What a 2020! Here comes 2021!

2021 has finally arrived! It is incredible that we have come so far with so many changes globally, economically and personally.

I have a lot of realizations this year. With all the challenges to overcome and changes to adapt to, we have come so far and let us not be too hard on ourselves and give ourselves a pat on the shoulder!

I would like to share my gratitude and some lessons that I've learnt:

Realization 1: Man is driven by emotions - panic buying and selling is real.

I used to be affected a lot by my own relationship failures. These become so minor now when we look at what the world is facing this year. Emotions can drive us to do illogical things such as stocking up toilet papers and masks. Emotions stopped us from thinking clearly. I learnt now that awareness of our own emotions is key and actions should not be driven by it (the emotions). When you are unpleasant (and having unpleasant feelings), you are not willing to change. Only when we are pleasant, then we will change to the better.

Clarity and foresight is important - and I need to continue to strengthen this. Thank you realization 1.

Realization 2: Most people will not change, we are forced to change

2020 has been nothing less than a drama, from normality to extraordinary changes. Changes had not been easy. I remembered the months when I was "stuck" at home couldn't do anything. The feeling was not great at all and I felt lost with my work. I started to learn Some others were overwhelmed with managing COVID situation at work and they hardly had time for themselves. We went to two extremes during COVID 2019 - either too busy or too free (not by choice!)

As an educator who had taught teachers in using technology for teaching and learning, it wasn't easy to be a "trailblazer" then. I had colleagues who told/asked me things like, "I am not comfortable to show my face on a video." or "why do we have to use technology when face to face is better?" Now the teachers have embraced the technology fully, to conduct the lessons via video conferencing software such as Zoom or google classroom.

Same for my financial planning work now - we transited from face-to-face meetings to online meetings. Learning is steep but at the same time it has open up more opportunities for me to reach out to more people, and working from anywhere (i.e. home) as long as I have a laptop. This is a refreshing change for me and I have more time to hone my knowledge in this arena.

To conclude - we cannot lose sight of what we want to do. We adapt, make changes, and strive to be better!

Realization 3: Resources such as money - can be scarce or abundant dependent on your perspective.

When Covid-19 just hit, there was panic stock selling and the market plunged to the lowest in March, to gain as much cash as possible. Some people wanted to hold as much cash as possible (scarcity). On the other hand, there were some who bought the stocks at low prices instead, and before they knew it, they gained more cash when the stock prices went up a few months later.

Despite the tough situation, there are some people who are willing to contribute back to the society. #standwithyouSG was founded in the beginning of 2019 to show appreciation to front liners who have fought against the Covid virus. #standwithyouSG ended the year by initiated a donation drive and the target of $8,888 is achieved in 8 days!

Let us continue to impact others lives - and this is the slogan of my company that I believe in - impacting lives beyond finance!

2020 was the transforming year for me. 2020 has made me grow, and there were painful lessons that I had learnt. I lost some things this year...when I became empty, then I can allow positive things to fill in

We cannot fix yesterday, but we can fix tomorrow (this phrase is mentioned by Sadhguru on new year resolution - https://www.facebook.com/sadhguru/videos/313811739914263). Let us embrace and welcome this year 2021!

Thank you 2020 and I welcome 2021!