12 things I learned in 2023
In my yearly tradition, I summarize the most profound lessons I've learned this year, highlighted by the most profound lesson learnt in each month.
January - Do what you don't want to do: The majority of the things that lead to our success are things we would not do by default based on our feelings. We see the results when we do them anyway.
February - Competency is not socially transmitted; rather, it is intentionally built: simply knowing or belonging to a social circle of competent people does not automatically make you competent. Competency is achieved through deliberate doing, learning, and sharpening.
March - Being nice might not get the job done: I learned the hard way that you have to know when to switch from your "nice guy card" to your "get it done card." People frequently mistake being nice for being complacent and easily manipulated.
April - Unlearning is more difficult than new learning: Some experiences and knowledge that have become part of your opinion and perspective formations are more difficult to unlearn and let go of than absorbing new knowledge and information.
May - Self-regulation may help you avoid certain blunders: I wanted to say it and act it the way I was feeling several times this year, but in retrospect, acting with my feelings would have caused more harm.
June - Never be too big to apologise: we must acknowledge that no matter how smart or experienced we are, we will make mistakes. We'll leave something out. Our decision may backfire. We may unknowingly hurt the feelings of others. The statement may come across as mistaken and offensive. I've seen the power of "saying sorry" prevent issues from escalating beyond normal.
July - Not all emergencies are your emergencies: People reach out to us for assistance, and while it is important to respond quickly to help others, we must be aware that not every request for assistance will be urgent, and we must know which ones deserve our attention.
August - One genuine feedback is worth a thousand exaggerated accolades: I discovered that while humans crave validation and praise, one honest piece of feedback can forever transform us into a better person.
September - An experience can expire: With almost everything in the world changing, relying on experience in some areas can be disastrous. We must be open to new learning, growth mindsets, and reinventing ourselves.
October - Role Modelling is overrated: I learned that, while having role models is a great idea, you should not lose your authenticity while learning from them.
November - You may need to prioritise patterns over potentials more frequently: There is always the dilemma of whether to choose someone based on their past patterns or their future potentials. While this is difficult to grasp, I have discovered that paying attention to patterns can reveal far more to us than a future promise.
December - Vulnerability is not a sign of weakness: My person of the year is a former boss who has always been authentically vulnerable in sharing his life, journey, challenges, and how he has built a legacy despite the difficulties he has faced.
Cheers
