2021 taught me many lessons, but most importantly…..

There was not much difference between 2020 and 2021. The COVID vaccine had boosted my immune system, but I now needed to boost my mental health and wellbeing.?????♀?

The fear of leaving a comfortable job in the middle of a pandemic was not an easy one to overcome, but I finally decided to take the leap. Funny how the comfort zone can become the most uncomfortable place if you stay in it for too long.?

Having lived in Malaysia and Australia prior to the pandemic, I thought the change that I needed was to move to a new country, so I secured a new opportunity based in Holland and was due to move to Amsterdam. Soon after joining the company, I realised that this was not the right move for me in my career. It was a difficult decision, but I decided to leave.?

Everyone had their idea of what a normal career progression should look like, and began asking me how you could leave a job after such a short period of time, but for me, the real question was, how could you not when you know that’s not where you belong! ??

Throughout our life, we get signs which direct us towards our calling. If we ignore these signs, we can easily end up on the wrong path and waste our time.

This was my 1st lesson in 2021: take the small signs in life seriously!

As Oprah Winfrey explains, your life whispers to you all the time if you are paying attention. At first, the message might seem a little odd or strange. If you don’t pay attention, it adds up and becomes a problem. The key is to pay attention to the whispers before they turn into a big problem.?

And this was my whisper, I was on the wrong path.???

When I look around, I see many people who are not fulfilled in their career. But they are very hesitant to leave their job because they believe that’s how life is supposed to be. Seeking a career path which lights up your soul may not necessarily be an easy task, however it is one certainly worth pursuing!?

Having lost both of my grandparents during the pandemic, my grandad’s last message to me was: ‘’know the value of your life’’.?

What’s even more remarkable is when he said that to me he had lost most of his memory due to a heart attack, but yet he still remembered what was the most important lesson of life.?

Since then, I try to ask myself the following questions everyday:

• Do I feel inspired and motivated by my day ahead?
• If I had to do this job for free would I still do it?
• Is this in line with my values and the impact which I want to have in the world?

And if the answer is ‘no’ too many days in a row, then that’s my clue that I need to change my path.???

I went through the recruitment process for a few opportunities and ended up with a few offers which I turned down - by this point I had built the confidence to say no when something did not align with my interests and values.?

This was my 2nd lesson in 2021: know your values and say no to anything that does not align!

I resisted the temptation to follow social norms, and decided to shape my own path.?In the wise words of Steve Jobs; ‘’the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet keep looking, don’t settle.’’

And I knew that I still haven’t found what I love, so I was not ready to settle. When you keep looking and visualising your dreams, the universe aligns itself towards the direction which you need to take.??

When you change and keep trying new things, you learn very quickly what aligns with your interests and values and what doesn’t. Just as companies define their values and vision, it is as important, if not more, for us to define our values and vision for our life.?

It may take time. You may not know what your path is and that’s ok. Just keep exploring and the answer will come.

What impact do we want to leave behind on this planet when we are gone?

And this was my most important lesson in 2021, think about the impact you want to have on this world and act accordingly.

The impact you want to have on your life and on other people’s lives. I believe we are here to contribute to society in some shape or form, so what contribution will you be proud of to look back on??

Finally, I am at a point where I can comfortably say I know the impact which I want to have on this world and am grateful to have the opportunity to shape my own path on this journey.?

As we think about 2022 and how life will differ, I plan to hold myself accountable to the following goals:

?? Keep developing my values and do not compromise on them.

?? Expand the impact that I have on other people’s lives. ?

?? Challenge myself with experiences which make my soul come to life.

I wish the same for you, to realise your full potential, find your true passion (if you haven’t found it yet) and have the opportunity to spend every single day making a positive impact on your life and that of others.?

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!???

Best wishes,

Zahra