When I got my first job in 2006, it was with a telecommunications company that handled advertising for various companies. Some of the staff were occasionally featured in the ads, depending on their skills. There was one lady in particular who was regularly chosen. She had an incredible voice and spoke in a polished, Queen’s English accent. I admired her so much that I began trying to imitate her. I believed that if I didn’t speak like her, I wouldn’t be considered talented enough for advertisement roles.
But then something unexpected happened that completely changed my thinking.
Our team had been working hard to land a big project with JAMB, and after much effort, we finally got it. Everyone assumed our boss would pick the same lady to front the ad, as usual. But to everyone’s surprise, including mine, I was chosen instead. When the announcement came, I was stunned. My colleagues were too.
Why was I chosen? This particular advert didn’t require any speaking at all. It was purely visual, just someone sitting confidently at a computer, typing on the keyboard and demonstrating. I was selected because of my appearance and confidence. I was always well-dressed, and my nails were neatly manicured, exactly the look they wanted. So, I featured in the Jamb advert of 2006 through Teleserve Company.
Though I worked there for just 3 months and resigned because I was always sent for marketing, which I never liked, I left with a powerful lesson. I am unique and have my strengths. I didn’t need to copy anyone else or put on a fake accent to fit in. What I naturally had was valuable in its way. From that moment, I stopped trying to become someone I wasn’t and shifted the energy to developing the gifts within me.
Dear young one,
We live in a world full of comparison and competition, it’s easy to fall into the trap of measuring your worth by what others have. It may be talent, appearance, creativity, confidence, wealth, social approval and so on. But the truth is, what makes you different, makes you special.
Someone can inspire you or motivate you to be a better person, but you don’t need to look, act or talk like someone to be amazing. You have your gifts, talents and personality and guess what? The person you admire might be looking at you and thinking the same. It’s okay to appreciate people, but idolising them or obsessing over what they have is bad and can be misleading.
Copying others makes you disconnect from your true self. It might bring a short-term admiration, not a long-term fulfilment. You’re not behind, you’re becoming you, and that’s more than enough.
Your journey is unique.
Your gift matters.
You are powerful in your own way.
Focus on what you have.
Your real power lies in discovering your value, nurturing your own gifts, and embracing your own journey. When you do this, you unlock a deep well of self-worth, joy, and purpose.
Therefore, it’s about what you have, not what they have. So look within. What you find in you is not only enough, it is remarkable.
It’s enough!
You need them!!
The world needs them!!!
✍️ Amara Ann Unachukwu
