When You're Lost, Pursue Yourself | Khairani Ashry | TEDxAnggerek Desa Youth

Summary

The speaker reflects on their journey of self-discovery, highlighting the struggles and uncertainties they faced growing up. Despite not excelling academically, they found fulfillment in building a personal shopping business, overcoming societal pressure to pursue traditional career paths. The speaker emphasizes the importance of listening to one's inner voice and finding joy in personal ventures. They share how they overcame self-doubt and societal expectations, ultimately realizing that success is not about following a set plan but creating a life aligned with one's values and passions.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker reflects on not knowing what they wanted to do with their life as a student and how they enjoyed the present without a clear future plan.
• 😀 Despite being in a prestigious school, the speaker was not academically exceptional and didn't fit the traditional model of success in education.
• 😀 The speaker felt pressured by friends, parents, and teachers to focus on academics but found fulfillment in extracurricular activities like singing and being involved in school events.
• 😀 Unlike their peers who had set career goals, the speaker struggled to define their future, feeling uncertain and disconnected from conventional career paths.
• 😀 The speaker started a small business selling clothes, initially just as a fun hobby, but it eventually grew into a legitimate business venture after turning 18.
• 😀 Through trial and error, the speaker explored different ways to monetize their business and learned about personal shopping, realizing there was a demand for it.
• 😀 The speaker expanded their business by building a community and focusing on providing value to their followers, sharing personal insights and key learnings from various events.
• 😀 Despite facing cultural resistance to entrepreneurship in Brunei, where business ownership is seen as unstable, the speaker persisted, driven by their inner voice and passion for the work.
• 😀 The speaker encountered doubt and criticism from family about the difficulties of running a business, but they found fulfillment in following their own path.
• 😀 A key realization for the speaker was that life is about choosing which 'hard' path to take — whether it's the challenge of entrepreneurship or the ease of staying in a comfortable, predictable life.
• 😀 The speaker concludes by encouraging others who are uncertain about their future to look inward and ask themselves what truly brings them joy, as the journey to finding one's path is unique and may take time.

Q & A

What is the central theme of the speaker's journey?

The central theme of the speaker's journey is self-discovery and finding fulfillment by listening to one's inner voice, rather than conforming to external expectations. The speaker navigates personal struggles, academic challenges, and societal pressure to ultimately create a life that aligns with their passions and values.

How did the speaker initially struggle with their academic journey?

The speaker struggled academically during their A-levels, feeling disconnected from the academic path and not excelling as a student. They were caught between enjoying life and academic pressures, often missing classes and focusing more on extracurricular activities like singing and stage performances.

What role did the speaker's academic background play in their entrepreneurial journey?

Despite not being academically brilliant, the speaker's prestigious school background provided them with credibility and an advantage in the eyes of potential clients and the wider community. The school’s reputation was later leveraged when the speaker started their business venture, as it opened doors for them in university admissions and beyond.

How did the speaker transition from academic struggles to entrepreneurship?

The speaker transitioned into entrepreneurship by starting a personal business venture in the form of thrifting. Initially driven by fun and a need to manage their clothing collection, this venture grew into a serious business. Over time, they discovered the fulfillment of delivering products to customers, and eventually registered the business officially when they turned 18.

What was the significance of the speaker turning 18 in their entrepreneurial journey?

Turning 18 marked the moment when the speaker was legally able to register their business. They considered this a personal milestone and a birthday gift to themselves, marking the shift from a casual hobby to a formal business venture with responsibilities.

What challenges did the speaker face while running their business?

The speaker faced internal and external challenges, including societal judgment about the instability of entrepreneurship in Brunei and familial concerns about the difficulty of managing a business. There was also the challenge of balancing the business with personal satisfaction and staying motivated despite setbacks.

What role did the speaker’s community play in their business?

The speaker’s community, which grew to nearly 10,000 members, was a vital part of their business strategy. It was not just a customer base but also a source of value-sharing, where the speaker offered insights and personal learnings from their experiences. This community became a space to connect, share, and create mutual support beyond mere transactions.

How did the speaker’s approach to entrepreneurship differ from the societal norms in Brunei?

In Brunei, owning a business is often seen as an unstable career choice, with many opting for government jobs due to their perceived stability and benefits. The speaker challenged this societal norm by choosing entrepreneurship as their path, believing it brought them joy and fulfillment, even when it was difficult.

What is the core message the speaker wants to convey in their speech?

The core message is to encourage others, particularly those feeling lost or uncertain, to look inward and ask themselves what truly brings them joy and fulfillment. The speaker emphasizes that life is about choosing your own challenges and finding your own path, rather than following predefined societal expectations.

How does the speaker use the quote from Robert Greene's '48 Laws of Power' in their conclusion?

The speaker uses the quote from Robert Greene to emphasize the importance of creating one's own identity and rejecting societal pressures. The quote underscores the speaker’s belief in forging a path that is true to oneself and not simply accepting roles or definitions imposed by others.