Three questions I'm asking myself at the start of 2021
In asking and answering these questions, I've found surprising and actionable insights which will help me better navigate complexity and uncertainty in 2021. I hope they will help you too!
Every December, I use the Year Compass workbook to reflect on the year past, and set intentions for the new year. Vince's last post had me thinking about the ways I can more consciously embrace uncertainty and randomness in 2021. So I designed a few additional end-of-year reflections to explore just that!
1. What serendipity did I experience this year, and what will I do to attract more serendipity next year?
NYU innovations professor Dr Christian Busch defines serendipity as “unexpected good luck resulting in unplanned moments, in which proactive decisions lead to good outcomes.” This definition implies that while we can’t escape randomness, we can increase the likelihood of generating our own good luck.
I am writing this article today because of a chain of serendipitous events which started in June. While still at my old job, a friend offered to convene a webinar where I could share expertise and promote my new business. I didn’t feel ready and turned him down multiple times. If it wasn’t for his persistence, and a moment of weakness (or clarity?) over whiskey, I would never have said yes.
After attending my webinar, Holly Chen contacted me to test some ideas for improving minority representation in business. We hit it off immediately. Together, we have since launched Ceiling Breakers, a group-based coaching program for leaders from under-represented groups. This is exactly the type of work I left my job to do.
And it was through Ceiling Breakers that I met Vince. On a 1:1 call with him, I tangentially shared some of my career navigation challenges. Later, when the seed for this newsletter took hold in his mind, he remembered my stories and reached out.
So luck definitely played a huge part in landing me here, writing on topics I’m passionate about. But in saying that, I also played a part to put myself in the right place, at the right time by
Choosing to step outside my comfort zone
Leaving enough space in my life to be able to try things I never planned for
Taking a chance to do things that don’t have a clear end goal or payoff
When you think about the serendipity you’ve experienced this year, pinpoint the part - however small it may feel - that you played in creating it. Perhaps you introduced two people to each other years ago. Or you noticed something in your surroundings when you put your phone away. Maybe you acted on a gut feeling that you would normally ignore. Then consider how you might consciously do more of those things to increase your luck in 2021.
2. What spaces do I want to create for career/life exploration?
In the past, I’ve overstayed in jobs purely because I was too busy doing the job itself to explore alternatives. It takes foresight and intentionality to create space for the important, but not urgent things in life.
In answering this question, it’s helpful to consider various types of space including:
Head space - uncluttered brain capacity
Emotional space - the ability to be with whatever emotions arise
Physical space - having environments and systems that nurture you
Time
I like to break down time further, and be deliberate in setting aside:
Time in the day-to-day for daily routines (e.g., exercise, spiritual practice, time in nature) which energise, and ground you. Next year, I look forward to more daydreaming and “puttering” time like Jeff Bezos.
Regular blocks of time (x hours per week) to do experiments (e.g., start a side gig, learn new skills) or take action (e.g, meet people outside your industry, rewrite your career narrative). I’m hoping to dedicate a day a week for new (and random) opportunities, ideas and relationships next year.
Extended blocks of time (weeks or months) for deeper reflection or focused work e.g., holidays, retreats, vision quests, learning intensives, sabbaticals
For me, this question about creating spaces takes on extra meaning knowing that space is often an enabler for serendipity!
3. What is one guiding question that can help me stay focused on what matters most in 2021?
This question is designed to help you stay true to your values, purpose and intentions without the need for resolutions, commitments or end goals (which are more deterministic in nature).
I didn’t explicitly define a guiding question for myself in 2020, but upon reflection, I realised how often I came back to this question: “Does this energise me?”. This question pushed me to leave my job despite my rational mind screaming “Terrible idea!”. This question gave me the courage to turn down clients when I had capacity to do the work. This question also helped me overcome my insecurities and doubts enough to write for People Renaissance.
One of the aspirations I have in 2021 is to play, experiment and “ship” more. What gets in the way is my inner critic. She sets restrictively high expectations, and then berates me for not being good enough. To loosen the grip of my fierce critic, I’m drawn to “How I can be a little more self-compassionate in this moment?” as my focusing question for 2021.
To come up with your own focusing question, start with your intentions for 2021 e.g., the qualities you want to develop, the values you want to live, the things and people that matter most. Here are other examples of focusing questions for inspiration:
What’s my body/gut trying to tell me?
Will this matter in a year’s time?
What’s another way of looking at this situation?
Am I doing this because I want to, or because I should?
How does this serve future generations?
Now it’s your turn…
As you were reading, I’m sure answers started popping into your head. I really encourage you to capture your processing and insights somewhere. It helps to clarify and solidify your thoughts and intentions. It is also fun to have something to look back on later, especially to see how you’ve grown and evolved.
To summarize, here are the three questions again:
What serendipity did I experience this year, and what will I do to attract more serendipity next year?
What spaces do I want to create for career/life exploration?
What is one guiding question that can help me stay focused on what matters most in 2021?
I’d love to hear the guiding question you chose or what you’ve learned through this process. You can comment below!
Happy reflecting and journaling! And of course, Happy New Year!