Life Lessons I’ve Learned in 2020

“Life is a gift, and it offers us the privilege, opportunity and responsibility to give something back by becoming more.” – Tony Robbins.

2020 has been one of the most disruptive and challenging years yet. Many of us experienced significant chaos, disruption and uncertainty. Our plans came to an abrupt hold. Businesses closed down. People have lost their jobs and livelihoods. Many individuals experienced isolation, loneliness and adversity. It truly has been a difficult year, and I am yet to meet anyone who is leaving 2020 completely unscathed.

At the end of last year, I wrote an article which spoke to my intentions for 2020. I wrote the following:

As we approach 2020, I recognise the significance of not just a new year, but the beginning of a new decade. I want 2020 to be the biggest and best year yet. To continue to strive to realise my dreams, and to make the most of every opportunity that is presented to me. I want to start the new year with more conviction, intention and power than ever before. To embrace the freshness that comes with the new year, and new decade, whilst still taking a moment to recognise how far I have come. I want to continue practicing gratitude, and to be more present in each waking moment.

Despite the challenges which have been thrown my way, 2020 has become my biggest and most unstoppable year yet. Here are some of my key lessons I’ve learned in 2020.

1. WITH ADVERSITY COMES OPPORTUNITY

At the beginning of COVID, I decided that I was going to view this period as an unbelievably rare time to do all the things I had wanted to do, but never seemed to have the time for. I decided to really double down and launch The Boss in Heels Podcast. Whilst the kinds of guests I was targeting were generally hard to pin down, I quickly realised their travel plans had been cancelled, and they were also spending more time at home. I used this as an opportunity to interview guests via the phone from the comfort of their homes, without feeling the pressure to record in a studio.

The Boss in Heels Podcast hit the top 5 career podcast charts for Apple Podcasts Australia, and was also recognised on Yahoo Finance and Business Insider as The #1 podcast to listen to during COVID.

2. AN INVESTMENT IN YOURSELF IS THE BEST INVESTMENT YOU’LL EVER MAKE

It’s no secret I am highly committed to personal development and investing in myself. Despite many events being cancelled this year, I learned more than ever the importance of continually investing in myself. I listened to more podcasts, read more books and attended more virtual events this year than ever before.

As a result, I have developed, grown and improved my skills. I have tested and challenged my thinking. And more importantly, I have pushed the boundaries of what I believe is possible for myself.

3. CALM IS A SUPERPOWER

This year has been a year of chaos. The media has created fear and hysteria in society, resulting in people fighting over toilet paper in the supermarket. I have learned that calm truly is a superpower. There is merit in taking a calm and considered approach and choosing to not ‘opt in’ to the chaos.

There are a few strategies I have adopted to remain calm in a world full of chaos, including:

• Adopting a mindset of preparedness, rather than panic.
• Working out daily.
• Practicing meditation and mindfulness.
• Wim Hof breathing.
• Focusing on what I can control.
• Spending time in nature.
• Self-care.

4. ALLOW YOUR MESS TO BECOME YOUR MESSAGE

I used to be a self-proclaimed perfectionist. I would wear perfectionism as a badge of honour, as though it was something I should be proud to say. One life lesson I have learned this year, is that perfectionism can be crippling. This insane pressure we place on ourselves to look a certain way, act a certain way, and produce work / articles / videos / episodes whilst trying to look and and sound perfect – is exhausting.

This year, I have learned to embrace my rawness. To allow my mess to become my message. To own my story and share my vulnerabilities. I have learned to embrace my flaws and my imprecations. I have learned to become comfortable in my own skin and to simply just be me – the real authentic me. And this lesson has truly been a gift.

5. GRATITUDE CREATES GOODNESS

Despite the challenges faced this year, I am in an extremely fortunate position. Since the start of this year, I have spent 5 minutes writing down the things I feel grateful for every single morning. Since making gratitude part of my daily practice, the amount of goodness has grown exponentially.

As Oprah Winfrey so graceful said:

“The more thankful I became, the more my bounty became. That’s because – for sure – what you focus on expands. When you focus on the goodness in your life, you create more of it.”

When you focus on all of the things you do have, as opposed to what you don’t have, the goodness in your life expands.

LIFE LESSONS I’VE LEARNED IN 2020

What are some of the biggest life lessons you’ve learned in 2020?I would love to hear your insights and experiences, please leave your comments below!