I am turning 41 today, and if I have to describe the feeling with one word, that word would be GRATITUDE!
Gratitude to my parents, brother, wife, sons, friends, teachers, colleagues, managers and every single person who was part of this journey. Every single one contributed directly or indirectly to who I am and to the person I will become in the coming years. I’m still a work in progress, never getting too comfortable with what I have and always wanting more, always wanting better.
Personally, I was lucky to be born in a caring and loving family. In this environment, I got the best example and advice from people who really cared about me, who always wanted the best for me. I learnt about family, and how basic principles are the best foundation for someone’s life and are timeless, as a son and now as a father of two kids.
Professionally, I started the learning process since I was all the way down in the line of command. As a software developer, I learnt how to work with people and how to understand their needs. Very soon in my career, I became a manager, and then I learnt how to care for others working with me and how to feel responsible for what they do as a result of me leading them. I also learnt from my peer managers, who never let me by myself, and being a few years older than me, and more experienced, they offered their help getting me up to speed and making me feel part of the group.
From my managers, I learnt about running businesses and how to deal with the real issues in these complex organisations. They thought me how to use resources efficiently and how to make a decision based on what is best for the business. They thought me that when having a clear understanding of our purpose, it is much easier to be committed to employees, the business and clients.
This year is my tenth in Australia. Starting a new life here was a real awakening. Sydney is a multicultural environment, and it is the place where I learnt how to live and share with others culturally different. I learnt about having a respectful understanding of others perspectives and points of view; and even when we come from different realities, there is a large common ground where we can agree and find reasons to working together.
By far, this is not the regular post. This post is a realisation of all the lessons life has thought me, and it is a promise to stay hungry. Hungry to learn more, hungry to teach from my personal and professional experiences, hungry to keep helping others succeed in life.
If you haven’t realised yet, these 41 years have been a constant learning experience for me. Now it is my turn to use this experience to help others. I feel this is my call in life and this is what I am willing to do every day. Even when it sounds very idealistic, I think it is the best way to live and give back to life.
I want to finish with a couple of quotes, which have been present throughout these past years:
Success is 95% of preparation and only 5% of luck.
Prepare yourself, success could be in front of you at any time; if you are not ready to take the opportunity, you got nothing.
Success is not the right of only young people; success is the right of everyone who has the willingness to do more every single day.
Have a great week!
PS. And next week, back to the regular editorial line of the blog.