The Disambiguating of The Power of Time - How a Few Months Can Change Everything

Introduction

On March 3, 2022, in Nairobi, Kenya, Ambassador Maryben Omollo—an internationally acclaimed mental health and leadership coach, 17-time award-winning speaker, and founder of the Maryben Foundation—shared a brief but deeply resonant message:

“Never underestimate how much something can change in a few months: you, people, the world.”

Though simple in form, this statement carries profound truth. In her work building resilient and inclusive workplaces across Africa, Omollo has witnessed firsthand how time—especially just a few months—can reshape lives, relationships, and entire systems. Her words serve as a reminder that transformation is not always loud or immediate, but it is always possible.

The Nature of Change

Change is one of life’s few constants. It can be sudden or gradual, welcome or unwelcome, planned or unexpected. But what makes change so powerful is its ability to redefine what once seemed permanent.

In just a few months:

1. A person can heal from heartbreak or fall in love.
2. A business can collapse or thrive.
3. A community can face crisis or come together in unity.
4. A leader can rise, and a system can fall.

Omollo’s message invites us to reflect on the impermanence of our current circumstances—both the good and the bad. It reminds us that no season lasts forever, and that growth often happens in the quiet, unseen spaces between moments.

Personal Growth in Short Timeframes

One of the most remarkable aspects of human nature is our capacity for growth. In just a few months, a person can:

1. Learn a new skill or language.
2. Recover from illness or trauma.
3. Shift their mindset and adopt healthier habits.
4. Discover a new purpose or passion.

Omollo’s work in mental health and leadership often centres on this very principle: that healing and transformation are not linear, but they are always possible. With the right support, mindset, and environment, individuals can evolve in ways they never imagined.

The Changing Nature of Relationships

People change. Sometimes, they grow closer. Other times, they grow apart. In a few months, a friendship can deepen or dissolve. A colleague can become a confidant—or a stranger. A mentor can become a peer. A stranger can become family. Omollo’s message encourages us to hold space for this fluidity. To not cling too tightly to what is, but to remain open to what could be. Relationships, like people, are dynamic. And time has a way of revealing what is real, what is temporary, and what is worth fighting for.

The World in Flux

The past few years have shown us just how quickly the world can change. A global pandemic, political upheavals, economic shifts, and technological advancements have all reshaped how we live, work, and connect. In just a few months, entire industries have been disrupted. Social movements have gained momentum. Policies have been rewritten. Lives have been lost, and others have been born. Omollo’s reflection is a reminder that we are living in a time of accelerated change. And while this can be unsettling, it also presents opportunities—for innovation, for justice, for healing, and for hope.

Embracing the Unknown

One of the most challenging aspects of change is its unpredictability. We often fear what we cannot control. But Omollo’s message encourages a shift in perspective: instead of fearing change, we can learn to embrace it. In doing so, we cultivate resilience. We learn to adapt. We discover strengths we didn’t know we had. And we begin to trust that even when the path is unclear, progress is still possible.

A Message for Leaders

For those in leadership, Omollo’s insight is especially relevant. In just a few months, a team’s morale can shift. A company’s culture can evolve. A leader’s influence can grow—or diminish. Great leaders understand the power of time. They don’t just react to change—they anticipate it, prepare for it, and guide others through it. They recognise that transformation is not just about strategy—it’s about people. And people, given time and support, can do extraordinary things.

Reflection

Ambassador Maryben Omollo’s message may have been brief, but its impact is lasting. In a world that often demands instant results and constant certainty, her words offer a gentle but powerful reminder:

Change is always happening. And in just a few months, everything can look different.

Whether you are in a season of struggle or success, her message invites you to pause, reflect, and trust the process. Because time, when paired with intention and effort, can be a powerful catalyst for transformation.

Lesson to Learn

Never underestimate the power of a few months. Life can shift. People can grow. The world can change. What feels impossible today may become your reality tomorrow. Stay open. Stay hopeful. And remember—transformation is always closer than it seems.