#HI2020: 20 life lessons worth learning

Hindsight is 2020 (#HI2020) is a ground up initiative founded and led by a class of 2020 graduate - Jessica Lee Yi Ling from Singapore Management University (SMU). In this series, she uncovers personal stories of resilience, courage and love amidst this crazy year we call 2020. Through the reflections and learnings shared in #HI2020, she hopes to empower internship and job seekers to improve their status quos and encourage aspiring entrepreneurs and volunteers to pursue their passions in 2021.

A year ago around this time, I “virtually” completed my final semester in university - in the 4 walls of my own home.

Many, including myself, remember how the Class of 2020 became the Class of Covid-19. In my view, which I believe will be shared by many, the Class of 2021 is having it tough too and could use some encouragement as well.

With AY2020/21 coming to a close, it will soon be their turn to graduate too. Some were students who did not manage to secure an internship last summer. Some worked from home and never got to meet their internship boss. Some are still on a job hunt and hoping to be shortlisted for an internship. Yes, till date, the shadow of Covid-19 still looms large and continues to weigh on our economy.

While I did graduate in the heat of the pandemic, I will not say I know 100% of what my juniors are experiencing – they have their own DIFFERENT set of challenges to face. However, the message I have for all my readers is still the SAME. It is the one I shared last year in Project Y to Z’s summary article on behalf of my team.

If you were dealt with a seemingly undesirable set of cards in a game of UNO (yes trying to keep this wholesome), would you immediately throw your hand in and call it quits? No, you still give yourself a chance and play the game. So, what’s stopping you from having the same mentality in approaching your life?

Regardless of what trials you are going through, stay resilient.

20 life lessons that I hope you can use to improve your status quo.

Dear Class of 2021, I guess this would be my little gift to you. I can testify that these lessons can help you in one way or another, as I too reflected upon them and have applied them in both #HI2020 and my personal life.

Building a business with Benjamin [Read Interview]

1.    Never lose sight of your mission in life.

This reminded me of Simon Sinek’s golden circle. Always start with why and let it guide you.

Investing in oneself with Farid [Read Interview]

2.    Invest in yourself, it pays the best dividends.

It’s true – you can’t be your best if you’re running on empty and not working on yourself.

Staying hungry to learn with Dilesh [Read Interview]

3.    The magic happens when you step outside your comfort zone.

Putting myself out there and doing this project helped me to get comfortable with discomfort felt in 2020.

Cooking up success with Ken [Read Interview]

4.    Happy customers are the advertising that money can't buy.

Let your work and genuine actions speak for itself, nothing beats positive word of mouth marketing for your personal brand/business.

A journey of growth with Chaehyun [Read Interview]

5.    To get ahead, you need to get started first.

I definitely couldn’t have completed this #HI2020 series if I didn’t pen (or type) my first word.

Follow your heart with Huang Suan [Read Interview]

6.    The decisions you make today affects your tomorrow.

I knew there was more to the life I was living in 2020, so I decided to make better choices in 2021.

Developing a team with Yash [Read Interview]

7.    A small group of determined and like-minded people have the power to make history.

This #HI2020 series was only possible with the help from interviewees, partners and readers, thank you so much!

Contact tracing with Shawn [Read Interview]

8.    A mind is like a parachute- it functions only when it is open.

I learnt way more from practicing active listening during these interviews than living in my own bubble.

Taking Flight with Sean [Read Interview]

9.    Know the difference between success and fame.

Being able to inspire and encourage readers matter the most to me and it’s why I started this!

Get the inside scoop with Yvonne [Read Interview]

10. Discipline is doing what you know needs to be done even if you don’t want to do it and no one tells you to.

Spending leaves, weekends and holidays on this instead of falling prey to the temptation to mindlessly scroll through social media platforms was necessary.

Going the extra mile with Melvin [Read Interview]

11. If the plan doesn't work, change the plan but never the goal.

Since the first day I started conceptualising this project, there have been so many iterations and changes. The desired outcome however, always remained.

Bouncing back stronger with Anna [Read Interview]

12. Be thankful for the hard times, for they have made you.

Chemistry was my worst subject in Junior College but if there’s one thing I always remembered, it’s that without pressure, you won’t get the diamonds you desire.

Making a social impact with Aaron [Read Interview]

13. Look at what we have, and not just what we don’t have.

It was through learning to recognise that I was blessed, that I started to be able to look beyond myself and consider ways to positively impact others.

Mixing it up with Zac [Read Interview]

14. Don’t let imposter syndrome get to you, you can do it.

If I had let the external and internal naysayers get to me, I wouldn’t have stayed true and posted these articles or reached out to partners and interviewees.

Being Pawsome with Travis [Read Interview]

15. Action cures fear, inaction creates terror.

Right before I posted my very first #HI2020 related content, I was a bundle of nerves. That all slowly but surely went away as I consistently clicked on the “publish” blue button each week.

One bag at a time with Jaslyn and Victoria [Read Interview]

16. We can’t help everyone but everyone can help someone.

If you aren’t familiar with the Tale of the Starfish, it’s about making incremental steps towards changing the world. It is my humble wish to be like the starfish thrower and write my own story too!

So that’s 16 lessons from my interviewees. At this point, you must be wondering.

“Didn’t Jessica say there was going to be 20?”

Yes, I do have 4 more lessons I took away in my various capacities.

17. When the going gets tough, allow yourself to rest but never, never quit.

As a work in progress, I know I’m still far from where I want to be. I know it can be hard to “show up” when things seem bleak. Be as tenacious as Hope, the turtle with an exposed heart that never gave up. Special shout out to Brandon for sharing about Hope and for being one of the reasons I too never gave up on this project. From being my sounding board during my brainstorming sessions to believing in me to see this through to completion, you've really supported me in every way possible throughout this journey and I'm extremely grateful for you.

18. Become obsessed about the things you want or risk spending a lifetime being obsessed with making excuses as to why you didn’t get the life you wanted.

As the founder, I was clear that I couldn’t wait till I retired to continue doing good for the community. Help yourself by overcoming procrastination and achieve meaningful things.

19. You are the common denominator in your experiences.

As an interviewer, I noticed this common theme in all stories: Me-sponsibility. Every interviewee recognised that everything begins and ends with themselves. In the words of one of my favourite authors, Mark Manson, “With great responsibility comes great power.”

20. Knowledge not shared is knowledge wasted.

Finally, as a writer, I knew that I’d be doing a disservice if I didn’t share these learnings and let others benefit too. In fact, it is through adopting an attitude of giving that has also helped me better internalise these lessons.

Dear Class of 2021, congratulations on your graduation!

I hope this “gift” helps you navigate your transition into your next phase of life and that you can be the best version of yourself!

From the bottom of my heart, thank you, you, and you.

The many kind messages of support and gratitude that came from friends, colleagues, my university and new LinkedIn connections over the past few months really came as pleasant surprises. It’s extremely encouraging to know that this initiative achieved its main objectives:

Empower internship/job seekers and aspiring entrepreneurs/volunteers

Set an example that anyone is capable of making a positive impact.

Additionally, I’m extremely appreciative of the trust that the interviewees placed in me to help them leave a digital footprint of their own and see the beauty of leveraging their experiences to inspire others.

A bittersweet pill to swallow

That’s what completing this series feels like. Hindsight is 2020 wouldn’t truly be what it is if I didn’t reflect on the experience running this social initiative and show gratitude to the people who were on this journey of self-development and giving back with me.

If you’ve benefited from this #HI2020 series, my little ask is that you pay it forward and share it with someone who could use a “gift” like this too.

To all #HI2020 readers, keep learning, keep reflecting and keep improving your status quo!

Once again, thank you for all the support!