2013 was the year of changes.

Underneath all these metaphors you’ll discover people that surprised me (and I surprised myself in return), people who inspired me (and I hope I inspired some of them back), but moreover, I got to know myself a little better.

My biggest regret in 2013 is that I haven’t written one single personal thing on paper. I forgot how to write to myself, yet I scratched 3 A4 agendas with more than 300 pages each to my consumers.

I wrote never-ending stories about categories, quotes from smart articles, idea deviations, but not one single note to myself except the already known “To Do List” for the day in front of me.

But I can’t complain. It all lead to the following 9 things I’ve learned and the one promise for 2014: to make this year be the best version of myself and buy some milk for my favorite Davio Rio Chai*.

1. Embrace life.

People who actually make it through the business are able to balance passion for life with hard work.

2. Battle your ideas.

Ideation is a complex process hence a generator of scenarios that needs to be constantly distilled. There has to be no room for interpretation or misleading information in your idea. The big data around you can have this effect, but it’s a matter of perfecting a single-minded thought. Take your time.

3. Win a client.

There’s an interesting amount of selfish ecstasy that gets released inside of you, quickly followed by a greater focus that lands upon the daily things you do. From time to time, self-empowering is welcomed.

4. Find the leaders

I honestly discovered this in a Monday morning when I just felt submerged by many news titles. So I researched a little and discovered the brains behind and started following them. It helped me focus more on what really made a difference for me: unfiltered thinking.

http://www.slideshare.net/juliancole/50-planners-to-watch-in-2014-30774777

5. Ask for help

I ask for help. There are too many disciplines that cross my path thus a lot of experienced people around. Until now, I was afraid to admit that I can’t do everything. But it’s just a question of how great you can make that thought/insight/project be. Don’t lose the opportunity to make it even bigger through co-creation.

6. Accept challenges

Maybe the greatest challenge ahead of you is actually doing your job. Make your job a challenge (not a problem — inside joke) and find out what it has to offer you: knowledge, respect, confidence, friends and so on. Making everyday count in this business is crucial.

7. Trust yourself

Nobody else is going to do this for you.

8. Build relationships

It’s something I’ve discovered very late in the process, being so into my job. In the end, it finally made me see I need to speak out for myself more and stay connected because that’s the best learning school we have — to exchange information.

9. Write

Front-developers write too, you know? Everyone has a story to share through his own language.