9/7/18: Opportunities Are Never Lost: There is a small window of opportunity of 2-3 years for someone or a group to own the space in 360 Virtual Reality in Healthcare. A couple years ago, I was challenged by the university president: “Someone is going to be the first to do this. Why not us?”
The There are currently several 360 Virtual Reality vendors out there who may never specialize in Healthcare applications though they are looking for projects in healthcare. At the same time, there are some pockets in healthcare that are highly interested in considering 360 Virtual Reality, exploring possibilities for provide immersive training, orientation, and simulations. But they are not likely to divert from their own business in healthcare and go into VR. So, right now no one is in this dedicated space. It could be a lucrative market if the immersive learning proves to be effective, especially making a significant difference in reducing medical errors and improving patient safety.
I’m doing some research and development in this space, working with a small team of professionals. We were working on a couple of research articles as well as rolling out a couple of products. Our second 360 VR project in Nurse Anesthesia OR orientation for our DNAP students is beginning to excite a large medical group who is thinking of using it for their employees. We are hoping to produce enough products within 1-2 years and market them as well as our services. We would like to collaborate with other like-minded VR partners as well to scale this initiative.
9/6/18: Change and Opportunity (Updated): The biggest change (due to a huge problem) in my life brought about the most pivotal opportunity for me and launched my career at the University of Minnesota, Crookston, the nation’s first laptop campus. I have learned ever since that every problem is a new opportunity. The bigger the problem, the bigger the new opportunity. I just need to “see” the new opportunity and seize it.
An unexpected change in my family in 1996 resulted in a huge loss of opportunity in Florida. It took me a month to accept the reality before I could move on. But it created a huge problem for me and changed my direction in life completely. Instead of moving south, I went further north in search of a better future. The change was indeed a great blessing as it started my career in instructional technology at least 6 years sooner. Most importantly, the timing of 1996 was pivotal, riding on the coattail of the advent of the World Wide Web. Somehow, the biggest change in my life (aka my biggest problem) was instrumental in placing me in the right institution at the right time.
Don’t allow any problem to bring you down. It may be pointing you to do things a little differently, try another approach, or make a change, Or the problem itself could be the untapped opportunity. Sometimes, not until you have lost almost everything before you could see a host of hidden opportunities. Helen Keller could “see” more than most people with vision. How do you see and seize a great opportunity? Preparation, preparation, preparation! Without ongoing preparation and practice toward your passions and life goals, you may not “see” a great opportunity before you eyes or mentally prepared to step up and seize it. The focus should be on being fully prepared, not on seeking the opportunity. Opportunities will serendipitously find you if you are open and prepared to seize it.
“Every problem is an opportunity in disguise.”―
9/5/18: Early this morning the morning before 7 am, two flashing emergency vehicles were parked outside our home. One of them totally blocked the drive way. Since I could not get out to go to work, I walked across to greet the bystander neighbor who was observing the situation. It was our next door neighbor’s wife who had a medical issue. The neighbor across moved in more than a year ago and I had not visited with him more than a quick hello or a wave of hand. I didn’t even know his name. I made a real attempt this morning to get acquainted with him for two reasons:
Firstly, a passive reason: I wanted to know our immediate neighbors ever since we moved here 11 years ago. Secondly, a more compelling reason: A few days ago, I told myself I needed to be more intentional I getting to know our neighbors, maybe over lunch around the work place. This mental preparation made the difference when the opportunity showed up this morning. After getting to know each other’s profession, we found out we were in similar healthcare work environment. Although we didn’t have our business cards handy, we exchange contact info through texting on the spot. He was looking forward to getting together between our work locations.
I have had many opportunities in the past but I was not prepared to engage. I was ready this morning and I went across. The mental preparation was the bridge.
— Dan
The Journey Is The Destination 