Things I’ve Learnt & Re-Learnt In 2022
2022’s been… a year.
Work-wise, it’s been a fantastic year for my startup, LBB (Little Black Book)- the biggest milestone being our successful acquisition by Nykaa (India’s premier omni-channel lifestyle commerce business), as their first consumer tech bet! Our integration’s been exciting, and we’ve seen stellar user and revenue growth especially over the last two quarters. This year’s brought tremendous clarity to our product, purpose and passions as a company and as a team- and I’m so proud of what we’ve built, shipped and how far we’ve come.
Personally, it’s been a mixed bag. I’ve found my intellectual-and-wannabe-Dave-Chapelle groove with Think Fast, the much-loved podcast I co-host with my friend Varun. Another win- I’ve got back to writing and sharing things I’ve learnt, exhibit A being this post. My reading, however, has gone for a toss, as has my general focus on fitness- both of which are on my list to get back on track in 2023. I’ve also seen a lot of loss in the past 14 months; tragically lost my high school best friend a few weeks ago, and have seen my dearest friends lose their parents and grandparents.
Over the past few weeks, I’ve made a concerted effort to reflect on the year that’s gone by- wins, losses, challenges, conquests et all.
Here’s what I’ve learnt and re-learnt this year.
Make a List of What You Value/What Matters To You & Block Time on Your Calendar For These. For example, intellectual curiosity, candor, my work/craft and relationships (partner, friends, family) matter the most to me. Over the past 2 years, I’ve made a concerted effort to ensure my day/week/month reflects the time, effort and energy I spend on each of these.
Read 48 Laws of Power and The Art of War. Especially if you’re a founder and need to navigate hiring, employee retention, fundraising, stakeholder management- these two books will teach you more about how people are, how they behave, and how you can make the toughest situations work in your favour.
Nothing Feels As Good As Having Leverage. And there is no shittier feeling in the world than having to settle.
Have Good Friends Who Are 5–10 Years Older Than You. Hands-down, the best thing I’ve done for myself in the past 3–4 years. The most personal and professional clarity I get is when I hangout with my older and wiser friends.
Actively Practise Being Objective. Some call this stoicism. Others call it learning how to pick your battles. In a nutshell- actively practise withholding your judgements, emotions and impulsive reactions. It’s the best way to cut your stress levels, improve your digestion and generally live a happy life.
Revaluate and Re-Build Parts of Yourself Ever So Often. Related: read Siddhartha. Re-building yourself requires you to willingly break patterns in your life that keep repeating, face and embrace the baggage you carry head-on, and work through your biggest fears. You can do this through therapy, finding a coach, and/or proactively seeking self awareness.
There’s No Substitute to Great Friendships & the Unconditional Love of Your Dogs/Pets. Great friendships don’t require face time. Great friendships aren’t obligations. Great friendships are a call away. Great friendships remind you of what you’re capable of. Great friendships challenge you and hold you accountable to your truth. And dogs? I don’t need to explain why they really are the best.
Keep Up With People You Admire/Like/Look Up to. Have no heroes (if you do, please don’t meet them), but have people in your life who you deeply admire and respect. Even better, get to know them in the context of why you admire or respect them.
Drop A Note To Your Long Lost Friends. You’ll grow out of some friendships and relationships and that’s ok. But it doesn’t take much to let people know you’re there and you care.
Proactively Seek More of What Gives You Purpose, and never underestimate the power of compounding.
And Finally, Have More Fun. This year’s played out wonderfully, but it hasn’t been easy. The stress of work and life doesn’t ever go away- but what does help is having fun. Have fun with your friends, your colleagues, your parents. Play a song you love and sing at the top of your lungs. Jump around in the rain. Laugh like a child. Play a sport you love for the joy of it.
Do what you need to to keep the fun you alive and kicking.
Wishing you all a very happy New Year.