Looking back into 2020
The year that never was
On this day, I celebrate my birthday. It comes as every year, at a time, when I reflect on my year, and steps in place to reach my life goals.
Unlike previous years, I feel that I have been a victim of this year, a passenger and not the driver. All things happened this year that were out of my control or purview of possibility. And therefore, had little to no defence to what has transpired.
Like so many, I can attest that the year 2020 will go down as the most difficult ‘decade of a year’ than any I have ever experienced. Loss was massive, in loved ones, businesses and at some points, a loss in hope.
And therefore alot of negativity to the year and statements like; ‘this was such a bad year’ resonate well within me.
But, and it is a major B U T!!!
This year has yielded some great blessings, joys, opportunities and revelations that I feel could have had, if things had gone the same as always.
Firstly, on the last day of February (29th) my father disappeared, only his body to be found 6 weeks later. You can fill in all the gory details on this and the effect it has had.
Due to Covid-19 hard lockdown, mourning was also not something one could do, as travel was restricted.
Lesson: The love of family and friends far outstrips any pursuit for financial gains. The truest wealth you will ever have in life, is the legacy of family.
As I was heavily vested in the alcohol industry, the hard lockdown, effectively resulted and meant that there was no income coming in. A time that was both dark and illuminating as to the bond between myself and wife.
Lesson: Take heed of the person you wish to spend the rest of your life with, they will make or break you. And you will make or break them. . .
New opportunities came out of lock-down, at some point I was trading in Personal Protective Equipment, supplying clients to supply to their customers (B2B2C model I love so much).
Unfortunately, on the 3 major projects that I bid for, did not get any.
Lesson: In times of real strife, you can re-invent yourself. Take the small opportunities that come your way as seeds that can lead to great money trees, wealth or success.
I have fallen out of three partnerships this year, all with a similar theme, ethics.
I have discovered that I do not have a major tolerance for unethical behaviour or greed, and in such instances, you cannot heed my advice and council, I will gladly depart.
Lesson: Treat the choice in each business partner as a you would in a life-partner. Take great care and ensure that you and the person(s) share similar ethos, ideology and faith.
Finally, I have tried to break into the VC ecosystem this year, something I have always wanted but have opted to first understand business, build and help build startups before sitting on the other side of the table and partnering with them.
Lesson: It is never too late to change your direction and trajectory — have faith in your abilities, value you bring to overcome all obstacles that come.
After all the hurt, pain, anguish, fear and embarrassment that I have felt in 2020, it has been the year that has given me the greatest opportunity to grow and develop myself.
The greatest lesson I have come to realize of this year is to be THANKFUL in all things, I need to be thankful.
