Waiting Is Not A Waste of Time... Success Story of Dr. Apeh Omede.

The Waiting Period

While in school, I dreamed of studying abroad. I usually received handbooks and brochures from universities in Australia. I will look at them and imagine how someday in the future, I'd walk on the grass of the students' courtyard of one of those universities. This was as far back as the early 2000s. The dream became real in 2013. Long time to wait ah... I may talk more about that some other time.

However, my first ever trip to Australia was in 2008 for a conference, and that a student. I waited for 4 years before it happened. Before then, I came across a global Poultry Science Conference that was advertised in a journal scheduled to hold in 2004 at Istanbul, Turkey. The advert came with an information on sponsorship for young people in Poultry Science. The competitive 'me' glowed immediately I saw that. The deadline for application was 30th December, 2003. I quickly picked up my tools of war. I completed the application and submitted it on the last day. In the process of preparing the application, I needed a referee letter. I went to a well respected professor in the department to help me with that. I got the letter from him but with a comment. He said "I don't think you'll get it." And his reasons where candid.

My CV was scanty. I did not submit the application with a paper for presentation. I didn't have any research publication to count on as experience.

A few weeks later, I got a mail from the organisers. My application was unsuccessful, just as was predicted by the professor. But I had a second chance because the next conference was scheduled to hold in Australia but that required a waiting period of 4 years until 2008.

What should I be doing while waiting? I have 4 years. Is it worth waiting that long? How sure am I that I would get it in 2008 after waiting that long? These would be the typical question on the mind of any common man. But I refused to attend to such.

What did I do?

I went to my 'rich dad'.

And together, we walked through the 4 years preparing for 2008. While I waited, I had time to reflect on the points mentioned by the professor. I took several training during my service year to improve on my CV. I saved from my service year and went back to school. While in school, and working with my rich dad, we attended several conferences and I had the opportunity to improve on my presentation skills. I ultimately improved on my writing skills as well. Before 2008, I had a good number of publications for my level then, all with the support of my rich dad. Above all, I never lost sight of attending the conference in Australia in 2008.

And then, 2008 came. Four years passed in a flash. I wrote a paper that when I look back to, I can only imagine how it happened because of its quality. When it was time for the application again, I gathered my stuff. I prepared my application and submitted. We were 52 young people selected. Two of us came from Africa. One lady from South Africa, and humble self. Apart from that I applied for a side travel grant. I got that too. A very long story that can't be accommodated here also led to finding all the funds I needed. I arrived Australia in June, 2008. That single trip opened the door to coming back in 2013, after another 4 years waiting period, with its string of story too.

The point is you may never get what you want this year. You may have to wait some more. May be 2 more years. May be 5. You never can tell, and it may not be by your doing. Yes, that's the truth and not to be seen as a negative prophesy. The question is, what is going to be your disposition when an opportunity is postponed and you have to wait? Do you give up on your dream? Or do you go back to make work on yourself and make sure every day counts while you wait? The waiting period is not a time to place your life on hold. It is simply a time to grow.

Your ability to wait is dependent on the value you place on 'why' and 'what' you're waiting for. If you do not place value on the purpose for waiting, you won't have the 'waitability' needed for the period. If you also understand the possible benefits that may emanate from waiting till you get what you desire, it could help you. So, while you wait for anything this year, think of what the future holds if you successfully wait. Because, the real deal is on the other side of the waiting period.

While waiting, keep trying. While waiting, look for a mentor or someone you can trust to help you build around your dream. While waiting, keep the dream alive. While waiting, wait ACTIVELY! As we move into this year, let's move with this mindset.

To a blockbuster year!

#MakingExcellenceCommon

Written by Dr. Apeh Omede.