This year 2020… the most memorable yet…

Its 11:26 pm Wed 23 Dec 2020 and in few days the year will end… And what will happen in 2021? Will it be worse for many or will it get better slowly?

As of today, we have 3rd wave of COVID-19 in many countries, with an ever-deadly strain in UK, Europe bracing for worse, and USA is devastating with more people killed daily than a once-of unforgettable incident of 9/11 where 2606 people were killed. Last time I saw COVID-19 stats, few months back, was ~10 MN cases and today its 78 MN cases worldwide, with 1.73 MN deaths and thankfully 55 MN recovered…

On the other hand, in developing world like India people do not care anymore, life is continuing as usual, yes many are living, and some are dying. Yes, people are scared and isolated and mental well-being impacted.

For us in Melbourne we had a devastating impact on economy in lockdown of last 6 months, many jobs lost, many businesses suffocated. On the positive side Australian and New Zealand governments handled COVID-19 pretty well and saved many lives.

And what about me? I wrote to my friends that I had the worst and the best year in a decade. On slow thinking, worst may be an exaggeration (if I just choose to focus on a small part). In fact it was an year full of challenges and many learnings. I will count the BLESSINGS, LEARNINGS and EUREKA MOMENTS in my blog.

I was living a normal life, earning good money and spending also good…

In Apr my contract was not extended as the new program was deprioritized (because Australian Regulatory (APRA) postponed the Basel III obligations by one year). The cumulative effect of COVID-19 economic impact could be imagined from the fact that my ex-Bank stopped 80 out of 100 programs. You can imagine how many jobs would have been lost!

I was not worried with it then, as I wanted rest after 2.5 yrs of hectic work, and after settling down in Australia I always wanted to work for 9 months and take rest for 3 months in a year. Meaning working as a contract at a high salary and relaxing and brushing up new skills in the gap. I did not get to practice this and was out of a job at a time, when 9 months since then (in Dec 2020) we still have very few jobs advertised and many many people jobless :) So no prior practice and left to swim in turbulent waters.

And I have always believed that professionals should not be begging for jobs, rather they makes themselves capable and passionate work will follow. This wishful thinking does not apply for this year 2020…

We were building our new home in Apr 2020 and it was ready to be handed over in Jun 2020. I took home loan from the same bank I worked. And my loan was approved earlier, so all down payments continued. And thankfully Australian government and my Bank recommended to pause mortgage payments.

BLESSING 1 - We moved into the new home, without the need to pay mortgage for 6 months (Apr – Oct 2020) and also without the need to pay rent. So, we were living in our own home for free. :)

BLESSING 2 – With no job, I got a lot of free time. I cannot imagine how low productivity jobs suck our time and suck our creativity. It’s like being on drugs! You are useless and you cannot stop being useless.

Learning: Your time is the most precious commodity. Don’t waste it on jobs which just pay you at month end. It’s like living on drugs!

I had an option to sulk or fight back. I started brushing up on my skills.

BLESSING 3 – Weeks before I lost my job, I knew I will, so started studying for AWS Solution Architect certification. I needed to attach myself to a desk studying for ~4 hrs a day, and I had to stop thinking about searching for a new job. So, controlling your distraction and focusing hard. This needed practice and force. So I booked a date for certification and paid, which means if I fail I lose the money. No job reimbursing for your certification. You can’t take it easy! It took me 2 months and towards the end I was studying for 8 – 10 hrs a day… Well finally nailed it in 1st attempt. Like a thriller, the exam did not start while attempting from home and had to write few tough emails to get it rescheduled to a local exam center in Melbourne CBD and did pretty well.

BLESSING 4 – Studying like crazy in Apr-May I realized that I need to be efficient with my learning. I need ways to learn faster and assimilate more. And found out a course on "Learning to Learn Efficiently" and did it with full interest.

Learning: Learning how to Learn Efficiently, learning how our brain works, and how to assimilate more is a key skill.

BLESSING 5 – With the tools ready, I started learning on my next passion, Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence. With no job I got lots of time. On the other hand, had distractions like job search, and counting savings in Bank, and facing worried family and friends, etc. Even then continued studying, writing code, buying more costlier books and writing end-to-end projects. And got the courage to set my long term mission to be in the "Top 1% of Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence professionals in Australia". Its 9 months since I started in Mar-Apr, and I am continuing to learn and code… (Meanwhile I got a job but I have not allowed it to distract me. I work in day, and study in evenings :) )

Learning: When you learn a new deep subject continuously every day you get the amazing effect of Compounded Learning. In few months you could be double your level and in few years an expert. (by continuous I mean focused 3-4 hrs every day for few months, followed by 1-2 hrs every day)

Learning: For unwavering conviction you need tough situations and no option but to fight back. 

BLESSING 6 – COVID-19 made it possible to regularly work from home. That’s why I can still study for 1.5 – 2 hrs in evenings

BLESSING 7 – I have a weak left knee and weak lower back. So, working/studying at a not-so-good desk at home was getting difficult. Gym was closed and I had to find an alternative. I started cycling, and then bought a standing desk. With few months of practice and uncomfortable days, now I can stand and work/study for 6 of 8 hrs and the knee and back problem is resolved. I also noticed I started gaining weight and chest muscles looked weaker. I started simple 15 push-ups a day. And I am stronger and feel better.

Repeat Learning: For unwavering conviction you need tough situations and no option but to fight back.

Eureka moment: We don’t need a Gym to be fit and active. Cycling, standing up more and pushups do a good job.

BLESSING 8 – With nowhere to go in COVID-19, no restaurants to eat, no useless shopping to do (malls were closed), no Mortgage payments, no Rent to pay, and Australian Government paying for Job Seeker and COVID-19 support, my savings kept at the same level. Zero gain, zero loss! I keep aside 3 months of all expenses in an account (targeting 6 - 12 months of all expenses, thanks Scott Pape - Barefoot Investor). And this account was untouched.

Eureka moment: We don’t need a lot of money to live a happy contented life.

BLESSING 9 – In Australia I have worked hard, have maintained good relationships, and luckily have few mentors who tried, and I got a job in a different industry which I had not imagined. And guess what, apart from my main job leading complex IT Application Development, I got an interesting side opportunity to be a co-supervisor of 5 Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence brilliant Data Scientists. And my hard work of 9 months learning is coming to real life use.

Learning: Relationships do matter and do not hesitate to ask for help when you need. You don’t need your ego!

Eureka moment: Sow seeds and water and care. If you have nurtured it well and if you have patience the plant will grow.

BLESSING 10 – With COVID-19 schooling started from home, and as expected in 1st term of home schooling my sons grade started going down. I took control by paying attention, motivating and teaching my son. And in last 2 terms he is growing regularly. With more time at home, I can pay attention to my son’s health (he cycles with me) and studies (he often does not like that :) ). That’s ok as he is developing!

BLESSING 11 – With income flowing and expenses lower, savings have started to grow faster. I don’t need an investment property and I don’t need a bigger house in a costlier and more reputed suburb.

Learning: Save more and live a more meaningful life with a higher purpose.

BLESSING 12 – There were many stressful days and months and I realized mental well-being comes even before physical well-being. I started meditating and I have been doing it regularly now.

Learning: Work on your mental well-being followed by your physical well-being!

I can continue…

In summary I do realize that it has been the best year in a decade. Yes, I had to fight back many times. The Japanese proverb sums up well… Quoting from the article courtesy: https://www.wagingpeace.org/fall-down-seven-times-stand-up-eight/ -

" “Nana korobi, ya oki” which means “Fall down seven times, stand up eight.” It means choosing to never give up hope, and to always strive for more. It means that your focus isn’t on the reality in front of you, but on a greater vision that may not be reality yet."

Happy New Year 2021!

Mahtab Syed

Melbourne

1:10 am - 24 Dec 2020