I want more of these in 2020

Before wishing everyone and myself a happy new year, I wanted to take some time to reflect on 2019, the projects, the ideas and the people that made this year for me. 

In 2019, I started/continued learning on topics dear to my heart: 

• Diversity and Inclusion: I attended a few events last year that were mind-shifting. Shout out to the team at Babbel and Vessy for their past events. Berlin scene is maturing around these questions and I can’t wait to share what Margherita and I are currently working on! 
• Menstrual Health: a topic I’m paying close attention to for the past three years. Here as well what the tech industry promises is fascinating. Watch out!
• Female entrepreneurship: the conversation has slightly moved from ? how to empower more women to start their own business ? to reviewing the mechanisms in place that are preventing us from seeing more equality (in access to education, opportunities, VC funding). This is a very interesting shift because it's helping all of us understand things on the structural level, not only talking about individual paths. Shout out the series of Google events held in Berlin (among others ? you don’t need to call me a ‘female’ entrepreneurs ? in April 2019)

But 2019 is definitely the year I went out of my comfort zone: 

• Went from my job to a whole new side of things by going freelance. And holy s***! It feels like jumping in cold water. I certainly could have used more preparation. But hey, it got me that far so I assume there is also something to trust in this way of approaching things.
• Put myself and my idea of bringing menstrual product in every workspace out there. I went on stage and I talked about it here on LinkedIn. I got overwhelmed by the encouraging words. It was far from the shark tank I imagined :) 
• Asked for help and I am grateful I could find on my way people willing to help 
• Put myself in constant learning mode: basics of HTML/ Sales strategy/ How to get to a prototype/ how to run surveys/ podcasting techniques.

To wrap up my learnings and hopes for next year, I have used an exercise developed by Thomas Burbidge from Young, Wild & Freelance (sorry it's in French, but let me know if I can help with translation!): For each month of 2019, listing all the things we’re proud of, grateful for and also the frustrating things.

I realized: 

• I am missing crucial information: I didn't keep for myself enough info about performance and how I felt through the process, mostly as an employee but also as a freelancer. During this exercise, I realized some months were harder to write about; because I couldn't retrieve enough material. It’s true what Thomas says, we think we’ll remember the valuable lessons and be able to get it out when necessary. Truth is we have short memories and our brain has its own reasons to do so. The most secure way to hold on these learnings is to write them down (for me old school pen and paper), be regular and consistent at it.
• I was not aware I was juggling with different timelines: freelancing, developing a business ideas, getting out of a regular job. Each of these has its own pace. And I have to confess I got myself carried away by all these startups stories... Good for inspiration, not necessarily replicable. Consequence: we might get too hard on ourselves and perhaps be a little impatient. Now, I know in my bones this is definitely not an overnight process. 
• Getting everything in written and agreeing on terms in an actual contract is priceless! To avoid misunderstandings down the line. This half year freelancing has taught me to have in mind the worst case scenario. What happens if conditions are not met? A contract allows to set the frame so that everyone feel secure and conditions are gathered to make a good collaboration
• Being perfectionist, polishing, refining an idea doesn’t make it more success-worthy. Sometimes, it’s just best to get it out and ask people to be understanding. People are more patient than what I thought.
• Nobody is waiting for me. In the sense that, no one is waiting to see "my precious" so better get it out and talk about it :)

What I want more of in 2020: 

• More discussion and learnings around helping women in their life, in the public space, in their businesses. 

With its ups and down, 2019 has taught me it’s okay - it’s actually key - to rely on others. 

• Listening to others. I understood that in order to develop or kill an idea fast: getting inputs from others is essential. 
• Leaning on others. And that wasn’t an easy one as I like to prove myself 'yes, I can do it’. But a clear thinking putting ego between brackets would be: Someone else has done this before me. Who are these people? and how can I learn from them in order to get faster where I want to be.
• More than ever, I see Berlin as a city full of creative minds. They are craving for connexions. They want to find or building their own tribe. I also found people willing to help me. Just for the sake of helping, because they believed in me and my ideas. It is such a beautiful feeling and motivates me to give back to the city even more. I wish myself to accept what these people have to offer me and lean on this energy even more.
• Be ready for the unexpected: I’ve met passionate and compassionate people just willing to help or do stuff together. Some project in the making I didn’t see coming that way at the beginning with people that were open. Serendipity, unexpected and dynamic. How exciting is this? 
• Be humble and accept to be a student: even on areas where I consider having some knowledge. 

I wish you all a happy New Year. A year full of learnings and good surprises, that will bring you closer to your goals!