From Service to Value: The Journey That Transforms You



Life’s recent events and experiences have stirred within me a desire to write about the importance of service. 

I am a self-proclaimed steward, and I believe service is the crux of everything. My focus is on young people, especially undergraduates because as a recent graduate, I understand how our views are shaped by our experiences. 

I have something to share, and whether you already know what I’m about to say or not, I encourage you to read on. Almost everything in life holds relevance; we may need to sift and weigh, but nearly everything carries importance.

I entered university as a teenager—a diamond in the rough (and honestly, I still am, but I’m gradually coming into form). I encountered people, systems, beliefs, and lifestyles that shaped me. 

Before I left secondary school, my teachers gave me the popular advice: “Don’t just let the university pass through you; pass through the university too.” I was determined to follow this, even though I had no idea what it truly meant or how to begin. But most importantly, I had determination.

Determination, even in the midst of uncertainty, was my guiding light. Soon, my reality started to align with my desires. 

I joined the Junior Chamber International (JCI) chapter in my university. Before I was even fully inducted, I registered for a leadership academy called Harmony Academy. The theme that year was “Be Made to Make”—a life-changing catalyst for me. 

Three years and six months later, I can now affirm that we are shaped best for sustainable and long-term impact through service. Service is one of the most important ways we are made to make.

I was passionate about serving—serving my local organization while positively impacting my immediate environment. But I was clueless. I had no particular skills, and I lacked confidence. All I had was determination. 

Six months into JCI, I was appointed Executive Secretary. The responsibilities felt like a foreign language because nearly everything required of me was unfamiliar. I had never drafted meeting agendas, taken minutes, or sent official emails before—but I was willing to learn.

For a year and four months, I consistently carried out my duties. I don’t need to tell you that by the end of my tenure, I was no longer clueless or lacking confidence. I got so good at it that, during a General Assembly, my minutes were adopted as presented—something that JCI members know is no small feat.

Now, I won’t advocate for simply doing things just to feel like you belong. True success doesn’t come from doing alone—it comes from serving with the understanding that you have something valuable to contribute. 

You have something that no one else but you can offer. And I’m not just talking about ideas—it could be your drive, your ability to learn from others’ strengths and weaknesses, and your capacity to maneuver situations for success. 

Know that wherever your heart is, there is a place for you there. Whether you start with clarity or cluelessness, you have something to serve.

The mindset behind what you do and how it helps others is where true success lies. There is no greater fulfillment than that which comes from offering value to others.

Currently, I am refining the skills I gained from serving to become a highly sought-after Executive & Virtual Assistant—helping high-level leaders achieve 10x productivity and efficiency in their operations. 

To become a high-level leader, you must have systems in place. I know that, and I believe I have something to offer. There are countless Executive & Virtual Assistants out there, but my journey is unique. 

There are people who need the way I serve and what I bring to the table. Now, I have something I can sell to the world—something to leverage for impact (and impact isn’t just about feeding the poor; it comes in many forms). But it all started from a place of service. A place of cluelessness. A place of determination.

And now, it’s clear—people will pay for the value I bring. But my foundation was, and still is, service.

Here are five key takeaways I don't want you to miss:

  1. Service equals value. A valuable person is someone with something (service) to offer.
  2. To serve, you only need determination. Determination takes you from the known to the unknown. Trust the process, and everything will fall into place.
  3. Opportunities to serve often come unexpectedly. Don’t fail to grab them. Don’t let the mindset of “I don’t know how” hold you back. Remember, determination is key.
  4. You never know when or where your service will serve you. Just keep showing up.
  5. Everyone is a steward. We all serve in different ways—serve correctly today!

By the way, Harmony Academy 2025 registration is ongoing! Interested? Click the link below to register—you can attend even if you are not a member of JCI University of Ilorin.

Harmony Academy 2025

Also, I am a budding Executive & Virtual Assistant, passionate about helping busy people optimize their operations for efficiency and achieve 10x productivity. I specialize in executive support, including:

  • Calendar management
  • Email and inbox management
  • Meeting planning
  • Agenda preparation
  • Minutes taking
  • Travel planning and booking
  • Content and social media management
  • Stakeholder management
  • Project management

I bring my best to the table, and I’m all about delivering value (results) for your investment.

Need my services? Kindly send an email to julianaolayide19@gmail.com.

Until next time—keep showing up, keep giving your best, keep serving!

My name is The Olayide Juliana, a steward. I firmly believe that light shed, knowledge shared, and beliefs reviewed can make both me and the world a better place.

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