DO NOT allow fear to hold you back!

Minister of Family, Youth, Sports and the Environment Esther Byer-Suckoo gave this advice on Saturday at the launch of the 22nd Session of the Youth Entrepreneurship Scheme (YES) Entrepreneurial Development Training Programme at Almond Bay, Hastings, Christ Church.

"Excellence is not happened upon, it is strived for," she said. "Your playing small doesn't serve the world and, might I add, it does not serve Barbados.

"There's nothing enlightening about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you," she said.

Entrepreneur Kenneth Griffith of Books R Tremendous urged participants not to be afraid to DREAM [Desire, Responsible, Effort, Action, Momentum], using the word as an acronym and literally.

"Have the Desire to have something, to be someone because everybody wants to get someplace; be Responsible for that desire; put forth the Effort to accomplish your goals; take Action on every decision; and have the Momentum once you are in pursuit of your goal, stay on a momentous course," he said.

He told them it was important for them to leave a legacy behind noting that they must think about their children's children.

"Life is not easy . . . . and it is not meant to be, but in the midst of the challenges and the stumbling blocks, once your attitude is positive, where there is a will, there is a way," he said. (TM)