"What’s past is a prologue": Past holds keys to the Future

For a life-long learner that I am, there is no better teacher than the past. And considering the fact that I belong to the competitive intelligence industry which is based on connecting the dots, I am learning to do the same in my life as well: Carrying the message from the past to the future and making sure I don’t repeat the same mistakes and knowing why I made them.

Here are my key takeaways from the the past to implement in my future:

1)     Failure is never final, until you give up: I learn it all the time: In my cooking game, where I fail repeatedly on few specific levels, until one fine day, when I pass that level with shining stars. The re-affirmations that let me survive the pain of failure are:

a.      You have done this before, you can do it again

b.     You don’t need to focus on the score, focus on your skill and you will get there

c.      Upgrade: you need to have the right tools to get there. Sometimes skills alone wont help

d.     When you win, make sure you know how, so you can replicate it

2)     You are responsible and accountable for your life, and that includes your talent, too: If you don’t believe in yourself, no one else will. Take charge of everything around your life. Playing a victim looks good since you do away with the responsibility, but it also takes away your ability to respond to things.Don’t wait for the right time, even the ideal gas equation is hypothetical. Don’t wait for the winds to get right, learn to adjust your sail and just begin.

3)     Know your limitations before you know your strengths: I can’t begin to emphasize how important this is for everyone: especially when you are living in a fluid world, where life just flows. You need to know what gets you and how far you can go.

4)     Aggression and patience are two sides of the same coin: You should know how to flip it well: We all have gotten this wrong and I am still practicing it. Knowing what to allow, and how much to pursue is always good. Sometimes, an ounce of aggression is sometimes better than tons of patience and for those who hold the word aggression in a negative connotation, check the dictionary. I find resilience to be a perfect balance of both: aggressive enough to carry-on and patient enough to know why.

5)     Get rid of anything that doesn’t serve its purpose: I planned the next decade on minimalism: People, ideas, clothing, household goods, weight, aches and pains. Make space for positivity, happiness & inspiration.

6)     Connect with those who matter and make it a priority: Our life runs on people like them, don’t ever take them for granted and tell them you care. Dont find excuses find time.

7)     Do things that bring fulfillment than happiness: Happiness is temporary, fulfillment is long lasting

8)     Forgive people but don’t forget the lesson: People are a result of their circumstances (those who like to play the victim, and 90% people like playing victim) and most people don’t deliberate on finding out why they do what they do. They can’t change but you sure can choose how to respond to what they do.

9)     If your challenges are bigger, your calling is higher: Each time things go wrong, I fight with my Lord, (who ofcourse is on mute) only to later realize that He was making me ready for the path ahead.

10)  Never grow up: Keep your company with those younger and older than your age: the younger will keep you on your toes and tell you the importance of hashtags; the elder will teach you tricks that will always be a secret.

And ofcourse, last but also my favorite:

11)   Always dream big and believe in yourself:

Now let’s get ready for another decade of self-actualization and some fun! #happymotivation

Let #2020 begin!!