What did I learn since March'20 that keeps me positive and driven?

2020 was a shocker and that's what reality is, shocking. But the whole year did leave a permanent impression on how we think, how we care and how we work. While this year challenged many of us at different levels, it most certainly taught us a lot. There are so many things I can pinpoint about what changed in me during last year, most of it had to with my own context. It is in itself a great lesson to learn that "your context is your context". One can never be 100% right about something.

On a lighter note, here a the top 3 lesson from the last 12 months I would like to share with you all:

1. Human beings' greatest quality is the ability to adapt, smartly and quickly.

Charles Darwin was perhaps right and gave us more motivation with the survival of fittest theory than he gave answers to scientists studying evolution. I will not believe you if you say you could imagine wishing Happy New Year 2021 back in March 2020 without being a stretch.

It is a testament to fact that humans are indeed hardwired to go on. We find our ways to do things and especially faster when unexpected things stop us from doing what we would rather be doing. I take it as a sign of confidence that we, together, can tackle challenges and any existential threats to humankind. For what it's worth, we still have a lot to learn and a lot of wrongs to right. I look forward to 2021 as both an end to many bad things and as a beginning to many good things.

2. If you rest, you rust!

I am certain the pandemic proved to be a wake-up call for many. The world stopped, so said the news channels, but just take a moment and think about it. Did we really stop? or Did we just pause for a few moments? Sure, many people had to part ways with their jobs and way of living. But on the flip side, many people got new jobs, never stopped working, learnt new skills and found if they really like what they do.

Stagnation is an overrated truth. If you are not moving forward, you don't just stay where you are, you actually move backwards. The world constantly keeps evolving and 2020 just pressed the red "turbo" button. It is crucial for all of us to keep moving into 2021 and beyond. Take a moment whenever needed, but never really stop. Every day you stop puts you two days behind the rest of the world.

3. Progress is about moving forward. Success is a by-product, not the destination!

A lot of us started new things, businesses, hobbies etc. since March 2020 and even learnt to do the same old things differently. It is important to start learning things and that in itself is progress. The mindset pertaining to "Do you want to be successful?" has been bombarded all over us using advertisements. These elements monetize the drive and ambition that is an intrinsic part of us all. If you ever find yourself in such a place where you feel the drive and not a channel to convert it, just remember the good old quote below and just start!

Perseverance is in fact, the best tool for progress and ultimately success.

With these lessons, I wish you all loads of success for your personal and professional goals.