Hello there,
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.
It’s also that time of the year when we reflect on what’s been done, and plan what is to be done. I hope you enjoy your time doing that.
Maybe today’s newsletter can help you with some perspective. I hope so.
PS: I’m working hard to launch something that I want to be my flagship product. The pre-launch offer is now open, yay. Use the code PREORDER and get 50% off on LinkedIn Ultimate Content Mastery.
Now, let’s get started!
This year was a bit different for me.
It was the first full year I’ve had as a solopreneur and was full of changes.
Fun new things happened at work:
Started my YouTube channel
Sold out my cohort-based course
Became LinkedIn Top Voice 2022
Met a mega creator, Ankur Warikoo
Launched products that got a lot of love
And in my personal life,
I got married
Travelled to 6 countries
Overcame my issue with burnout
Through this journey, here are the eight most important lessons I’ve learnt so far.
1. Nobody Can Make You Confident
This is something Ankur Warikoo told me when I had a breakfast meeting with him.
While eating my avocado toast, I was telling him about having self-esteem issues pretty much all my life.
It stemmed from being the fat and tall kid that too with a deep voice. Also, the kid who was average at studies and didn’t play sports.
I told him how my mentor helps me be more confident.
To which he replied,
“Nobody can help you be more confident. Others’ belief in you is helpful but is temporary. It ultimately must come from you.”
2. Believe In Unlimited Possibility
I’ve led this year with no plan.
Whenever I planned something properly, I don’t know why it didn’t work out. But when I had a random idea, I immediately executed it.
Something that surprised me was that I was also fearless.
I’m that person who’s scared of lizards, snakes, all pets, heights, water — everything. So for me to be fearless felt big.
I led this year without fearing
what will people say
how much money I’ll make
I did what my heart said and pursued what aligned with my intention and core values.
All my business ideas ultimately leaned towards being of service to others.
That elevated my business to a whole new level I couldn’t have imagined a year ago.
3. No Rewards for Ideas
Only execution.
Trust me, I’m lazy as f##k. And something being lazy makes me do is finish a task ASAP so I don’t have to work on it later and can chill instead.
Everyone has an idea.
The gap between ideas and execution is where self-doubt creeps in. Wow, did I just create my own quote?
Solution: Don’t give yourself that much time. Start right away, and the first step can be putting it on paper.
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4. Don’t Give Anybody This Power
Sadly, this has also been my year of trolls.
Of course, love overpowers negativity. But negativity still hurts, you know? I’ve cried alone so many times because a stranger online hurt me.
Then it started happening so often that I stopped bothering about it.
In life and online, nobody gets to decide how you’ll feel today. I’m glad this happened to me online because now I’m able to apply it to real life like an absolute boss.
5. Numbers Are… Just Numbers
I won’t lie about checking my followers. I was so excited to hit 10K on Twitter and 50K on LinkedIn.
After both, nothing in my life changed.
Nada.
Since I hit 50k on LinkedIn, I’ve stopped bothering about numbers and just enjoy myself. It was stupid to even chase 50k.
The vanity only looks good on the outside.
Your life will not change with that 3-second of a dopamine rush.
6. Don’t Fit Yourself in the Adjective Bucket
This year I haven’t bothered to put any labels on who I am, what I do, and my traits.
I’m uncomfortable with new people and large groups, but I don’t want to be known as introverted, because sometimes I’m also chirpy with absolute strangers.
So perhaps I shouldn’t strive to find a label and just be instead. Is that so bad?
Don’t feel the temptation to fit yourself in an adjective just because it appears good. It’ll be less weight on your shoulders this way.
7. Strength Training >>>
My mum and I went on a 4–week long holiday to Europe this August.
Our suitcases were nearly 30kgs per bag when we stuffed our cabin bag in the bigger bag to make it easier to walk, on escalators, and catch trains.
SHE could lift the suitcases, and I was barely able to drag them for a kilometre like a weak ass.
She’s been strength training for 20+ years.
She lifts more weight than I ever have.
I’ve always done low weights because I’m a bit sissy that way. But after those four weeks, I took my training more seriously and feel so fit and strong. My body feels much healthier.
It took me a complex from my mum to do that, haha.
8. A Simpler Life
I’ve been content and happy for the most part of the year.
I have big goals, but I don’t lose sight of where I’ve come from and feel grateful for everything. Probably because my life has changed so drastically in the last 18 months.
A simple life feels like the way to be.
I value a warm house, loving relationships, and good health.
And I’m glad I value them so close that no amount of hustle porn or any winning stories has made me compare my life to others’. There’s no room to feel inadequate in any area.
I love being content. I love love.
This was my year. Let me know about yours?
I hope this made you think and could probably leave a tiny dent in your day, or your time ahead.
Lots of love,
N
Also, don’t forget to use the code PREORDER to improve your LinkedIn game:
Wish you a wonderful 2023!
Such a heartwarming letter Niharika 💝 Merry Christmas