LetsUnbox - 4 Personal Lessons from the Year gone by!
Keep it simple. Talk to a friend, Not a boardroom!
This is the month of Love! So wishing all my friends a Very Happy Valentine Month!
I wanted to write this as a takeaway on the personal learning from 2024 in the start of the year. Never too late though! Some of these are deep reflections of how I have seen relationships build, how work integrates with life and how there is no end to learning. Hope you enjoy the reading this weekend.
Learning 1: Build and Nurture your inner circles of Trust. Outside work and family.
This, I think is especially true for women. At least it is for me. Build your circle of (girl)friends. Absolutely non-negotiable. And when that inner circle asks for help, or invites you for an adventure (it could be as simple as a morning walk, or a lunch or a hangout session, or a longer vacation) be available. I feel fortunate to have friends who care enough to try and include me in their life. Don’t take this for granted.
BTW did you celebrate Galentine’s Day?
April 2024, my close friends planned the famous Santiago Camino walk. There had been a lot of effort and time spent planning every detail, and ensuring routes are understood. For those who don’t know, you should read The Camino Ingles. I decided to join the trip at the last moment. And it was probably the best decision I made. Besides this being an adventure hike, it was a great way to spend time with friends, see a new country and experience beautiful trails. My only thought that drove my decision was “I have friends who really care and want me to join. Why would I not value that?”. Honestly, one week away and the world is still the same when you get back. At home and at work!
Learning 2: Give only how much someone can receive. And spread the giving.
This is probably my most important new learning. We are all taught that we should give – giving can be with time, money, or cheering with the unconditional support one needs to win in life. I have always believed that we see magic when we have that ‘one believer’ who blindly believes in our ability to out-perform. That’s how the human brain is wired.
But – give only as much that someone is ready to receive. There will be people in your life who will feel entitled after they initial acknowledge your giving. They feel they should get more. Watch out for this.
Generosity should not be taken for granted. It is still a choice of the giver.
This needs a deeper discussion. Some might argue that once we give, we should not expect anything in return as it reflects one’s ego, and the need to be acknowledged is the need of the giver. In my view, this is not the point here.
Give more than someone is ready to accept in their life, and a large effort will go wasted. Instead expand your giving circle and ensure more people can experience your generosity.
Lesson 3: Invest in yourself. Know that you are alone responsible and accountable for your life. Don’t pass the buck.
Sounds cliched? For me too. I remind myself of this every year. This is not new, but I like to reaffirm this. The truth is that there is only one person you are accountable to. For success, happiness, health, wealth, sadness, failure. That is yourself. Own up and know that. Don’t waste time playing victim, don’t try to look for someone to blame, or avenge. Forgive and let go. That is the only way your life will become meaningful.
The universe is too big and too vast for any one person to be given the keys to your life. Just own yourself. And then see how the magic unfolds.
Lesson 4: Life is not all math and science. Build faith. Learn to Surrender.
Faith can be anything – the ritual of prayers, or chanting a mantra, or writing a mantra. Meditate. Give yourself the me-time. Do what works but know that life will never be in your full control. We must surrender when things are good and share the joy with friends and loved ones. We must surrender when things don’t go our way and know that this too shall pass.
Life is beautiful. Surrender makes it joyous. Just Know that.
Closing Thoughts: Embracing Growth and Gratitude
As I look back on these lessons, one thing stands out—the journey of learning never ends. Every experience, whether through friendships, giving, personal responsibility, or faith, has shaped my perspective in ways I never anticipated.
The past year reinforced that life is about balance—between work and play, giving and receiving, control and surrender.
It’s about surrounding ourselves with people who uplift us, investing in our own growth, and embracing both the certainty of effort and the uncertainty of outcomes.
If there’s one takeaway from this, it’s that we are all work in progress. The more we open ourselves to new experiences and reflections, the richer life becomes.
So, here’s to another year of learning, growing, and embracing the unknown—one step at a time.
Love always
Team LetsUnBox
Very well written..loved the way you have penned it. Some very insightful learnings and I feel everyone should introspect on these.