I totally messed up ??

Nothing I planned at the start of 2023 actually panned out. I finished the previous year with a strange feeling. All the contracts I had at that time were wrapping up, and I had no clue where to go, the level of uncertainty was sky-high. Plus, with the ongoing war, making any move seemed risky.

It felt to me like there was a lack of unity and agreement, not just in Ukraine but worldwide. That's when I decided to try and create a community.

I did some research, conducted surveys, and thought people needed a friendly space for support. But everyone I talked to said they are OK with what they have. There was no demand for it, and the idea never took off.

Then, I tried to contribute to Ukraine's victory in the war by looking for a job in foundations and state organizations where my knowledge could be valuable. No luck there. Seemed like people had no need in a good manager, they just ignored my attempts, or needed a person who knew how to “split the cut” (if you know what I mean).

As for my startup, tTravel , all the goals we set for ourselves turned out to be too ambitious. We wanted to sell globally, get investments, migrate to new technology, and get the point of profitability. Nothing happened.

Even though I had to run around from task to task, learn how to sell, how to speak, implement dynamic formulas, and get advice from the best mentors. Nothing took us to the point where we wanted to be.

But here's the silver lining: I joined to help a fantastic company— Jooble . We formed an internal community of entrepreneurs, held big transformation initiatives, workshops, Hackathon, and reached new highs in team performance, cross-communication and collaboration. I made friends and got pieces of advice I never thought I could get.

At tTravel We discovered the real struggles of influencers abroad and saw how uninnovative Europe can be.

We were the first to apply and the third to be accepted into Techosystem, an organization recognized as the Union of the Year at the Ukrainian Startup Awards 2023.

I’ve consulted Executives, Managers, and Leaders and changed their mindset in a way they didn’t expect.

“Thanks to you I’ve fixed the root cause where everything started. Processes started to be transparent, I got a clear full picture of each and every project. Estimations and real-time execution reduced drastically.

Now I focus fully on C-level, more than 50% of the problem lies there.”

- was one of the most inspiring feedbacks I got.

I also started working on my publicity, sharing knowledge from my 12-year career on linkedin and trying to bring change agents around it.

I performed on Agile Lean Ireland, LeSS community New York, online and first offline PMDay in many years.

I managed to gather a group of proactive colleagues and, by making a personal agreement with Gene G. , arrange a unique for Ukraine course - Certified LeSS Practitioner that nobody has done here before.

I’ve learned a lot in Kyiv-Mohyla Business School . Not only knowledge but also understanding how many like-minded people are still here, around me and I’m just not aware of it.

On a personal win, I got into the Mission Possible entrepreneur development program, one of 20 participants from more than 250 applicants as I heard.

Once again I’ve dedicated myself to learning, brainstorming ideas, and opening up to new unknowns and approaches that I can then bring to my clients and grow my own business.

Even though I battle heavy impostor syndrome, I feel like I achieved way more this year than I thought possible.

So, here's the takeaway:

The obvious thing - Plans don’t work, you should adapt.

Dream big, set goals, drop what is irrelevant, work on your vision,

roll with the punches, show up, and do what is needed even if it’s too late (it never actually is).

Create your own opportunities and don’t be afraid to give up something, temporary or for good - it just shouldn’t be yourself, people that you love, and things that you cherish ??

Don't just wait for opportunities

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Go out and make them happen!

Make 2024 yours!