Dear Friend,
Happy New Week. This week’s letter is from Babatunde Ojedokun. ‘Tunde is a fashion designer. In this letter he shares his lessons from prioritizing his goals over his multiple talents.
Enjoy.
What was your turning point?
As a young person navigating life, I found myself drawn to various interests, frequently switching from one passion to another without clear direction. This lack of focus left me feeling stuck for many years. It wasn't until I sought help and surrounded myself with supportive individuals that I began to assess my skills and knowledge.
With guidance from the spirit and the influence of positive people in my life, I recognized the importance of making a decisive choice that aligned with and amplified my talents. Learning to set priorities became crucial as I evaluated which talents held the most potential for fulfillment and success.
My turning point came when I discovered an intersection between my talents and my overarching goals. This realization allowed me to hone in on a specific direction, providing a sense of purpose and clarity that had been missing in my journey. Through this process, I've learned to leverage my unique abilities, aligning them with my aspirations for a more fulfilling and focused life.
How do you deal with setbacks?
I encountered a significant challenge when I set unrealistic goals for myself. Trying to do too much at once led to less-than-ideal outcomes, and despite repeated attempts, success seemed elusive. As I persisted, well-meaning individuals entered my life, advising me that time was not in my favor, urging me to make decisive choices and cease wasting time. Their advice, however, often overlooked the depth of my pursuits.
Despite the external pressure, I've come to realize that setbacks can be beneficiary. Rather than viewing them as roadblocks, I now see them as doors opening up opportunities. Each setback has become a chance to learn and refine my approach, turning what initially seemed like a disadvantage into a pathway to new possibilities.
What was the one piece of advice you heard that you've lived your life by?
Upon discovering an online course tailored for designers, my initial curiosity stemmed from my background as a fashion designer. Little did I know that this course would introduce me to the concept of design thinking, expanding my understanding beyond the realm of clothing design. Looking into topics such as planning, sampling, and other facets, the course broadened my perspective on the role of design in various aspects of life.
This newfound insight prompted a significant shift in my outlook. I came to the realization that design principles are not confined to a specific field but are universally applicable. The emphasis on thorough research and meticulous planning inherent in design thinking became apparent. This paradigm shift influenced how I approach various aspects of my life, recognizing the relevance of design in virtually everything one undertakes.
In essence, this course served as a catalyst for a broader understanding of design's applicability, leading me to appreciate its role in shaping and improving diverse facets of life through informed research and strategic planning.
What are three things you've done over the years that have made a big difference for you in life generally?
I became more intentionally engaging with the digital world this year, just keeping up with trends and revolutions. I am also creating solutions with the knowledge I gathered - like creating a digital bookshelf for an institution owned by Professor Odeyemi, a retired professor of chemistry in Nigeria. We are considering publishing for free or getting a monetisation strategy.
Secondly, I own a fashion brand - Deliberato, and I was able to go fully digital by creating a website for the brand this year. Finally, I got a certification in my course of interest.
What is something that makes you optimistic as regards what you do currently?
I am very hopeful for the future. In the face of a problem, our instinct is to seek solutions. Without problems there is no solution. Like in Genesis, if there was no darkness there wouldn't be a cause for light. In the world right now, there are many dark minds, because of the kind of community they belong to. But the real ones know that the essence of life is beyond just having more or riches. When money, riches and the vain things the world depends on fails, this will cause an emergence of the deliberate ones - those who understand what life entails, and what love means ( loving neighbors, and loving humanity). In the future these people would have more dominion because what men currently depend on to last long, will fail, and that will have no choice than to succumb to the realness of life. These are those who are deliberate about life, those who are focused on love, compassion and the true essence of life. I am optimistic that in the future the knowledge of what is right and good will dominate and the kingdom of this world will belong to our God.
What good news/thing in the world is being overlooked?
God made everything beautiful - it's not just a saying, but a profound reality. Unfortunately, many times, we tend to overlook this inherent beauty. The gift of extraordinary minds and remarkable individuals surrounds us, yet we often underestimate their value. It's our own limiting mindset that becomes a barrier. Understanding ourselves is crucial. Within our communities, a prevalent pattern exists where people aren't authentic. Being genuine is the key to bringing out the goodness in the world. Only by embracing our authenticity can we appreciate the beauty God has instilled in everything and fully unlock the potential within ourselves and those around us.
If you get an opportunity to talk to a group of people fresh out of school, trying to figure life out, what would you tell them?
Don’t waste time, be deliberate. With this a better tomorrow will become a reality.
What are you reading, watching, or listening to currently?
Thanks to Blinkist, I am listening to The Big story behind the Success of Oprah. It is a curation of her life, her challenges, the success stories, and lessons she would like to pass on the younger generation.
Video of the Week
Opportunity Desk
Here, you will find opportunities around the world for professional development and access to funds to push you closer to the future you desire
See you next week.
Your friends,
From AllforDevelopment.
P.S: You can post a part of this letter that connects with you and tag us while at it: LinkedIn; Instagram;