Stay Driven by Oluwatofunmi

Stay Driven by Oluwatofunmi - July 2025 Scholarship Essay

The most difficult obstacle I have ever faced wasn’t failure. It was hesitation rooted in self-doubt. Throughout my life, there were multiple situations where I almost gave up on something. It wasn’t because I couldn't do it, but because I had spent so much time convincing myself that it was not worth trying. If I could give one piece of advice to my past self, it would be to never let doubt, fear, or minor inconveniences take away my drive.

Doubt can hold an intense amount of weight on someone’s mind. Doubtful thoughts are often insignificant but feel much bigger than they actually are. I remember thinking to myself that if I procrastinated too long or if I was too overwhelmed, there was no point in trying to be productive. I would let these thoughts get to me and slow the progress that I should have been making. Ironically, no matter how much uncertainty I faced, I still got things done. Looking back, I realize that my mindset caused unnecessary struggles. I had convinced myself that insignificant problems should affect how I go about my life when in reality, I was the only thing giving them power.

Living in fear made my life uneventful. I was always waiting for someone or something to give me an excuse to pursue an opportunity. I stayed in comfortable situations because I was afraid to branch out, I didn’t ask questions because I was afraid of judgement, and I would not try anything new because I feared failure. This mentality held me back from so much. It was a response to fear, the fear of stepping out of my comfort zone. I needed to realize that confidence is built through experience and doesn’t come from waiting around.

Time has taught me that circumstances do not have to be perfect for me to be motivated. If I had continued to wait for an ideal situation to appear, I wouldn’t have accomplished the things I have today. The key is to stay driven, regardless of any obstacle you may encounter. I would tell my past self this because if she had learned this sooner, I know she would have accomplished even more. This piece of advice is not only for my past, but for my present and future.