Principles I learnt

25 July 2019, A day I began with mixed feelings, Confusion and great amounts of Anxiety. Partly, I was happy because I was paid twice my salary being the last day as an NYSC employee at my PPA and on the other hand, sad because I hadn’t gotten a permanent job placement before NYSC came to an end.

I didn’t get any job till PwC Graduate Internship came through by October. Those few months I was out of Job, I literally felt like the world was strongly crumbling on me. Those moments were the most confused period of my life. 

Here are the few principles and perspectives I’ve learnt this past year:

1. PATIENCE: Learning patience can be a difficult experience but once conquered life will be easier. I was the kind of person that hates when situations and circumstances are going out of the initial plans. I have learnt to be totally restful and more strategic especially when things are not going the way I want. I readily focus my energy in investing my time and leisure into the things I want rather than worry about the things I can’t control. The best thing that can happen to one is being prepared when an opportunity knocks. 

2. SOCIAL INFLUENCE: Since my undergraduate years, I’ve known the importance of having great people as close allies and their social influence . Indeed, I'm happy to have great friends that keep pushing me to be the best I can be. Even when I’m at that point I feel so devastated, few words of encouragements lightens and brightens me up. The joy that comes from seeing each of us succeeding along our chosen career journey is unexplainable.

3. MENTORSHIP: The importance of having a mentor cannot be overemphasized especially if you’re just starting out your career. Mentorship is not just any activity but one that provides a guide, an useful insights. Due to uncertainties and unemployment Nigerian phenomenon at an early stage, most recent graduates might be stranded as to "What next" . Don’t beat yourself too much about it, Learning is key. Having people to mentor and guide me has really helped in unquantifiable amounts.

4. PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT: An important precept that shaped by thoughts is “Investing in yourself is the best investment you will ever make. It will not only improve your life, it will improve the lives of all those around you”. To be well rounded you have to find time for yourself. I believe you cannot dream yourself into a character; you must hammer and forge yourself into one. The truth about personal development is that it’s a major time-saver. It allows for growth, drive, positivity, up-skilling, learning, understanding and knowledge. The better one becomes, the less time it takes one to achieve a goal.

5. NETWORKING: Half of my close friends today, we met from different learning platforms, I guess it’s why it’s so easy for us to understand each other because we all understand the importance of achievements, hence, the unseen energy we’re all harnessing towards our goal. Opportunities you get from networking varies from getting first hand information about something you want to getting referrals for jobs.

In conclusion I will say, I might be a work in progress but everyday I get a little bit wiser, a little bit better and a little bit stronger. Always remember that life is a journey of twist and turns that mold who we are; however, it is not the twist and turns that molds us, but rather, how we take and handle the twist and turns thrown at us.