Reflecting on 2024 : Lessons, Growth and Finding Balance

December has always felt like a month to slow down, reflect, and reconnect. With Christmas holidays ending and year drawing to a close, it’s a natural time to think about ourselves and those who matter most. Many of us set resolutions during this time — aspirations we genuinely hope to achieve but often abandon too soon. And in a world surrounded by isolation, uncertainty, and challenges, staying committed feels harder than ever.

Looking back at 2024, it was a year of embracing change for me. I learned that navigating change in a meaningful way starts with understanding and simplifying our inner complexities. This year brought its share of growth—new learnings, certifications, and valuable experiences in my role, where I witnessed strategy in action within a culturally diverse environment. Mumbai, in its second chapter of hosting me, has been kind, offering support and teaching me the value of adaptability.

As humans, we often wonder about life—our health, careers, purpose, family, and the legacy we’ll leave behind. Yet, often, such contemplation remains short-lived because of the demands of daily life; leaving little time to truly plan for what we want in the long run. So, when decisions arise, big or small, we are left with nothing to guide us but emotion or intuition.

Hence a bit of strategizing our lives isn't such a bad idea. I often enjoy discussing this idea with my friends and peers. If organizations can use strategic thinking to thrive, why can’t we strategize our lives? Of course, life is unpredictable, and not everything can be planned. Discovery and change are messy, often happening when we least expect them. But maybe that’s what makes the journey worth it—living fully while also moving toward something meaningful.

Moreover, there’s a surprising symmetry between corporate strategy and how we, as individuals, navigate our lives. Just as organizations or projects start with defining success, purpose, and vision—followed by assessing portfolios and benchmarking for improvement—our lives, too, thrive on clarity of purpose, vision, and learning from life's portfolio choices and mistakes. Recently, I came across an insightful framework in HBR — Dr. Charles E. Miller’s BRIDGE model. It offers a six-step, 21st-century approach to Goal Setting Theory holding a resemblance to the subject here:

1. Brainstorm every aspect associated with setting a specific goal.
2. Review the relationships you will and won’t need to move forward.
3. Invest in yourself by identifying necessary personal developments.
4. Discern the factors that will influence your decision-making.
5. Gauge whether you have the grit to proceed.
6. Establish the definition of excellence you are aiming for and set a matching timeline

As humans, we often search for frameworks to guide us. Yet perhaps the simplest way to honor resolutions isn’t about constant upgrades or reconfigurations. It’s about finding balance and embracing simplicity. Starting with something as basic as a good breakfast, meaningful time with family and near ones, and a checklist for deeper work and meaningful commitments.

As the Christmas and year-end season fills the air with warmth, hope, and renewal, it’s a perfect reminder to cherish the present while embracing what lies ahead. Here’s to taking a pause, relishing these moments, and entering the new year with a heart full of gratitude and optimism.

Wishing you and your loved ones a joyful holiday season and a prosperous New Year!