This familiar phrase is one of my earliest memories. When I was 13 (13 years ago), I was running to be head of my school council, and we had to make speeches. Such a coveted role couldn't just be given to anyone, you had to win to get it. That election Monday, I made sure my blazer was ironed, I pressed on my black cotton trousers just that little bit longer to make sure all creases were out; this was going to be a big day. After breakfast, which admittedly was rushed, I ran down the stairs, picked up my bag and was ready to go. Just before I stepped out the front door, hand still on the knob, I heard my mum say 'you can do it'. She was often asleep because of night shifts but that day, she was up and her simple encouragement was all I needed. She believed in me and so as the door shut behind me, I believed in me.
…I won that election and the one after that and after that. Every single one of my wins in life has been punctuated with someone telling 'you can do it'. Someone believing in me, even before I believed in myself. These four words have at times been the wind in my sails. When I needed to hear those words the most, they have often not come from me but someone else.
This is the motivation for this mailing list. I want to start an authentic community of people who would help each other achieve the greatness they know is inside. I want to peel back the curtains and show you that even the people you look up to need to hear others say they can do it. We all need help and I have been fortunate in my life to have had a lot of it.
This mailing list is my opportunity to tell over 480 people every week that 'They Can Do It'. I want to share my stories, failures and thoughts with you so that you may be able to extract meaning from them and leave this reading, more confident, compassionate and certain.
Throughout the weeks, I will share with you stories from my childhood, stories I buried in the recess of my mind. Stories you won't believe and stories that will help you learn life-changing things. I will make sure every word you read from this mailing list is worth it. I will make sure they matter.
In return, I want you to share with me too. Connect. Tell me your stories and let me know if it’s helping you!
Oh, also tell 1 people this week 'you can do it'
M.T. Omoniyi
Thank you Mike, looking forward to this! 👏🏾