“As you think, so shall you become.”
-Bruce Lee
There’s a danger with getting too comfortable; with people, places, the way we think, and live. Today, however, I explore what it takes work to unlearn these habits.
For a while, I had been socialized to adopt a routine; get to work, check your to-do list and leave at the top of the hour, just as the work contract stipulated. Don’t get me wrong, I have always been driven, except, I hadn’t experienced an environment that pushes me further to acknowledge a mission and be passionate about fulfilling it.
The culture shock that hit me on joining Impact Africa Network was unparalleled. I begun to think differently, work differently and basically live differently.
Our culture encourages continuous learning, re-learning and unlearning. In the beginning, you almost feel like giving up, but after giving it the patience and drive it needs, you realize that through consistent mentorship from peers, our CEO, Mark Karake and other industry experts, you find yourself more aligned, encouraged and looking for more opportunities for growth to continually bring your best foot forward; impact becomes a way of life.
I feel privileged to be in a space where your input in meetings is highly encouraged, valued and accepted.
My mind has shifted from a place of indifference to a state of growth as a result of the avenues of learning available: weekly learning sessions, fireside chats, Power to Our Women(PTOW) sessions, daily guidance and mentorship from our CEO which I cannot highlight enough- a servant leader. My eyes are now open to a world of possibilities.
I recall a time when I mentioned to a friend that I was done with studying and I had left it to the younger people; a statement that right now I can confidently dismiss. Having pursued a degree and a higher diploma to top it up, I thought I had accomplished all that there was(chuckles). My thinking was very flawed.
“Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow.”
~Ronald E. Osborn
Barely 8 months in, and I have enrolled for the Data Science Foundations course at JENGA School, a startup out of IAN. This right here demonstrates the impact an environment can have on your thinking. Embracing the growth mindset creates an important mental shift: anyone can learn any skill. I am now a strong believer of being a student of life and that success and happiness are all about mindset.
I am now on the path to gaining skills in Excel, R and Python. I am excited to learn from Albert Kahira , a Data Science instructor at JENGA School, who has made learning such a joy . He has created a safe space in class that allows us to try new things, fail and learn from these failures. The experience has been nothing short of amazing and every session leaves me more excited than the previous. I am encouraged that by going through the system, I can bring more value to my role as a team player.
I am forever grateful to our CEO and the entire IAN community for instigating and challenging me to keep learning every day.
Onwards and Upwards!
