Saying Yes When Everything in Me Wanted to Say No

I never thought one decision would change the entire trajectory of my career.

My first big entry into the multinational world started in Senegal. My world expanded overnight. I was surrounded by brilliant people from all walks of life, different ways of thinking, and new perspectives not just on work, but on life.

Joining such a structured, global environment made me feel that my ambition had no limits. I loved it. It gave me a sense of ownership I had never experienced before. That was P&G. And the best part? I was still living close to my family, working in the P&G Senegal office.

But less than one year after joining, everything changed. The Senegal office closed, and I was told I had to move to Nigeria.

At that time, Nigeria was not on my list of dream destinations. It felt messy, noisy, and unstructured to me. I couldn’t understand how people combined so many foods on one plate. My choice was clear: stay in security with family in Dakar, or stretch myself into the unknown.

I said yes.

It was one of the hardest moves I’ve ever made, culture, environment, and work all changed overnight, with no family support. Some of my colleagues said no, and I can’t blame them.

But looking back, that yes opened more doors than I could have ever imagined. It made me rare in a pool where few dared to go. It built resilience. It taught me that hustle can be a positive word, that working hard and wanting more isn’t shameful.

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Lessons I carry with me:

• Growth often happens in discomfort but enjoy the ride, and take what’s good from each phase.
• Every decision carries risk; you can’t know the full outcome in the present moment. What matters is giving your best so that whatever outcome comes, it becomes the best one for you.
• Saying yes when others say no can make you stand out in ways you don’t immediately see.

That one decision shaped my path as a leader and a change maker.

👉🏾 Your Turn:
Have you ever said yes to something that scared you? That didn’t look “perfect” but ended up changing your career or life?

I’d love to read your story in the following link.

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