I’m walking from my hostel to class when a thought drops into my mind. It lingers as I settle into my seat, and I wonder how I’d inform my parents.

I look at it in two ways. I can’t possibly drop out of law and start another course. That would mean starting over from year 2, and I’m in year 4. But I can manage to finish without an extra year and then not go to law school.

The second way is the most reasonable. And I tell my parents. They agree. They’re in support. I’m relieved knowing I won’t be going to law school. The struggle with my grades will be over once I’m done with uni.

It’s the semester break, and I’m home. A lawyer from my church visits, and my parents summon me. I know what it’s about. I sit in the living room, my hands clasped between my legs, listening to the lawyer as he gives reasons for me to go to law school. His words float around in my mind, but I push them out, still insistent on my decision. I am livid, but I can’t show it. My parents have agreed, so why are they changing their minds now?

The loud and constant fear of failure consumes me, my academic performance fuelling the fire. What if I can’t cope with the pressure? What if I don’t do well in my internship? What if I have to retake my bar exams? But I end up going to law school anyway.

Then COVID strikes. And it comes as a respite to me. I don’t have to deal with pressure as I’m studying from home. I don’t go for the internship because of the lockdown. I didn’t retake my bar exams because I had enough time to prepare for them.

It’s been four years now. And I’m glad I went to law school. Not because I’m practising as a lawyer, but because I learned resilience in the face of fear. Even if I never step foot in court for a day in my life, my law school experience is not a waste.

I was forced to face my fears, I did it anyway, and I’m the better for it. I’m riding on the waves of resilience I built doing what I didn’t want to do now that I’m doing what I love. I sometimes fear that I’ll fail at a project or task, but I know how to silence that fear and do it anyway.

So, what fear are you carrying around in your business? What decision is still shadowed by doubt? Tell that story. It might be the one your audience needs to hear.

Here’s a guide to help you tell your story:

• Think of the core message you want to share with your audience.
• Think back to an experience that shaped you; there might be several, but choose the most relevant one.
• Craft your story and share it before linking it to your message.

Your story doesn’t have to be perfect; You just need to be vulnerable and authentic.