In the life of everyone, we do not entirely know ourselves. We keep discovering ourselves when we engage in activities.
Hence we don't really know our talents, abilities, limitations, etc. we have to learn them with time as we engage in activities.
Leadership is an aspect of life I pride myself at being good in, starting from my senior secondary days, I have held various leadership positions and excelled in all.
When I got into the university, I was exposed to a faulty system which I felt I could improve and hence I contested to become the president of the first year students, an election which I was favourite to win but somehow I lost out due to not being well equipped to play the politics of my new environment.
After the election, I felt pained because I realised what transpired behind my back and how I lost the election in the dying minutes.
Consequently, I became skeptical about contesting in an election, always scared I would lose and hence never participated even when I saw a need.
All these changed last year, when I began to take some U-turns on various important decisions about my life.
I spotted needs in various associations I belonged and I went ahead to indicate interest in the two elections I was eligible to contest.
In the medical students association, I contested for the post of Secretary General while in the alumni organisation of my secondary school, I contested to become the Public Relations Officer.
I won the secretary position in my medical students association but lost in that of my secondary school alumni but due to some lapses, I was appointed back into the position for which I lost the election that is the P.R.O
For someone who was hitherto scared of rejection (loosing an election in my understanding is synonymous to being rejected by the electorate) I really did step out of my comfort zone to confront my fears and I overcame.
This had a massive positive effect on me as my confidence skyrocketed after these two elections as well as my public speaking skills because contesting in an election means you have to meet a lot of people and communicate your views with them and try to get them to believe in you enough to vote you over your opponent.
You also have to deliver your manifesto in the presence of a lot of people who would also ask you questions and you are expected to answer and answer appropriately.
I am pumped up for politics currently because I believe it's a tool with which positive change can be brought to our society as long as the right people are in important positions.
I no longer take the back seat when it's time to elect leaders. I exercise my franchise and of course I contest when I identify a lapse which I can solve.
I think facing your fears empowers you and you realise that what you were scared of was just a belief and you were actually able to overcome if only you try.
All images are mine, the last two were designed on canva.