10 Lessons Learned in 2020

This year has been a very interesting year, to say the least. No one can deny that there have been many challenges. However, I think it is really important to take stock of the positives that have come out of this year as well. Here are 10 lessons learned in 2020.

What I Learned

 

1. Don’t underestimate the value of human connection. 

As an introvert, I felt very confident entering into the challenges of the year. Stay at home? Check! I can definitely do that. Don’t go hang out with people? Check! I don’t mind spending time alone.

While it is true that I need time alone to recharge, I underestimated the value I get from spending time with people. I was fortunate to be able to continue spending time with my family and that was a major blessing. It was probably what got me through the early months of the year.

Once we went back to school, it really became apparent how much I counted on that human connection. One of the main challenges with online learning was that I couldn’t play off the interactions that I would normally have with kids in the classroom. I often felt like I was talking to myself because of the mute button and lag time.

When we had some of the students come back to class, we were able to have conversations with each other that actually flowed and I could tell if they were confused about something or if it was time to move on.

The first lesson learned: Don’t underestimate the value of human connection. Make the most out of every interaction since you never know when things could change.

2. Boundaries are important. 

We hear this all the time. People talk about having boundaries in relationships. They talk about having boundaries with your kids. I learned that I need to have boundaries with myself.

Because of all the extra cleaning that needs to take place, we have been told that we can’t be at school more than an hour before or after school hours and we can’t come in on the weekend. At first, I thought that was going to be terrible. How could we function with those kinds of limitations? How could I get everything done?

It has turned out to be one of the best things that have happened. Because of the time constraints, I am learning to only do what is most important and I am actually leaving school on time.

This may be more of a challenge once we return with all students on the regular school routine, but I am amazed at how well I have adjusted to this. I have had much more time outside of the school day and I am actually getting my weekends back.

The second lesson learned: Boundaries are important. You will learn to work within the confines that you set for yourself.

3. More time does not equal more productivity. 

Just because we have more time available does not mean that we will use it wisely. I already told you that I had some extra time available due to setting boundaries with work time. I also had more time because all of my extracurricular activities involve gathering with large groups of people.

Imagine all the things I could accomplish, right? Not even close. If I don’t set intentions and make plans for that extra time, it is liable to just slip away. It can easily be wasted watching a movie or YouTube.

Time needs to be planned. This is especially true if you are used to working in an environment where everything is highly structured throughout the course of the day. Removing that structure can really throw you into a tailspin of unproductive behavior.

The third lesson learned: More time does not equal more productivity. Schedule what is important.

4. Stop the excuses. 

This lesson really ties into the previous one. When I started realizing that I was not accomplishing something that I wanted to get done at home, my first response was “I didn’t have time.” What? Seriously?

It was then that I realized how often I used “not having time” as an excuse for not doing something. I had time to get that room organized. I just wasted that time doing something else that I deemed more desirable.

The fourth lesson learned: Stop the excuses. Determine why you really aren’t getting something accomplished and make a change.

5. Appreciate the little things in life. 

It is easy to get swept up in the hustle and bustle of life and forget to appreciate the little things. Take time to smell the flowers and admire the birds.

Spend time with family and appreciate them. Don’t just look at it like a visit that has to be checked off the list.

The fifth lesson learned: Appreciate the little things in life. The little things are what make life sweet.

6. Take action on your dreams. 

Stop simply dreaming about doing something. If you have a dream to do something, start making a plan and taking steps to do it.

There are so many things that I have dreamed of doing. Now with everything that has happened, those dreams may never have the opportunity to become a reality. This has led me to wonder why I didn’t make a move to do them when I had the chance.

For most of my dreams, I have had a first this, then that mindset. It was as if I were waiting for the perfect time. I had to have this, this, and this accomplished, and then I could go on that trip. The truth is, there will never be a perfect time.

For other dreams, it was fear holding me back. Whether it was the fear of failure or fear of doing something alone, it caused me to take a pause and not pursue things I wanted to do.

So, while many of my former dreams may never have the opportunity to become a reality, I am reevaluating future dreams. When I dream of doing something, I will make a plan to start making it a reality.

The sixth lesson learned: Take action on your dreams. You never know when you won’t have the opportunity to do so.

7. Financial freedom is essential. 

Financial freedom is essential because you never know when your financial situation can change. Some so many people thought they were working in industries that were stable and were completely blindsided by the events of this year. The economic landscape has completely changed.

This made me realize just how important it is to be out of debt. That kind of financial freedom makes it a little more likely that you will be able to weather the economic storm.

It is not too late to start making some moves towards financial freedom. If this is one of your goals this year, I would recommend reading The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey and start creating a budget.

The seventh lesson learned: Financial freedom is essential. It can make all the difference when faced with a crisis.

8. Don’t make assumptions. 

This is a really hard lesson. Throughout this year there have been lots of misunderstandings because someone assumed what the other person was thinking, believing, or doing.

It is easy to stop including others or inviting them to certain things because you think you know what they would say or do. However, if you haven’t had a conversation with them, you don’t really know what their thoughts are.

Keep communicating with others. It is okay to disagree about something. Just don’t assume that you know their entire thought pattern if you haven’t had a conversation about it.

The eighth lesson learned: Don’t make assumptions. It is the fastest way to break down relationships that were once good.

9. Change is necessary for growth. 

As someone who does not particularly like change, this was a startling lesson to learn. It is easy to become comfortable with the patterns of life. This can cause a sense of complacency and keeps us from growing in various areas of our life.

The pandemic caused the world to need to pivot and I had to as well. I never would have dreamed that I would be teaching online and you certainly would not have caught me making videos. The change forced me to learn new technology and to get out of my comfort zone.

This got me thinking about other times in my life where I had seen a lot of growth. Every time it was the result of the change. It could have been the change in teaching a grade level or the change of going to school.

The ninth lesson learned: Change is necessary for growth. Stop fighting it and start embracing how it will help you improve as a person.

10. Live each day like it is your last.

This is a concept that I have heard people talk about before and I have known on some level. However, the events of this year really have made it more real.

We never know when it could be our last day. What is the legacy you are leaving? How do you want others to remember you?

Everything can change in an instant. We only get one chance to live life to its fullest. Live each day the best you can and make time for what is important.

The tenth lesson learned: Live each day like it is your last. Make sure that what you are doing is something that matters.

Conclusion 

These were just 10 of the things I learned in 2020. It is good to remember that even when we have years that are filled with challenges, we can still learn something from them. If we carry these lessons into the future, then all was not lost and it will make us better people in the end.