Looking back 2022...

The year of 2022 marks my 15 years of professional employment. I am glad to see more of UTP mates back in tower after 15 years of not seeing each other. One of them is my Tronoh Theatre Shop buddy. Apart from recollecting the heydays on stage, we agreed that technical maturity will get into shape after years of practicing. Indeed, this is the sense of accomplishment being an engineer. What's next? Some may pursue to greener pasture. Either internally or spread their wings outside. Certainly, my best wishes go them.

It is easy these days to suffer cluttered mind. There were times difficulty to focus plaguing my productivity and still is. I went back to the basic of writing it down. From the smallest task to the biggest one in a daily calendar. Some tasks took more than a day to pull off but some easy to complete. The feeling of ruling out each task is ever satisfying. Also, I realize reading book get me into focus zone. It is a way to kill time while commuting too.

This year I started my reading with handful from Seth Godin. Notably, 'All Marketers are Liar'. Seth Godin run a daily microblog which I am following. His daily entry normally one or two paragraphs, yet profound. Reading Thomas Friedman's 'Hot, Flat and Crowded', draws me to relate with today's world although the title was published more than 10 years ago. It shapes my opinion about fossil fuel, clean energy, innovation and how the big oil producers behave. This may sound boring to some, but it helps to understand the industry that I am currently working.

Being given a chance to make a significant difference is not an everyday affair. Instead of waiting to be given one, it is more fulfilling to start my own. This year I connected with great people. We are set to benefit pipeline engineering community. This will be different from quarterly PICOP that I chair. We hope the members of community able to upskill themselves through knowledge and improve their technical conversation. The key to this, start with something within your means. Good stuff awaits 2023.

Having been surrounded with good people adds more positive energy in me. I feel blessed I got to know great young talents. I grew fond with the way they carry themselves. I cannot help myself comparing with younger me. Certainly, they fare better than me. I am confident with passion and patience; they are set to climb the pinnacle of success.

Acquiring new knowledge & skill is a sign of growth and growth is the essence of being human. Being thrown into unchartered territory like commercialization challenges my status quo. Being in sales & marketing, it is so easy to put up promises, but the most difficult part is to get them fulfilled. This is the kind of job that demands 'proving what you preach', time and time again to your client. Personally, I enjoy the sense of accomplishment when successfully fulfilling my promises. Am I the first one in my division to execute this kind of job? Probably, yes!

Earlier this year I followed this man on YouTube and his writing on Facebook. Zainal Rashid Ahmad who owns ZRAStrim was a seasoned journo worked with several news stations. I enjoy watching his opitorial (opinion + editorial) session about current issues and envied his charisma interviewing quality guests. It anchored me down and sometimes I wondered where did this man gather all his wisdom through his careful selection of vocabs. His outlook probably made you think he runs a thrifting bundle store. But do not be fooled.

Towards year end, I keep on listening this Spotify playlist. I discovered while boarding Emirates last October. Another easy listening is John Mayer playlist on YouTube.

If I could sum up 2022, it will be BLESSED. I am hopeful for 2023 and I hope you too!