“Being relevant seems really important. We equate it with being included, valued, connected, important, successful, happy, young, and cool. But does being relevant actually equal or give you access to any of those things? Well — not necessarily.” These were the words of Sarah Firth. Let’s reflect on being relevant rather than seeking relevance.
Do you know that instead of striving for recognition or appearing relevant, you should rather focus on genuine contributions to society and any place you belong? According to John Fawole, “There is this inherent yearning in the heart of every man to be seen, heard, and known.” While that yearning may tempt you to struggle for recognition and try to draw attention to yourself, focusing on excellence and intrinsic value may allow your relevance to naturally emerge. The value of your work or contribution should come from its inherent worth, not from external validation or fleeting trends. According to Sarah Firth, “Chasing relevancy and popularity in personal, social and creative realms can feel hollow. Not only that, it can take you away from making, investing in and nurturing the things that are really meaningful and nourishing to you. Being overly focused on trying to be relevant (rather than just doing your thing) is also exhausting. It means always being vigilant, always watching trends, and always considering the opinions, likes, and dislikes of others.”
So, enhance your capacity to add value, make positive differences, be authentic, and strive to build something meaningful. Reject the temptation to try to constantly adapt to trends, seek external validation, and be recognized on the basis of what you wear instead of who you are and the positive impact you make on the lives of others and the society. As Fawole said, be conscious that “You cannot go around to vy for respect, honour, and relevance when people do not really see anything tangible in you.” Therefore, heed the advice of a source: “The key is to dedicate yourself to creating something truly valuable and meaningful, whether it’s a piece of art, a product, a contribution to a community, or a way of living.” Strive for authenticity over conformity. As a source added, focus on being true to yourself and your values. Unlike what many think, be aware that your genuine self will attract those who resonate with you better than unnecessary striving to be “noticed.”
As you step out, reject the temptation to measure how successful you are based on your popularity. Rather, explore what is much more stable and satisfying by defining your own measures of success. Don’t forget, as Firth noted, “Placing success and standards of ‘good enough’ and ‘cool enough’ in the hands of others is like chasing a mirage.”
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Prof. (Engr.) Esang Esitikot is a professor of occupational health and safety, a COREN-registed chemical engineer, public affairs analyst, UN Ambassador for Peace, certified management consultant, World Safety Organization Ambassador, recognized Environmental Ambassador, marriage counsellor, youth mentor, reviewer for some international research journals and volunteer lecturer at the Institute of Health, Safety, Security and Environment, University of Uyo. He is a manager in the oil and gas industry and was recognized by Highstone Global University, USA as the occupational health and safety personality of 2024. He can be contacted via 08035103559 (Whatsapp only) or email (esitikot@gmail.com).
