In this article, I will attempt to weave a medley of all the things I’ve touched on in my numerous “rants” and moments of “Vawulence” from community meetings. Here goes:
In an era where falling back to spirituality, superstition, and excuses are often more readily available than hard work and resolve to work through solutions, there’s a pressing need to change our mindset, sharpen our commitment to our tasks, and not act like ‘donkeys’ when faced with the challenges that lie before us. This isn’t merely about the pursuit of success as it’s defined by the streets and peers, but about fostering strength in character and an unwavering readiness for all the madness that comes with just being alive! It’s about being prepared, not for things to not go wrong, but to face them head-on when they do. I recommend a book called The Obstacle Is the Way by Ryan Holiday; it’s an absolute gem in building a mindset to overcome challenges.
Recently, I found myself lucky enough to be in a room with and to be deeply inspired by the words of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, a figure whose thoughts have always resonated with me. She advocates for standing up for our beliefs, even at the cost of facing criticism and trouble, as a testament to our integrity. This principle aligns with the essence of what it means to possess strength in character. It’s about the tranquility that comes from knowing you’ve remained true to your convictions, even when the path of integrity leads you through storms.
In my journey, particularly through my involvement with Club House, I have discovered that my voice reaches over a thousand people every month via live sessions and replays.(I have also faced numerous challenges/opposition/craziness from within and without, but that’s not why we’re here 😁).I’ve learned the importance of speaking out about ALL the things I care about aside from IT and Project Management. Not everyone will interpret your words as intended; some will misconstrue them, while others will find profound meaning in them. However, if your intentions are pure and your actions are just in your own opinion, the positive impact of your words will far outweigh any misinterpretations. Silence, in the face of this, is not an option. I affirm and commit to continually speaking against silliness & worthless practices as I myself continue to learn life and wisdom. I will not always be right but I will always be honest about my feelings. So help me Universe!
We need to question the standards set by society, culture, church, tradition and all the other monsters we deal with. Why should we live by anyone else’s definition of success? This resonates with the idea that true fulfillment comes from setting our own standards, objectives, and key results (OKRs). It’s about personalizing our definition of success and diligently working towards achieving it, not as dictated by society, but as a reflection of our deepest values and aspirations.
The past two years have been a testament to the power of consistency and community. Our community, Scrum Vibes, has been a beacon of Agile/Project Management education, great vibes, positivity, music, and the importance of humanity as the one true religion, meeting every Thursday and Tuesday without fail unless a break is announced. What began as a modest effort has blossomed into something global,(oh yeah we global baby!) with our Celebratory “Outside With Kindness” (#OWK) movement under the Scrum Vibes Gives initiative reaching about 15 cities worldwide. This initiative has sparked a wave of random acts of kindness, encouraging people to serve humanity in their own unique ways and to embrace the notion that humanity is indeed the greatest religion. The gratitude I feel towards our community is boundless; their commitment and the ripple effect of kindness they’ve initiated is a true reflection of what we can achieve together. People have started to say things like, “Humanity is the greatest religion” – I have achieved one of my main goals. I am happy! Visit our Instagram page “@scrumvibes” at [www.instagram.com/scrumvibes] or our website at [www.scrumvibes-gives.com] for images from our movement.
In closing, let me echo the sentiments of Jay-Z, a figure whose words carry the weight of truth and resilience. We will continue to show up, to strive, and to excel until recognition and accolades naturally follow. It’s about stepping up or stepping aside, going hard, or going home. In essence, if we are to do something, let’s do it with our whole heart and soul. Let’s define our own path to greatness, not by the world’s standards, but by our own, crafted from our convictions, efforts, and the unwavering belief in the value of what we stand for.
This journey isn’t merely about the accolades or the titles we may eventually earn; it’s about the process, the struggles, and the triumphs. It’s about the nights spent working towards our dreams and the mornings we wake up ready to face whatever comes our way. Let’s commit to this path, not with half-hearted resolve but with the full might of our character and the unyielding belief in the power of our own standards.
So, I ask you, Woh you saying?! Here’s what Jigga said and I’m saying it loud and clear! “Just keep showing up … until they give you all those accolades you feel you deserve, until they call you ‘chairman,’ until they call you a genius, until they call you the greatest of all time. You feel me?”
WE Outside!
