End of the year reflections

We do not learn from experience… we learn from reflecting on experience.

Every week, I write an article to share my learning or discovery during my startup journey. Here is the link to my reasons for penning these articles for myself and for many others like me.

The first week of the new year. It’s time to reflect on the past year to check what worked and what did not work as per my expectations.

As I look back at my year 2021, the FIRST word that comes to my mind is “Turbulent”.

Last year I was kicked out of my job of 5 years. I was carrying this hurt not just for the job loss but also for my boss whom I trusted blindly. Anyway, the past is past and I do not want to stay there too long. After that, another job came with another startup. The experience was even bitter than the earlier one. I had to leave it within a few months because of its toxic and suffocating culture. Both these experiences ingrained one thing in my mind that I do not want to work for anyone now. So, I started my journey as an entrepreneur. Thereafter started my journey of good, bad, and better bitter experiences.

As I look back at my previous year, I do feel happy and content that I have chosen the path shown by my heart. I do not tolerate wrong behavior or wrongdoing in my job. I feel that in the end, it is only you that should matter to you. First thing — Always do what your heart says. Second thing — Do not do anything that makes you unhappy. I think I scored decently in both these things. This year looks a bit hazy as I am not clear on the vision of my startup. But my heart is with me and is telling me — We will find our way out!

The SECOND word that sums up my last year’s journey is — “Experiments”

I enrolled with a business coach for the first time. I wanted to know how another person could help you give clarity to your thoughts. It was a good experience as I became clearer and more grounded with the idea of my startup. Another experiment was to go on a trip with strangers. People from different cities heading to one destination. It was a wonderful experience with sweet memories to cherish for a lifetime.

The THIRD word that I could relate with my last year is — “Misjudgments”

Well, this must be the byproduct of Turbulent and Experiments. The second job that I picked last year was with a friend. It ended badly and washed away the friendship too. I tried to set up a Project Management consultancy business. No clients for the past 6 months. I winded the consultancy agency on 31st Dec. I worked on a product idea to help the entrepreneurs in tracking their internal business functions like Sales & Marketing or Customer development. I did not get much traction on this product in the MVP phase. I stopped working on it. Also stopped the paid advertising as well as cold emails.

So, this sums up my whole year 2021 — TEM i.e., Turbulent, Experiments, Misjudgments.

As I am writing and reminiscing on the memories, I am also feeling a lot of positivity for the coming year.

I feel that:

Turbulence has made me Tenacious with the dreams of my startup

Experiments have made me Energetic for life

Misjudgment has made me Matured towards my future decisions in life.

I am sure this new year will bring in more TEM or some other similar abbreviations that I will make up at the same time next year.

Wishing everyone a great year full of new learnings. I hope all of you will turn your experiences into exotic learnings

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