About a year ago during the heat of a major pandemic, still confused as to what the future holds for me, having lost over 8 months of my academic year in medical school, it was really a hard time.
I was trying to figure out my next move and feeling a bit useless and depressed. All I had were dreams and aspirations but there wasn’t a drive or push to attain these heights.
“The secret of success is to be ready when opportunity comes:”
Around September 2020, I gained a bit of hope. I was privileged, honored and opportune to have been added (with a few of my colleagues) to an incubator program: the Strategic Transitions Incubator founded by Dr Yonette Thomas, who is a mentor and urban health champion.
“Wowww!!” That was my exact reaction.
I remember the first meeting like it was yesterday. It was a bit taxing for a first meeting. Dr Yonette ensured that she spoke to everyone individually and allowed us each to introduce ourselves. She asked us to introduce ourselves to an imaginary “Queen of England” as well. It was brainstorming and interesting all at once. There was no room for excuses, and everyone needed to up the ante to remain at the same frequency as our mentor. So, we had to bring our “A game!” Of course, the meeting didn’t end without an assignment. We had to go brush up and cover our lapses as she was preparing us for the bigger picture. This was the beginning of greatness I’d like to say.
After months of training, meetings, teachings, presentations, and lot’s more, which indeed paid off… I’d like to say I’m no longer the same man that met Dr Yonette on the first day. A whole lot of growth and exposure has occurred and I’m glad to have started this journey. I’d like to highlight some of the benefits:
- I’m now more intentional about my growth. I don’t do anything that isn’t a pointer to the larger picture for me. Where others see a problem, I see a solution. What others see as stress; I see as opportunity.
- I now own a functional and active LinkedIn profile. I have always had a LinkedIn account because everyone else does. But I had never really seen the need to. Glad to say Dr Yonette during our training enforced it on us, and now I’m the happiest in the room. Seeing all the benefits, opportunities, and networking power it possesses, I think it’s safe to say I have been sleeping on a bicycle.
- Strategic Transitions has greatly helped me focus on personal development and improve my personal and professional life.
- Strategic Transitions has given me a global platform and allowed me to enhance my public speaking abilities, as I was privileged to present my photo essay at the University of Manchester’s Public Health Festival.
Going forward, I hope to use all I have learnt in the advancement and growth of my individual life and to make a difference in the healthcare system in my country, in the region, and around the world.