Guest post: Unleash Your Drive and See Where it Takes You

by Nicole Lynn Lewis

On Saturday, I sat in the bleachers of a middle school gym watching my daughter’s basketball game with the other team parents. One of the mothers is reading my book Glori, which chronicles my experience of putting myself through college as a teen mom despite homelessness, a drug infested environment, and an oppressive relationship. She told me she loved the book so far – couldn’t put it down. In fact, it reminded her in many ways of her own experiences – good and bad. We talked about that for a while. Then she added, “I wish I had your drive.”

Those who know me well know that this kind of thing makes me want to hide under a rock. I definitely have drive. I actually like to call it bull-headedness. I try not to let fear get in the way of the things I’m passionate about.

When I was a 19-year-old new mom – broke and homeless – fearlessness and dedication helped me pursue a college degree. Now a married mother of two, that same fearlessness is helping me launch a new nonprofit organization that helps other teen parents achieve their own success. But I believe – truly – that we all have that “drive.” We just have to overcome our fears and use some of that bullheadedness to let it shine.

I founded Generation Hope in 2010 and it has been a whirlwind ever since. I remember sitting in my husband’s “man cave” having a heart-to-heart about what God was calling me to do next. My response was “pay the bills,” but my husband didn’t necessarily agree. He told me to pray about it and think about it, and the very next morning, I woke up and wrote the business plan for Generation Hope. Hours later, I “hired” my first employee, and days later I recruited our first board member.

I was scared. It was uncharted territory. It would be difficult for many reasons, including the crummy economy. And, honestly, at the end of the day, I would be putting myself out there – knowing the door would often be slammed in my face – and that’s a scary thing.

But I’m passionate about Generation Hope because I know the importance of young parents enrolling in and completing college. I know the difference a college degree will make in their lives, in their children’s lives, and in our communities. I also know how great it feels to accomplish a dream – and I want to help others experience that feeling.

I often tell young mothers to concentrate on being the best mother they can be to their children and everything else will fall into place. Being the best mother includes being the best person you can be – and being someone that your children can be proud of. I hope that the things I do each and every day make my daughters, Nerissa and Naya, proud and confident in their own abilities. I hope it unleashes in them the drive that we all have inside.

So don’t let your fears keep you from doing the things that you’re passionate about. Be bullheaded. Your kids will thank you one day. I promise.

Nicole Lynn Lewis is an author and nationally-known speaker and the CEO of Generation Hope, a nonprofit organization that reduces the number of families living in poverty by providing direct sponsorship and support to teen parents who are attending college in the Washington, D.C. area. This month, Generation Hope is competing in the Pepsi Refresh Project for a $50,000 grant. Watch the video below and vote each day in January. For more information, please visit the blog.

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