About lessons to take forward, books or writeups read, and other amazing discoveries made during the year

First of all, I want to express gratitude to you for being connected and sharing insightful observations via your feed and conversations. I learn a lot from you. Thank you.

I took a difficult (or rather unfathomable) step earlier this year, that of taking a break in my career. The free time I had, took me onto an entirely new journey of self-discovery. If you ever have a white rabbit to discover in life, it is okay to take time off. The sooner we find it, the better. It will only make your personal/professional journey more aligned for future endeavours. Time to remove the taboo that a gap on the resume is.

The pandemic has made many of us ponder on existential questions. It made many of us acknowledge our blessings in a more persistent way. It would be a waste if it doesn’t effect a permanent shift in some of our actions (towards selflessness) going forward. Also why ESG investing gained vogue during the period.

We have all heard of or read the book ‘Atomic habits’ by now. The biggest takeaway for me was to take an activity- based approach, rather than goal based. I have expanded on the usage of this concept outside professional goals too. It has even helped me appreciate the age-old teaching from Bhagavad Gita of ‘Nishkam karma’, much better. It works wonders when focus is rooted in taking action, as against heavy emotional investment in the outcome.

Without boring you any further, I’d now like to share some of the great reads that I enjoyed reading this year.

More than a fifth of debt ($15 Tn) issued by governments and companies around the world is negative yielding. Here’s a monograph that investigates the ongoing debate between the pros and cons of negative nominal yields and the economic rationale(s) that are used to justify or criticize underlying policies. @vineerbhansali @cfainstitute

https://www.cfainstitute.org/en/research/foundation/2021/negative-interest-rates

Here’s a primer on ESG investing. ESG issues in investing, a guide for investment professionals by @cfainstitute

https://www.cfainstitute.org/en/advocacy/policy-positions/environmental-social-and-governance-issues-in-investing-a-guide-for-investment-professionals

A good article on one of the biggest workforce development of 2021 : The Great resignation and the expectations going forward

https://www.cnet.com/news/the-great-resignation-is-changing-work-in-america-and-its-here-to-stay/

Here’s an amazing podcast I discovered on sustainable finance by @paulellis

https://www.dhirubhai.net/company/tsf-podcast/

And lastly, shoutout to the @diversityproject-investmentindustry for a fabulous initiative to accelerate progress towards an inclusive culture in the investment and savings profession. @guinevere https://www.dhirubhai.net/company/diversity-project-investment-industry/about/

Do give them a follow!

Here’s wishing you a safe, healthy and fulfilling new year ahead. Looking forward to enriching conversations with you all.?