At the end of each year, I like to look back and get a birds-eye view of everything that has gone by.
2023 was a whirlwind for me.
Most of it was good, some of it bad, and some of it well, confusing. It was a rollercoaster ride without any doubt. And while I was looking back on my work, my personal life, and my journey this year, there were a few things that stood out. And I really wanted to share them with you guys.
So, without further ado here are the 6 biggest lessons that changed my life for the better this year (and I bet they can do the same for you!):
➡️ Chase results, not the effort
I have always been the person who prioritises “working harder” over anything else. But this year made me realise that hard work doesn’t necessarily correlate to the results you’re looking for. And that pushed me to change my strategy. It was super uncomfortable, but following the advice James Clear gave, I focused on creating systems that generated results that were way more effective. We’ll talk about these systems in a subsequent newsletter.
➡️ A yes somewhere, is a no somewhere else
Time is our most precious resource, and saying "yes" to one thing means saying "no" to another. ⏳
This year, I learned the art of prioritizing gracefully, making space for what truly matters in life rather than running behind vanity. It’s still a work in progress of course, but I am getting better at it.
➡️ Energy In, Burnout Out
Ever feel like you're spread too thin? ⛽️ Like you’re running on fumes?
Well, I’ve spent a large part of the year feeling the same way — taking on way too much work, and then spreading myself thin to try and do everything. I then started a journaling practice - to look back on the week and see what energizes and drains me. In the coming week, I then try to reprioritize and pack my schedule with more of the good stuff that boosts my energy. I also have a dedicated video on the same on my YouTube channel.
➡️ Simplifying is Not Laziness, It's Freedom
We’re often conditioned to choose the more difficult path, but often that doesn’t have to be the case. This entire year, I’ve been giving myself permission to simplify things and not go after them just because they’re hard.
I know that it can be difficult at first but when we focus on simplifying our life and processes, we free up a lot of time for rest, for spending time with loved ones, because we’re not too busy trying to make everything work.
➡️ If you don’t uphold your boundaries, no one will
This year has also been about learning to uphold my boundaries — both with myself and others. And it’s been a game changer. My mind is so much more at peace. Setting healthy boundaries is essential for self-respect and well-being!
➡️ Happiness is a Skill, and I'm Mastering It
It's true! The more you choose happiness and actively cultivate it, the better you get at it.
No one teaches us this — that we can choose happiness, even in trying times, and that helps us become more resilient as well. And one of the easiest ways to do this is to smile and laugh a little every day. So curl up your lips and bring back that beautiful smile that is lost in time. You will see an immediate shift in mood. 😊
That was it for the lessons from this year. But, remember that none of these were implemented in a day. In fact, most of them are a work in progress.
So take it slow and comment to share your biggest lesson from 2023.
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