Deborah Ocheido is a passionate Educator and founder of Damsel Arise. In this interview session with our correspondence Mercy Ezeokonkwo, she talks about purpose as finding one’s niche. She shares how limiting oneself could be a very big challenge. Furthermore, she talks about human skills and how they could help a long way to go as well, she leaves us with an advice that time waits for no one. Excerpts:
Briefly tell us about yourself
My name is Deborah Ocheido. I am a graduate of Human Anatomy from Benue state university. I am very passionate about Education and currently an Educationist. I am also a writer and I am also music minister. I am the founder of Damsel Arise. A platform that seeks to bring raise balanced women and ladies who thrive in the 21st century.
What’s your definition of purpose? From your definition, do you think you’re fulfilling purpose?
My definition of purpose is finding your niche. It is knowing the things that you can do in a way that only you can do them. It may be in more than one paths. It is also about building and growing in that aspect and becoming better every day. It is also being very intentional in doing it and keep taking steps one day at a time.
What motivates you to do all you do?
I would say it is the passion that God has placed in my heart. You can’t do anything if you’re not passionate about it. When you see a gap or a lack in that area your heart is stirred up and you begin to find ways that God can help you to proffer solutions as best as you can. Passion is what keeps you up at night. It’s what makes you forge ahead despite challenges. It’s basically the fuel in your tank that keeps you moving. What are the challenges you’ve faced and how were you able to overcome them?
How can one move from shadow to spotlight?
One of the biggest challenge I face and I think anyone towing the path of purpose will agree with me is “Oneself”. Yes Ourselves! The self-doubt, the fear, the self-questioning. The worry that what you’re doing is not going to make any difference. The fear that you will fail at it.
Or the self-doubt as to whether you’re well equipped or if you have what it takes to actually do the things you want to do. And there’s this overwhelming feeling to just crawl inside a hole and hide. That I would say is one of the biggest challenge. And you have to conquer it every day to keep moving on. So for me I’d say the internal struggle is one of the biggest challenge. And many times. People that can overcome this one can face any other external challenge. Whether it is financial. Or the mockery from other people. Or the lack of having the tools you need to accomplish your goals.
How can young people remain relevant in this time?
Talking about moving from the shadow to the spotlight. This I would say is a trap many fall into. I for one was on the verge of falling into this trap if not that God showed me mercy. The spotlight is just a by-product of success. It is the smoke that comes with the fire. People should just focus on making impact. People should focus on achieving their goals whether daily or the more extended ones. And the honest truth is that the spotlight or notoriety will just follow by default. Because people tend to begin to see and appreciate success. But when you’re running after the spotlight. You’re putting the cart before the horse. And this will not go anywhere. In fact when the spotlight comes and you’re not ready for it by the processes that has led up to that point, it would destroy you. We see it happening everyday. So my take on this is. Do the things that you’re doing faithfully and dutifully. The spotlight will follow. But let the spotlight not be the reason why you’re doing the things you’re doing. The spotlight should just be a tool and a platform to further advance your vision
What skills would you advice young people to learn?
The skills I would advise young people to learn are soft skills. Or what I would like to call
“Human skills”. A lot of us now focus on “hard skills” or skills that have to do with our profession to give us competitive advantages. And this is very valid but we need to be human and I’d recommend these skills; Communication, empathy, honesty, Diligence and faithfulness, teamwork, Kindness even to strangers or those who can’t pay you back.
We need to go back and learn how to be human beings and how to live in the world not just being selfish but also considering how our actions and in actions affect the next person
Kindly leave an advice for our readers
The advice I would like to leave here is. “Life is very short”. I don’t mean to sound grey and grim. But the truth is remembering this fact will do a lot of good for us. It will help you first of all appreciate the gift of life that you have. It will help you remember to maximize the time you have with your loved ones. It will help you remember to do the things you’re passionate about while you still can. It will help you also enjoy the beautiful things of life. We don’t have all the time in the world. Use the time you have now that you have it to the best of your ability.
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