It’s the most wonderful time of the year
Happy Holidays and some thought starters for 2022
It’s that wonderful time of year in Dubai when you can enjoy wearing a cozy jumper while sipping on hot chocolate outdoors. It was a beautiful, sunny 20 degrees Celsius as I drove to work this morning!
We had a great time putting our Christmas tree up; family is visiting, the house is bustling with chaotic joy. My children have started their winter camps and I am back to work after a wonderful week at Saadiyat Island.
As I write these newsletters to you, I feel like I am writing letters to my friends. I am filled with gratefulness to have founded this club that has lead me to encounter you. I have gotten to know some of you (135+) personally; you are all such incredibly inspiring women. I am so honoured to have a small space in your inbox, and I can’t wait to see what we can manifest for ourselves in 2022.
I always get into reflection mode this time of year. Almost 2 years into the pandemic, this time I can’t help but think forward rather than look back. My mind is racing with all the things I want to do, and more so who it is I want to grow into as I discover the Be-Do-Have mindset.
As I work on doing what I need to do, to “be” that person (which I guess will continue evolving), here are some solid thought starters I am rolling in, that I hope will spark some curiosity in you too:
On life: Setting up systems
Focusing on Atomic Habits rather than goals
I am a few chapters into the book Atomic Habits by James Clear. It’s almost as if I’ve found the guide I was looking for to help me become a consistently better version of myself, something I always strive for.
It’s also a timely read as we transition into a new year as it talks about shifting away from goal-based thinking to habits-based thinking. Research shows that once we achieve our goals we often forget about the gains from all the efforts that went into achieving them so it recommends putting in place long-lasting systems rather than end goals.
For continuous betterment, we need to focus on making tiny changes to see extraordinary results.
I will review this book once I finish it (hopefully soon!), in the meantime if you are not familiar with James Clear, I recommend you start with his weekly email that contains 3 ideas from him, 2 quotes from others, and 1 question for you. It provides remarkable ideas and actionable insight in less than 5 minutes.
Career: Understanding changes in doing business
18 Trends That Will Shape Our Careers in 2022
The world as we know it is changing at an unprecedented speed. As we continue to dodge Virus mutants, I want to understand the shifts taking place in our working environment, and take any actions I can to stay professionally relevant.
This is a fantastically curated article that assembles eighteen of the internet’s sharpest thinkers to reflect on emerging trends from this year and how they might shape our careers in 2022. There is a lot that is new to me in this, I hope to get my head around it all.
Parenting: Wisdom from Stoics
I’ve been a fan of the author Ryan Holiday since before I became a mother. Of the many things he creates, he also writes a great daily newsletter on being a dad that is relevant to any parent, in my opinion.
Inspired by the greatest wisdom and lessons from history (most often Stoicism), science, literature and ordinary, Holiday offers some unique perspectives on how to think about parenting, addressing many thoughts constantly in our heads.
“Whether you're still expecting, knee deep in the terrible twos, grinding through the teenage years or a successful grandparent, we have something you can read every day. That can make you better every day.”
Energetics: Determine what you bring into your life
Paying attention to the power of your vibe
As we wrap up one year and step into another, I feel like we really need to focus on our energy - what we are projecting and what we are welcoming. I always try to stay positive, however I am very aware how easily I can go into a hole of doom when I am tired and overwhelmed.
The whole concept of energetics is new to me, but I 100% believe our energy and how we nurture it helps us attract what we want in our life. Paying attention to the power of our vibe as we step into 2022 can do us wonders.
As working mums, we have so much on our plate. A good vibe can really help us get through things so much better, and in turn make space for more things.
---
I hope these links intrigue and inspire you like they have me.
Thank you for choosing to be part of this community and wishing you a wonderful, peaceful and healthy festive season.
All my love,
Abha