Month: January 2012

“Can’t Do”

Before we say “Can’t do” this year, let’s remember to pause for a moment and remember the billions of naysayers who have dedicated their lives to repeating these two words ever so often.

At that moment, we are likely to find ourselves immensely empowered for the simple reason that we realize that we have a choice.

Maybe we will find a work-around. Or a better solution even. All thanks to that moment of stillness where we consciously think about the options instead of going for the default answer – our old friend “Can’t do”.

Let this be the year we remove “Can’t do” from our thought process because that’s just what it is – thought process.

Why? Just because we can.

Note: “Can’t do” is different from “No”. We say “No” to anything that’s low priority. “Can’t do” pops up at all places, regardless of priority.

Looking Back, and then Looking Forward

I just did my review of 2011. I enjoy looking back, and then looking forward. I like such exercises every once in a while. I find that it naturally happens 2-3 times a year and I’m hoping to see this happen roughly every quarter this year. Of course, it’s nowhere as organized.

I find myself naturally taking stock on my birthday (March) and of late, on Thanksgiving day (November). We’ll have to find a worthy date in the middle of the year to spread it evenly. 




2011 was an exceptional year in many ways. It was my first full year of work-life and I learnt and saw myself grow up an immense amount. I was hungry, naturally foolish and keen to understand myself and concepts like happiness, energy, integrity and life. I think I’ve made some headway in all these life learnings. And I’ve emerged happier.

As a part of my review, I also penned down a few things I visualize in the coming year. Learning to play the guitar, publishing my book (finally) are among ideas for the year. There’s lots to be excited about as always – work, 8 months to go in London, exploring the UK, a Himalaya trek. I can barely wait. I’ve scheduled short breaks from time to time as I have realized they greatly increase my productivity at work. 

Personally, I hope to be present i.e. live the moment, live every day and also learn to give myself one hundred per cent when I’m listening to somebody. And of course, I hope to write to be understood, speak to be heard and read to grow.. (Thanks Jerry!)

There’s a lot to be excited about. I’m very thankful.

2011, in my eyes, was the year of ALearningaDay. It was the year this blog took a life of it’s own and inspired me in more ways possible. It was the year when I met many more of you as we began becoming more active as a community, and heard your stories. True learning is always two way and I’m hopeful I will meet many more of you in the coming year as well as get to know my new friends better this year.

I still remember the day in October when a realization hit me. It was a true Aha moment. I was reflecting on the increased readership on this blog and the growing community. I realized that many of you are way ahead of me in years and experience and yet, we seem to connect thanks to our thoughts and ideas. And, for the journey to be the best it can be, I have a responsibility to think, to learn and to share.

And that’s my commitment to myself. I hope to be the best I can be. Pushing myself out of my comfort zone will be part of the process because anything recommended here is typically something I have tested myself. And it would be futile if I wrote about learnings, positivity and happiness and didn’t live these things.

I don’t do new year resolutions. I only do commitments. And I work on committing and then re-committing from time to time. This is a big commitment. I hope to live all these big learnings – managing myself, creating memories, spending time with my framily (i.e. close friends and family), living every day, staying positive during all the down cycles, learning, loving, smiling, growing and most importantly, being the best I can be.

2012. I’m looking forward. Here’s to being the best we can be.. :-)
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Thanks Arnold for inspiring me to get to this.