With the demanding work that is required to overcome the perpetual challenges related to global health complexities, people find themselves in situations where they need different skills, beyond their area of expertise, to cope with multiple responsibilities.

But what happens when despite the multiple skills that an individual possesses, the work does not go well? What if you are no longer in control of the situation? When, despite a lot of investment put into the work, there is no delivery? When amidst desperately waiting for the result, there is no tangible output to present and thus no impact at all? The pressure mounts on you and the stress, frustration, and anxiety do not hesitate to come your way. These are difficult times, and the bad news is that it happens more than once. So you better be prepared.

Through these hopeless times, the way out is not always apparent and individual talents such as creativity may not help at all. Your heart becomes uneasy, upsetting voices within your mind keep telling that you have failed, and you feel shame and guilt. The mind becomes ambiguous, thus losing control. But is there any solution? The following is my experience.

I am a research fellow and one of my big tasks is to develop a distance module for an Introduction to Research seminar. It is the second time that the course is being implemented and the big lesson from the previous experience was that  participants would often miss classes while on leave. Thus, a distance module option became an answer to this scheduling challenge.

Preparations went well. An online platform was created on the rcampus.com website with necessary add-ons, test and quizzes and improved document storage capacity, and Camtasia Studio 8 software, which is used to produce videos, was purchased and installed on my computer. Put simply, I was ready and excited to fulfill this task. I had never used Camtasia software before, nor had I done video production work of any kind.

Lambert shooting the class video
Lambert in the middle of the class shooting the video

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The very day and hour came when I picked up the tripod, camera with wireless microphone system installed, the transmitter and receiver, and videotaped the first session ever. I was excited to learn new skills-learning by doing, and curious to see the first results too. I successfully shot my first 45 minute video, and the next steps were to produce two smaller videos in line with specific topics, combining the video I had shot with recorded slide presentations.

The next morning, I switched on my computer, transferred the video from the camcorder to my computer, and saved the slide presentations to my computer. This was all I needed to produce the videos; hence I opened Camtasia to get things started. Editing the first video involved going back-and forth between the video and slide presentations and cutting out mistakes. After around 5 hours my product was almost finished, only a single click on “Produce” was left to render my video.

While patiently waiting for the first fruit, however, I got the setback; the project failed to complete. An error message appeared regularly within 30% or so after the rendering process had started, which stopped the rendering project. Despite the hard work put in, there was no result. I felt disappointed and frustrated because I needed to have the video produced to watch it; I needed results to share. Above all, I needed to demonstrate the value of the resources that had been invested so far. I kept thinking of my time, the resources spent on the camera, the Camtasia software, and the people who were involved. I was afraid to see all of this be in vain.

After many trials which resulted in nothing I decided to turn off my computer and get out of the offices to relax, as I was at the end of my rope. But when I thought I could not do anything, an idea came into my mind and it made a difference. I sent a request to the company that produced the software and a few hours later a technical support specialist revealed to me that the version I was using has a problem with leaking memory. He recommended I upgrade it. With simple steps, I upgraded the software was able to produce the video I wanted.

I felt relieved and happy because eventually I had what I wanted. At this time there was a result, a tangible output to present. With the produced video opening way to more, I was hopeful I could develop full distance modules for the course. Above all, I learned new skills. I wouldn’t  have been successful if I had stayed in front of the computer fuming, trying to force my way out. When I relaxed, an idea came into my mind, and using my natural strengths–connectedness, collaboration, and communication–I reached out to the resource that eventually provided what I was looking for.

There is an answer to almost anything, if not everything. Even during turbulent times, there is an answer in some way. There is a way out. But most times, the feelings we have inside are related to our unmet needs which make our heart and mind uneasy and prevent us from seeing a solution. If you get in a situation like this, just relax. Calm down. Allow your spirit and mind to explore various possibilities. You are not guilty, incompetent, a failure, etc. You may not have what you need yet, but it’s not over. There is an answer, and you will see that when you relax.

Leave a Reply