Your RIGHT ecosystem

October was filled with challenges and excitements, making it hard to single out just one highlight. But a random tweet sparked the reflection into a single idea, which I reflect with you today.

Being a solopreneur is extremely hard, but it’s not as hard as feeling undervalued for 2,000+ hours per year.

Sometimes it’s not about ourselves, it’s about the ecosystem we are embedded in - we don’t fit in. This is how I felt for a long time.

What about you?

Have you ever felt out of place?

The wrong ecosystem can make you miserable. It can lead to discomfort, affecting both physically and mentally. Yet, when we have the chance to experience,? even for a brief moment the right ecosystem, it can profoundly impact our well-being.

But what do we exactly mean by an ecosystem, or in this case, a workforce ecosystem??

MIT researchers describe it as a network comprising various interdependent actors—colleagues, leaders, and external partners—all collaborating and contributing to both individual and shared objectives.

Link MIT article

So now, you must be asking, how do you meet the ecosystems in which you fit in and can create an impact?

Three key questions are helping me to find the ecosystem I fit in, that allows collaboration, nurtures my growth and allows me to excel while helping others excel too.?

1. What is my purpose in life?
2. Is my present ecosystem conducive to my growth and success?
3. How can I identify and integrate into an ecosystem that's right for me? What signs will indicate that I've discovered the ideal ecosystem?

Find your purpose (IKIGAI): Buy and invest your time on self-reflection. This will help you understand your driving forces, values, and vision.

Following the advice often given, this year I chose to invest financially in buying time for myself and experiment. After a failed experience in the private sector and two years of intensive work in an ICU during COVID-19, supporting expatriate nurses and caring for critically ill patients, I reached a point of exhaustion. Simultaneously, I was committed to a demanding Master of Public Health program at LSHTM. This experience, especially witnessing life end abruptly and frequently, forced me to reevaluate my own path. I began to question my life’s choices, pondering if there was something else I had yet to do. Had I made the right decisions, or was there a vital experience still missing in my life? My answer was a resounding yes.

I realized something was missing in my life's journey. But like any other change, it requires concrete actionable steps and some risk. I envisioned a plan where, in the future, I can work in the intersection between different fields but still have an important impact on the future of healthcare systems. I knew that involved improving my writing (like it or not), finance and data science skills, learning new competencies, expanding my network, and stepping beyond my comfort zone.

But how can I start?

They say theory without practice is like a map without a journey. So in search of direction, I discovered IKIGAI, a Japanese concept that helps find balance in one's purpose, combining personal passions, talents, societal needs, and, a very important aspect, finding the economic viability to make it possible. This concept resonated deeply with me, especially because it helps you understand your purpose - your IKIGAI. Applying IKIGAI was also a way to implement the profound lessons I gained from my palliative care patients I had the privilege to look after over the years. Their experiences, particularly those who found peace in fulfilling their purpose, deeply influenced my understanding but most importantly, the application of these principles to have a fulfilled life.

Analyse your current ecosystem: Analyzing your current ecosystem and how it makes you feel is the first step towards finding the right ecosystem where you can have the best chance of success.

Don’t underestimate the impact of your ecosystem as I did. For a long time, I believed in the principle of meritocracy, thinking hard work in my ecosystem would naturally lead me to progress and career growth. However, after a decade, I realized that the environment I was in was not conducive to my and many others' values and growth. Only by experimenting with different ecosystems did I realize pockets of enriching ecosystems exist, where we can fit in,? be supported and support others, but we need to search for them.

That search often has to start within us. The reality is, systems rarely change on their own. A bureaucratic, hierarchical, and sometimes discriminating ecosystem is not going to change. Sometimes is best to step away. Stepping away has helped me understand and reflect on the various ecosystems that I was experiencing. This has made me less tolerant to organizational cultures which don't represent similar working values and ethics. You need to find a psychologically safe environment to experiment, collaborate and learn to succeed together. An ecosystem which can help you achieve your IKIGAI, and in the path help others along the way.

I would advise you to take a moment to reflect, especially if you've identified your true purpose. Assess whether your current environment provides an ecosystem conducive to your growth and success. Along the way, as you search for your ideal ecosystem, you will likely encounter individuals whose IKIGAI aligns or intersects with yours. Seize these opportunities for collaboration, as working together can lead to mutual opportunities and learning. Also, helping others achieve their goals can be incredibly fulfilling and instrumental in reaching your own. A supportive ecosystem can significantly enhance your journey towards these achievements.

You need the right ecosystem to thrive. Without such an environment, one often faces a path of isolation. It takes considerable mental resilience and a clear sense of purpose to persevere.?

When I embarked on my journey of self-discovery, I initially thought I could navigate it all on my own. However, I quickly realized the critical role of being part of a supportive ecosystem, especially in healthcare. This field operates differently compared to many others; being deeply integrated into the right ecosystem is essential to making a meaningful impact.

Navigating the healthcare landscape is challenging due to the entrenched practices and decision-making structures. There's a complex interplay of pride, ego, and a tendency to maintain the status quo. Learning how to maneuver within this existing framework is crucial. I've had to not only understand how to work within the status quo but also find ways to effectively engage with it, particularly when my approach challenges conventional methods. It's about embedding myself in the system while advocating for change and improvement. Now the question you might be asking is if I am not yet in an ecosystem and people want to work with, how do I find the right ecosystem for me? Does it really exist? Where can I find people to collaborate with?

While there are no perfect ecosystems, there are environments where we can truly excel. Discovering such places often requires time, deep exploration, and a commitment to learning and growing. It demands an open mind, ready to embrace change and new knowledge. My own journey has been one of continuous exploration, embracing trial and error, and seizing the opportunities that come my way, as well as actively seeking them out. Stepping out of my comfort zone and embracing risk has been crucial, but perhaps most importantly, learning to be comfortable with discomfort and asking for help when needed.

This path is not easy; it tests your resolve, challenging your mental strength and, fundamentally, your ikigai. If your heart isn't fully in it, the likelihood of giving up increases, especially if your purpose isn't clear or strong enough. Self-development is an ongoing process that involves stepping out of familiar territory, facing challenges and fears that can be daunting but are essential for growth. It's a true test of whether we genuinely desire what we seek.?

Another key aspect is continually seeking opportunities and expanding my network. The more I engage, the clearer my path becomes, revealing both what I am passionate about and what I prefer to avoid. Finding people with similar purposes and mindsets, in different stages will help you navigate the changes and uncertainties.?

Yet, the question remains: Have I found my ideal ecosystem? The truth is that my journey continues.

My journey towards finding the right ecosystem where I can thrive is an ongoing process, one that brings me closer to where I aspire to be. The experiences I've gained along the way have not only provided valuable insights but have also been instrumental in defining my purpose and vision. These, in turn, have guided me towards ecosystems that resonate with my values, laying the groundwork for impactful collaborations.?

This path demands a balance of confident humility—a belief in one's abilities, coupled with the understanding that we may not always have the perfect answers. This mindset fosters a willingness to reevaluate what we know and confidently seek new perspectives.

Moreover, the transformation of any culture, especially in the workplace, goes beyond just mindset shifts. It requires establishing a culture of accountability and continuous learning, encouraging best practices and innovative thinking. As I navigate the uncertainties of my career, I find strength in embracing experimentation and regularly reassessing my path, ensuring that my actions today are aligned with a future that fulfills both my personal and professional aspirations. This journey is not just about personal growth but also about contributing positively to the environments I am part of, making a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

Are you facing similar doubts?

Here is some advice:

For those who are currently navigating their own journey, filled with doubts and uncertainties, I encourage you to experiment with this approach. Reflect on your purpose, the ecosystem where you are in and where you aspire to be. It might lead you, as it did me, to a more fulfilling and happier existence. Embracing this methodology requires learning to coexist with uncertainty and risk. It's a path less traveled, but one that can lead to profound personal growth and satisfaction.?

Ultimately, my hope is that by adopting this mindset, when our time comes to leave this world, we can do so with a sense of peace and contentment, much like some of my patients did. They taught me that a life lived with purpose, despite its inherent uncertainties, is a life well-lived. So, I invite you to embark on this exploration, to find your own pathless path, and to discover the joys and rewards that come with such a journey.