Key Learnings from 2024

I always like to start the year with some reflection from last year, and this year is no exception. My 2024 has been a year of halves, with some wins but also some losses, along with significant learnings. So here are my top lessons.  

Slowing Down 

I’m the type of person who is always on the go; I get a buzz from juggling multiple tasks at once. Circumstances this year have at times, forced me to slow down and focus on one thing at a time. I usually fear that pausing and taking a step back means I will fall behind. However, this year, I have realised that slowing down is not a bad thing, and the only pressure I feel is coming from myself. Sometimes, life just happens, and you need to acknowledge that.  

Taking a slower approach has allowed me to refocus and prioritise the things I want to achieve while also creating a balanced way to incorporate rest. As much as I wish I could do everything, I can’t, and some tasks require more time and effort than I initially anticipated. Looking back, I still accomplished most of what I intended.  

Listen to Your Instincts  

I learned a hard lesson about listening to my instincts this year. I had an individual on my team who showed promise, but I had some doubts. Instead of heeding my reservations and extending that person's probation period, I gave them the benefit of the doubt, believing I could coach them through it. Despite my best efforts, this individual continued to underperform. As many of you may know, exiting someone once they have passed their probation is more challenging. I think the biggest blow was how it affected the rest of the team. My decision not to trust my instincts impacted not just me but the entire team; we put in so much effort trying to help them, and it was all in vain. Listening to your instincts will always prove you right, and I had to learn that the hard way.  

Embrace Uncertainty

I thought that by joining my current job, I was ending uncertainty and mass layoffs, but I was mistaken. Despite all the due diligence I undertook, there came a time when the business went through layoffs. Though it’s unsettling, many people with whom I’ve formed deep connections have left the company. It gave me a sense of ‘f**k it’ energy, especially when I saw that at times it doesn’t matter how great you are; when your time comes, it comes, and everyone is expendable. Although being in such an unpredictable environment can be challenging, there is a certain peace in knowing that you can only do your best and focus on what’s best for you.  

Overall, my year has been amazing; I’ve had invaluable learnings that I will carry forward into the coming years.