Instructor
John Karume
Life Skills Practitioner at YouSuccess Kenya
About me
My Kids Years
From a young age, I developed a strong affinity for computers and graphic design. Although I derived enjoyment from engaging in creative pursuits, my aspirations were limited to envisioning a conventional and secure office position at a prominent corporation, as that seemed to align with societal expectations of adulthood.
Basic Education Years
Upon completing high school, I found myself lacking direction and awareness of available opportunities. Consequently, I decided to pursue a course in Hotel Management & Administration in collaboration with the International Hotel Association in Kenya, primarily influenced by the flourishing tourism industry and the promising prospects it offered in the field of hospitality. This decision, however, deviated from my true passion for computers and graphics. Nonetheless, I remained committed to nurturing my interest in these areas by collaborating with my peers who were pursuing computer science.
Higher Education Years
After completing my secondary education, I made the decision to pursue a degree in Hotel Management and Administration at KUC. Subsequently, I sought to enhance my skills by enrolling in a program focused on Tourism and Hospitality Management at USIU-A. In retrospect, I now question the necessity of obtaining these college and university certifications in order to achieve my current level of success.
The university experience proved to be challenging, particularly as I dedicated a significant amount of time to the computer labs in order to acquire a comprehensive understanding of computing. While I found the study of Hospitality to be enjoyable, I couldn't help but feel that there was something lacking in my education.
After Graduation
Upon completion of my academic studies, I was fortunate enough to secure a position at a prominent company within the airline industry. Throughout my tenure, I had the opportunity to explore various departments until I eventually found myself leading the Think Tank Team within the Department. This experience served as a catalyst for my personal digital transformation, unveiling my true purpose in life and augmenting my skills in Business Process Management and IT. Motivated by a passion for both digital art and enhancing business processes, I became engrossed in developing solutions that would optimize efficiency across different sections of the department. Subsequently, I embarked on a journey of experimentation, continuously refining my skills and expanding my portfolio through each project undertaken. Although the initial outcomes were not exceptional, I utilized these endeavors as valuable learning opportunities, further enriching my expertise in the field.
Key things I have learned
Here are a few key takeaways I have learned over the years. They’ve come in handy for me, hopefully they’ll come in handy for you too.
Find your Purpose in Life
The combination of a successful career, a loving family, and a strong social network may seem like the recipe for a perfect life. However, even those who can check each of those boxes might feel like something is missing—and that “something” is their purpose in life. “Finding your purpose” is more than just a cliché or a dream that will never be fulfilled. It’s actually a tool for better, happier, healthier life that too few people attempt to use.
Donate Time, Money, or Talent
If there’s just one habit you can create to help you find your purpose, it would be helping others. This I do best. This could include but not limited to donating money to causes you care about, or simply helping out the people around you on a day-to-day basis. Whether you decide to spend two Saturdays a month serving meals in a hospital, or you volunteer to drive your elderly neighbor to the market once a week, doing something kind for others can make you feel as though your life has meaning
Listen to Feedback
It can be hard to recognize the things you feel passionate about sometimes. After all, you probably like to do many different things and the things you love to do may have become so ingrained in your life that you don’t realize how important those things are. Fortunately, other people might be able to give you some insight. There’s a good chance you’re already displaying your passion and purpose to those around you without even realizing it. You might choose to reach out to people and ask what reminds them of you or what they think of when you enter their mind. Or you might take note when someone pays you a compliment or makes an observation about you. Write those observations down and look for patterns. Whether people think of you as “a great entertainer” or they say “you have a passion for helping the elderly,” hearing others say what they notice about you might reinforce some of the passions you’ve already been engaging in
Surround Yourself With Positive People
As the saying goes, you are the company you keep. What do you have in common with the people who you choose to be around? Don’t think about co-workers or family members you feel obligated to see. Think about the people you choose to spend time with outside of work and outside of family functions. The people you surround yourself with say something about you. If you’re surrounded by people who are making positive change, you might draw from their inspiration. On the other hand, if the people around you are negative individuals who drag you down, you might want to make some changes. It’s hard to feel passionate and purposeful when you’re surrounded by people who aren’t interested in making positive contributions.
Less is more
Web & Graphic Design can be a subjective and creative art form, but it’s also logical and scientific. While i like to craft masterpieces , i also believe that every detail of my product should have a specific purpose and should earn its place. Less is definitely more when it comes to web & graphic design. Start small and add only what’s needed.
Keep learning and challenging yourself
In any profession, it’s easy to stagnate and get comfortable. It’s important for you to read and absorb as much as you can to stay passionate about your skill or talent and to continue to challenge yourself and those around you. You should try to set aside some time each morning to read and learn something new.