What I learnt from the year 2020

The year 2020 has been one of those years which we want to forget due to all the valid reasons like Covid-19 Pandemic, Lock-down, Unemployment, etc. However, we all are fortunate enough to survive through this. What is the point if we let this year just pass without noting the learning from 2020.

Here are my lessons from the year 2020 -

1.Everything is possible

We have seen many stable businesses shutting down or incurring severe losses for a reason which was out of their control. Many people lost their skilful job. We all have been forced to stay in houses for months. We lost millions of people across the globe. All in a span of 6 months. Everything is possible!

2. Heroes emerged in Crisis

The kind of work done by public servants, decision-makers, Policefoce, Health Workers, Doctors and many more during the pandemic is heroic. These heroes emerged in this crisis by risking their lives and losing their colleagues sometimes. But, they served for the greater good of humanity.

3. Being crisis-proof

I could survive this crisis from a lifestyle point of a view because I have a job which can be done at home, using a laptop, phone and internet. Thinking about people who couldn’t go to the workplace and thus became jobless is painful. We should prefer online jobs. All of us may not find an online job which fits our skill and will but, at least try to find an online alternative to your work. A word of caution here - Don’t be dependent too much either on the physical job or online job. We need to have kind of a mix of it. Who knows, the internet may go down for months. Never say never!

4. How to work remotely and yet be productive

At the start of lockdown, I had no idea how to work remotely. First 5 days were of excitement and next 15 days were like a war. I was started feeling like there is no end to it. After a few more days, things settled down and I started working more productively. I could take proper breaks at home. Our team started finding innovative ways to connect with colleagues and we’re enjoying it now. I am confident that - I can work from ‘anywhere’.

5. No need for business travel

All those early morning flights started feeling like a waste. All the business discussion, important decisions, product demos could happen online yet effective. This could happen as people on both sides of the table were mentally prepared for it. I think we should travel only if we’ve to visit the market to collect one ground feedback or we have to visit the factory, warehouse, property, etc. which needs our physical presence.

6. Managing my money well

There is a saying in Marathi which can be roughly translated as - You can act for everything except for money. This gave a reality check and helped me redefine my concepts of ‘having enough money’. I learned to have a good amount of savings, Emergency funds, good investments and the most important - Insurances in place.

7. I am privileged 

This is a great realization I had in last 8-10 months. While I was never complaining about my lifestyle, now I am thankful for it. Good house, Good food, good health, and family is a privilege. It was extremely difficult for a few unfortunate people to stay locked in small houses, somehow manage daily living, maintain hygiene and stay mentally strong in this situation.

8. Don’t wait for another crisis to plan a life

Do we need another reason to take corrective measure to shape our lives? I don’t think so. The year 2020 has given us the greatest lessons for life. We just need to introspect well and make all the necessary changes to excel from here. They have said it right -

Never waste a crisis!

Note - I have recently started an English newsletter where I write about my learning of self-development, motivation, psychology & mental Wellness. Sign-Up if you would love to start a conversation - https://beyondthebelief.substack.com/p/coming-soon?r=1g5zk&

?