This is my second annual review post.
You can check the previous annual review post here – My 2018 Annual Review
In this annual review, I’ll answer three questions:
- What went well this year?
- What did not go so well this year?
- What did I learn?
Note of caution before you start reading ahead: I have been working to earn money for almost four years now. I have been working and hustling hard to reach where I am today in the journey.
So, if you are behind me, please don’t compare your chapter 2 with my life’s chapter 20. You have the option to get motivated though. Fine by me.
If you are a couple of steps ahead than me, use this to satisfy your ego, feel insecure how consistently someone else is growing, or even you can help me in my growth with your valuable feedback and suggestions. Fine by me.
That being said, let’s start with the good and happy things first.
What went well this year?
A lot of things, actually. A lot.
Self Acceptance
There were a few of my “behavior” points I used to consider as my “faults”. But then it happened.
I realized these aren’t my flaws. And I rather stop trying to change them. So, I accepted them – as my integral components.
Sounds so spiritual, right?
But this is the best and most mentally peaceful thing that happened to me in 2019.
Solo Trips to McLeodganj, to Shimla, to Delhi
This year, I explored traveling more!
On my birthday (24 September), I went for a solo trip to McLeodganj. Here’s to the wonderful Bhaagsu waterfalls!
In April/May I went to Shimla/Kasauli for solo trips.
And I had the privilege to visit Badrika Ashram for a weekend retreat in December.
Next target?
Do more solo trips in 2019!
Published My 2nd Book
After my debut book – “A Stoic’s Diary“, I realized I needed a break to work on my writing skills. So I took 20 months before writing the next book.
“Burn Them Down” is actually doing well, and so far have received 5/5 stars on Amazon.
Rebranded My Friday email Newsletter
I realized how much my e-mail fam means to me. So I rebranded my Friday emails to #TGIF emails
(TGIF = Thank God It’s Friday)
My Private VIP email Newsletter
Having understood the importance of my e-mail fam… I decided to take a step further.
I am trying a build a community around me who is ready to invest in themselves. With money and effort. With dedication.
And hence this paid newsletter. You can check more details here – VIP
Launched My First Course
I finally realized my passion for teaching. And for that, I launched my first course “Re-Discover Yourself” for FREE.
A total of 450+ students have already finished the course. I am hoping to push the numbers to 500 before 2019 ends.
Grew My Quora Space to 35k+ Followers
My Quora Space- Suggest Me A Book – grew to an amazing community of 35,000+ people.
As you can guess by the name – the space is about book recommendations and reviews.
What didn’t go so well in 2019?
Some areas of my life that could be better.
My Health
The year started with an unhealthy phase (Credits to Gurgaon Pollution), and I had to take tough career decisions because of my health issues. Now I am working out twice/thrice a week. And I’m all well.
My Podcast
I recorded and published 10 episodes in June 2019. They got 300+ plays as well.
But then I realized, it’s not the time for me to invest more time in podcasting.
So I made pivot back to writing. And continued writing on my Instagram and Blog.
Professional Failures
2019 was an eye-opener for in professional terms. I had multiple clients who took my services and didn’t pay me.
I made a loss of around 10% of my 2019’s income. A big number, right?
What did I learn in 2019?
A lot. But here are the top 3 lessons –
It’s all about finding your inner self
No matter how hard you try to be someone else… you are going to fail.
As a popular quote (source unknown) reads –
Maybe the journey isn’t about becoming something. Maybe it’s unbecoming everything that you are not… so you could be what you were supposed to be in the first place.
And finding that inner self – making peace with who you are – that’s going to give the most peace and pleasure in life.
Health comes first
Physical. Mental. Financial. Without them, you can’t survive.
I have had a chance to lose them all one by one at different points in 2019, and boy o’ boy! I witnessed how each one of them is important!
Having a Plan is so Important
I have suffered huge losses, because “planning” has never been on my to-do list. And having understood this the hard way, I have now already planned out my Quarter – 1 of 2020.
Better late than never, they say.
That’s it for 2019.
Let’s see what 2020 has for us.
Thank you so much for sticking with me.
I’ll be forever grateful for your love and support.
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