Together, Sola Mahfouz and Malaina Kapoor share the harrowing story of Sola's journey from Afghanistan. Sola faced severe restrictions on women's education under the Taliban. Despite these challenges, she pursued self-education, learning English and advanced subjects like algebra and physics through online resources like Khan Academy. Sola's determination led her to cross Pakistan's dangerous border to take the SAT, securing a spot at Arizona State University. Her journey highlights the importance of education and resilience. Malaina Kapoor and Sola tell her story in their book Defiant Dreams. Malaina emphasizes the need for awareness and support for Afghan women, especially since the Taliban's resurgence in 2021, which has imposed severe restrictions on women's rights. Learn from Sola's journey and choose which action will help you pursue your own courageous path.

Action Principles

Pick one to do this week:

1. Create a positive, calm environment. When things are stressful or chaotic, be the person to bring positive energy to the situation. ACTION: Create a list of positive phrases or actions to use during stressful or chaotic moments.

2. Improve communication skills. Communication is a powerful tool, whether it's learning the language of a new country you moved to or expanding your vocabulary. ACTION: Take a class to learn a new language or improve your native language by expanding your vocabulary.

3. Invest in your education. Grow your career by learning new skills. Numerous online options, like LinkedIn Learning, are available. ACTION: Take a course based on a skill you're interested in learning.

4. Explore other cultures. Enrich your life by learning about other countries and cultures around the world. ACTION: Read an educational book about a country you're interested in.

Guest Resources

Learn more about Sola's story at DefiantDreams.com. You can also follow both Sola Mahfouz and Malaina Kapoor on LinkedIn.

Suggested LinkedIn Learning Course

Time Management Fundamentals

Dave Crenshaw develops productive leaders in Fortune 500 companies, universities, and organizations of every size. He has appeared in Time magazine, USA Today, FastCompany, and the BBC News. His courses on LinkedIn Learning have been viewed tens of millions of times. His five books have been published in eight languages, the most popular of which is The Myth of Multitasking—a time management bestseller. As an author, speaker, and online instructor, Dave has transformed the lives and careers of hundreds of thousands around the world. DaveCrenshaw.com