As we close the curtains in 2024, my reflections and moments of counting my blessings on the backdrop of all the activities for this year have been nothing short of transformational and inspiring. It has been a season of immense growth, challenges, some of the biggest wins of my life so far, and, a year of firsts. Through every high and low, I’ve discovered more of myself, my strength, my passions, and my purpose. And I couldn’t close out this year without sharing some lessons, failures, and successes that have shaped me.
The Lessons I’ve Learned
This year taught me that growth often requires stepping out of your comfort zone and showing up even when fear whispers that you’re not enough.
- Execution over ideation: For the longest time, I thought being a visionary was enough. I was so proud of being an ideator always flowing with ideas. But in 2024, I learned to pair ideation with execution. I stopped waiting for the “perfect” time and started moving forward - one step at a time. From launching digital products to taking on more responsibility, I’ve learned that progress often looks messy but is still progress.
- Resilience is a muscle: I’ve had my fair share of setbacks this year, but resilience has kept me grounded. Whether it was navigating tight deadlines or managing people, dealing with my dual nature and emotions, I learned to prioritize self-compassion and move forward.
- Invest in people: Relationships matter. From mentorship to friendships, I’ve learned to lean on people, invest in their growth, and allow them to invest in mine. It’s the people in my life that have made all the difference this year.
- Deliver excellence: I refused to be average, didn't settle for less, and ensured I put in the best at work, in school, my branding, and everything including the experiences I curated for myself and others. Most importantly, I promised myself I was going to work until I didn't have to prove myself anymore - which has been a splendid step in the right direction.
- Find your tribe: For the longest time, I believed in building a community from scratch, but scratch that. This year, I realized I didn't need to build a community when I could just join one and yes, I found myself in the best kind of community with sometimes just one, 2, 5, and lots of people.
- Be light: Yes, it's the cliche I am the light of the world yen yen yen, but this one had a little tweak. I kept telling myself: "I walk/work with the speed of light because I am light. Everyone that comes in contact with me must see the light." This was my testimony.
The Failures I Faced
As much as I’ve grown, some moments challenged me and reminded me that failure is part of the process.
- Delegation woes: One of the hardest lessons was learning to trust others with my work. Managing a team is a different skill set entirely, and I had to learn to give grace while holding people accountable. While some deliverables didn’t meet expectations, I now better understand the art of providing clarity, feedback, and accountability.
- Burnout battles: Saying “yes” to too many things took its toll on me earlier this year. While it's almost normal to see burnout as a reward for working so hard. At every point I couldn't function, I took some time off to rest, recalibrate, and recreate from a place of strength, clarity, purpose, and joy. How? I surrounded myself with things and people that sparked joy. I’ve since learned to set clearer boundaries and be more intentional about rest. A tired version of me isn’t good for myself or anyone else!
- I failed a course in school: Yes! This was in June. I was so heartbroken because I felt like a failure at that instant. Having my lecturer constantly scrutinize my work saying it was 100% ChatGPT written when I'd spent hours and days on research putting my best foot forward was annoying. Some of us went to school, aced competitions, and received awards before ChatGPT emerged, but what do I know? I promised myself I would hack the system and while that required longer and sleepless nights, I failed forward.
The Successes That Changed the Game
Where do I even begin? 2024 has been filled with so many moments that I’m incredibly grateful for, from career milestones to personal breakthroughs. My themes for this year: Re-invent Yourself and Dimension Shift - were all the compass I needed to navigate 2024.
- Becoming a contributor to SusInsight: Most people around me knew my keywords for this year were IMPACT and SUSTAINABILITY because I used them a loooot! SusInsight shares sustainability insights and stories across Africa. It’s been one of the most fulfilling ways to express my passion for storytelling through research and writing.
- Launching a digital product: On the advice of a mentor (shoutout to Evelyn!), I created my first e-book for entry-level communications professionals. Helping others navigate their career paths has been a dream come true and a step towards my long-term goal of empowering young professionals.
- Joining the AWIT Advisory Committee: Representation matters, and being part of the AWIT board has been an honor. The opportunity to work with brilliant women across industries to drive inclusion and empower women in tech reaffirmed my belief in the power of collaboration.
- International speaking opportunity with AWIM: My first international speaking engagement was a dream come true! While it was both humbling and empowering, I realized I was ready to take the next step and start positioning myself as a thought leader.
- Mastering digital transformation: My online master’s program has been more than instrumental in my growth this year. Bagging A’s and B’s while juggling work and life has been no small feat, but the end is in sight, and I can’t wait to graduate in a few months!
- Baobab Consulting as an accelerator: Between managing Baobab's social media pages, and newsletters, growing its community to over 17,000 this year, managing a team and clients, and hosting impactful Twitter Spaces through Tree Tales, and building products, I’m proud of all the work I did this year and the remarkable interns that came my way.
- Volunteering is how I got here: Being able to end the year fulfilled that I made most of my career dreams come true, listened to God, and pitched myself for success was a win. I joined CMQ Media as a Program Manager for the Communiqué Academy to support writers, creators, and journalists tell better stories about Africa.
- A new career chapter: As the year ends, I’m stepping into a new role as Communications Manager at Tikera Africa (working at MadHouse) in the creative industry - my first love.
- Growth is beautiful: I am still a communications consultant, a creative, gender advocate, and a woman in tech. Most importantly, I’m excited for this next chapter.
Personal Wins and Joys
Outside of work, 2024 has been about nurturing myself and my relationships.
- Swimming beyond one flap: I finally signed up for swimming classes (thanks to Evelyn for the nudge!), and I’ve found joy in the water. It’s a small but significant victory that reminds me it’s never too late to learn something new. Plus, the beach is my second home.
- Family Moments: Showing up for my family has been one of the most rewarding parts of this year. Regular doses of joy and intentional time together have brought so much light into my life.
What’s Next in 2025
As I look to the year ahead, I’m filled with anticipation for new adventures and opportunities:
- Continuing to build Communique Academy as its Programs Manager alongside David Adeleke.
- Wrapping up my master’s program and applying the knowledge I’ve gained to navigate the next 5–10 years of my career.
- Deepening my passion for storytelling through writing, research, creativity, ,and building relatable products that spark joy.
- Facilitating more gender empowerment and social innovation projects and programs for women and girls.
- Building my consulting and advisory brand while pursuing projects that align with my purpose.
I’m also committing to more rest, more joy, and more intentionality. If 2024 taught me anything, it’s that we thrive when we pour into ourselves just as much as we pour into others.
To everyone who’s walked this journey with me, thank you. Your support, encouragement, and belief in me have been the fuel I needed to keep going. Whether you’ve read my articles, joined a Tree Tales conversation, read an Africa Social Impact Newsletter, sent me money, brought a project we worked on together, or simply checked in on me, I am endlessly grateful for you.
Here’s to a new year filled with purpose, growth, and a lot of love!
P.S. Let’s keep the conversation going - I am more active on Instagram as a rare breed over there. We don't judge! Let's connect! https://www.instagram.com/gloriaedukere
