Reflections from 2015: Highs, Lows, and Personal Growth

2015 was a year that had both highs and lows. I think is really important to reflect not just on the victories but defeats as well.

My reflection would cover what went well and what I could be proud off, what didn’t go so well and how I can improve on it.

Full of Win

#1. Pursuing my MSc in the UK

It’s always good to start your reflection by celebrating the joys that took place and one of them is that I’m currently working on my MSc, without having a bachelor’s degree.

While I can’t take all the credit (big thanks to support from family, friends and lecturers) I’m proud that I managed to juggle studying for my post graduate diploma while working, and finally graduating with a distinction too.
I’ve not been formally studying for a long time after my stint at Australia, but I managed to get on track really quickly. I just found myself just captured by the topics I learn and hence I pursued my education diligently.

No doubt there were times when life was busy and rough and studying took a small pause, despite the discipline I had, I would be lying if I said I didn’t slack for a bit.

The great thing is completing my Post Graduate Diploma and then pursuing my Master’s Degree right after.

Doing it in the UK is something I’m proud of.

If asked me two years ago if I ever dreamed of doing Master’s degree no would most probably be my answer but right now I’m doing it, here in the UK.

I’ve found that immersing yourself in your interest and passion will take you a long way. It will make you better at what you do, and it will make what you pursue (study or work) much more enjoyable. However do understand that not everything that is easily completed by you indicates that it’s your passion. Most of the times, during the pursuit of your passion there will be obstacles and hardships.

It’s only because you’re passionate about it that you keep pursuing in spite of the difficulties.

The only way we can grow is being out of our comfort zones. And I firmly believe that whatever we are passionate about, it should help us grow.

That is definitely the case for me when I did both my studies and work at the same time.

Were there time’s I wish that I could just sleep in and take a pause?

Of course.

But was it worth it that I managed to pull through everything?

You bet!

#2. Networking with other professionals

Another thing I’m really proud of is just making an effort to network with other professionals. In the nutrition field, it’s small especially back home in Malaysia, which makes networking really important.

Sometimes a simple email acknowledging and thanking your professors for contributing to your education opens up the door to networking opportunities. People don’t realize how much sincere gratitude is appreciated.

I’ve sent many emails to many professors saying thank you for the contribution, lectures and help. This allowed me to meet them in person, have small relationship building talks and most importantly finally putting a face to the name, a name that might grow into future opportunities to work or collaborate together.
I was surprised how a professor actually remembered me when I’ve only met him once a year ago and we didn’t corresponded after.

It’s crazy how gratitude works. The age old advice from my mom that constantly tells me to have an attitude of gratitude really manifested itself here and now I’ve seen it in action.

I’ve also been able to meet up with other fitness professionals in the UK, some which I’ve only corresponded via Facebook and I’m definitely looking to meet more this year.

So if you’re in the UK, let’s connect!

#3. Controlling my perception

Lastly, I realized the importance of perception when it comes to handling the issues in that might pop up in life.

Before coming to the UK, I had to deal with a ton of administration and visa issues. With most admin work, it took a tedious process to finally get things sorted.

There are times were I tried to controlled every single factor it actually caused more misery than good.

Because of the prior visa rejections I had, I was afraid that my visa application would be rejected this time as well.

I was afraid that my dreams would be shattered.

Ask my close friends around me and they will tell you that I was both nervous and highly anxious. Because my perception was skewed towards the fact that I might get my visa rejected, it was hard for me to be at ease.

Given the fact that I am currently writing this after being in the UK for 4 months, that perception I initially had was definitely wrong. However, I did allow it to affect me during the 2-3 weeks I was constantly thinking about it.

I realized that ultimately your perception would dictate your reality and how you act upon that perception is what would make you grow.

Your perception would dictate your reality and how you act upon that perception is what would make you grow.<— Tweet This!

The fact of the matter is we can’t control everything and trying to do so has proved to be counterproductive.

If you believe in God like I do, sometimes it’s best to leave it to the big guy up there.

If you do not, knowing you’ve done your best and whatever the outcome is, there will be an opportunity to learn is a viable approach as well.

What we can always control is our perception, and ultimately that is what will matter in most situations you encounter in life.

So long as you’ve done what you can, there really isn’t a point stressing out on matters you can’t control.

Because if I could control everything I want to, it’s highly likely I have superpowers or I’m actually secretly a Jedi.

Or both.

It’s the same for all of us.

Opportunities for growth

This part is going to be the part where most people will find it harder to write. It’s always easy to celebrate the victories and joys, but when it comes to evaluating weaknesses, most people tend to shy away from it.

Nobody likes admitting they’re wrong or they lack in certain areas in life, but doing this is what I will make your reflection really useful.

It allows you to set a starting point to move forward from, it gives you a clearer idea of how your plan of action should be like.

It all starts with asking yourself: “What went wrong?” or “ What can I do better?”

#1. Working on relationships with family and friends

The first thing I would admit is despite doing well in both my job and studies, my relationship with my family and some friends suffered.

I spent most of my time immersed in coaching people and reading up everything I could on sports nutrition, I didn’t make time for the people close to me.

My parents and my brothers pretty much felt like I was already in the UK despite still living at home.

I rarely have meaningful conversations with them and family time was reduced especially if something work related came up.

I sacrificed the relationship with my family to chase my career. Because I absolutely love what I do, that made it even easier for me to let my career replace the things that matter most. 

It’s hard to admit it, but I’ve not been the greatest son nor the best brother the past year and the best friend award definitely wouldn’t go to me as well.

And that is an area I am definitely going to work on this year.

#2. Start writing more often

Writing was something that allowed my thoughts to flow. It served as a platform to express myself and use whatever I’ve learnt to translate it to something helpful for all my readers.

I know the power of writing and what it can do to someone’s life. In fact, a few blogs influenced my thought process and helped me decided the path I am currently taking.

That being said, I’ve not been writing much or as consistently as I would want to in 2015. No doubt that I’ve been busy with other things, but if I were to organize my time wisely, I would have definitely be able to write a blogpost once a week.

I’ve come to realized that the more you write the better you get. Hence, for 2016, I’m going to be writing way more consistently. To allow myself to communicate better through writing and to reach and help others with the information I put out there.

Plan of action

#1 Communicate with friends and family more often

After I identify what are some things I can improve, the next step is to have an action plan to start working on the changes I want to see.

Despite being in the UK, I believe I can still work on my relationship with my family and friends back home.

Though we have distance in between, I strongly feel the more I should keep the relationships and with family and friends going.

To do this, I’ll check up on my brothers and family two to three times a week via text. I believe a simple how are you and conversations that last 10-15 minutes can do wonders to keep the relationship with my family strong.

I will also Skype my family twice a month to just catch up on things that can’t be communicated through text.

When it comes to friends, I’ll speak to those who have been a part of my journey. We’ll keep one another updated and keep being a part of each other’s journey despite not being in the same country.

Celebrating the good things and giving a helping hand when it’s needed.

Can’t do it in person as I would like to but I know I’ll do my best even if it’s through social media and other virtual communication tools.

#2 Publish a blogpost every week and stick to it

To work on my writing I might need the help from all my of you, if you don’t see a blogpost at least once a week, do bug me and ask me for it!

I’m going to consistently put out a blogpost a week and if there is anything in particular you would want me to write about, please do send me a message on Facebook or leave me a comment.

Besides that, I’m going to be doing my reflection on a more consistent basis a couple a times a week. Just to make sure I keep in touch with everything that is happening in my life, both the beautiful and the ugly.

The reason why I’m writing this reflection is to be transparent with my life and for people to keep me accountable as well.

People often perceive me as some guy who lift weights and crack lame jokes. But behind the keyboard and the screen, I’m just another ordinary person who faces issues most people will face.

What’s important is not the gravity of the issue at hand, but the how you’re going to move forward with the it.

That is why we reflect, because how can we know how to move forward if we don’t know where to move forward from?

That being said, I encourage all of you to take time off and sit down quietly and reflect upon 2015. Feel free to use the format I used above, which I found on this blog.

Here’s the general outline:

1. Full of win ( little joys, victories and the achievements you’re proud of)
2. Area for growth ( things you could work on, things that can improve yourself)
3. Plan of action ( what are you going to do to work on point 2)

With that, I wish everyone an amazing new year, make 2016 your best year yet!

P/S: Massively huge announcement coming up in the next blogpost, one I believe everyone will be excited to see!

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