2021 - Year in Review
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2021 was the year of pain and growth but in the end it turned out to be the most productive year so far, so I've decided to write an article at the beginning of each new year highlighting a few achievements to improve over the upcoming years.
Here's an overview of what I have learned, created & some random facts.
Dev
- Learnt TypeScript which I hated in the beginning and now I'm in love with it
- Tried backend — now I can create a decent fullstack app using MERN Stack
- Participated in EthDenver hackathon along with the team and bagged Second Prize
- Built a MERN app (POC for MutualFund) which helped me in landing a job interview with one of the fastest growing FinTech startups. Although I couldn't clear the interview — need to work on my PS skills
- Started learning in public — live streams helped me in getting more job opportunities. Turned down 3 job offers politely which were 1.5x to 2x of my current pay
Life
Spent the first half of 2021 in a rough state. Things got better in the second half. I started focusing more on myself.
- Started hitting the gym
- Made new friends
- Met my team members all together for the first time
- Started reading books, live streams
- Dropped out of my Masters degree and started focusing on startups and building products. College was not serving any purpose and I was learning more in my job
Life Learnings
- You only realize the importance of someone when they are gone
- Learn to let go
- Real social life matters more than the online one
- A human being can continue learning unlike studying
- We make decisions based on many previous variables
- Sharing what I know and seeking more answers to my questions makes me more curious and makes life fun
- My LCE life framework is working good so far which stands for "Learn, Create & Earn"
- Materialism is a huge issue we need to address ASAP
- Support and uplift others genuinely
- Have the courage to be disliked and don't settle for less than what you deserve!
Design and Creating
Couldn't focus much on design this year, although I have designed our flagship product Safient. I was more into the development part.
- Started live streaming — building in public
Focusing on non-transactional things
We run after transactional things, basically things that can be bought with money. By doing so, we forget the things which make us truly happy — good relationships, meaningful work, healthy mind and healthy body. These are the most important things in life and help improve our emotional happiness which impacts all decisions we make in life.
Embracing Pain
If I look back in my life, growth and pain has always moved in parallel. It helped me get stronger. Avoiding pain has just made me weak and has impacted the decisions I made after that while embracing pain has brought in acceptance and growth in moving forward in life.
Understanding what's real freedom
We often fall into the trap of this concept of having everything which will give us freedom. While, the real freedom comes when you choose what you are willing to give up in your life.
"When you see what people have achieved, you can figure out what they do. When you see what they've sacrificed, you begin to understand who they are. How you choose to spend your time reflects what motivates you. What you're willing to give up reveals what matters to you."
And that's it folks! A quick recap of the things I learned, created during 2021.
I also wanted to thank a few of the notable people who impacted my year in a positive way.
Huge thanks to Koshik Raj — boss, more like an elder brother.
Musthaq Ahamad and Jijin P — whenever I'm lost, I just look at their profile. Like a source of inspiration.
Happy New Year! Cheers!