“Know that you can start late, look different, be uncertain, and STILL succeed.“

Misty Copeland

I’ve always loved this quote by Misty Copeland. I actually posted this image on my Instagram back in March 2016 and still think of this quote every now and then. It resonates so much with me, my life (especially as an immigrant – which I realize I’ve never talked about on here before), my journey in medicine, I mean everything; its as if Misty read the cliffs notes version of my life story (Yes, I know it’s totally bout her life, but you get my drift).

I’m currently on an away/ audition rotation and thought of this quote today. At this residency program, there’s a fun award called the “Shake Weight,” awarded to the CA1 (PGY2 anesthesia resident) who basically had the biggest “oopsies” of their class. As in messed up big time or perhaps was team struggle bus. It’s all in jest because of course EVERYBODY makes a mistake at some point in time or perhaps many points. This particularly person, however, stands out, takes the cake, and can totally laugh it off as well. Anyway, what’s REALLY cool about this award is that, residents who have been awarded this during their CA1 year often end up being Chief residents later on or being exceptional residents and attendings despite their rough start. When the resident I was working with told me the story behind the “Shake Weight” award and the legacy of past winners, I said a big “Yaaaaaaasss!” – silently of course.

Y’all, it ain’t how you start.

I’ll say it again, it ain’t how you start.

It’s how you finish.

It’s how you come back from whatever challenges you faced. It’s how you handled those curve balls and used it your advantage. It’s how you put in the work, day in and day out. Consistently.

This year, my 4th and final year of medical school, I received my FIRST honors for a clinical rotation. Not just one, but two back to back so far. Maaaan, I looked at it like, forreal?! This is real? Sure is.

And USMLE Step 2 CK, one of the licensing board exams to practice medicine in the United States, an extremely important 8 hour exam, ya girl increased 27 points compared to USMLE Step 1 and showed significant improvement.

Again y’all, it ain’t how you start.

“Know that you can start late, look different, be uncertain, and STILL succeed.”

Amen to that!