Kevin Frick is a regular contributing writer at OutGrowth, and for good reason. Embodying the company's core values and inspiring readers over the years to grow into their best selves, Kevin always leaves us with powerful messages.
This year is no different, and in perhaps one of the most wisdom-filled issues yet, Kevin shares with us his insights on the gift of time- appreciating it, carving it out, and investing in it. In our Q+A below, Kevin talks about how he uses his time to invest in his own creative growth. Happy reading, and be sure to check out Kevin's feature in this month's issue of En Root!
This month's theme is all about the gift of time. Tell us about how time (finding it, using it etc.) has played a role in your personal or professional life, pre- or post-pandemic.
During the pandemic, I have found more time for self-care--regular therapeutic massage, exercise other than running (strengthening and stretching), leisure reading, and poetry writing. The last of these has given me the opportunity to have an impact on people through shared storytelling that I had not taken advantage of before the pandemic.
At OutGrowth, we believe in designing the space and time to reimagine the path forward. What are your tips on using the time we are given to make small steps toward growth?
Read, daydream, journal, and create.
Read for professional growth, personal growth, and just for fun. Daydream--just let your mind wander, and you never know what it might stumble upon. Journal--you can have ten prompts a day or just write a thought about each day. At least for me, when I do these three things, they inspire me to create (usually in the form of poetry) but there are many ways to create.
Tell us about your most significant professional moment since the start of the pandemic.
Other than the decision to step down from my vice dean role (which I wrote about in my piece), being asked to be the plenary speaker at the kickoff dinner for a student-athlete mentoring program at Penn State Brandywine.
How did this experience change the course of your life, your career or your outlook from pre-pandemic times.
I had already had the opportunity to demonstrate my growing interest in and expertise in mentoring, but this helped me to center my ideas so that I can take forward a new set of ideas and additional writing about mentoring I am doing.
What is one competency or skill you hope to develop in 2022?
Manage my email with start of day and end of day checks rather than monitoring constantly
What inspires you these days?
The opportunity to share storytelling through poetry celebrating relationships in my life
At OutGrowth, we believe in preparing the next generation of leaders. What is one resource (book, podcast, article, anything!) you'd recommend to those looking to carve out the time for growth in 2022?
The She Built It Experience with Melanie (https://www.shebuiltit.com/sbiexperience).
This podcast series focuses on women who have found a way to succeed in business and in life and every conversation gives great insight. Melanie always closes with "Magic happens when we focus on the part of ourselves and our business that brings us joy" giving her guest a chance to describe what brings them joy. I hope everyone thinks about what brings them joy.
What's next? What are your next steps toward growth in 2022? Finish my book on holistic mentoring as a partner on a journey of purpose and writing and sharing more poetic celebrations of those who influence my life.
Kevin is a health economist and professor at the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School. He was previously the Vice Dean for Education at Carey and a professor at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Outside his teaching and research, he is an anti-inequity advocate and he loves running, poetry writing, and baking.