09 - Humiliated at a Potbelly (and other cheerful stories of learning humility on the path to living one’s life purpose)
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Episode Overview
As a child, Segun Olagunju prayed for wisdom, which is the only thing that can explain a 20-something recognizing that if he’s going to make a difference in the world (Nigeria, in particular), he’s going to work backwards from being a 50-something changemaker in 2035.
Setting out on a 30-year journey to learn business, leadership, French and return to his home country strategically, Segun realizes the path is anything but straight.
Worse, it’s anything but *forward.*
Through a series of humbling experiences (“only out of humiliation comes humility,” he says), Segun learns that if you’re pursuing a meaningful purpose in life, these setbacks are minor blips—and even laughable rabbit trails—in a life with a clear direction.
Upon second thought, it makes sense that a life following a North Star will occasionally take you down from mountains that you climbed and through muddy bogs in your way— and this is to say nothing of the inevitable trips and falls that come with going somewhere and doing more than just staying put.
But how do we even find our North Stars? Segun has wisdom to offer for that as well. As a leadership coach for individuals and organizations, Segun offers a few exercises we can do to find out what might be our purpose in life. We hope you’ll listen and give his tips a try.
Episode Links
Unison Solutions (formerly eFacil)
Question of the Day
What’s one of your most embarrassing moments that led to you feeling proud of your resolve to overcome it?
*tell us in the comments or email us at info@ilnppod.com
Books
Love Your Enemies by Arthur C. Brooks
The Dream Giver by Bruce Wilkinson
Homo Deus by Yuval Harari
Grit by Angela Duckworth
Episode Highlights
[9:57] - Story of failure
[24:52] - What is happiness?
[29:10] - When a job finds you and humbles you
[38:35] - When searching, write a letter to your friends and family and tell them what you’re looking for
[42:30] - What is the African Leadership Academy (ALA)
[44:40] - Segun and Fin met in Narnia
[46:40] - Writing and sharing your manifesto, leaping forward in an organization
[56:00] - Segun influences schools around the globe
[58:12] - Finding your next purpose work
[67:45] - When your purpose shifts away from your vocation and to your family
[1:13:33] - Tools
- Transition Email
- Manifesto
-Work Backward Press Release
-Strategic Outcomes Worksheet
10 episodi