In 2005, Steve Jobs gave a commencement speech at Stanford that has become iconic. One sentence has stuck with me:

"You can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future."

This idea has been on my mind lately. As founders, we're always trying to predict the future and make decisions based on uncertain outcomes. But Jobs' words remind us that we can't always see the connections between events. Sometimes, we just have to trust that they'll make sense in retrospect.

The Problem with Planning

We founders love to plan. We make business plans, product roadmaps, and financial projections. But the truth is, plans are only useful until they're not. The world is unpredictable, and things rarely go as planned.

So, what's the alternative? Instead of trying to control every outcome, we should focus on making progress, one step at a time. We should trust that the dots will connect, even if we can't see the entire picture.

Trusting the Process

Trusting the process means being comfortable with uncertainty. It means taking risks, even when the outcome is unclear. And it means being open to new experiences and opportunities.

I've seen this play out firsthand with my own startup, Free Africa Alliance. What started as an idea has grown into a thriving ecosystem, with:

- A course-selling platform, empowering creators to monetize their knowledge

- An AI-powered content engine, generating high-quality educational content

- A high-value blog, featuring insights and stories from Africa's most innovative minds

- A teachers' development platform, supporting educators in their professional growth

- A community-driven learning center, connecting learners and experts from across the continent 

- An online marketplace connecting local food producers and consumers 

- A platform helping founders scale innovative solutions by giving them access to a global community of forward thinking investors 

Today, we're taking the next step, seeking $3 million in seed funding to further accelerate our growth. It's a Big task, but one that we're confident will help us achieve our mission of democratizing access to quality education and empowering Africa. 

Reflections

Looking back, I can see how the dots have connected in our journey so far. We came from humble beginnings to our current growth trajectory, and each step has built upon the last.

But I couldn't have seen these connections at the time. I had to trust that they would make sense in retrospect.

So, Steve Jobs' words remind us that uncertainty is a natural part of life. Instead of trying to control every outcome, we should focus on making progress, one step at a time. We should trust that the dots will connect, even if we can't see the entire picture.

As founders, we should be comfortable with uncertainty. We should take risks, be open to new experiences, and trust the process.

The dots will connect. We just have to trust that they will.