6 Wisdom Nuggets & Lessons: 2022 and beyond
As the year draws to an end (I know what you are thinking — “This is another long write-up of events in 2021 and what you should do or not do in 2022; or how to meet your New Year’s resolutions, blah, blah, blah” ). You had that thought, didn’t you? And you are tired of it, huh? Well, let’s see where this leads us.
So, I was going to say; it is pretty typical at this time of year to reflect on the old year, count your victories, losses, what went well and what didn’t go so well, and try to make resolutions for the new year. Whether you do this is another question, but it seems like the tradition or expectation of you as a person around this time. You may feel the pressure to be a better version of yourself in the new year or achieve goals A or B.
This exercise is a great thing to do, but what’s even better is you don’t necessarily need to do it only at the end of a calendar year. Moreso, now may not be such a significant point in time for you because of where you may be in your journey.
I think you shouldn’t work yourself up about what the year ending implies for the future, to the extent that you lose sight of taking bold action and decisions about your life now or maintaining your commitment to goals that are already in the process of attainment.
I want to use this opportunity to share with you some important lessons and nuggets which have taught me (I am still learning) and shaped my mindset (still in progress) as I advance (a new year or not). I would hope they fit in your progress at this time or that you find them useful in your pursuit.
I did not learn these things in 2021, but I had a lot of Aha moments when I witnessed some of these principles or lessons prove themselves in my life in 2021. Would you mind looking at my viewpoints with an open mind and appreciating my context? There’s the main point I want you to take from every nugget.
1. Change will never happen until you cause it
It sounds like a cliche, but take it from me; it’s as accurate as it sounds. I used to imagine things of a particular type of experience or future I wanted in my head. I would play them repeatedly and be pleased with the thought of them in my head, but those things needed action to make them happen. I would often assume that by and by, they would come to pass without taking any definite steps towards them.
I have learned that nothing ever gets done that way. If you want it to happen, better write it down and take steps towards it. Writing down a goal or an idea may seem trivial, but what happens when you do it is, you instruct your mind to take action on that item. Try it. Say your goal out loud, and then write it down and visit it often. You will find that it gets easier to take action that way.
Another thing about change is that we often fear the results of change. Yes, changes happen when you start taking action, and your ego (subconscious mind) will respond with fear. It will try to hold you back or protect you from entering uncharted territory. Your ego works to keep you in a zone it deems safe based on your past experiences as an individual. That is not the time to freeze in fear. That is the time to charge forward and experience the beautiful outcomes of change.
2. Take responsibility!
We all want freedom. It releases confidence, but true freedom is achieved by taking responsibility. Responsibility is a word we try to avoid. It feels scary to be in charge or to be the reason for your problems. Yes, you are the reason why you are where you are. Your actions from yesterday have brought you where you are now — good or bad. The earlier you come to terms with this, the easier it is to take action to move out of them. I’m not being harsh on you. Similar to the earlier point about change, you need to be honest with yourself, own up to the issues facing you, stop blaming others, and accept full responsibility. When you do this, you give yourself peace, clarity and feel empowered to take steps that will change your current situation. You also become less likely to act irresponsibly again.
I am not saying that if you have ever experienced abuse, accept responsibility for that, for example. What I mean relates to things you can control. If you find yourself having to always blame someone for everything that happens in your life, you are not taking responsibility. You are responsible for your decisions, the ability to create space for your dreams to come alive, your response to situations, going back to school, learning a new skill, and even for your perspective on issues. When you rise to take responsibility in your life, you feel more confident, assertive, and happier at the end of the day. I took responsibility for a situation I was in about four years ago, and it has made an enormous difference in my life today.
3. Don’t ever stop learning
Another cliche, but very valid. On this, I’m sure I don’t need to talk much, but let me indulge. I could use research, my own experiences, and a lot of other evidence. Continuous lifelong learning is the key to transforming your mind and being a better human being, no matter how you look at it. The difference in the value of who you were a year ago and who you are now is a function of the learning you did. Academia, relationships, vocation, profession, marriage, self-development, name it. Learning must never stop. That’s how you evolve, and you must commit to it. Personally, this is a quality I have nurtured over time, and I am so proud of it. Within a year, I learned and acquired hard skills that have landed me in a career that only used to be a dream.
4. Enjoy and build relationships
We can’t do without relationships. They form a crucial part of who we are, and we have many of them. Some we get to choose and some we don’t. Family, friend, wife, husband, acquaintance, beloved (girlfriend/boyfriend), professional connection, comrade. I am not an expert on relationships, but I have seen the impact of many of the types mentioned above on my life. It is such a gift to have people you can talk to when you may not have it all together, sharpen your countenance, seek wisdom from, confide in, share dreams, happy and sad moments, and life with. Keep and build as many as are necessary. Sometimes relationships can be complex, but as long as they are not unrepentantly abusive and toxic, you need them.
5. Prioritize rest, sleep, and self-care
Sleep and rest are strongly linked with your overall well-being physically, mentally, and emotionally, and if you are losing in these areas, it is never worth it. Sometimes we can easily take rest, relaxation, sleep, and self-care for granted. Don’t continue to make this mistake if you are doing so. The impact of a well-rested mind and a rejuvenated body on everything else is enormous. Never sacrifice your body to achieve any high-end goal, no matter how important. It would be best if you were in sound health to enjoy all the benefits of the life you are creating. Don’t you agree?
I relish the fresh energy I feel in the morning after a good night’s rest. It makes me more productive than sacrificing quality sleep to achieve a few hours of performance. I am not proposing any detailed guides for you. Please make sure your body is getting the good enough rest that it deserves. Research is clear about the impact on a healthy body and mind.
Also, practice kindness and patience towards yourself. Even as you acknowledge where you are, be kind enough not to judge or overly criticize yourself if you are not doing too well. Find the balance between demanding responsibility and not being too hard on yourself. A great way to do this is to normalize making mistakes and moving on. An experience of failure does not make you a loser. Pick yourself up and move on. This quality has been monumental for me.
6. Stay true to yourself and your values
Our core values are at the core of who we are — our fundamental beliefs as individuals. Even if you haven’t thought about it, you have core values and a way of approaching life and the things you do. Some you developed due to your experiences, but you also have inherent values. I strongly believe in identifying and nurturing these values because they inform you a lot about who you are. In addition to a growing knowledge of yourself, knowing this helps you understand what matters and where to put your energy. Together, they will help you work out your God-given purpose and bring meaning and fulfillment. Yes, I believe that God created man and gave us the massive responsibility of dominating the earth and effecting godly transformation. We are all gifted in different ways to do this. As this becomes clearer to you through your walk with God, do well to stay true to all He made you be and express that image fully.
