2024 has been challenging. A year of continuous change, with pain but also joy, with lots of introspection and inner findings. A good year overall, but not an easy one. Here are some lessons I’ve learned this year.

1. My job is important, but there are other important aspects of my life that I should care about. I give my best at work, making an impact in our clients’ businesses and my teams every day, while making my job a social element of my life, not just a 9-to-6 gig. Therefore, I make time for other things and prioritize them for a balanced life
2. Make an impact. What Deloitte Digital used to be in Romania was wearing a bit of my personality and a piece of my soul since I’ve built it from scratch. I left the firm a year ago, but I’m still close to lots of people that I’ve been fortunate enough to work with. I am proud of what we’ve achieved together and we always share good memories when we meet. Make a positive impact in people’s lives and they will keep close to you. Or at least a good memory
3. It’s never too late to start something. Always focused on my job and career track, I postponed any outside job ventures until this year. Though clearly I should have started some of my side gigs earlier, kicking off Bridging Gaps and Workpilot boosted me with energy and purpose
4. Fight my demons. I am the proper engineering background introvert. And though I am an introvert, I kind of learned to keep myself composed while talking in front of people. But usually they were known audiences (company events). This year marked a burst in public speaking events for me, culminating with my speech at How to Web. While each and every talk was different with each of them taking their toll on my anxieties and insecurities, I found all of them rewarding and fulfilling. And I am grateful for the opportunities I was given
5. Be kind. Give back. Grow together. I kicked off Bridging Gaps (non-profit mentoring) this year and I’ve met dozens of people who wanted a new perspective, a different angle on work/career-situations. I spent more than 100 hours in mentoring session sharing from my own experiences and trying to help. The feedback I keep receiving is amazing. People need to be listened to. And it’s not that they are less experienced or weaker, it’s just that they are brave enough to open themselves in search for support. If we support each other more we will all grow together faster and more solid. Mentoring is always a two-way street where the mentor and mentee learn from each other
6. Dog is my best friend. I have friends that I call regularly, ask them for support, we go out for a drink and share stories. But…dogs are soulful beings, emotional ones that are permanent. Dogs are always there no matter what, always ready for a good conversation, an open confession or a refreshing morning walk
Try this: call you best friend at 5:15am; if they’re up for a good conversation or a park run, then they’re better than a doggo. But I bet they’ll fail to this challenge