Lessons For a New Year at Work and at Home

Whenever I begin a new year, I like to consider what I’ve learned that will help me in the future and consider what new opportunities lay ahead. Last year was hardly typical, as was the year before that. But I’m still incredibly grateful for all that I learned—especially about how much I value the people in my life. My family, friends, colleagues and clients have taught me so much, and I know they’ll continue to do so in 2022.

As I return to work and sift through my pile of emails, I wanted to share some lessons and hopes—both personal and professional—before the day-in, day-out humdrum gets started in earnest.

Looking back on what I learned last year

Thinking of 2021, it must be said that the pandemic continued to stop me—and most others—from doing everything that we wanted to do. This was not easy for me to face as last year began: I used to be someone who measured a good part of value in life based on the places visited, the events attended, and the nights out.?

However, in my personal life, I’ve realized that I can be happy with a less active lifestyle.?That’s not to say that I don’t look forward to travel, concerts, sporting events, and a good dinner party. I really, really do. But it doesn’t have to be at the same pace.?I’ve been just fine with slowing down, saying no to events that still make me uncomfortable, and enjoying the quiet nights with family.

When I think of my work in 2021, my mind immediately goes to a lecture I attended by Columbia University’s Hitendra Wadhwa about inspirational leadership.?We talked a lot about what he calls the “victim’s story.” Everyone has it: we all tell stories about what is preventing us from reaching our full potential, about what is keeping us down, about what is being done to us that is frustrating or unfair.?And it’s true: things happen to us.?So we tell those victim stories and we receive them back.?

However, no one is the better for it.?Yes, we all have challenges but we all are also empowered in many ways.?We can choose to switch from victim to empowered.?Now, I try to tell myself, “Things don’t happen to me.?I am an integral factor in every situation.”?I carry that mentality into all my engagements and focus my narrative on my empowerment and on what I am going to accomplish.

What I’m thinking about in 2022

As the clock struck midnight on New Year’s Eve, I reminded myself that I don’t have to be overscheduled to be happy.??This year, whether the pandemic eases or doubles down, I’m not going to mourn a hectic schedule, or create one if the opportunity presents itself.

One tool I’ve added to my toolbox that I’m particularly excited about is the accountability partner system. I have an accountability partner. We speak twice a month and hold each other accountable for how we are interacting with our colleagues and team members.?She and I are focused on not telling victim stories and on embarking on hero’s journeys with our team members.?We seek to be uplifting in our approaches and to call people to higher purposes.?I’d recommend this approach to anyone trying to change their thinking or behavior in the coming year.?

Finally, at work and at home, what I’m hoping for most this year is more in-person human connection.?I just want to sit in a coffee shop with close friends, family members, clients and talk. I look forwarding to seeing my colleagues again in person, being back in an office environment, and having lunches together.?It’s been a long time. We’re incredibly lucky to have the technology to work and communicate over distance and through a crisis today. But for me, nothing quite replaces the face-to-face interaction.

I hope this helps some of you, and I hope you’ll share what you’ve learned in the comments below. Whatever challenges and unforeseen events are ahead, I’m starting this year off cautiously optimistic.

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Important Information

The opinions expressed are those of the speakers and are based on current market conditions as of January 20, 2021 and are subject to change without notice. These opinions may differ from those of other Invesco investment professionals.

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