I went VIRAL!
Here's what really happened.
Two weeks ago, I had the opportunity to meet the president of Kenya, H.E Dr. William Ruto, who handed me the Commonwealth Secretary General’s SDG Innovation Awards during the Kenya Innovation Week 2023.
In a few days, I had gone VIRAL. TikTok, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, News outlets.
You name it. I was on it.
Please understand me. This is unlike anything that has ever happened before.
I have certainly been in the “public eye” for a while, but this was in a magnitude that surpassed everything that has ever happened.
When I Googled my name, I found mentions across blogs, social media, news outlets, articles, professional networks, and push notifications on browsers. This widespread recognition was beyond anything I had experienced before.
Image: Extract from the Open Dreams Blog
I was taken aback by this, more than I ever have.
With this growing fame, people from all walks of life started reaching out to me.
To learn about my work, to connect, and to get involved.
Tiktokers started making videos about me.
Friends made posts and sent congratulatory messages.
New acquaintances formed, and business prospects opened up.
If I did not manage this stage of my career well, and approach it with caution and professionalism, it would overwhelm and almost certainly affect me negatively.
It further accentuates one of my most deeply rooted beliefs that; the best part about being intentional about personal and career development is not that you become successful.
It’s the person that you become through the process. The habits you learn, and the ones you unlearn. The beliefs you build. The mindset you cultivate, and the new ways you learn to approach life and challenges.
This is what these platforms said about me;
Right now, I am more excited about the future than ever.
Excited about navigating uncertainty and making meaning out of chaos.
About leveraging current opportunities and platforms to reach new ones.
About meeting new people, having new discussions, and creating new opportunities for my initiatives and for other young people.
About scaling my entrepreneurial pursuits and providing more value.
Throughout January 2024, I am excited to offer mentorship to 10 individuals, guiding them not only for the upcoming year but also setting the foundation for the next decade of their lives.
If there is anything I learned this year, it’s the importance of thinking long-term and making decisions based on where you want to be, instead of where you are.
To express your interest in this unique mentorship opportunity, simply reply to this email with a YES. I will then send you further details and instructions on how to join this exclusive mentoring program.
Note: About 10,000 people will read this email. You must act fast.
Remember that "Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice, and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do." — Pele
Cheers!