How I Became a One Young World Ambassador.

"One Young World is a unique platform for young people to come together, learn, and create a better future." - Justin Trudeau, Canadian PM

Hello!

If you are reading my email for the first time, my name is Maluyane Titus Abongdoh, and I am an Open Dreams scholar and One Young World Ambassador.

It’s a pleasure to write to you.

As a young leader, one of the most formative experiences I have had has been joining One Young World.

In September 2022, I was accepted into one of the most exclusive networks for young leaders globally - One Young World, after receiving a scholarship to attend the One Young World 2022 Summit in Manchester as a Digital Delegate.

With an average acceptance rate of less than 1%, One Young World (OYW) stands as the most exclusive network for young leaders globally. To put it in perspective, statistically speaking, you'd have a better chance of getting into Harvard than being accepted into OYW (so yes, it's one of my most significant accomplishments).

Following the summit in Manchester, I received an invitation to join the One Young World Ambassador network. This network comprises leaders and change-makers from all corners of the world, united in their efforts to address challenges and drive positive change.

One of the most invaluable aspects of the ambassador network, aside from its inherent prestige, is the opportunity to collaborate with fellow young leaders and gain access to capacity-building programs, including direct mentorship from seasoned professionals worldwide.

Now, let's explore the less glamorous side of the story. For two consecutive years, I applied to attend the summit and faced rejection each time. In each of those years, I sought at least four different scholarships to sponsor my participation in the summit. This involved crafting numerous essays and navigating the challenging process of creating multiple applications, all of which culminated in disappointment—until this one, that is.

Failure is important. We can learn more from failing than we do from succeeding.

Success can make one feel like a god. All powerful. All-knowing. When not controlled, that can lead to overconfidence, arrogance, ignorance, and then failure.

Failure, on the other hand, reminds us that we are mortal, That we are prone to limitations, and that we need to be intentional about continuous learning and growing.

However, you must maintain grit through every phase of the journey.

Here’s what I can tell you about grit.

Passion and Purpose: Grit is fueled by a deep passion or a strong sense of purpose. When you care deeply about what you're doing, you're more likely to persevere through difficulties.

Embrace Challenges: Grit is developed by facing challenges head-on. Challenges are opportunities for growth and learning. When you avoid the challenges, you rob yourself of the opportunity to grow into the person you want to be. In the paraphrased words of Dr. Jordan Peterson

“Why does the dragon hoard gold? Well because what you need is exactly where you are most afraid to look“.

Resilience: Develop the ability to bounce back from failures and setbacks. View failures as opportunities to learn and improve. Learn to look at failures and setbacks as opportunities to self-analyze more critically, and self-correct.

Consistent Effort: Grit is about putting in consistent effort over a long period. It's a steady, sustained commitment.

As an entrepreneur, I have realized that sheer grit is one of the most important elements of entrepreneurial success. Here is a recommended video from my YouTube channel recounting my first business trip.

Learn more about One Young World here.

Terry Crews at One Young World

If you are a young leader with a track record of community engagement, I am willing to assist you in your application to One Young World Summit 2024. This opportunity is only open for the first 3 people who reply to this email.

Cheers!