Hey 2021, welcome, anything new?

2020 has been… an interesting year, to say the least. And now it’s time for an honest mark-to-market, a moment to look back and analyze what I have achieved vs. my initial plans.

What a Year

COVID-19 should be the first word. We all experienced the lockdown, prospects of opening, and then some places starting to be shaky again.

Besides, The Australian Bushfires, BLM, The 2020 U.S. Presidential Election are some other events that just sprang to my mind.

Now let look back at my 2020 with some words.

Lucky

As far as surviving 2020 goes, I consider myself very lucky. I wasn’t laid off or cut the salary. My day-to-day work hasn’t changed much. I feel that I’ve fared better than many others.

Moreover, our company keeps growing, yay 💸

Ultimately, Vietnam’s economy shows positive signs thanks to the government 🙏

Stronger

Muay Thai

Got addicted to Muay Thai in 2019 and was learning until Oct 2020 (when I got injured) helps me enhance my self-discipline, unleash my inner warrior. Also, it’s my best stress-buster friend.

I also did little pad holder courses with my wife, my teammates which have lots of fun.

Chess

Yay again, my blitz rate now is above 1600 since the first day I tried in June 2020.

Cycling

Started from the beginning of Dec 2020, the result is not too bad, right? 💪

Hubble

With new joiners from manager level for eg: Julius our VP of Engineering, or Simon our Senior Product Manager, things (products and processes) are getting sharp.

I would say I am super happy when seeing the team is growing day to day, both the technical part and the connection. Below are some fun moments we have together.

am I sure everything is good? Definitely not

Injured

Once upon a time, when I was punching with full power to the heavy bag at the wrong angle, resulting as an image below 🤦. It almost took 6 weeks to back to normal, and 3-5 months more to back to Muay Thai (which I am waiting for).

That is pretty much for 2020 though.

What’s new in 2021?

Recover

Yes, absolutely, I need to do it right for recovering, make sure my hand is okie to carry heavy things, and back to Muay Thai.

NEW

New blog UI

Actually it was just an update to cover that I didn’t have any newer posts so far since the last annually review 🙈.

New outlook

I’m successful on tempting my wife to change her hair color, also her style. Now it’s my turn 😅. Maybe I will have a new hair color/style or new eyeglasses.

New open-source project

It was a year when I delayed contributing to the open-source project. 2021 is the year that I expect to have significant contributions.

New direction

Actually, it’s not new since 2019, but now my career direction is extremely clearer.

Delegate

In order to support the new-direction, somehow I might need to give up on leading by example a bit. It’s still good, but to me, delegating, mentoring, managing is much more important to grow the team rather than do them all by myself.

Improve

Chess Improvement

My goal for blitz lichess rating 2021 is 2000+. Hmm, it seems a bit hard, but let see.

Cycling Improvement

Yet another goal, number it at 300km/month.

Leadership

More or less, building, running the team is the focus.

TL;DR

2020: Thank you for the lessons.

2021: I am ready for something NEW.

Wishing all a happy, healthy and prosperous 2021!