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.
Thank you anna, you are always an example of how much a person is capable of. Inspite busy all day you always take time to inspire and improve others lives .Thank you once again.
Good wishes sir for your upcoming challenes and opportunities and congratulation
I have a suggestion for you-
. Organise the lines by a same topic. So it more useful for us read topic wise.
Very nice lines…. Each and every line taught us a lesson… the best one is to paying gratitude… thankyou so much sir… you are amazing…
Thankyou very much sir ! N Congratulations 🎉
Tq sir for sharing such a incredible words . And making us to feel their are many more phases to reach in everyone’s life.
1stly congratulations sir for both the promotions.
This yr of 2021 is like a rollercoaster for many of us .but still this yr makes me more stronger then before . It makes me realise my worth ,importance of family ,parents ,frds and the most imp one is self .
It makes me to realise the imp of my goal that I always think and admire. It makes me realise only thinking ,admiring doesn’t make us to move forward.
Only hardwork, consistency,faith ,sometimes smartwork which we have on us can makes
To reach heights..
Heading for newyr-2022 to see much more things .
Huge fan
Sir, you are a great inspiration for us, with your refreshing thoughts and actions. Every mail of yours is a new chapter to learn and helps in our life one or the other way. Therefore, you must definitely continue this series ❤ many of your lessons in 2021 is relatable for me as well. All the best for your future ventures and let you remain as a big inspiration for us and the coming generation.
Thank u
My 2021 – I experienced no matter what happens ‘life goes on ‘
“This is how it is” Anudeep thanks for opportunity to see 2021 in hindsight. Lost my parents and grandparents in 2nd 🌊, now it feels sooo lonely…
Your words always motivate me…
Thank you sir …..
Very well put.. Keep up Andy !!
Thank you sir, happy new year 2022 .
Congratulations Sir!!!! Thank you for sharing your valuable experiences.
My takeaways from 2021:
1) I understood that nobody can take a decision for me in any matter except me, because no one actually get to see what I see in an opportunity even when I explain and also no one understands/knows the complete picture.
2) When I achieved my goals successfully, I liked the fact that my planning to reach those goals actually worked, than the mere achievement itself.
3) Always go by gut feeling : whether it’s a “something is going wrong” feeling or “I can do this” feeling.
4) No more liking people based on whatsapp chatting. Let the person speak in real whatever he has to say. Also, another life lesson : If my mom likes somebody, that should not force me to like them.
on a side note: naakkuudaa ee imposter syndrome undabbaa. Maybe continuous achievements are necessary to overcome this temporarility atleast.
On an another side note: Keep writing annaya. Meek theleedu mee ninchii blog notification vasthe entha attention isthaamo and at the same time entha happy feel avthaamo.
Yes bro. Totally agree with your last line.
Hi Sir, can you please share with all of us the best books that you have read so far in 2021?
Thanks
It will be more challenging than 2021.but as you said no hurry! no pause! It will be the great year..
Rather than say no accomplishment/ success, in optimistic view ,I would say learned lot of things personally and professionally.And with those learnings and abundance of hope ready to welcome 2021……
Many of your learnings are going to be my resolution for 2022. Thankyou
Thank you sir🙏
Thanks Sir.
Day by day I am learning new things through your blog’s sir . It’s really means a lot sir . Thank you soo much sir . I am really grateful that I am able to learn from such a great person with a beautiful soul .
This year is really Tough for me . I can’t express it in a word but it’s really tough for me ,I am going through some emotional breakdown but whenever I read your blog’s its gives me a hope that it’s okay it’s a just bad time, now wake up and be stronger life is too unpredictable to worry about the things the little things . Just be grateful what you have .
There is a lot to say but I can’t express it sir it’s just I really inspired by your blogs and struggle of your life that have bring you this far and many more to come .
I am really really grateful Sir 🙂
Inspiring ..
Sir you are a great soul….every line written by you is so inspiring and life-changing.. your
experiences are so much helpful to live a meaningful life..i personally experiencing whatever you shared in this blog…This year I learnt many lessons.. 1. Working with 100% potential on our tasks or life goals consistently without having attached to the results.. 2. Life gives you everything exactly when you need it..we must keep patience. 3. Focusing on multiple goals will lead to waste of time..keep accomplishing one by one….4. Without fulfilling the prerequisites you won’t get anything, you need to fulfill the requirements before realizing your desired Goals…..5. Our thoughts are our reality so we need to choose positive thoughts….. 6. Being grateful to God for everything we possess. dedicating our actions to God will keep us doing good deeds…. 7. God won’t help you until you take actions…..
Thank you so much sir… humble request to keep sharing your life experiences …
Congratulations collector sir or papa
Aapke vicharon ko koi jabab hi nhi…..
Q ki inme sab kuch hai.
मैने सीखा जिंदगी में हमेशा एक बार में एक काम ही करना चाहिए। अपनी हेल्थ के साथ कभी समझौता नहीं करना चाहिए।
Hi Anna, Please do write about your daily routine . Thanks in advance.
hi sir, share u r favourite books of 2021. thank you.
Sir please tell us which type of personality should we develop during our journey to become an effective civil servant?
Waiting for your reply sir
congratulation sir for your accomplishments and all the best for your future endeavors and responsibilities.