New Year, New Beginnings...

Another year has gone by and am packing up all my experiences of 2022 into a mixed bag. Many mixed bags, in fact. And now that we are ready to step into 2023, I was reflecting on life lessons that I surely want to carry into the new year:

●??????Change is the only constant: Amidst all the highs and lows of maneuvering through the pandemic, I’ve learnt to accept that change is the only constant. Change, that too from a very first principal perspective. The pandemic questioned our status quo across almost all spheres of life including the lens on work-from-home / office.

●??????Differentiate Urgent from Important: These words are commonly used in place of each other, but I pause to assess what applies where- given the situation and / or commotion around the agenda. While there might be a lot of important things on my plate, it helps to prioritize based on urgency. But then again, if there are n number of urgent situations every day, I must do something about delegating the important. One can’t be on fire fighter mode every day and if one is, it’s better to call in the Fire Force.

●??????Define your BHAG but also celebrate small wins: Set aside your Big Hairy Audacious Goal and work very hard towards it. However, sometimes we’re so focused with our eyes on the pie; we miss the small, tiny everyday wins.

●??????Invest in oneself: While the markets can go either way, investments in yourself will always pay off. Choose what suits you best or what your mind and body are most yearning for. It could be the pursuit of sport you used to play back in school or the cross fit workout you’ve been trying to make time for. Give yourself the due credit and make time now.

●??????It’s okay to not know: In a world of information overload, it isn’t possible to always stay on top of everything and about every topic. Every now and then it’s okay to acknowledge your lack of knowledge about a particular topic and if it's important enough you could choose to go back and brush up your skills on it ! But never shy away from saying “I don’t know”. It’s not a crime, when I last checked.

●??????Plan but be ready to tweak: Planning is important for optimal productivity but given the dynamism that prevails in today’s times, don’t consider the plan set in stone. Stay flexible to change on the go and keep room for amends every now and then!

●??????Challenge yourself constantly: Have faith that you have the strength and resilience to overcome any obstacle that might come your way. Think of the obstacle as an opportunity to grow, unlearn and relearn by first principle thinking and trust that it will lead you to the best possible outcome. Challenging yourself is mostly a combination of putting your best foot forward while also keeping faith to receive the best in return!

I strongly believe success comes from hard work, perseverance, learning, and finally in stepping out of your comfort zone. We need to keep believing in ourselves and our abilities, even when we feel that things are not moving. Trust that you have the strength and resilience to overcome any obstacle, and know that by putting in your best effort, you are paving the way for the best possible outcomes. Embrace the journey of unlearning and relearning and believe that it will lead you to where you are meant to be.

So, as Oprah Winfrey once said - "Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right.”

#grateful #reflections #infydiaries #infosys #dxrocks #2023