Button up that shirt! Carry these tips in your pocket and start Your year.

I thought of sharing some ideas with you at the beginning of the year thinking that they may help you "shape" your activities for this year. These ideas are based on the learning experiences that I have truly enjoyed reflecting upon.

1. Be in charge

Be in charge - it is your life. A very well-proven way to fail in life is to measure your success by the standards set by others- be it by another person or a group (society, organization or peer group). You think you have succeeded because others are celebrating it. But are you sure this is what you really wanted to do? Is this the level of outcome that you wanted to stop yourself at? Stopping at a point or letting your dreams evaporate because others have set the boundary of success can surely be a way to fail in life.

2. Be the bullet

Are there examples of people that have shaped your perceptions of certain things? This point is similar to the first point. You might be awed by the success of certain people or the immensity of certain things that they do, but that does not necessarily mean that they are creating great value in your or other people's lives. Just because the empty barrel of the gun was taken over by the dirt, it does not mean the gun will work as it does with a bullet. So be the bullet! Learn to see things from various perspectives and apply critical thinking skills. Find out what truly matters you, work towards it and be the person who can really create an impact.

3. One size does not fit all

At work, you may demonstrate certain values and do things in certain ways. Just because your attitude about something or your way of doing things worked in the past does not mean they will work flawlessly on all occasions. There are supposed to be different contexts and hidden features. Even the feature of a thing or the values of a person can change over time. Learn to explore, fail and gain newer perspectives. After all, getting the sense of multiple perspectives and learning new ways of doing things are the fun parts of life!

4. Reflect

Regardless of whether something worked or not, and whether you felt good or bad, reflect on what happened. What has your experience taught you and how it has shaped you for future endeavors in personal, social or professional life is very valuable to progress in life. Do the same for the things you read from various sources.