# 10 Things I've learned in the last year!

In another 2 months and some days, it would have been my 2 year anniversary since the time I stopped writing my blogs. Unfortunately, it looks like I'll not be able to enjoy that anniversary since here I am doing what I thought I'd given up.

10 Things I've learned in the last year!

This last year was an exciting one. I went on my first ever trip abroad and followed it up with another one with friends. It was great!

I am sharing 10 things that I learned over this past year. This is in no order as such but rather randomly written as they popped up in my head.

1. Travel

Travelling to and exploring new places is awesome. There is nothing that takes your mind off of things like it. It really helps to detox (both of the digital as well as the traditional type). Travelling opens you to a new world- full of ideas, culture and experiences. Don't travel cause it'll somehow change you or move you like how they show in movies. Travel cause it's science that when you're removed from your comfort zone your body goes through wonderful chemical reactions. Feel every bit of it. Drown yourself in it. This last year I managed to go to three different places- Goa, Poland and Malaysia and I Loved.Every.Part.Of.It. In fact, I'm now looking forward to going on my next trip. (:

2. Life is not a race, It's a Marathon

I repeat, Life is not a race rather it's a marathon. And likewise, the skills required are different. Sure some might seem to be ahead but the race is long and there will be plenty of chances. Stop and take a moment. Don't be an impatient punk. No matter what you're trying to accomplish, whether working on your fitness or working on your skills; always remember nothing worth having is ever easy and that easy things are never worth having.

3. Quality over quantity

People will come and go. The truth be told I've ghosted out of a few people's lives. For that, I'm extremely sorry. Most of the people you know won't be around in the next five years, tell them now how you feel about them. But here is the real deal, there will always be people who forget you, no matter how important you think they are. More often than not, these will be people whom you expect most from. Try to forget them too.

Equally, some will always remember you and have faith in you, irrespective of whether you ask or not. Keep these friends, fight for them- with tooth and nail.

4. Obsession beats talent

Trust me on this one. Pick up whatever is it that you're doing and just make it an obsession. Make it your purpose, your vices. In the words of the great poet Rumi "Find something you love and let it kill you". Some people have a talent for something that doesn't necessarily make you any inferior. Believe in yourself. Do More. In life and in the professional set-up the ones you do more consistently are the ones who are really successful.

5. Be a student - For life

Most people I've come across either aspire to be masters of their craft or already claim to be so. Don't be that idiot. Become a student. Be excited about things. Stay in that wonderment and awe of things. Be curious. Ask questions. The moment you think you know something better than others, question yourself. You're a masterpiece in the making. Don't ever forget that. 

6. Read

This alone shall have amazing changes in your life. Read. Just pick up something, anything. I probably read from the latest Kim K gossip to what's happening in the specific areas of interest that I have or those that I think to help with work. The idea is to read. Fantasy, fiction or non-fiction just start and do not stop. I'm here to help. Need a book, I'm willing to share. Need recommendations, ask me!

7. People are awesome

Put an effort to meet people. Both old and new. Don't meet them on the web or online. Meet them in person. Put some effort. I know we've grown too used to remain within the walls that we've built for ourselves. We feel it's safer. Well, meeting people is awesome. Always be on the lookout for meeting people, friends.

8. Listen, not hear

To understand this you must first understand the subtle difference between the two. When you say you're hearing, it's just sound waves hitting against your ear drums. Net result nothing, zilch. Listening, on the other hand, is when you are not only hearing what the other person is saying but also showing empathy, noticing the subtle variations to speech. Another huge difference is when you're hearing, it's mostly your brain picking up information to have a reply ready. I don't blame you we have all been programmed like that now, remember how in a GD round we've been told to either start or end. Doesn't work. Being effective does. Next time someone is saying something don't be in a hurry to give a reply. Understand. Ask if you're not clear.

9. Do the new, embrace change

This comes from personal experience, 99% of the changes that occur in our lives are always for the better. Maybe not immediately and certainly not in a way we expect it to be but it is. In hindsight they always are. And you know what else looks easy in hindsight, our troubles. Persevere. Hang in there. Remember that the night is darkest just before dawn.

10. Do better than yesterday

I'm surprised I didn't notice it earlier, the trick is to try and do better than yesterday. No problem in this world is big enough when you break it down to smaller chunks and just focus on doing that bit. One small bit at a time. Most people I speak to have this image a sort of perfect world in their head that they want to have. But most of them aren't willing to go through the process to building one. Everyone is just running after their own version and compare it with others. I compete to do better than I did yesterday. If I'm able to do that I sleep smiling knowing I was able to achieve something. Focus on yourself and improving yourself, even if it's just a little bit. As a wise man once said, "One step at a time. One punch at a time. One round at a time."

These were the 10 things that I learned in this last year. If you liked this post show your love in the comments below. Do write, tweet, IM or FB me (I'm faster to respond on Twitter, though). I'd be happy to know your thoughts.