The year of the Tiger

When I reminisce and look back at the year 2021, I can feel all the feelings we all may have felt. Locked down, unwell, multitasked, virus, loss, void, family, the importance of togetherness, resilience, struggle, hope, discovery, innovation, rebuilding, languishing; we went through an entire spectrum of emotions sometimes all of them together. But those of us that survived – persevered. We lost colleagues and friends along the way.

The team felt at a loss and friends grieved immensely. But the beauty of Leadership is to strive through, pause, empathize and quickly adapt to the now for the future. It’s the storm that tests your mettle and resolve. We see ourselves peering through 2022 only because of the team members, colleagues that had the empathy and tenacity to support each other to rise up to the roles that no job description included, exhausting all remits we all gave our 100% to the efforts and mantle of the vision we set for ourselves.

The feeling we deserve to feel and be allowed to say out loud is; gratified- proud and all such synonyms that come to play across this theme. There is a dire need to be elevated. To be Happy. Give yourself a pat on the back and smile.

The year 2022 is the year of the tiger in the Chinese calendar and taking from this theme. We should emulate all its qualities, strength, agility, leadership, poise, and grace, magnificence, quickness on its feet, and most importantly, to use your weight to do the right thing. Consider this - you are here when so many are not, you are alive and well. You have the gift of time and resources. Value your time here, use it well. What you do impacts the lives of your learners you are here for the larger good. Re-ignite your passion, find your passion if somehow you have lost it along the way.

Some lessons I have learnt in the past few months in the year 2021:

? Be sure that you are on the right side of things, fear no one. No one. Identify your roadblocks accept that there will be people that bring negativity and negative energies. Just ensure you are not that one person that spreads negativity. Identify the bully in the room, stand up to him/her. You will not be able to live with your older self if you do not.

? Remember to have fun. No amount of bad day, work, or person should damper your joy. Be the driver of your own joy.

? Learn to accept that you are not perfect and that you will falter, and you will need help. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness it’s a sign that you are self-aware.

? No one can help you as you will. Continuous development both professionally and as a person should be your top priority. If you are competent and humble about it, you will find less opposition.

? If there is something wrong – find yourself being the one coming up with the solutions, do not be a part of the crib fest.

? Invest in yourself. You are the ammunition you will need. Equip yourself with all kinds of ammo.

? Surround yourself with people that challenge you, mediocrity is no longer in fashion.

? Everything has a shelf life including you. Know that, live like that.

? Smile. Often.

? Breathe.

Happy New Year! 2022 is the year to move forward, grow and build – together. Find the Tiger in you and ROAR!!

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