Last Saturday I attended a very interesting Zoom session of #HelloZafigo hosted by Marina Mahathir with Datuk Nicol David and Yuna Trailblazers: Succeeding Your Way In The World. In this post, I share my thoughts and four things learned from the session.
Datuk Nicol David hails from Penang, where I grew up. Saw her a couple of times at local nasi kandar restaurants with her friends and family. A big global name in squash (and sports), yet when approached by curious locals – she made friendly, small talks with them. As for Yuna, I used to listen to her songs – love her first album and this song of hers.
Both are fortune to have very supportive parents and teams. And I admire them both for their work ethics and dedication in pursuing their passions.
The following are four main things I learned from listening to the 90-minute #HelloZafigo session with the trailblazers:
#1 What did you find most challenging and how do you overcome that?
The two biggest challenges for Yuna are: Finding her voice, that is her brand, in the vast American music industry – and to fit in certain music categories. The second one is being away from home and adapting to different lifestyles and social life.
“Be confident and own it.” So after four years there, Yuna decided to make Los Angeles her real base and said to herself, “I work very hard for this. Yes, I deserve this – I deserve to grow as an artiste.” Minute 38.
The biggest challenge for Nicol is working harder at every tournament to remain the world’s Number 1. She kept on learning, tweaking and improving her game. An amazing position she achieved at 22 years of age and held for 112 months (9+ years!). Minute 41.
My take: Positive self-talk is good to remind oneself of the arduous journey – from where you were to where you are now. You deserve every bit of the sweet taste of success. Take a moment to savour it, but don’t dwell too long in it.
The next level often requires slightly different sets of skills to deal with new challenges.
#2 What is your X-factor?
What is the secret ingredient that allows you to break into the global scene and puts you above the rest? came a question from the audience. Minute 44.
Yuna: Confidence. It’s about going out and do things.
People around her told her that she couldn’t do it. Their ‘lack of enthusiasm’ (alaa… tak payah lah… tak bagi semangat) could make one feel not doing it, or going for it…
So believe in yourself that you can do it.
My take: I can relate to Yuna when she mentioned about the ‘lack of enthusiasm’ coming from people around her. To be honest, it’s a typical mindset here – to be easily contented with what is… until recently, the pandemic disrupt many ‘old’ ways of doing things.
Many trailblazers disrupt ‘old’ ways to re-imagine a better world. As individuals and/or a group/organisation.
I imagine it must have been quite challenging and brave to ‘break away from the mould’. Having very supportive parents, family and friends definitely helps a lot here.
As I’ve mentioned in this post to fresh pharmacy graduates:
Go out there, do it and learn from the experience
– and hopefully applicable to any fresh grads who are looking for jobs in this uncertain time.
#3 Dealing with negativity – people’s comments
Marina Mahathir posted this question from an attendee: How do you deal with people’s comments like why didn’t you hire a local coach instead… or dealing with naysayers?
To Nicol, having an instant connection with her coach is quite important. And her coach was open to her learning from other coaches, styles – to continue building and supporting her growth as a great squash player.
In dealing with negative comments, Nicol advised that it’s about deciding what matters to us (our wants, needs and what work best for us) – since no one knows better than ourselves. Minute 48.
My take: It is interesting that we’d sit for about 17+ years in schools, universities learning a lot about others and things around us. However, we pay less attention learning about oneself. I believe the knowledge about oneself is key to confidence, which is important in navigating this world.
#4 Dealing with negativity – racism, sexism
Yuna’s approach to dealing with negativity (racism, name-calling etc encountered during her tour) as she put it very well “Ookayy, you see it, you hear it but you just carry on… and don’t let it affect your life and work. And you must keep on going.” Minute 50.
I find Minute 52 onwards to be quite inspirational when Yuna related her experiences with sexism and music executives attempting to change her looks, the way she dresses as a Muslim and her creative direction.
Yuna addressed situations faced by many younger female artistes who fear that they can’t go forward if they don’t do so… for example, if asked to do certain things against one’s will – one that could involve sexual harassment.
Her advice is that if you feel it’s going towards an undesired situation, quickly remove yourself from such situation.
She stressed that it is very important to:
Stand your ground and say, No.
It’s okay. Your opportunity will come.
My take on #3 & #4: Sound advice to many women out there, not just in the music industry but also other careers – involving work-life balance.
It’s about setting healthy professional and personal boundaries–and not to get them mixed up or taken advantage of. The boundaries are invisible and negotiable depending on situations and people. Their main purpose is to protect you and keep you and your relationships with others healthy – in terms of physical, emotional and mental health states.
Don’t feel guilty when it comes to exerting your own boundaries.
Learn to listen and trust your gut feelings, your own voice.
It’s 110% okay to say, No.
Last but not least, quoting Yuna:
Don’t wait for tomorrow. Tomorrow is not promised to you… Start now. Keep on making music…
If you don’t know how, there are ways to learn (youtube, online classes). The best way to start is by start locally… and don’t skip that.
Yuna, #HelloZafigo: Trailblazers: Succeeding Your Way In The World, Minute 46
Since Zafigo is a platform for women travellers in Asia, and it seemed that Yuna & Nicol have travelled extensively – I was hoping they could share some tips for women travellers. Something that I am interested in =)
However, the questions posted on the FB weren’t seen by the host… 😕 Well, anyway…
Great host, excellent sharing session by Datuk Nicol David and Yuna. Good energy abound. Personal stories were well-articulated and on-the-point.*
Younger generations who aspire to a greater height in life and career – would certainly benefit learning from the trailblazers, Datuk Nicol David and Yuna.
A different mindset at the beginning of the next level is a pre-requisite to continue blazing the trail
If you’ve missed it, you can watch with the video here. You can also read more about them on Zafigo.
*Since you have come this far, you might be interested to read about Prof. Datuk Asma Ismail, a woman of many firsts, a trailblazer in the academic world*
#hellozafigo #zafigo #women #womencareer #trailblazer #nicoldavid #yuna #advices
*Such sharing session hardly need any slides; instead, I think, having slides would spoil it… 😉
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