are not businesses that are doing well - which in my tiny mind is all the more reason to be constantly evaluating new opportunities and ideas.] These are the excuses of worrier entrepreneurs. But we're supposed to be Warrior Entrepreneurs.

Your family is expecting YOU to lead them. And if you don't, who is going to? We all condemn our current government for its lack of direction - yet we do nothing to lead our own enterprises. With this kind of attitude how can we expect to prosper?

Don't blame Mbeki for being the invisible leader, or Mugabe for being too visible, or the violence, or the economy. Excuses - all of them. You have a responsibility to play whatever hand of cards you have been dealt. So do I. So did Helen Keller - and she played a superb game and influenced millions of people - without being about to hear, see or speak. What's your [my] excuse?

As of now, I will hold my head high as a white African. I will try and see only the good in this country - and not get emotional about the bad - but will work to change the things I can. Hell, I might even don a Mandela shirt!

My ancestors left their countries with nothing. They came out here with so much less than I now have at my disposal to plan an international business outreach. They faced perils that I can only hope I never have to. And they succeeded - or proudly died trying. What a way to live! And we sit here bellyaching about a wonderful environment that my grandfather would have given his left leg for. We have allowed ourselves to get soft.

How about we Warrior Entrepreneurs take stock now? Let's stop blaming the blacks for the state of the economy - or the Indians/Americans/Koreans/Martians/Afghanistanis/banks [choose the flavour this month]. Lets stop finding excuses. Lets rather get out there and outservice/outsell/outbusiness those folk in other countries who have no idea of our pedigree or how exceptional we really are! Lets take them by surprise. After all, what we have got to lose?

Lets walk tall throughout the world. Lets not apologise for being South African. Lets not listen to folk telling us about the violence - or anything else that they think is wrong with this exceptional country. Just try telling an Australian what's wrong with his country and you will see what I mean! Lets each be part of 48 million warriors pulling in one direction.

Lets take the best this magnificent country has to offer and use it as hard as we can - and then go and take the best that exists in every other country - and use that as well. Lets grab life with both hands and smack it about the head a few times. When I lay me down to die I want to know that I took every single day and sucked it dry. What about you?

© Peter Carruthers, www.petesweekly.co.za

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