Deep Lessons

I have not been opportune to harness development opportunities early enough but I remembered the camp I attended when I was 14 on leadership.

It was organized by MTN Foundation in partnership with Hope Worldwide Foundation. The camp boosted my self-esteem and play a larger role in my life even if I did not understand some of the things I learned.

In 2016, after completing my National Youth Service and completing six community development service projects. I shared my work online and for the first time, a senior colleague Ibrahimpact Abidemi Amuda sent me Mandela Washington Fellowship Application and YALI Regional Leadership Centre. I applied but got rejected in all.

However, I was able to complete up to 15 YALI online courses in three days. It opened my eyes to many things. I joined the YALI face to face group and met the likes of Mrs. Adepeju Jaiyeoba. Reading about their stories inspired me to do more and be more. I had access to several programs in Lagos and I could recall jumping from one seminar to another. Some of these programs catalyzed my growth and I am glad today I can tell the story.

Today I have benefited from several international programs and opportunities but it started with sharing about My NYSC project and I have learned some lessons. I will be sharing them below;

1. Tell your story, if you fail to tell it, you would not attract people who can help you. I have been volunteering but I did not tell the story or talk about it. However, sharing my NYSC project story was the game-changer. It was the story that made Ibrahim felt like I deserve receiving the Mandela Washington Fellowship even if I was rejected.

2. I didn’t get the opportunity but I dig deeper. I joined the YALI network and took courses to sharpen my knowledge in my area of interest. I turned my rejection into a learning opportunity.

3. I read stories of people in the same space and it helped me in catalyzing. They showed me courage. That if they can I can too.

4. It's okay not to understand what you have learned in programs. When the time comes, you will be able to connect. The leadership program I attended when I was 14 somehow helped me in dealing with some of the rejections. I would not forget the definition of self-esteem I learned from the camp. ”Self-esteem is the way you see yourself and the world. The way you handle yourself and the world. You can decide to see that you are rejected or not. I choose the latter. I wasn't rejected.

Seth Godin said;

”They didn’t reject you. They rejected an application. They rejected a business plan. They rejected a piece of paper. They don’t know you.”

So, whenever you are scared to share, ask yourself, what will happen if I don't share? Nothing and Something. What will happen if I share? Nothing and Something.

You have nothing to lose but I think the benefit of sharing outweighs the benefit of not sharing.

Hammed Kayode Alabi (c) 2020