We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Devin Browne a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Devin, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
Firstly, the adversities and challenges I have faced in life have instilled a lot of resilience in me. I have always been a believer in the concept of ‘what doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger.’ Whenever I have faced failure or obstacles, I’ve taken it as an opportunity to grow, to learn something new, to adapt and to get stronger. Overcoming these challenges has significantly built up my resilience.
Secondly, the values imparted by my family, especially my parents, have also played a significant role. They taught me the importance of hard work, persistence, and never giving up no matter how tough the situation gets. This unwavering belief has been instrumental in forging my resilient spirit.
Lastly, I’d say that a mindset of gratitude plays a role too. It helps me focus on the positive aspects of life and gives me the strength to tackle hardships head-on.
But resilience, I believe, is an evolving attribute. It changes and grows with each new challenge we face. I am continuously learning, adapting, and evolving to strengthen my resilience further. It’s an ongoing journey.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I am the Founder and CEO of Sports Konnect. We mentor at-risk youth through sports, science and mental health awareness. I am excited everyday to make a impact in children’s lives. I have seen kids in the trenches and I want each of them to see the light in them and step into the greatness that they have in them. You just have to give them the blueprint. We have a couple of great projects we are working on one that we are really excited about is working with the immigrant population working with the youth and grandparents.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Reflecting on my journey, the three qualities that have been most impactful would be adaptability, continuous learning, and emotional intelligence.
Adaptability: The world around us is continually evolving, and the ability to adapt to change is crucial. It’s not just about surviving changes, but learning to thrive amidst them. My advice to those starting their journey is to embrace change. Try new things, step outside your comfort zone, and be open to new ideas and ways of thinking. It can be uncomfortable at first, but it’s a powerful skill that can bring tremendous growth.
Continuous Learning: Regardless of where you are in your career, there’s always something new to learn. This learning can be formal, such as getting a degree or a certification, or it can be informal, like reading books, attending webinars, or learning from mentors and peers. To those at the start of their journey, foster a curiosity to learn and grow. Keep yourself updated with the latest trends in your field and constantly seek to improve and broaden your knowledge.
Emotional Intelligence: Emotional intelligence has helped me understand, use, and manage my own emotions in positive ways to relieve stress, communicate effectively, empathize with others, overcome challenges, and diffuse conflict. It’s a soft skill, but it’s equally important as hard skills in your journey. To develop it, start by cultivating self-awareness. Understand your emotions, strengths, weaknesses, drives, values, and goals and recognize their impact on others. Also, work on your empathy and learn to better understand and react to others’ emotions.
These skills and qualities are not developed overnight. They require patience, effort, and a willingness to make mistakes and learn from them. But once acquired, they can significantly influence your personal and professional journey.
Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?
There have been many individuals who have played pivotal roles throughout my journey, each contributing in their unique ways. But if I were to highlight the most influential, it would be my parents, a couple of mentors, and my team.
Parents: From a very young age, my parents instilled in me the values of hard work, resilience, and integrity. They taught me that success is not defined by the absence of failure but by the ability to bounce back after setbacks. Their unwavering support and encouragement have been fundamental in shaping my character and approach towards life and work.
Mentors: I’ve been fortunate to have a couple of incredible mentors in my professional life. They challenged my thinking, offered constructive criticism, and shared their experiences and wisdom. They provided guidance when I was lost, gave me the confidence to push beyond my limits, and helped me navigate through challenging times.
My Team: Lastly, I cannot discount the significance of having a fantastic team. Their diverse perspectives, skills, and knowledge have been invaluable. We have faced and overcome challenges together, learned from one another, and pushed each other to grow and improve. It’s a collective effort, and I am grateful for their support and camaraderie.
To anyone looking for ways to build and develop essential skills and knowledge, I would recommend seeking out mentors who inspire you, surrounding yourself with a supportive and motivated team, and never undervaluing the lessons that your family can provide. Each of these relationships offers opportunities for learning and growth. And remember, it’s perfectly fine to ask for help and advice – no one achieves success entirely on their own.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sportskonnect.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sports.konnect/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SportsKonnect1/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sportskonnect7387
Image Credits
Photos by Doctor Cyd Heyliger-Browne.
