It has been a very long time since I wrote. I have been planning this article since December. I keep tweaking and tweaking. I also decided to give myself a little bit of time to recollect some of the most important lessons I have learned along the way. I celebrated my 30th birthday on 2nd December 2023. It feels like a great time to share some of the most valuable lessons I have carried along the way and have also learned. Because I write a lot of my thoughts and lessons in my notes app, I have had access to a lot of the lessons I have learned and noted. I may break this into 3 parts because I’m not too fond of very long articles. For a lot of people, these are things you have probably heard over and over again. The plan is not really to tell you something new, but only to share what I have learned over the years.
Lesson 1: Compound Effect Works
Anyone who has a potbelly (like I do) would tell you that it didn’t just show up one day. All the things we do or the actions we take are a total sum of the little things we do. The Compound Effect is one of the best books I read in the early years of my life. It has been the most inspiring part of my journey cos I believe everything i’m doing will pay off in one way or another. You will get opportunities that are only possible because of the experiences you didn’t even pay attention to. The project that has paid me the highest as a designer is a PowerPoint design and I learned PowerPoint in JHS.
Lesson 2: Possibilities are different for everyone
Every person’s journey is unique, and shaped by their experiences, abilities, and circumstances. Knowing this helps you appreciate how individual human potential is. As a Physics-educated student who has turned out to be a designer working for companies and brands across the world, it is one of my most valuable life lessons. I am a self-taught designer because I believed in the possibility that if I put my mind to it, I could do it. Don’t compare yourself unfairly to others. As a creative, the possibilities of success for you differ from another person. Believe!
Lesson 3: When you get comfortable with excuses, you begin to think less of perfection
Excuses, Excuses, Excuses! You probably gave an excuse for something today! Excuses often serve as a shield against the fear of failure or the discomfort of stepping out of our comfort zones. However, relying on excuses can limit our potential and prevent us from striving for excellence. Instead of seeking perfection, which can stifle you, we should aim for gradual progress and growth.
Lesson 4: Start early, explore more
In Africa, discovering your talents and gifts are very difficult. This means that you have to spend time trying out different things and ‘landing’ on the one that you effortlessly succeed at. Starting early doesn’t mean rushing through life but rather being intentional about embracing new experiences and trying out things. It’s about sowing the seeds of curiosity and lifelong learning. The earlier you start, the earlier you make mistakes you can learn from.
Lesson 5: Find balance in life
Balance is not about dividing your time equally among different aspects of life but mainly about prioritizing what matters most to you. It’s about finding that fine sync between work, relationships, personal growth, and self-care. The year I decided to find the line between work and my personal life, a lot changed for me. I enjoyed life more, made better friends and even made more money.
Lesson 6: There’s proof that supposed impossibilities have happened before
History is filled with examples of individuals and societies overcoming seemingly complex challenges. I’m not surprised that ‘possibilities’ featured in two lessons. If anything at all, history is evidence that things are happening that we didn’t even imagine would.
Lesson 7: Man, Know thyself
I think true freedom and success come from understanding our choices and the consequences that come with them. It requires us to be conscious of our values and motivations. guiding our actions with clarity and intentionality. By seeking to understand ourselves and others, we can make informed decisions that align with our principles and aspirations. This understanding empowers us to take ownership of our lives, embrace our agency, and shape our destinies with purpose and conviction.
Lesson 8: Invest in relationships
The people we surround ourselves with have a profound impact on our thoughts, attitudes, and behaviors. Being part of a supportive community can provide us with the encouragement, guidance, and inspiration we need to pursue the goals we set for ourselves. It can also challenge us to grow, learn from our mistakes, and become the best versions of ourselves sometimes just because we want to be better for the people around us. By cultivating positive relationships and nurturing our connections with others, we can create a strong foundation for personal and collective success.
Lesson 9: It’s a luxury to pursue what makes you happy
Every luxury comes with a sacrifice. There must be something you must give to get. We sacrifice our free will for financial benefit every day (even if it’s your passion). Chasing your passions and aspirations is a privilege. It requires stepping out of our comfort zones. While pursuing happiness is rewarding, it also comes with challenges and trade-offs. By acknowledging and accepting these sacrifices, we can pursue our dreams with a clear conscience and a sense of purpose, knowing that our efforts are ultimately contributing to our growth and fulfillment.
Lesson 10: The day you stop learning, you stop growing
Lifelong learning is very important for personal and professional development. It will help you adapt to new challenges, seize opportunities, and expand your horizons. Embracing a mindset of continuous learning fosters curiosity, creativity, and innovation, driving us to explore new ideas and perspectives. By remaining open to learning from others and from our experiences, we can continue to evolve, thrive, and make a meaningful impact on the world around us.
Watch out for the next 10 lessons soon!
