Dear Learners,
Happy New Year 2025!.🎉😀
Just like that another year passed by - what an exhilarating year. We get busy living…but this date 1st January has a different charm, bursting with energy with all the dreams and enthusiasm about the year ahead. Well before we overwhelm ourselves with all the checkboxes we intend to tick in 2025… let’s reflect and appreciate what has been built or achieved so far. Also, if all the things we hoped for didn’t work out - remember that some things take time, all that matters is heading in the right direction.
Actually, this post was meant to be a personal reflection….but what the heck…lets build together…let’s build in public….to a wonderful start…to 2025🎉🎉
2024 - Serendipitous Writer
Frankly, the year started with a blessing in disguise. I had to undergo surgery for an old injury, which gave me a break from the office. The free time was used to read and eventually write as well. I started with writing about companies like Zen Tech, Jyoti CNC, Waaree and later on themes like Energy Transition and Quick Commerce.
Some of the lessons that will stick for life are -
#1
“You cannot infinitely add to your life without first subtracting”
So here, firstly, I could pursue my interests while away from the office—somewhat like a mini-sabbatical. Second, even after returning to the office, the writing dopamine continued subtracting the time wasted on Netflix.
#2
“Its never too late to start especially if that is something you are passionate about”
The case in point is the number of new things that I have tried. I always thought the writing space was too crowded or my writing skills were not that great. There was a lot of self-doubt. Still…
✅ Started this substack
✅ Started engaging on Twitter
✅ Eventually moved substack to a personal domain
✅ Started some experiments on Canva
✅ Interacted with amazing people in the last year alone
This graphic may seem like a cliche…but it is relatable
The tasks look daunting before we begin. Taking the first step shrinks the challenge
#3
Well for me this is not a lesson it is a pleasure…Reading
Lesson is to go to bed smarter - read voraciously
2024 was full of new starts which reminds me of the case study in college about the approaches used in General Motors and Toyota. The functioning in GM was like a step function while Toyota focused on continuous improvement.
2025, hope to build on that.
Resolutions fizzle out in a few weeks after the start of the year. What is required are habits—small steps towards making life better.
Implementing….
(1) NICE Goals
(Feel-Good Productivity : How to Do More of What Matters to You)
Rather than focus on the end or the result - I will focus more on aspects that I can control eg:
Learning - How much time I devote to reading and writing and not on the number of books read (that is an outcome)
Health - Eating healthy, not overeating, spreading meals
(2) Skill Stacking
What new skill can I learn? e.g. these days I am trying to learn about new technologies.
Credits: Lewis O’Brien
2024 was full of new starts which reminds me of the case study in college about the approaches used in General Motors and Toyota. The functioning in GM was like a step function while Toyota focused on continuous improvement.
2025, hope to build on that.
Resolutions fizzle out a few weeks after the start of the year. What is required are habits—small steps towards improving life.
Thank You for all the support!!
Wishing everyone a wonderful 2025 ahead…filled with joy and prosperity :)
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