It was a usual agency afternoon when I got a mail from Amoli, who's a part of corporate communications team at Dentsu Aegis network. The mail just had a screenshot about the details of FastTrack 2018 contest and read, top six from India would win an all-expenses paid trip to the FastTrack Professional Excellence Programme in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
I participated out of my usual busy schedule. Well, in less than two weeks I got a mail from AAAI that I am among the top six to go to Kuala Lumpur for this programme.
And in no time on 5 of August I was on a plane, grateful for the opportunity and cribbing about the middle seat on a 5 hour flight to Kuala Lumpur (yes, that's me being ungrateful).
Well, it is a real challenge to define what FastTrack is all about. I'll try and attempt to solve this (Keeping in mind the Non-Disclosure Agreement the FastTrackers sign at the programme). FastTrack is a beautifully designed course to rediscover your inner and your true self. I believe that one can only achieve great things if your heart really feels and your intention pure.
It is not often that you work and learn with 35 people from 10 different countries in a span of three days. Different mind-sets, different values, different beliefs but one single industry that unites all, the communications business.
Day one and day two was all about reflecting on self, unlearning all the nuisance that the society throws at you and develop new set of values and beliefs which really define who you are.
The trainers equipped me with tools and mechanisms to deal with every challenge in a professional setup.
Second half of day two and the day three is when I was brought back to the advertising world with one of the finest mentors from the industry to guide us on an overnight assignment. Me along with my team were given a brief that we had to work overnight and present the next day.
Overall, the Programme FastTracked my life by giving me a reality check on who I was, my potential and why I need to be grateful for every little things that I have.
After receiving the certificate on completing the course, while I was walking out, I was more humble, more passionate and more caring than I ever was.
So here I am being grateful to Amoli, without who I wouldn't be able to go through this experience and a super supporting team at WATConsult.
Many thanks to the beautiful family in Bharat Avalani, his fantastic team and the awesome FastTrackers that I've met from India and across 10 countries whom I met in Kuala Lumpur.
An experience and learning that'll be cherished for life.
(Hesham Choudhary is an account manager at WATConsult (Dentsu Aegis Network), Mumbai.)
