Growth Factorials

As 2024 comes to an end, I find myself reflecting deeply on the year—the experiences that shaped me, the people who inspired me, and the lessons that left a lasting mark. This has been a year of growth, clarity, and learning, and I want to share some of the key lessons that stood out for me.

1. Commitment Drives Impact

This year, I learned how transformative commitment can be.

I worked with a team member who had the skills and potential to excel but struggled with commitment. He was unsure about his future with the organization, and this hesitation showed in his inconsistent efforts. Despite our conversations, he couldn’t fully commit, and as a result, he didn’t do well. Eventually, he left.

In contrast, I have seen how clarity and commitment can unlock extraordinary results. Some of my team members are still building their skills, but their determination and dedication set them apart. Many are already achieving great results, and the rest are well on their way.

Commitment is about showing up every day with purpose, staying the course through challenges, and aligning actions with goals. In work, life, and career, it sharpens focus, clears distractions, and creates the foundation for building trust, creating impact, and achieving extraordinary results.

Reflecting on this, I have asked myself:

• Am I truly committed to the things that matter most?
• How can I deepen my commitment in the coming year?

This lesson has reminded me that while commitment doesn’t guarantee overnight success, it creates the space for long-term growth and impact.

2. Iterative and Consistent Action Beats Perfection

Many times in my life, I have delayed starting things because I didn’t feel ready. Writing was one of those things.

For years, I wanted to write and share my thoughts, but doubts held me back- what if I ran out of ideas, what if people don’t react positively to my writing? Last year, I decided to stop overthinking and start writing, even without all the answers. To stay consistent, I took deliberate steps:

• I enrolled in a writing course.
• I joined a writing community to stay motivated and learn from others.
• I committed to a weekly writing schedule and started journaling daily to capture new ideas.

This consistency changed everything. There were weeks when I felt stuck when I didn’t have time or great ideas. In such a case, I took a break for that week but I always came back to writing the following week. Over time, I learned to write for myself, focusing on what resonates with me rather than worrying about external reactions.

Looking back, I am proud of the progress I have made. My writing has improved and I know some of the things that have worked for me. This journey has taught me that perfection is not needed for progress and success. Perfection often paralyzes us, keeping us from starting or progressing. But consistent, iterative action creates momentum, builds confidence, and fuels clarity. When we focus on small, deliberate steps, we learn, adapt, and grow. The key is to start, even if it is imperfect, and to keep showing up. That’s how progress happens.

3. Compete With Yourself, Not Others

For years, I measured success by external benchmarks e.g. marks as a student, jobs as a professional,etc. While I have often followed my own path, I still measured my achievements against benchmarks created by others.

This created internal conflict. I admired others’ accomplishments but couldn’t align myself with their values or choices. I often wondered if I was falling short because I was not chasing the same goals.

Of late, I have shifted my focus inward. Instead of comparing myself to others, I began asking: What can I do today to be better than yesterday?

This mindset shift has been liberating. I no longer feel the weight of external expectations. My energy is now focused on my own growth and values. The competition is with my best version, and that’s all that matters.

Competing with yourself is healthier, more fulfilling, and ultimately more productive than chasing external validation. By focusing on your own progress, you align your goals with your values and stay true to your journey. This self-focus reduces unnecessary stress and keeps you motivated for the long term.

4. Solve Problems, Add Value

One of the most important lessons I have learned as a leader is that success comes from solving problems and adding value, not from pushing or pressuring others.

I recall a meeting this year where a customer hesitated to sign a deal. Our area manager tried to nudge them with discounts, but it was clear the customer’s hesitation stemmed from a deeper concern. They were worried about how their own clients would respond to our solution. This was a legitimate issue, and we couldn’t solve it at the time. Unsurprisingly, the deal didn’t close.

This experience hammers a fundamental principle: you can’t build long-term success on manipulation or pressure. Trust is earned by addressing concerns and solving problems. When you focus on adding real value, people come to you willingly—they don’t need to be pushed.

This lesson applies not just to customers but to relationships with peers, managers, and friends. Learn to identify problems, solve them, and provide genuine value. That’s how you build trust and long-term success.

5. Your Network and Reputation are Key to Career Success

This year, I was reminded of the incredible power of networks and reputation.

Throughout my career, almost every job I have taken has come through my network. I am not someone who networks in the conventional sense, but I have built deep, meaningful relationships with people I trust and value. These relationships have opened doors for me time and time again.

But a network alone is not enough. It must be amplified with a strong reputation. Probably, a story will explain this better. I once asked a mentor how he transitioned into a P&L role from a functional one. He explained that he took on cross-functional learning assignments, which built not just his skills but also his reputation as someone willing to step up and learn.

Networks are about authentic relationships, not collecting contacts. Reputation is built one action, one commitment, and one follow-through at a time. Together, they amplify your skills and create opportunities.

Show up consistently, invest in your relationships, and follow through on your commitments. Skills matter, but networks and reputation turn those skills into lasting impact.

Final Reflections

These five lessons—commitment, consistency, self-competition, problem-solving, and the power of networks—are reminders of what truly drives growth and fulfilment in life and career.

As I step into 2025, I carry these lessons with me, knowing they will continue to shape my path. I hope you will find them useful too.