Let’s normalize not having it all figured out at 30
..and what to do when you don’t know what to do
Hey rockstar! Welcome to issue #68 of OnGrowth&, a weekly newsletter on personal development and career growth for 9 to 5ers, career switchers, emerging leaders, and early-stage creators.
Someone sent this to me last month and it got me thinking about navigating life before/past 30.
In the past twelve years, I’ve worn many different career hats (from frontend dev to now partnerships) across multiple industries (from energy to tech) and a few stops in between.
Unlike many of my close friends, I wasn’t always sure where my career was headed. At age 30, I was on my fifth career pivot. That’s a lot of uncertainty.
But it’s also taught me lessons I wouldn’t trade for anything.
So, what do you do when you don’t know what to do?
Here are six things that helped me find direction when I didn’t have a clear map:
Normalize Uncertainty: We love to pretend everyone has a neat five-year plan, but most of us (including me) don’t. And that’s okay. Not knowing doesn’t mean you’re failing; it means you’re exploring. The moment you accept that, the anxiety lifts.
Courage: Every pivot takes guts. People will question you; some will whisper, others will laugh. But courage is choosing to move anyway. Being “different” often looks strange at first… until it works.
Inner Compass: Your gut is your best strategist. I’ve ignored mine in the past and paid for it. When I finally started trusting it (even when I couldn’t fully explain why), I found myself in rooms and opportunities that logic alone wouldn’t have led me to.
Curiosity: Curiosity is underrated. Every product you use, every tool you rely on, started with someone asking a “silly” question. Follow the things that spark your interest, even if they don’t make sense right now. Curiosity is often the breadcrumb trail to clarity.
Be a Little Crazy: Playing it safe doesn’t always move you forward. A friend once begged people to let her manage their LinkedIn pages. No one said yes. So, she started with her own. Four months later, she landed her first ghostwriting client. A month after that, she was pulling in 3-figure dollar jobs consistently. That kind of “crazy” paid off. Don’t wait for permission; sometimes you have to show up for yourself first.
Community: Being part of a community is one of the most overlooked hacks for career growth. The people around you are not the only ones who can help you grow. There is always more. Find more by expanding your scope of reach through volunteering and events.
Start Small: Volunteer
One of the first Google community events I attended was through a STEM nonprofit where I volunteered for two years.
I even wrote a blogpost about it back in 2017: Google Women Techmakers Lagos.
That one event expanded my mindset, connected me with amazing people, and opened doors I couldn’t have imagined.
Since that event, I’ve organized several events of my own and spoken at five different Google events, including delivering a keynote.
Here’s the thing: you don’t need to have it all figured out. What matters is that you keep moving. Keep learning, keep showing up and the dots will connect eventually.
And speaking of small steps that lead to bigger doors…
I’ve got something special for early and mid-career people in product and tech (and if you’re curious or thinking of pivoting into product, this is also for you 👇🏾)
The Dive 2025 is here!
When I organized my very first event for STEM women back in 2019, Tobi Otokiti (Product Dive’s founder) was one of our speakers.
Fast forward a few years. We’ve both navigated career changes, grown through the ranks, and today, we’re both VPs building teams and scaling impact in our respective companies.
That’s why I couldn’t be more thrilled to partner with Product Dive for the upcoming Dive 2025 Conference, especially to reach more early-career professionals in product and tech.
If there’s anything I know about Tobi, it’s her intentionality to help other people build sustainable Product Careers. So I know this isn’t a “run-of-the-mill" type of event. It’s designed to equip you with practical tools, connect you with product leaders, and even help you explore career opportunities.
🎟 Tickets for early-career folks (Explorer Access) are currently going for ₦20,000 but with my code PDDWAM2K you get 10% off (₦18,000). Valid until Sept 8th.
And with the Explorer Access pass, you get all the essentials to make the most of the event:
✅ All main sessions
✅ PM Newbie Sessions
✅ Career Fair access
✅ Networking Lounge access
✅ Light snacks during breaks (because nobody learns well on an empty stomach 😅)
👉🏾 Register for Dive 2025 Conference and use code PDDWAM2K at checkout.
Finally, Bonus Giveaway
When you buy your ticket, you’ll also be entered to win a free 15-min career coaching call with me (I’m picking two winners and announcing mid-Sept).
So if you’re building in a product-centric company, whether as a product manager, designer, developer, or even just someone curious about what goes into creating products people actually love. This is one of those rooms you need to be in.
Doors open faster when you step in boldly.
Talk soon!