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Turning 32 today & sticking to a new tradition I started 2 years ago: publishing a post in which I reflect on the most significant experiences I've had in the past year.
I hope you'll find of these thoughts and resources helpful for your own process of becoming.
I hope you'll find of these thoughts and resources helpful for your own process of becoming.
1. Cultivate an identity outside of your work roles
The moment I started creating content for myself, whether it was on the blog, on Twitter, LinkedIn or elsewhere, that’s when I started to build a recognizable identity not tied to a specific job. https://andrazaharia.com/life-lessons-turning-32/
The moment I started creating content for myself, whether it was on the blog, on Twitter, LinkedIn or elsewhere, that’s when I started to build a recognizable identity not tied to a specific job. https://andrazaharia.com/life-lessons-turning-32/
2. For better mental health, don’t tie your identity to your work
This year I had a breakthrough while working with @AndreiRosca, a fantastic coach. He taught me how to cultivate as strong of a sense of achievement from personal accomplishments as I did from professional ones.
This year I had a breakthrough while working with @AndreiRosca, a fantastic coach. He taught me how to cultivate as strong of a sense of achievement from personal accomplishments as I did from professional ones.
3. “Know your value. Respect your value. Cultivate your value.”
This was a key takeaway of mind from Merry Miller’s speech at the kick-off event for the @Stepfwdtoday pre-accelerator. https://andrazaharia.com/life-lessons-turning-32/
This was a key takeaway of mind from Merry Miller’s speech at the kick-off event for the @Stepfwdtoday pre-accelerator. https://andrazaharia.com/life-lessons-turning-32/
4. (You can) Get rid of your anxiety
Another massive breakthrough I had this year was managing my anxiety & ultimately drastically reducing it.
It happened when I worked on it with @AndreiRosca.
He taught me how to set up systems around me that would reduce my anxiety.
Another massive breakthrough I had this year was managing my anxiety & ultimately drastically reducing it.
It happened when I worked on it with @AndreiRosca.
He taught me how to set up systems around me that would reduce my anxiety.
5. (You can) Relieve some of the pressure
These small achievements piled on top of each other. I can really feel the compound effect of the effort I put into working on myself.
I also worked on some childhood issues that I finally managed to get much-needed clarity on.
These small achievements piled on top of each other. I can really feel the compound effect of the effort I put into working on myself.
I also worked on some childhood issues that I finally managed to get much-needed clarity on.
6. Work on your habits
Two of the things that have played an instrumental role in my growth this year are: working on my eating habits with @carmen_alb, an experienced food coach, & starting running with 321sport. https://andrazaharia.com/life-lessons-turning-32/
Two of the things that have played an instrumental role in my growth this year are: working on my eating habits with @carmen_alb, an experienced food coach, & starting running with 321sport. https://andrazaharia.com/life-lessons-turning-32/
7. Question your reactions and beliefs – from serious back problems to running
I never thought I’d like running or ever call myself a runner. But here I am, 70km in total later, able to run 4km without stopping and actually enjoy it! https://andrazaharia.com/life-lessons-turning-32/
I never thought I’d like running or ever call myself a runner. But here I am, 70km in total later, able to run 4km without stopping and actually enjoy it! https://andrazaharia.com/life-lessons-turning-32/
8. Harness the power of accountability
One of the very best habits I picked up is doing a monthly accountability meeting with 2 of my closest friends, @pyuric & @hoinaru.
Having someone to keep me accountable for commitments I made to myself & others improved my life SO much!
One of the very best habits I picked up is doing a monthly accountability meeting with 2 of my closest friends, @pyuric & @hoinaru.
Having someone to keep me accountable for commitments I made to myself & others improved my life SO much!
9. Do all the uncomfortable things that come with being your own boss
I used a combination of coaching, reading, reflection, various productivity tools & frequent talks with friends (the accountability group, the Shine Crew I’m part of created after @bellastone's example, etc.).
I used a combination of coaching, reading, reflection, various productivity tools & frequent talks with friends (the accountability group, the Shine Crew I’m part of created after @bellastone's example, etc.).
10. Good work is never easy
By the end of this year I’ll have written & edited around 500,000 words in 2019 alone.
I’ve also recorded ~40h of audio & video interviews.
And while I don’t have a clear way to track this, I’ve read 1000+ articles/reports/playbooks for research.
By the end of this year I’ll have written & edited around 500,000 words in 2019 alone.
I’ve also recorded ~40h of audio & video interviews.
And while I don’t have a clear way to track this, I’ve read 1000+ articles/reports/playbooks for research.
Knowing that good work is never easy is important to acknowledge, in my opinion. Personally, it helps me set realistic expectations.
For me, the objective is to create something valuable, not to build the perfect process to run things with as little effort as possible.
For me, the objective is to create something valuable, not to build the perfect process to run things with as little effort as possible.
11. Do work that doesn’t scale
Customers’ standards are evolving constantly & non-scalable work is becoming increasingly important for growth bc it produces better than average results.
Replicating success is highly dependent on people, no matter how great tech gets.
Customers’ standards are evolving constantly & non-scalable work is becoming increasingly important for growth bc it produces better than average results.
Replicating success is highly dependent on people, no matter how great tech gets.
12. Carve a place for yourself
I thought I had to be great at all everything if I were to do valuable work.
While my belief hasn’t changed, how I practice this belief has. https://andrazaharia.com/life-lessons-turning-32/
I thought I had to be great at all everything if I were to do valuable work.
While my belief hasn’t changed, how I practice this belief has. https://andrazaharia.com/life-lessons-turning-32/
13. Stick to your path
Save for rare exceptions, other people will always try to determine you to fit their plans and expectations. Getting swept up in that can chip away at your own identity and leave you confused and second-guessing yourself. https://andrazaharia.com/life-lessons-turning-32/
Save for rare exceptions, other people will always try to determine you to fit their plans and expectations. Getting swept up in that can chip away at your own identity and leave you confused and second-guessing yourself. https://andrazaharia.com/life-lessons-turning-32/
14. Remember that people are behind everything
Behind every product and service you use there are people working to make it and improve it. Most of the things we take for granted in our lives (and sometimes we take A LOT for granted) hides layers and layers of complexity.
Behind every product and service you use there are people working to make it and improve it. Most of the things we take for granted in our lives (and sometimes we take A LOT for granted) hides layers and layers of complexity.
15. Contribute
Keeping a student’s mindset.
Not letting ego get in the way.
Cultivating curiosity.
These 3 things have made a huge difference for me for more than a decade.
Seeing myself as a contributor instead of an expert keeps me from getting complacent.
Keeping a student’s mindset.
Not letting ego get in the way.
Cultivating curiosity.
These 3 things have made a huge difference for me for more than a decade.
Seeing myself as a contributor instead of an expert keeps me from getting complacent.
16. Detach from outcomes
My last lesson for my 32nd birthday is this: after all is said and done, detach from what happens to your work after you ship it.
Focus on what you can do to give your best.
Want to read the whole thing? Dig in!
https://andrazaharia.com/life-lessons-turning-32/
My last lesson for my 32nd birthday is this: after all is said and done, detach from what happens to your work after you ship it.
Focus on what you can do to give your best.
Want to read the whole thing? Dig in!
https://andrazaharia.com/life-lessons-turning-32/
