Being Intentional in Choosing your Path | Toke Makinwa | TEDxNileUniversityofNigeria

University Challenges and Support

• The speaker was told by most of their university lecturers that they were the least likely to succeed. (10s)
• The speaker was advised to withdraw from university in their third year because their grades were so low. (4m14s)
• The speaker decided to try to improve their grades after seeing the advice to withdraw and imagining their classmates becoming more successful than them. (5m21s)
• An individual describes a time they were advised to withdraw from university and pleaded with a senior lecturer for help. (6m9s)
• The individual describes being given a second chance at university after their uncle, a professor at the university, advocated for them. (9m57s)

Keys to Success

• To be successful, one must be honest with themselves about their strengths and weaknesses. (12m57s)
• When networking, it is important to be able to quickly and effectively communicate your skills and value to the other person. (13m48s)
• It is important to surround yourself with people who can motivate and support you, and to be open to feedback, even if it is negative. (15m12s)
• People should act like they know what they are doing, even if they don't, and believe in themselves. (23m17s)
• People should view failure as a learning experience and an opportunity to grow, rather than the worst thing that can happen. (27m14s)
• People should focus on the journey, including the people they meet and the connections they make, rather than just the end goal. (27m38s)

Toke Makinwa's Perspective on Rejection and Networking

• Toke Makinwa's uncle, who was a Managing Director (MD) at a bank, did not retain her at his company after she scored 48 out of 50 on an exam. Years later, he explained that he knew she was not meant for banking and saw her true potential in entertainment. (18m21s)
• Toke Makinwa believes rejection is difficult but emphasizes the importance of perseverance. She encourages individuals to view "no" as an opportunity for growth and to keep pursuing their dreams. (19m18s)
• Toke Makinwa highlights the importance of networking and forming connections, emphasizing that it remains crucial regardless of one's level of success. She uses Dangote as an example, suggesting that even he still engages in networking. (22m39s)