What did we harvest in 2020?

2020 has been unforgettable, one way or another. For most, it has been a year ‘without’ – without parties, without socializing, without celebrating, without seeing family, and the worst, learning to live life without loved ones lost to the pandemic. It was the year when humanity saw its carefully crafted plans and ways of living upended. ‘The new normal’ became part of the pandemic jargon. This strange year taught us many life lessons.

Live out of intention, not habit. It is easy to live out of habit and follow the same routine. Following the same machine-like motions in all areas of your life for years stunts you. Living with intention is a conscious process. It happens when you learn and engage in work that is meaningful to you; when you are focused on your betterment; when new learning happens and you live with more joy; when days don’t seem boring or similar to one another. It helps you live life more in the present, without constantly turning back or worrying about what is ahead. Either is fruitless because life only unfolds in the now, as a series of moments.

Focus on what you can control. We tend to find external reasons or people to blame for every problem we face. We try to change people or waste emotional energy wondering what people think of us. None of these is under our control. Always focus on what you can control – yourself. Focus on the quality of your thoughts. If you want change, embrace change when it appears in any form. Keep moving forward and be yourself. You will be surprised at the wonderful people you meet. You will also be amazed at how well things work out when you focus on changing yourself instead of ‘others’ or ‘the world.’

Own your time. Life becomes existence when the primary aim, however well-disguised, is to acquire more even if you don’t enjoy doing what you do. Respect your time and use it carefully. Ruthlessly eliminate distractions – major culprits include excessive screen time and forced social interactions. Owning your time is key to improving the quality of your life and finding fulfillment.

Cultivate solitude and quiet and a few sincere friends, rather than mob merriment, noise and thousands of nodding acquaintances. – William Powell

You are your environment. If you spend most of your time amidst people who are perpetually dissatisfied and stagnant, you become that way too. If you are surrounded by risk-averse people, you become fearful and risk-averse too, closed to life’s possibilities. Attempting to grow in an environment where the majority resist change is like trying to stop a tsunami. You get swept away in the wave of resistance too, diminishing your chances of finding fulfillment.

The key is to keep company only with people who uplift you, whose presence calls forth your best. – Epictetus

Be skeptical. Keep asking questions. What does someone gain by asking you to be the way they want you to be? What do they gain? What do you gain? Is it a game changer for you? Being skeptical is a valuable trait. It helps you become more self-aware and not follow blindly. We saw blatant abuses of power committed by people in authority this year. The skeptical, bold ones raised their voices. The others enabled continued abuses because of their selfish silence. Being skeptical provides clarity of thought and helps you face your fears. This in turn leads to delightful discoveries in life. Isn’t that so much better than living a life of fear and silence in the same environment without stepping out to explore the world?

The authority is not the truth. Truth is the authority. – Sadhguru

Eliminate, don’t accumulate. We love to accumulate in all areas. Especially negative memories that add no value to the present. Refresh your mental space with a regular ‘mind wash’ by clearing away negativity. Say ‘no’ more often and pare down your activities to a few meaningful tasks instead of distracting yourself with busyness. Have a scheduled time to do repeat tasks that don’t require much cerebral activity. Skill development happens when you learn by doing deep work and not through multi-tasking or hurrying from one task to another.

Finally, ask yourself this question as we move into a new year: What would I do if I were not offered money for it? Start doing it, even if only for half an hour a week. Do what makes you feel focused and alive. Listen to that deep inner voice. It may not always provide instant gratification, but it always guides you in the right direction. Life is too short to look back with regret. Make 2021 work for you.

Don’t live the same year 75 times and call it a life.” —Robin Sharma