Free is not worthless!

Many of life’s most essential gifts come to us free of charge: the sunshine, air, and rain. This doesn’t suggest we should take them for granted, but instead, we should appreciate and value them.

Similarly, today we have access to a wealth of free resources such as articles, courses, workshops, conferences, scholarships, and fellowships. The choice is ours to either overlook these opportunities, thereby missing the benefits they can bring to our lives and careers, or to appreciate them and use them as tools to enhance our personal and professional growth.

Some of the most impactful experiences in my life and career have been ones that didn’t require financial investment.

For instance, my journey to The DO School in Berlin, Germany, which was entirely paid for, has significantly influenced my life and career. Another remarkable experience was the Mandela Washington Fellowship, which provided me with the opportunity to learn at one of the world’s most prestigious business schools, the Kellogg School of Management.

The fact that these opportunities were offered for free does not diminish their worth. When we understand the hard work and dedication that went into making these resources freely available, we can approach them with a different mindset. Not only can we seize the opportunity to enrich our lives and careers, but we can also pay it forward to others who may not have the same opportunities. So, let’s value these offerings, leverage them to improve our lives, and share these benefits with others.

Free is not worthless, It has been paid for!