20 Takeaways from 2020
Let’s reflect on what this year taught us.
It’s been a tough year for many, but there are loads of silver linings. This year has drastically transformed the way we think about ourselves and the world . The pandemic has changed our existential view of our planet and has forced almost everyone to change and adapt to this new world.
Here are some of my learnings from this year :
Adapt : The pandemic and the subsequent lockdowns forced all of us to mould ourselves according to the circumstances . It made us realize that we must improvise , adapt and make the most of the every challenge that comes our way.
You’re under no obligation to be the same person you were 5 minutes ago.
Embrace Solitude : With workplaces and educational institutes shut down for most part of the year , we have spent a major part of this year from the comfort of our homes. Most of us experienced the shrinking of our social circles. It is not necessarily a bad thing. It has made us embrace solitude and reflecting on our inner self.
“In solitude the mind gains strength to learn and lean upon itself.”
Change happens rapidly : None of us could predict the way 2020 turned out to be . Huge changes happened both domestically and internationally . It reinforces the fact that a lot can happen in a very short period of time .
“There are decades where nothing happens; and there are weeks where decades happen”
Collective wisdom : With social distancing guidelines and the rapid transmission rate of COVID-19 , we may have finally understood how important our surroundings are for our collective existence.In order to ensure everyone’s well being , collective consensus is really important.
Mental Health : We have finally come to realise that mental well-being is equally as important as our physical health.
“The only journey is the journey within.”
Long Term Vision : We had to cancel most of our goals for 2020 and modify them in line with the present situation . But it also helped us understand the importance of long-term thinking .
It’s okay to take breaks: Things might get overwhelming and frustrating at times but it is also very important to take a pause and reflect on what you’ve accomplished . Many of us may have felt burnout and couldn't achieve the level of productivity we earlier thought . But taking a break can really help us get back in shape and focus.
Nothing is permanent : Airlines , Hotels ,Schools , Industries , and many more sectors which we thought to be essential to our life no longer mattered for few months . Nothing lasts forever , not even the year 2020!
Family & Friends: While staying at home we got an opportunity to reconnect and spend more time with our family and also realised their importance in our lives . Fewer people meant deeper connections and more quality time with each other.
Distractions : Despite having lesser things to worry about while at home , there were still many obstacles in our path . We need to accept that distractions will always be there but it is our duty to find a way out of them.
Discipline : In order to accomplish your goals , it is really important to have a monomaniacal focus and consistency . Only discipline can help in achieving it.
Power of habit : It is very important to cultivate habits because these habits compound over time to make you reach goals and targets that you couldn’t have set for yourself!
Never give up : Despite facing huge challenges this year , we still made it through all difficulties and were able to overcome them .
By perseverance , everything reaches its target
Balance: Life is all about balance.
Never get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life!
Life is not a free lunch: For every pleasure you enjoy you have to pay for it with an equal amount of pain.
Don’t be afraid to start afresh: Every day is a new beginning and one can always take a fresh start . Stay away from what might have been done and start looking at what can be.
Gratitude : Be grateful for what you have and stay in the moment . We must be grateful to the immense sacrifice that Healthcare workers ,policemen, and all other frontline workers have made for us.
Never stop learning : With the pandemic wreaking the economy and companies reducing jobs , the skills in demand are changing rapidly . We never know what is enough and must always stay hungry for more knowledge.
“Every difficulty carries with it a corresponding opportunity of equal size”
Never shy away from taking risks : In a world that is changing really quickly, the only strategy that is guaranteed to fail is not taking risks.
“The biggest risk is not taking any risk.”
Be prepared for anything : We never know when we might face another unprecedented event , so its immensely important to be prepared for anything and always have some savings for emergencies.
With all that being said , I think there’s always Light at the end of tunnel and despite having a tough year , I hope everyone has an equally amazing 2021!
