LESSONS LEARNT DURING 2022

“You cannot live to please everyone else.

You have to edify, educate and fulfill your own dreams and destiny.”

– Viola Davis

It's almost the end of another year.....and what a year it's been!

Like many within my LinkedIn network, I am reflecting on 2022.

Importantly, my focus has been on what I have learnt.

And these reflections are all the more profound since I had to have major surgery a couple of weeks ago.

Here are the 5 top things that this year has taught me the importance of.

1.BOUNDARIES ARE ESSENTIAL

A wise family member once said:

"Funke, if you don't draw the line, others will do it for you".

Setting healthy boundaries and doing so unapologetically has been a big lesson learnt this year.

Ignoring this never ends well.

Realising that you can't please everyone is essential.

So set healthy boundaries to avoid the impossible task of trying to keep everyone happy!

2. GOOD AND BAD VIBES

When he was in primary school, my son Max started talking to me about 'vibes'.

In his mind, people were either good or bad vibes - and there was nothing in between.

I thought this was overly-simplistic at the time but the older I get, the more I realise the truth and wisdom behind this!

This year has also shown me, more than any other year, that "your vibe attracts your tribe".

Vibes really do matter and our gut feeling rarely fails us.

Follow your gut feeling.

3. CONSISTENCY

I have learnt the importance of consistency more than ever this year.

With so much unsettling news politically, economically and within my own family, it became really easy to become distracted and to take my focus off my goals.

It can also be difficult to see your progress in various areas when that progress appears to be slow.

Yet staying consistent is critical to moving forward and still making progress, irrespective of what is going on.

"Without commitment, you’ll never start, but more importantly, without consistency, you’ll never finish."

-Denzel Washington

4. PRIORITISING

It is impossible to do everything at once.

Prioritisation has become so important to me.

With so many demands on my time, both within and outside my day job, it would be impossible to be as effective as I am without prioritising.

I have used a number of prioritisation tools over the years but few are more effective than Eisenhower's decision matrix.

This matrix works really well for me and has proven key to my effectiveness.

5. SELF CARE

"You cannot pour from an empty cup".

"Put on your own oxygen mask first".

We hear these expressions all the time but at the core lies an important lesson.

Self care is essential.

And often, only you will know if you are spreading yourself too thinly or burning the candle at both ends.

It's no secret to those close to me that lots of outdoor walking is critical to my wellbeing - and I walk in all weathers to maintain my mental health.

As I recover from surgery, I am slowly building up to my usual 5 miles a day - albeit covering far fewer miles and more slowly than before!

But walking remains critical to me as do other ways in which I separate my working life from my home life.

Don't compromise self care in pursuit of your goals.

HONORARY DOCTOR OF LAWS, UNIVERSITY OF KENT

I like to keep it real.????

Polish-French Nobel prize-winning scientist Madame Curie once said, "Life is not easy for any of us".

When I was awarded an honorary doctorate by the? University of Kent ?this summer, my family and I were experiencing severe challenges for a number of reasons due to circumstances beyond our control.

Suffice to say that my frame of mind was extremely poor following months of battling through and weighing up the potentially life changing consequences of recent events. ??

When I was asked to deliver a short keynote speech to the Law School's graduating class of 2022, I was initially at a loss to find motivating words to share.

??What could I possibly say in these circumstances to inspire an audience of over 500 people at?Canterbury Cathedral?

??How could I positively impact not only the graduands and graduates themselves but their families and friends, the Vice Chancellor of the University and members of the Law faculty?

Whenever I need advice, I reach out to my 'personal boardroom'.

And their advice was unanimous.

?? Keep it real.

?? Be authentic.

?? Be vulnerable.

?? Speak your truth.

The video recording below captures the speech I delivered at Canterbury Cathedral on the evening of 14th July.

That evening, I was supported by my guests?Molly Scanlon, Dr?Naomi Thompson, my mother?Dr Sarah Akindolie MBBS, MRCPsych?and my son?Max Abimbola.

What are your thoughts about the themes I touched on during this speech?

Do share your thoughts in the comments section below!

PODCAST SPOTLIGHT

The life sciences sector remains very dear to my heart, having spent a decade working within it.

And I have had the pleasure of partnering with a number of exceptional female lawyers within the sector.

One of my favourite podcast discussions was with my dear friend, Diane Lifton.

Have a listen to what we discussed by clicking below!

That brings me to the end of the December edition of?The Diversity Accelerator!

If you have enjoyed this newsletter, please?subscribe?and?share?it widely across your LinkedIn network.

Thank you for your support! ??

I wish all my subscribers the very best for 2023!

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ABOUT PROFESSOR FUNKE ABIMBOLA MBE

Professor Funke Abimbola is a London-based Partner at?Korn Ferry,?a global organisational consulting firm that unlocks the potential of organisations through people.

Her focus is on providing clients across the EMEA region with Diversity, Equity and Inclusion consulting services.

She is a multi-award-winning Corporate Lawyer, global Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Leader, C-suite and healthcare executive, BBC commentator, Non-Executive Director, Public Speaker, and podcast host.?

Most importantly, she is the proud mother of a 20 year old son and future software engineer studying computer science at university.

She was awarded an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) by HRH Queen Elizabeth II for services to diversity and young people in the 2017 birthday honours list.

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @Champ1Diversity

Instagram: @professorabimbola