2020 was a whirlwind of a year! I was reading a friend’s Linkedin post and he wrote that 2020 for him, was the year of learning: he finally took an oil painting class and pursued a graduate degree, and was able to start learning about things he was always curious about that he just never got to before due to the busyness of life.
His post touched me and I feel prompted to say that 2020 is indeed a learning year, even if you didn’t take a painting class or get a masters degree, however. 2020 is a learning year because it was by far one of the best experiences we all learned in resilience, in grit, in what matters, in what does not matter: 2020 was a year of introspection, a year where plans were halted, and where unusual measures were implemented. None of us could have ever imagined what 2020 had in store for us when we rang into the New Year and shouted out 2020 is 2020 Vision. For some, this period of introspection brought necessary reflection which is always necessary for growth.
I am a very ambitious woman and I, by nature, get bored easily and am always wanting to do many things; however, I would be the first one to say that one must not fall into this false belief that you must always be doing something to “stay ahead”; it’s the reflection and assessment periods that fuel true growth. It is stopping to assess what has went wrong, what has went right, recharge, rest, and plan how one can do better. It is saying no to a project because to say yes to it would mean saying no to quality time with a partner or affect one’s focus on having a child, etc. Essentialism brings clarity and resolve. I have found myself so busy running around in circles, on speaking circuits every month, but not developing as a leader or as a person. And I have found myself at the best at work and excelling at initiatives when I purposefully choose to doing less, delegating, and sitting projects out. Introspection is critical to development.
For others, this period of introspection stems from a period of rock bottom, whether they’ve lost their jobs, their income, their relationships, etc. Embrace the introspection, and know that this too shall pass. Know that the rock bottoms are the fertilizing periods for our lives – God loves us at the rock bottom because it is when we draw closer to him, but also where our vision is so clear that we can begin to imagine and articulate the big vision and purpose God has for our lives.
Hitting rock bottom is THE greatest lesson one will ever learn, so when you’re in the moment, be grateful. There’s no greater indicator of success than grit – this ability to overcome rock bottoms, failures, and overcome adversity to move forward. So don’t be so quick to dismiss this year off as a horrible year, see it as what it is – a GROWTH year, a LEARNING year, a year of INTROSPECTION, etc. See it as a year to gain CLARITY. I will forever be grateful for 2020. #2020Vision
xoxo,
Iyandra
