A New Beginning

2020, what a year it has been! Many will remember it for the coronavirus, Covid 19 (CV 19). The year the world took a break from the way it was. As far as I can remember, there has never been quite a year like 2020 whereby everyone was affected in one way or another. But what does 2020 mean for us, individually?

2020 was a significant year for me as I turned 50! Besides that, my son and daughter both got accepted into their master’s programme, and my nephew had a baby girl. It was also the year we were forced to work from home spending more time with the family cooking, baking, exercising, watching movies, dining, wining, etc… We went back to basics and enjoyed each other’s company. With our presumably busy schedules, we forgot how exactly to do this!
On the work front, we learnt how to cope without the need to travel. We embraced technology and integrated it into our work lives. Zoom, Teams Webex, etc…. began to be the normal ‘speak’ to use. On a lighter note, colleagues got to see each other in a much more relaxed setting and connected, more than we usually did. We all had our coffee or/and something to munch on while we chatted online and conducted the affairs of the day. And yes, it wasn’t that bad at all!

2020 was also the year I stepped back from my operational role with a job I did for 12 years. Like anyone, I was concerned, worried, unsure with all the negative feelings that come along with a big decision of such and continue to do so. My dear wife encouraged me to take on a coaching course as it was something I enjoyed doing when I was still in my operational role, which I did.

Interestingly, when I started my coaching training, my needs from the course were very different. I wanted to strengthen my coaching skills so that I do better in my operational role. In another word, I wanted to add skills on. Now that I have taken a step back from my operational role, I see my coaching journey very differently now. It gives me clarity on what I enjoy doing, and we all know that if you don’t enjoy what you are doing, you are miserable!

Coaching has allowed me to conquer my biggest challenge and that’s just talking to people… the good old fashion way! None of these DMs, WhatsApp, or anything to do with social media, etc…. but good old face-to-face or in this new normalcy, zoom-to-zoom. I realised what’s missing in my life and I’m motivated to find it, work on it and use it to my fullest potential.

If you ask me, what is going to be different in 2021? I would say my interest in my newly founded skills and putting them into practice. Not only to help those that seek it but to also help me improve and enrich my life with knowledge and confidence. Basically, to be a better ME!

About The Author

• Ganesh kanapathy is a C-level officer specialising in the education industry, with extensive business development experience, having the successful establishment and development of three distinct companies from the ground-up. All three companies have seen consistent, sustainable growth and strong revenue streams. A train Coach with International Coaching Federation (ICF).
• Program Attended with CTT: ICF Coach Certification Program Level 1, Batch: CTT Cohort-42 GLOL 0820
• Reason for taking this program: To add on skills in coaching
• What worked for you: Actually understanding what coaching is about and what it entails, which is more than just adding skills.
• What benefits you got: It gives me clarity on what I enjoy doing and Coaching has allowed me to conquer my biggest challenge and that’s just talking to people…