Meet Saikou Toure

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Saikou Toure a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Saikou, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?

“Keep going.”

At the end of the day; it’s about your progress and reflecting on it…….

Overcoming doubts with determination is key to achieving what you desire.

“Quitting is easy…..”

Being persistent by getting back up from shortcomings separates success from failure and those who want it from those who don’t.

Even if I miss every shot; I prepare for my opportunity to take the next one.

My road to Basketball was not easy as it filled with challenges; but I believe they make me stronger and I face each one with more confidence than the last.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

Growing up in West Africa; Soccer was the most popular sport as most of my friends and family played. Once I got older; my height helped me stand out as teachers suggested Basketball.

Though I played Soccer throughout High School; I was always interested in Basketball.

I tried out for A.C. Horoya; the top international Basketball team of West Africa.

Before signing with them; an even bigger opportunity came as I got the chance to fly into the United States where some of the best Basketball players originated from.

Though I am trying to go as far as I can with Basketball; having an alternative is always a good idea.

I earned my college degree in Finance Marketing before coming into the United States and currently trade stocks within the U.S. market

I enjoy trading as it a very volatile and complex field with many risks and rewards. I hope to become more skilled which in the long term; is a very successful area.

Getting more exposure in Basketball is my main focus as I am currently working out with another Semi-Professional team of Atlanta.

Basketball and market trading are both exciting as each has their own types of risks as well as rewards. I enjoy the challenges presented and look to excel in them.

As Basketball is my main focus, I have a workout this month with the Birmingham Squadron; a G-League team of Alabama.

For an alternative in the path to Basketball if Birmingham does not select me; I have a workout in February with a Semi-Professional team of Atlanta; the Georgia Spartans.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Confidence, Willingness to Learn and Consistency have helped me throughout my journey in Basketball. Having these three traits helped me become successful while learning from my mistakes.

Confidence is always important as you can’t improve without making mistakes and being confident is the only way to learn from them. Once you develop the level of confidence desired; your success rate will greatly improve.

Willingness to Learn is one of my favorite traits as having the mindset of wanting to try different things is vital in acquiring new skills. When you have the urge to learn; you develop discipline towards areas of focus. Overall; this makes learning much easier and even more fun too.

Consistency is key…….an overused saying; but one that is always true.

It can range from constantly being on time to work to never missing a deadline. Overall; it takes you a long way and without it; the chances of reaching any goal is slim to none.

Even if it gets boring; consistency is key.

Of the three; confidence tends to be the most challenging, but once you develop that willingness and stay consistent at it; your confidence will develop and grow.

If you are early in your career; start by learning from those whom you are closest with that have achieved what you are looking to achieve as well. Doing so will show your willingness to learn while your confidence builds.

Being around those who help you grow will greatly improve your chances of overall success.

Consistently showing willingness to learn develops confidence and once you find your recipe; the path becomes more clear.

Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?

The feeling of being overwhelmed is never comfortable; but it conditions us to keep pushing and look for alternatives in reaching our goal.

Anytime I feel overwhelmed; my way to cope involves reflecting on how far I have come and how much closer I am to reaching my goals.

Once I reflect on both; I feel less pressure and more confident which ultimately helps me push for more.

If that strategy does not work; I try to find what triggered my feeling of being overwhelmed so I can then speak with my mentor on ways to deal with it and prevent them from happening again.

It was once frowned upon to seek help; but I always believed in asking as it is the secret recipe to long term success.

“If you want help; don’t be afraid to ask.”

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Inferno Fitness Training LLC

In The Mix Media LLC

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