Douglas Flora: Last week, I shared a snapshot of wisdom I wish I could send back to my 17-year-old self

Douglas Flora shared the following on LinkedIn:

“Last week, I shared a snapshot of wisdom I wish I could send back to my 17-year-old self—lessons I’ve picked up along the way. I asked you all to share a few of your own ‘simple truths.’ The responses were incredible. Reading through the wisdom each of you offered reminded me that no matter where we are, we never stop learning from each other.

So today, I’m excited to share some of the wisdom you offered—gems that resonate deeply. Here’s a collection of your truths, now shared with all of you, just as they were shared with me. A few that especially resonated with me:

‘You pack your own chute.’

‘Remember, you can do hard things.’

‘When there is no wind, row.’

‘You don’t have to attend every argument you’re invited to.’

‘Don’t water your weeds.’

‘What other people think about you is none of your business.’

There are so many great lessons here! To see the entire list, check out the link below. Thanks again to everyone who contributed—it’s never too late to learn from one another. What did we miss? Add yours in the comments below, and I’ll add them to the master list. Next week, the same exercise, but I’ll ask you what you wish you could tell your 30-year-old self!”

Source: Douglas Flora/LinkedIn

Douglas Flora is the Executive Medical Director of Oncology Services at St. Elizabeth Healthcare, overseeing clinical operations, strategic planning, and the expansion of cancer programs. He is also the co-founder of the Center for Precision Medicine; Genomic Health.

As the Editor-in-Chief of ‘AI in Precision Oncology,’ the first peer-reviewed academic journal dedicated to this field, he plays a pivotal role in advancing research. He is also an active board member of the American Cancer Society and ACCC, where he contributes to advocacy, education, and innovation within the cancer community.