What does it take to rise from obscurity to significance? To break past ceilings- some visible, others invisible- and step into spaces where few like you have gone before? This week, we reflect on the habits, attitudes, and mindset that consistently show up in the lives of women who have made it against the odds. Their stories are not just inspirational; they are instructional.
Take Kemi Nandap, for instance. Born in Zaria in 1966, she began her journey like many young Nigerian women- armed with a dream and a solid education. From studying Biochemistry at the University of Ilorin to climbing the ranks in the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), her story is one of grit, excellence, and service. Her tenure at the Murtala Muhammed Airport saw a crack-down on human trafficking and notable improvements in security. Despite being only the third woman to head the NIS, she stands today as Comptroller-General- a position once deemed impossible for women like her.
What’s her secret? It’s not just her qualifications. It’s the mindset she carried, the habits she honed, and the resilience she showed.
1. Growth Mindset
Women who excel believe they can grow, evolve, and improve. They see failure not as a dead end but as feedback. Whether it’s Kemi Nandap reforming systems at the NIS or Chimamanda Adichie rejecting the status quo in literature, these women push boundaries because they believe in becoming better each day.
Chimamanda’s journey from a university student in Nigeria to a globally celebrated writer is underpinned by a firm belief in her voice. Her books like Half of a Yellow Sun and Americanah reshape African narratives, not by chance, but by a mindset trained on excellence and expression.
2. Resilience
Every success story is laced with trials. Viola Davis, now an EGOT-winning actress, spent her early years in abject poverty. She recalls rummaging through garbage bins for food and living in rat-infested apartments. But she chose not to let her past define her potential. Resilience was her weapon. She once said, “All dreams are within reach. All you have to do is keep moving towards them.”
3. Self-Discipline
Dreams without discipline are just wishes. From waking up early, staying focused during hard seasons, to making consistent progress, successful women practice restraint and commitment. Ibukun Awosika, the first female Chair of First Bank Nigeria, built her enterprise brick by brick. Her company, The Chair Centre Group, was born from a commitment to excellence and consistency even when the market was tough.
4. Networking
Success does not happen in isolation. Women who rise seek out communities and relationships that pour into their growth. Whether through formal mentorships or peer support, they create bridges. Chimamanda often credits her writing workshops in Nigeria and the U.S. for helping hone her storytelling.
5. Continuous Learning
Despite being at the top of their careers, these women never stop learning. Viola Davis went from theatre to television and film, constantly evolving. Ibukun Awosika has pursued courses at prestigious institutions like Lagos Business School and IESE Business School. The desire to learn more is what keeps them relevant.
Unlocking Potential
To unlock your full potential as a woman today:
- Set clear, actionable goals. Don’t just dream, plan.
- Take calculated risks. It might be launching a blog, switching careers, or moving cities.
- Prioritize your health and well-being. You can’t pour from an empty cup.
- Seek mentorship. Learn from those ahead of you.
- Celebrate your wins. Every small step matters.
These women didn’t wait for perfect conditions. They built as they walked. They created as they learned. They evolved as they healed. And they rose not just for themselves, but for every girl watching.
Their lives whisper the same message: “You can too.”
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