It’s the 1st of January 2022 and I sit reflecting on the year that has just passed. So much has happened, both good and bad, and I want to acknowledge it all.
If I had to describe this year in one word it would probably be ‘growth’. Cheesy, but I look back at Jada in January 2021 and I feel different to her. I moved out of home, finished university with Honours, and started my industry career in the midst of a 5 month lockdown, working and trying to stay sane. So with all of that happening, it was inevitable that I would learn a great deal. Here’s a list of some of those things:
When you make a mistake, admit your fault and forgive yourself quickly
Windows in an office are essential
Writing is easier when you do it every day (first thing in the morning!)
Eating a diet which prioritises stable blood sugar is essential for good health (see resources from Jessie Inchauspé)
Be transparent about your current skills, show your ability to work hard and people will take you more seriously
Enthusiasm and determination can take you further than you think
A systematic investing strategy relieves you of an unproductive emotional burden
There’s no point waking up at 5am if you haven’t had enough sleep
Get out of the house at least once every day (a must for my sanity during lockdown!)
No matter how busy you are, make time for reading fiction. Non-fiction is fun and interesting, but you can learn just as much from fiction
Clean the apartment every weekend. It’s the equivalent of making your bed every morning and is a psychological reset for the week ahead
Coding is a natural progression from maths. The language of numbers translates to the language of computers well
If friends aren’t interested in trying to understand your perspective on controversial topics, then they aren’t good friends
Listen and learn from critical thinkers and sceptics
I learnt all of the above through putting myself out there, getting my hands dirty and exposing myself to failure. For some, I felt a remarkable sense of shame and unworthiness at the time of learning them. Sometimes I felt stupid, unqualified or incapable. In retrospect, what matters is that I can now reflect on them and continue becoming the person I want to be. Many of these are realisations which I hope to continue putting into practice in 2022.