Discovering ‘My Why’
‘Purposeful me’
Why that name? I hear you ask. I wish I could simply describe it as one of those ‘Ah ha’ moments that people refer to. Yes, I had some ‘ah ha’ moments, more than twice actually but in each case, the name that popped into my spirit was already in use. I eventually had to apply some brain power to the task of finding a name that encapsulates what I believe the next phase of my life is to be about.
So after hours of careful review of the dictionary and thesaurus, googling web names and scouring social media, I eventually concluded on the name, ‘purposeful me’. Now that you know how the name came about, let’s talk about ‘the why’.
On the 11th of November 2017, I was at a seminar and the presenter asked me what I was passionate about and I immediately replied, ‘continuous Improvement’. I was thinking about my day job and what I enjoyed about it.
Later that night, I began to ponder the same question again and I realised that, yes, I was passionate about Continuous Improvement but felt I had applied it to Businesses and processes for almost two decades.
Suddenly I realised my passion was the same but how I wanted to apply it was different. I was now more interested in the continuous improvement of people. This is something I have always done effortlessly, in passing, without much focus and attention. I knew I had more to offer and felt that I had to take the opportunity that was handed to me to go after my passion with more focus and determination.
After all, what is the price of a fulfilled life? A life lived with passion, one that understands its purpose and not afraid to take a shot at it. That’s what I want this phase of my life to be about.
I hope you want that too. If yes, stick with me and let’s have a good crack at it. Understanding your why will get you through those times when things don’t go to plan. Take some time over the next week to think about and come up with your why. 
Thank you for stopping by to read my post. See you next week
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Afolabi Tiamiyu
Yemi , courage , confidence , initiative are the various words that can be used to describe that factor often absent in most of us that debars us from following our passions. Often times the listed above can be overcome by a subtle push coming in various forms, one of which is the discussion you have started .
I must ask you though, about a question that keeps tugging at my mind , which is if certain realities justifies an abandonment of ones passion . Some people may have all factors necessary but the cost to pay for such moves , in terms of responsibilities etc may make it impossible to pursue their passion .
Critical assessment would show its their reality , can we fault them ?
Yemi Adelekan
Afolabi, we can’t fault anyone for abandoning their passions due to the realities of life which we all know can sometimes be harsh. There are projects I put on hold until the timing was right to pick them back up. My suggestions would be not to see them as abandoned but rather as being on hold. Constantly remind yourself about it and have someone in your life who can also do that. Do one step on a regular basis that takes you closer to it, you quite often find that you can set the stage even when some parts are still missing. Finally one thing that I have proved in my own life is that when I take the steps that I can within the current constraints, the help needed often then shows up. E.g. I didn’t run into my publisher until I actually had a finished manuscript. I had to push through with my writing even when I didn’t see a way to publish the book. Thanks for your comment
Dayo Adeyinka
Passion – a powerful or compelling emotion or feeling.
I was having a conversation with someone recently about passion and success. I said if one truly discovers ones passion, failure is not an option.
To be passionate about something means to be totally immersed in, and consumed by it.
How can one fail at it when giving up is not an option? When you are totally consumed by it, you simply keep trodding along and enjoy the journey – giving up doesn not cross your mind.
Jamie Oliver is passionate about cooking and he is a great chef, some of his restaurants have recently failed – but that does not diminish his passion or mean he is not a successful chef.
Pierre Renoir and Claude Monet were brilliant Impression artists in France in the 1860s, they were passionate about art, and although they were living on the bread line because the ‘Salon’ snubbed their work and they couldn’t sell them, but they carried on painting full time till they died. Their paintings sell for millions today.
David Beckham used to go to the football pitch as a kid and practise freekicks alone for hours, he had no idea where his passion would take him but giving up was not an option, football was all he loved – his passion.
In many cases following ones passion comes with financial reward, but it need not be the case. However, following one’s passion is the easiest path to financial independence, for you are doing what you love – who gives up what they love?
Thomas Edison was passionate about inventing, he and his team tested more than 3,000 designs for light bulbs that didn’t work. When asked why he didn’t give up after 3,000 failures – he said he did not fail, he simply found 3000 ways that didn’t work – and that encapsulates what passion is all about.
Not everyone knows what their passion is, and many mistake infatuation for passion.
Yemi Adelekan
Dayo, one can’t put a price on the joy of following one’s passion. I feel like a new lease of life has opened up to me and I’m really excited about the future. As you said, the finance is not the driver but I have no doubt that in time, that will naturally work itself out. Thanks for your comment
Yewande Bayode
Nice one and thought provoking.
Anita
Yemi,
You are stirring up something in me. I am beginning to look inward, searching, exploring, discovering in bits and pieces my aim in life and even more encouraged to continue to attain and achieve.
Where have you been all my life? No doubt you have a calling in your life.
I am intrigued by you my dear friend.
A wise woman you are and a woman of many parts too. I am grateful to God that our parts crossed.
I look forward to your next piece. 👍🏾
Yemi Adelekan
Thanks Anita. The admiration is mutual. So excited and blessed to have you in my life
Emmanuel Ebo
Yemi….nice one.
Yemi Adelekan
Thanks Emmanuel. Not sure if I can use your nickname in public.
Yemi Adelekan
Thanks Emmanuel
Juliet
Hello Yemi,I clicked the link on the post you shared on LBD this morning and have had a good read.This topic however speaks to me personally.Thank God I found this blog.Keep doing what you do ,God bless you.
Yemi Adelekan
Thank you so much Juliet. I really appreciate that. It’s definitely a journey in trusting and following God’s will. I’m a very private person yet I have an instruction to share the journey I am on to help others.