Based in Braselton, Georgia, Shafila Rahman is a former patient transporter supervisor for Gainesville’s Northeast Georgia Medical Center. During her time in this position, she oversaw all of the team’s daily operations, which involved facilitating the safe and timely delivery of patients to the facility. Shafila Rahman handled all matters of supervising and scheduling, as well as employee training and development, equipment management, and cross-departmental communications.
Before joining the Northeast Georgia Medical Center, Shafila Rahman worked for Emory Brain Health in Atlanta as a patient care coordinator. She managed a depth of patient activities while serving in this position. Under her aegis, the medical facility maintained a consistent flow of patient interactions. A few of her regular responsibilities ranged from scheduling appointments with the facility’s respiratory specialist to coordinating sleep care studies.
Shafila Rahman received her graduate degree in public health with a concentration in environmental health and global health and well-being from Atlanta’s Emory University. She also holds a business administration degree from Georgia Gwinnett College.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
My typical day starts at 7 am with a brief morning routine that includes stretching, a healthy breakfast, and reviewing my goals for the day. I begin work by 8:30 am, usually starting with high-priority tasks that require the most focus. I use time-blocking to stay organized and minimize distractions, often following the Pomodoro technique to maintain energy throughout the day. I schedule short breaks to avoid burnout and reserve afternoons for meetings or collaborative work. I keep a to-do list and regularly review progress to ensure I’m aligned with deadlines and objectives. In the evening, I disconnect from work to recharge—reading, exercising, or spending time with family. What keeps me productive is having clear priorities, limiting multitasking, and making time for both deep work and rest.
How do you bring ideas to life?
In life and in my work in healthcare, I bring my ideas to life by starting with a clear purpose—whether it’s improving patient care, streamlining a process, or simply finding a better way to handle everyday challenges. I take time to observe, ask questions, and gather insights from real situations and people involved. Once I have a clear understanding, I plan practical steps to turn the idea into action—this might include discussing it with colleagues, researching best practices, or proposing small changes that can lead to bigger impact. I also believe in testing ideas in small ways first. In healthcare, especially, patient safety and teamwork are priorities, so collaboration is essential. I seek feedback from others, make adjustments as needed, and stay open to learning through the process. Outside of work, I apply the same approach—being intentional, breaking things down into achievable steps, and staying consistent. For me, ideas come to life when they’re combined with purpose, planning, and persistence.
What’s one trend that excites you?
One trend that really excites me is the growing emphasis on personal expression across all areas of life—from fashion to interior decorating to the inspiration I draw from coaches and mentors. I’m always fascinated by how people are blending individual style with mindfulness and self-awareness. For example, in fashion, I love seeing how sustainable materials and vintage-inspired pieces are making a comeback, allowing people to express themselves while also aligning with environmental values. In interior design, there’s this movement toward creating spaces that reflect personal identity—using colors, textures, and elements that make a home feel authentic and calm. What excites me most is how these trends are not just about aesthetics but about aligning external choices with internal values. As I hear new perspectives from mentors or read about the latest movements, I constantly reflect on how I can integrate these ideas into my own life. It’s about growth and creating spaces—whether it’s my wardrobe, home, or mindset—that feel empowering and reflective of who I am at any given time. I love how each new trend becomes a personal challenge to learn, adapt, and apply to continue evolving.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
One habit that really helps me stay productive when working and handling tasks at home is time blocking. I set aside specific blocks of time for each task—whether it’s deep work, errands, or even just relaxation. By organizing my day into clear, manageable chunks, I avoid multitasking and ensure I’m fully focused on one thing at a time. This helps me maintain energy throughout the day and prevents me from feeling overwhelmed. I also schedule breaks between blocks to recharge, which helps me stay sharp and efficient.
What advice would you give your younger self?
To my younger self: you don’t need to please everyone. Stop giving away your energy to people who don’t value it—your kindness is strength, not weakness, but it must be protected. Being kind doesn’t mean letting people walk over you—learn to set boundaries early. Don’t force connections that have died, and don’t keep people in your life who disrespect you. Your energy is sacred, and not everyone deserves a place in your circle. Pour your energy into yourself, into learning, growing, and building the life you want. Be patient with your journey and don’t compare yourself to others—your path is unique. Trust the process, step outside your comfort zone, and fight for the goals that matter to you.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
I believe that not everyone deserves repeated chances. Many people think forgiveness means reconciliation, but I see it differently. You can forgive someone without giving them another place in your life. Protecting your energy and mental health comes first. Continuing to excuse toxic behavior only leads to self-damage, while distancing yourself allows you to heal and grow.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
The one thing I repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do is this: don’t do things that make you uncomfortable just because everyone else is doing them. For me, that especially applies to relationships—you don’t have to be in one just to fit into the crowd. Be unique. Be different. Be you. If you have a goal that’s bigger than being in a relationship, pursue that goal first. Society may pressure you to be in a relationship or get married, but your dreams and priorities should come before anyone else’s expectations. Once you’ve accomplished what you set out to do and built a life you’re proud of, the right person meant for you will come at the right time. It’s far better to wait and focus on becoming the best version of yourself than to rush into the wrong relationship out of pressure. Stay true to yourself, set your own timeline, and never apologize for putting your growth first.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
When I feel overwhelmed or unfocused, I pause and center myself. I remind myself not everything has to be done at once. I break tasks down, focus on what I can control in the moment, and give myself permission to rest if I need it. This way, I can come back to my work with more energy and clarity instead of pushing through on empty.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
One strategy that has helped me is not being afraid to step out of my comfort zone. Every time I’ve taken on challenges that scared me a little—whether it was leading a project, networking with new people, or learning a new skill—it pushed me to grow. That courage to embrace discomfort has advanced my career more than anything else.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
One failure in my career was letting fear of rejection stop me from going after opportunities. I missed out on experiences because I doubted myself. I overcame it by shifting my mindset—seeing rejection as redirection, not the end. The lesson I took away is that you grow most when you take risks, even if you fail, because every failure is just a step toward success.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
One business idea I’d give away is a mentorship program that teaches people how to set boundaries and focus on their personal goals before giving in to outside pressures. It could combine coaching, workshops, and online resources. Too many people lose themselves trying to fit in—this would be a resource to help them succeed on their own terms.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
I use Google Calendar as my productivity backbone. I schedule not only meetings but also time for deep work, breaks, and personal goals. Treating my priorities like actual appointments keeps me accountable and ensures I’m balancing career growth with personal well-being.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
A podcast that’s been valuable for me is The Ed Mylett Show. I like how he brings on guests from different backgrounds who share practical tools about mindset, growth, and resilience. It always reminds me that success isn’t about comparison, but about becoming the best version of yourself. Together, they’ve helped me build discipline while staying motivated.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
A movie I recently enjoyed was The Pursuit of Happyness. It reminded me that no matter how many setbacks you face, perseverance and self-belief can get you through. I connected with the message of staying focused on your goals, even when life gets tough. I found it inspiring because it reinforced the idea that growth comes from challenge, not comfort.
Key learnings
- Success comes from being the best version of yourself.
- Growth is rooted in challenge, not comfort—step outside your comfort zone, don’t let fear of rejection stop you, and treat failures as learning opportunities.
- Don’t excuse toxic behavior or give into outside pressure—learn to set boundaries and stay true to yourself and your principles.
- Time blocking combined with setting clear priorities, limiting multitasking, and making time for both deep word and rest fosters productivity.
- Your dreams, well-being, and priorities should come before anyone else’s expectations.