December might be just another month on the calendar, but perhaps this is the only time we take a pause from our hurried lives and reflect on the year gone by. This contemplation gives us a chance to relive the happy moments, feel proud about our accomplishments, regret the opportunities not taken and, of course, plan for the future.
For me, 2021 has been a year of great significance— I have become a father and a district collector, both incredibly responsible roles.
Nothing teaches us like experience and these new responsibilities have taught me many lessons both professionally and personally. I still struggle to imbibe entirely some of the learnings I mention here. But I believe it’s a good idea to note them down and aspire to follow them.
The following are part lessons, part self-reflections, and part observations. It’s a 2021 collection of my notes-to-self.
Here goes:
1. Every once in a while, life gives you an opportunity you think you don’t quite deserve. Don’t get overwhelmed or fearful. Embrace it fully and make the most of it.
2. In any new assignment, watch out when you tell yourself “I am new to this and I am still learning, so it’s okay if I don’t give my 100%.” It’s a slacker’s excuse to not perform.
3. Even the best in their field haven’t figured it all out at the beginning. We all learn as we go along.
4. Life flows way too fast sometimes. Don’t become an aimless log in a flowing stream. Every once in a while, take a break, come on to the shore and observe the stream. Journaling is a great way to get a third person perspective on your day to day life.
5. Under promise, over deliver.
6. Progress is always small and imperceptible. The key is to keep going for a sustained period of time. Then you’d surprise yourself at how far you’ve come.
7. Gratitude makes life beautiful. Be thankful for everything, especially your health.
8. There is no ideal job. Every job, be it government or private, comes with unique challenges. Your goal must be to build a pocket of greatness within your sphere of influence.
9. The voice in your head subconsciously shapes your behaviour and confidence. Control your negative self-talk. Don’t be your worst critic. (I fail at this a lot).
10. People around you will rise or fall to the standards you expect from them. Tolerate mediocrity, it will become the norm. Set high standards, they will catch up. Benchmark yourself to excellence.
11. I didn’t believe when I read somewhere that infants love being sung to. Now I do. I am a horrible singer yet my son seems to love it when I sing and talk to him.
12. Multitasking is counterproductive. You might have hundreds of things to do, but the most effective way to deal with them is one at a time. For any task, give it your 100%. The rest can wait.
13. Criticise in private. Compliment in public .
14. Having a calendar and a task manager is an absolute must for every professional. As productivity guru David Allen says, your brain is for thinking ideas not for storing a to-do list.
15. Life is really short and tomorrow is not guaranteed. Live in the present.
16. You can’t motivate people through fear. Personal touch and a win-win scenario will go a long way in helping you and your team achieve your goals. A true leader must empower the people around.
17. Ability to focus for a sustained period of time is a critical life skill. You will get better or worse at it depending on how you train your mind. I have regressed horribly in this respect. Something to work on in 2022.
18. Imposter syndrome is a real challenge for me and I fight it every day. I still haven’t figured a way to overcome it.
19. If you want to dedicate time for personal projects, schedule them in the early mornings before the world wakes up and takes away your time and attention.
20. Planting a tree is the most affordable and useful thing you can do today to leave a mark on this planet and the future generations.
21. Life consists of 3 pillars: self, family, and career— each fulfilling a critical role. Self sustains your physical and mental health. Family provides you love and happiness. Career gives you purpose and meaning. Take care of these three pillars, and the rest will take care of itself.
22. Competence is a great source of joy and fulfilment. If you are good at a skill, you will really enjoy doing it. Conversely, to enjoy doing something, persist till you become good at it.
23. Stop living in the hall of infinite choice. Don’t let too many options paralyse you into indecision. Rather than endlessly browsing on Netflix, just select a damn movie and watch it.
24. To be a good boss, you need to be a good coach.
25. Perfectionism is your enemy. For most things in life, don’t aim for perfection. Aim for good enough.
26. Scheduling your day on a calendar app (I use ‘Fantastical’) is absolutely game changing. The moment you put something on your calendar, you do something critical— dedicate a certain time to the task and you are that much more likely to accomplish it. Unless it’s on your calendar, it’s just a wish.
27. Focus on inputs (effort, planning, putting in the work), not outputs (results and success, etc) The moment you put your 100% on input, the output takes care of itself. This is my takeaway from the book ‘Working Backwards.’
28. Doing something is the fastest way of learning it.
29. Catch early morning sunlight. It’s the best way to train your body to wake up at a certain time.
30. A favourite line that I keep repeating to myself: No hurry, no pause.
How was your 2021? What are your takeaways? Do let me know.
Absolutely a great learning year, amidst pandemic. I could reflect most of your learnings through my journey. This year’s greatest learning of mine would be, to stay fearless without pondering upon what could be the future and not to complain. Tolerance and acceptance to some extent… It’s a joy feeling to read your blog, thanks for sharing as it would help us, as we couldn’t experience all in our lifetime, shared experiences and learnings are good for a society to evolve.
Thank you for this useful information sir 😊
..
I’m feeling puzzled right now but one thing I know for sure is that I worked more hard this year & emotionally I became more mature… 🌻🌜💫. Thank you for sharing your thoughts sir.
Sir apke shabdon mein jadoo hai ♥, esa lagta hai jaise aap khud bol rhe :D,
itna kuch seekhne ko milta apse 🙂
sir bht bht BADHAI aapko 🙂 mera b man karta sir apse milne ka !
SIr, we relly miss U & loves U 🙂
& wish ur all desirs comes true
This year I learned it is okay to ask help and I should trust the intuitions.
Thank you for sharing such an incredible piece of knowledge sir
Congratulations Sir, for all your accomplishments !!!
And All the best to upcoming.
This is lessons are much needed for me sir… really very thankful for such a boost in the year end.
From today my warm up starts to run a marathon 2022.
As you said No hurry and no pause…
“There’s is nothing in the world that satisfies our heart but a desire to learn everyday does”.
Have a Happiest year ahead😃🙏
First of all congratulations Sir for the baby….He is already blessed being a son of yours…Thanks for sharing this masterpiece…
Gratitude for life, empathy for all & faith within!❤
Thankyou so much sir! It is really useful.😊
You are the inspiration for all of us sir.. Thanks for sharing this masterpiece with us. Something grateful that can we learn in the year end.
Have the happiest year ahead sir😇
#No_hurry_no_pause
Thankyou sir
Your words always motivated us
Congratulations sir!!! Your words are always work as combination of motivation & magic. Learnt a lot of things from your blog & still learning. Affirmation, gratitude & faith can make anything possible. Thanks for sharing this amazing thoughts with us. Have a happiest year ahead sir!!
💫No hurry no pause
2021 taught me a lot…. Know I now what is life before I am not care but know aware off it…
Thank you sir for sharing good inspiration content and your experience . The last 2words NO HURRY NO PAUSE this words creating something in my mind. THANK YOU SIR
What a wonderful write up sir. Made my day… Truly an inspiration.. ! Thank you for this amazing piece of thoughts. 😊
Congratulations anudeep garu for becoming father and dist collector!inspired.
2021 is a year of learnings. This year I learned to take care of my mental health and cherish the present moment.
And thank you sir for sharing your experience.
Extremely weighty is each lesson. Words say lauder how much experience they consist within. Truly helpful article is this. Thank you Anudeep sir.
My learnings this year are listed below :
1. Give 100%, finish the task, don’t send it forth to the future.
2. Discipline results in success not motivation.
3. Spending little extra and buying quality goods saves money. Low quality goods last shorter with low satisfaction wherein the vice versa is the case with quality goods.(may help lower middle/ middle class person like me)
4. Higher are the efforts, higher is the satisfaction.
5. Spending on studies is worth spending.
This year I learnt “it is okay to be failed, but it’s not okay to be stopped.” I failed in prelims.
Hemant
I learned and still learning that scary moments will come in life every now and then but even our single small brave step in confronting it can change things.
And we cannot forever dwell on those moments because as we are wasting time thinking about past life goes by.
1. Ignorance is harmful no matter how small or big it is.
2. Spend time with your loved ones (family and friends), don’t take anyone and anything for granted.
3. Be Grateful for what you are and what you have.😇
And Thank you for your blogs💫
No hurry, no pause.❤️❤️
My year 2021 was the most happiest as well as most saddest. But still, I like my day on daily basis. I do not think about the day after tomorrow or more and more. The year was happiest because I completed my graduation this year with flying colours 84% remained topped in my college, and saddest because I couldn’t clear upsc prelims in my first attempt .But, it’s okay I learn so many things which I will not repeat it again in my next attempt. Overall, presently I’m feeling really outstanding due to my upsc preparation it is a beautiful journey. 💓
Thank you sir
Patience is power
Sir, point# 1 and #18 mirror each other. I could relate very closely to both those points. I am presently in the midst of such an opportunity. I hope to make the best of it & come out better in 2022. Thank you for your post, sending best wishes your way and everyone who reads this! 😊
Thank You Sir And Congratulations for the arrival of a new life to your life ☺. may you be a good father too.
First of all tq sir to give such a good words for all and #13,21 both points especially #21 very close to me sir.finally congratulations sir for dist collecter, father
Myself Mouli Gayen . I am from kolkata , west bengal.. I have been preparing for state civil service since 2019 .. In 2021 , it was my second attempt.. When i was coming back from my exan hall , i understood that this time i am not going to qualify prelims as well .. I was quiet sad .. And when i become sad , i always remember your words you said during interaction with aspirants .. I watched it in youtube .. In 2022 it is going to be my 3rd attempt .. I dont what will happen .. But this time i promised myself that i will enter to the exam hall with such preparation i wish to prepare.. Rest is unknown.. But i dont want to go exam hall with a heavy heart.. Thank you sir .. For being my inspiration ..
2021 Has helped me in becoming better as a person:)
I Can Say that I’ve learnt lot about many things and the World!
My Main Takeaways Include:
1) Be Grateful for What You have!
There are people who do not have any of the things which you’re thinking is less.
2) Don’t take anything For Granted.
3) You are the reason for your results.
There may be many others involved directly or indirectly. But, At the end, You hold a greater share than anyone else! So, Do not blame others for your Mistakes. Learn to Accept Yourself!
4) You get What you Work for! Not What you Wish For!
5) Spend time with your Family!
No one else will love You as your Parents. Your Close-knit Family are the only ones who support you and they are the one’s who’ll be there for You!
6) Having One Good, True Friend is better, than to have a group of friends who never really care about You!
7) Do not Chase Perfection! But, try to give your Best in anything.
8) Doing/Completing a Single thing in the best way you could, is Better; than to do a set of multiple things Incompletely.
9) Sweat and Work Hard When needed, Than to Bleed Later.
10) Give Yourself Some time! It’s gonna be worth it! You feel a whole lot better after giving some time to yourself. You get to discover the new YOU when, You’re alone. (I meant Alone and not lonely)
11) Never let the fear of Failure or Negativity to Over rule You!
12) Be Balanced!
Too less of it( could be anything like for example Confidence,…) or Too high is gonna be Disastrous!
Writing these here, has helped me to recollect the Memories of the Entire Year; It Felt like a short Journey through the Year 2021, Thanks to You Sir!
Thank You! So much for Sharing yours sir:) Really means a lot, that you are taking time for motivating us, and sharing your thoughts despite your Daily Schedule.
Thank You for Mentioning about Fantastical, Gonna Use it from Now!
I truly was searching for something as such but, couldn’t find the best one. Gotcha Now!!!
And,…
CONGRATULATIONS for the new Addition to your Family and being a Collector Sir.
Have a Great Year Ahead Sir, and everyone whoever is reading This!
Hope the coming year spreads Positivity and Joy to everyone around you, and gets you, all that you Desire! Wish this year brings you all lots of Joy, Good health, and Good luck!
Here’s wishing you all a year fully loaded with happiness….Happy New Year 😀
Sending You all Lots of Love and Positive Vibes…
Stay Safe& Healthy,
Regards,
Yashwanthi:)
Thank You Sir And Congratulations for the arrival of a new life to your life ☺. may you be a good father too.