The New Equilibrium: Why My "Virtual Background" is a Reality

These past 10 days have been more than just a calendar cycle; they have been a profound recalibration. For many, a "shift in mindset" is a corporate buzzword. For me, it is the result of a lived experience I will argue to death.

Since the age of 19, my life has been a relentless balancing act. Many of the weights on that scale were beyond my control, military deployments, global reassignments, and the rigid demands of service. For years, "balance" was a temporary, unstable state. After 2022 I have been slowly shifting the scale toward a new equilibrium point.

The Illusion of the Virtual Background

Last week, during a series of high-stakes video conferences, several colleagues commented on the lush palm trees and vibrant flowers behind me. They assumed it was a high-quality virtual filter—a piece of "digital real estate" to mask a home office in Maryland.

 In reality, I was sitting in my parents' compound in Accra, Ghana. There was no green screen. I was simply inhaling the fresh air of my roots while maintaining the operational tempo of my business. The transition was seamless, not by accident, but by design.

Operational Excellence: The 10-Day Breakdown

To those who doubt the effectiveness of global remote operations, I offer the data of my last 10 days. My work hasn't just moved; it has thrived without missing a beat:

State Certification Renewal: 2 Hours (Virtual call/Verification)

◆   Client Proposal Strategy: 1 Hour (High-stakes meeting)

◆   Maryland Professional Networking: 6 Hours (Across 3 separate events attended virtually)

◆   RBLP Certification Preparation: 3 Hours (Intensive Google Meet training)

Total High-Impact Output: 12 Hours of Direct, Synchronous Engagement.

This doesn't include the asynchronous management of my team or the administrative oversight that keeps MBC moving. The "Veteran Advantage" means I don't see time zones as barriers; I see them as tactical windows.

From Iraq (2009) to Accra (2026)

My first taste of virtual possibility didn't come from a trendy co-working space. It came in 2009 during my tour in Iraq. I paid $100 a month for a satellite internet connection—a small fortune at the time—just to complete my Bachelor’s degree while serving in a combat zone.

If I could navigate a degree under those conditions, managing a global organization today is a privilege I am well-equipped for. Between my T-Mobile international package and local broadband, my capability for streaming and real-time collaboration is absolute.

Restoring the Horizontal

This is my fourth trip to Accra since retiring from the military in 2022. Each time, I feel my physical balance being restored to a leveled, horizontal position. For years, I had to "photoshop" myself into missed family events—mentally placing myself in rooms where I couldn't be physically present because of my service. Now, the picture is whole. I am present for my business, present for my family, and finally, present for myself.

We don't need to choose between professional excellence and personal equilibrium. We just need the discipline to build the bridge between them