There are moments in life that come along and make you feel like all the hard work, the doubts, the blood, sweat and tears have all been worth it. Moments of validation that allow you, even if for a brief moment, to appreciate who you are and where you have come from. I had that moment during the Business Daily Top 40 under 40 dinner the other night. The experience has been surreal because I didn't expect to make it on the list, at least not this year. You know the way you think there's one more 'big thing' you need to do to qualify being an award recipient? That was me.
As the year started I began to focus more on my personal life, given that I was going through various transitions. I somehow managed to keep my projects going, although not with the same gusto, and planned my personal life – wedding and baby. But it seems as though my being able to embrace all these great things happening at the same time allowed others to take stock of the work I've been doing over the years, thus the nomination I received for Top 40 Under 40. The Judges and the Chief that night told us to allow ourselves, as women, to give ourselves a pat on the back for our achievements, something they know all too well that we struggle to do. That's what I'm doing here. Allowing myself to say, 'you still have a long way to go, but you haven't done too badly!
'Wow, thank you Business Daily! I thank God for showing me that when you make yourself more vulnerable and honest before Him, He hears you, He guides you, He blesses you. I'm no perfect Christian, far from it, but the work I've seen Him do in my life has given me more Faith than I've ever had. I'd like to thank my husband, Eddie. Dude, you're such a rock and support system. A lot of what I've managed to achieve this year is because of you, constantly pushing me to reach beyond my comfort zone, there for me when I doubt myself and hard on me when you need to be. I love you dearly, and I hope I inspire you as much as you inspire me. I'd like to thank our unborn child, who reminds me each day that building a legacy is important in order to inspire future generations. To my family; my parents who have always allowed me to be me, my siblings whose support has been a huge blessing. To those who continue to believe in me, even when I don't, I never thought that would fuel my drive to do more and be more. I've struggled with self-doubt over the last few years, never quite feeling like I fit in and never quite knowing where I'm going. I've been jaded and nervous, nonchalant and anxious.
About a year ago, I began to speak positively into my life. I'd been telling myself all the wrong things for so long that I'd come to accept them as a part of who I am. And then I began to think differently; I figured, why not try another way of thinking? Since my previous way of thinking hadn't inspired any change in me. Lately, I've chosen to think positively, be driven by passion, daring to dream, daring to soar. I know I have miles to go but the positive thinking has boosted my confidence in a way that I've never experienced before. I want to tell people, especially young people, that going through a rough patch can build your character if you believe that you'll come out on the other side. You were born to be more so don't settle for less. I hope I will continue to change the lives of young girls through my Inua Dada Foundation and inspire others to hope and dream through the projects that I do. I know that there's a lot expected of us all in this room after receiving these awards, but we have to believe that this is a stepping stone to something more powerful.
i really like that so much,so motivating and encouraging.Be Blessed.
Just letting you know that you inspired a fellow great lady here I have been suffering from self doubt and lack of confidence for the longest time but reading this has helped me see that I can overcome it. Thank you Janet! Be blessed!
Janet is a fighter, bold and beautiful. may our good Lord bless her and family.
Just came across your blog today. Read most of your articles but this one hit a little closer home. And looking at you and your struggles and constantly striving to change inspires me to know that it’s all going to fall into place.
This is so nice …happy for you are an inspiration to many….
Keep having God as your number one, you are going far Janet. This is just the begining. Always keep that in mind, that when God looks at you He sees into generations. So keep doing what you are doing.
Wow how inspiring! You are clearly a superwoman. You have a vision and are working towards it. Your story is a dream i had while still in high school- to be a respectable woman of character and intellect. You’ve motivated me. I pray that I’ll get there someday.
I have been an avid fan and I am more than proud of you and how far you have come. Your growth is nothing short of inspiring and as much as I have never met you, you are my role model. Your humility, hard work and ambition is something to emulate. Congratulations on the award and rock on!! There's greater things coming your way. Blessings to you and your family.
Very true………. building a legacy is important in order to inspire future generations.
Amazing. Indee you are an inspiration to me!! God Bless you. I too hope t be in thelist soon.
I read every post you write and its like you never fail me.It is excalty what i needed at that moment.I having been strugling with this in ma life,i have visions dreams but am so afraid to fail.I hope from today i start thinking positively and start daring myself and have confidence i can make it .Thanks and keep the good work.
I always hop n pray 2 b like u one day.
am happy 4yu Janet.. may God continue blessing you even more.Kudos!!!
Awesome, right from the heart. You inspire me, and eveyday I go through your blog am positively impacted. God bless as you continue scaling new heights.
I read this just when i needed the motivation, allowing passion, positivity to drive you. Thank-you Janet. I will from now on dare to dream.
Congratulations Janet. You are truly an inspiration. God bless.
Congratulations to you Janet. You are trully an inspiration. God bless you.
"I thank God for showing me that when you make yourself more vulnerable and honest before Him, He hears you, He guides you, He blesses you."when i was reading this i was in tears because this is soo me and i have seen how REAL He can be. You inspire me to be a better version each day,i know SIJAFIKA thats why i keep pushing and moving.Thanks Janet for the inspiration.Hope to meet you in person some day.Congragulations.
Wow this is so inspiring Janet..I don’t have role models but I have influencers in my life..I have quite a few but you are one of them. Your confidence and the way you carry yourself as a woman is something that I admire and sometimes no matter how crazy it may sound, whenever I want to upload or update something in social media i ask myself would Janet do it? If the answer is No, then i dont..The fact that you are even open about how at some point you were so negative about yourself is so inspiring because seeing the perfect you on the screen is so hard to believe that you go through some stuff as a woman…You deserved this and iam so happy for you…Keep up being you and being and shine bright for the fellow young women like us..You are intelligent, smart, beautiful, DECENT, hardworking and a big influencer to some of us…Congratulations Janet!