15 Valuable Lessons for 2016

2015 has been an eventful year. My decisions and experiences both in personal and professional life have taught me a lot in the last year.  As we step into 2016, wanted to share my top 15 lessons that might be helpful for everyone-

1. Invest on yourself without second thoughts. Read, travel, attend conferences and training which will help you grow. Meet people who can teach you more than you already know.
2. Passion is not merely a glamorous word to be used uncountable times in your interviews, conversations and writings. You have to realize it, work for it and live it. I followed my heart to start my own in digital field this year. It’s stressing me but my heart says I can do it.
3. Ambition is a broad term. It’s there in our heart and mind but we never truly know where are we going with it. Its meaningless if its blur. Make related goals, break into milestones, write them down and strike off as and when you are getting nearer. It brings a lot of clarity for your next steps.
4. Find reasons to celebrate even if its a failure. A happy state of mind is important. I was someone who would get disheartened at small rejections or failures but traveling, tough clients and experiences taught me to welcome it all with a smile and move forward.
5. When you choose to do the right and difficult, there will be times your decision and actions will be questioned or discouraged. If its really the right thing then don't let it doubt yourself and let time and your passion take its due course.
6. Find people who believe in you, trust them and heed their advice.
7. Not thinking anything at times is absolutely fine. I am someone who has always pushed myself to be productive else I would feel guilty of wasting my time in actions that don’t result in anything. But I gradually realized that my To?—?Do list can wait. Its not always important to listen to a podcast or keep reading on a long flight. Staring out of the window and letting your thoughts take a rest can unfold your hidden creativity at the right times.
8. Value relationships. My strong will to achieve and quickly achieve my goals, often landed me to my own world, where only my ambition existed with me. However when I celebrated some key milestones this year with my parents like their 50th birthday, 25th anniversary I realized these moments will never come back. My brother who is coping with his engineering exams needs my guidance more than any other time. Giving more time to my loved ones and rearranging my priorities has made me satisfied and more happier.
9. Travel to understand people well. From booking, planning itineraries to traveling alone and learning other’s ways of life and new cultures has taught me more than any work or book could. It gave me the greatest gift of understanding and communicating with strangers well that contributes in my professional world as well.
10. Never stop being a kid. It happens a lot of time when my responsibilities seem like a burden and all I wish is to be a child again, when I want to escape from a stressful day and feel as joyous as a small kid. In 2015 I let my childhood take over me through my biking adventures and teaching volunteer activities. It lets you connect to yourself and rewire your brain.
11. Respect your body. No I am not a fit person. I am far from it. But this year when I pushed myself to a daily exercise routine, I felt the difference in my behavior and focus. I am someone who cannot give up on her chocolate cravings but I have learnt to balance it with a good dose of burning it out. Hopefully in 2016 I can take it to the next level.
12. Share your knowledge and help others without any expectation. It will give you the happiness of growing others and yourself at the same time.
13. Smile at strangers. When I was on my solo trips this year, I did it often. Some said it’s not the most safe thing but I feel it connects you to humanity and let’s you spread happiness. Many might not return back the gesture but those who do make your day!
14. Respect others time. When you value your own time then why not others ? It’s the first step to a successful professional and personal relationship.
15. You are your biggest competition. Its the best way to unleash your fullest potential at all times. To be better than yourself.

Wishing you a successful 2016!

Are there more that we can add to this list? Please share so that we all can learn from it in 2016 and don't forget to tell which one are your favorites from the above. I look forward to your comments and thoughts!

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