This past week I had the opportunity to attend the IPHA Celebration and Hulman Health Achievement Awards. The main speaker, Jennifer Wathall, MD, MPH, Deputy State Health Commissioner and Director for Health Outcomes, spoke of an interesting topic that related to global health. She told of a book, written by Adam Braun, called The Promise of a Pencil. In this story, a young college graduate just out of school begins to travel the world, and in each country he visits he asks a child what he wants most in the world. This question stemmed from his thoughts back to his own childhood, when he chose what he wanted most in the world (to have lots of money) and worked toward that goal. So, he was curious what other kids wanted most. During his visit in India, he came across a young homeless boy and asked him this question, to which the boy responded, "a pencil". So Adam gave him his pencil and the boy's face lit up.
From the experience with this young boy and growing up as a basketball player (he describes how a lot of his teammates had varying degrees of education levels), Adam went on to found Pencils of Promise, a non-profit organization that builds schools and increases access to education for children in the developing world.
His book is more than just his story and his NGO. It details how each person has a purpose in life, and that purpose could be for many to help others in need. I think a lot of us in this class could identify with this. What do you feel your purpose in life is? He also describes a "normal" person can have an extraordinary impact by simply dreaming big but remembering small. An excerpt from the book describes how although he was on the exact “right” path, with a very lucrative career, nice clothes, an impressive business card, something was missing: “...deep down inside, I was no longer enamored with the life I’d created. The only purpose I was serving was self-interest. While I rarely showed it to outsiders, my happiness waned day after day. A restless voice kept me up at night, telling me that until I found meaning, the money wouldn’t matter. It told me that I’d find far more fulfillment if I measured my life in purpose, not profits.” One major take away from this story is how he describes that there are three forms of compensation: money, mastery, and meaning. What do you guys think about these three forms of compensation? When would each be important in your future career?
I haven't read this book, I just described in secondhand from the speech Ms. Wathall gave. However, I really look forward to reading it!
This book does seem like it would be an interesting read. I found a quote this weekend which really spoke to me. It is ironic that it also fits in with this topic. The quote is, Goal: To make an income while making an impact. This is what I would like to do one day. I do not believe we can solely rely on monetary compensation as our goal in life. That would make work be both monotonous and unfulfilling. Being rewarded for your hard work with money is not wrong, but it should not be the only focus. My strongest belief is that we should try to find a balance between the three forms of compensation.
ReplyDeleteWow what heavy loaded questions Lisa, but definitely important in global health context. I think most people who go into public health no matter where they are in the world can relate to the fact that they did so on some level for a purpose in life, to have meaning. I've heard of Pencils of Promise but did not know he had a book out.
ReplyDeleteWith regards to money, meaning, and mastery I think they are complementary with each other in that they are interrelated (all three). One may even drive the other. With regards to global health, unfortunately, I think money is too much heavily weighted as compensation to drive interventions and action especially with so many TNCs involved. For me, personally, I try to be driven by mastery and meaning which has been the reason for most of my life decisions. As PH professionals, no matter in what context, we should be driven by meaning because it can knock us down as much as we will be exposed to and the roadblocks of hardships in this industry that without it, we won't survive.
Thank you for this post! I will check out the book for sure!
Lisa, Great food for thought! To comment on Adam's initial quest, I think such a simple question (What do you want in life?) is so telling and a great way to open up communication between cultures, not only for children but adults as well. In our readings this week, a lack of cultural competence and understanding -- and no apparent desire to improve the situation, in some cases -- led to distrust and residual problems that hindered development projects and ruined relationships. I am reminded of the woman who refused her vaccination because she was using it to negotiate for food. If health campaigns could work in local desires with their own health-related agendas, it seems like the situation could be more of a win-win. It is especially simple when all someone wants is food, or a pencil.
ReplyDeleteAs for the questions on money, mastery, and meaning, what a concept to consider! While money is a practical desire that is more immediately necessary when I first start working, mastery and meaning are what will get me through the day. Mastery is a form of meaning for me because if I can take pride in my ability to do something that benefits others, I feel I have lived up to my expectations of myself and that I can pass on those skills to extend the cycle of meaning-making beyond myself.
Thanks for an interesting and thought-provoking comment!