Title: Noone is coming to save you

It’s one of the greatest illusions we hold: that someone will wake us for the 5 am run, recognise our brilliance without us speaking, or rescue us when life clouds over. So, we wait—waiting to be seen, waiting for permission, waiting for someone to change our lives. But when we finally pause and take stock, we realise that time has marched on, we survived, and—guess what—no one showed up. Not really. The person who was there...was you.

If we're honest, we are waiting for ourselves—the version of ourselves who wakes early to move, documents our wins, advocates for our promotion, and builds resilience through tools and connections. Of course we need community; we need mentors, teammates, friends. But the engine—the catalyst—must be you.

Become Who You Are Waiting For

Change does not come wrapped in a perfect moment—it arrives when you decide you’re no longer willing to tolerate where you are. Nothing changes until you do. The illusion of “one day” keeps too many of us in waiting mode, hoping for a breakthrough instead of becoming it. That shift, that power, starts within.

Living in autopilot is comfortable, but growth demands discomfort. As Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu, founder of soleRebels, reminds us: “If you have a crazy idea, go for it! Don’t be afraid to make mistakes.” Being tired of stagnation is your fuel. Only when you’re hungry for more will you start to live—deliberately, fearlessly. And here’s the truth: you will not discover your highest self in reflection alone. It is action that defines and refines you. Every choice you make, every risk you take, chisels away the noise to reveal who you are becoming. You don’t find yourself—you build yourself.

Practical Steps to Save Yourself

1. Clarify the Gap Write down where you are and where the future you stands. Maybe you’re not a morning-run person yet—but define what that looks like: 3 days a week, 30 minutes before sunrise. Describe desired traits, habits, routines. Define the gap.
2. Create Mini‑Habits Start small—set an “if-then” anchor: If the alarm rings at 5 am, then put on running shoes. Discipline breeds momentum and consistency compounds.
3. Accountability Share your goal. Own your ambition publicly to reinforce self‑worth.
4. Equip Your Toolbox Seek mentors, podcasts, learning. But beware of paralysis by analysis—just one takeaway, and put it into practice. Think of techpreneur and fintech leader Juliana Rotich’s three guiding questions: What are you fixing? What are you making? Who are you helping? Let these anchors shape your growth.
5. Celebrate the Micro‑Wins Track early morning runs, stakeholder conversations, minutes spent self‑advocating. These build belief. “Don’t wait around for other people to be happy for you. Any happiness you get, you’ve got to make yourself” – Alice Walker.
6. Iterate, Don’t Kill Yourself Adjust habits that don’t work. If 5 am is unrealistic, shift to 6 am. If writing is tough in the morning, move it to evenings. Let your future self- guide while reminding the current self to show up.

The Hero of Your Story is You

No, no-one is coming to save you. But that’s good news. Because when you become the hero of your own story, no rescue is needed. You are capable of building the habits, community, mindset, and momentum to elevate yourself. You are the 5 am runner, the confident advocate, the resilient woman navigating challenges. Others will support—but you set the course.

Let this be our rallying cry: stop waiting, start becoming. Identify the gap, design mini‑habits, own your journey, cultivate resilience, and celebrate your evolution. That version of you? She’s waiting—for you. And once you show up, everything else aligns.