It’s February already, how time flies. Enjoying 2021 and making the best out of it.

Before the year officially takes off, I’m looking back to reflect and ensure 2020 was put frozen in time. Never have I ever seen anything like it, and hopefully no more. Coming equipped with a bit of financial background, I was sort of expecting a crash/down turn every 10 years+. The 1998 Asia economic crisis, the 2009 Global Financial Crisis, and now THIS. It was not the sort of crisis we have ever seen before!

I was lucky to be in the Construction industry, the heartbeat of the Australian economy. At one point I was down to 4-days (from April), and then 3-days work week (from June to about August). Such a struggle (mentally more than financially), but then I look back at all the job loss around the Country, and it thought me to be thankful for what you have. More than ever, it has also made me and my family to be more resilient.

Professionally I have made the best out of the most difficult situation.

1. I pushed through the self-online-learning and managed to sit and pass the PRINCE2 Foundation Exam. This has been long on my bucket list, and I was so thrilled to back my project management experience up with an industry-recognised certification. This was around March/April, early days during the Pandemic.
   
2. I have decided to continue on, skill up, and validate my understanding of the cloud technology/SaaS solutions by acquiring the Microsoft Azure Foundation. Again, all through self-online learning around April/May. What a great knowledge to have.
   
3. I managed to read (listen) to 3 books, thanks Audible!
   • “Anything is Possible” by Tony Schiavello, what a great book about the journey of the Schiavello family. Resilience, persistence, and never forget your roots.
   • “Never Split the Difference” by Chris Voss, recommended by Bernard Wansink, my colleague at Schiavello, it is a highly recommended book to learn the transferrable skill of negotiation. From dealing tricky situation at work, or at home with your partner and family!
   • And finally, ”Find your Why” by Simon Sinek. This book puts the ‘Ask Why 5 times’ philosophy into real-world practice.
     
4. The highlight of the year was around October/November, when the morale was low and we’re just looking to wrap up the year and rest… I managed to extend my CBAP (Certified Business Analysis Professional) certification for another 4 years! This is the certification closest to my heart and profession. Something that I take great pride in acquiring and defending it. Massive win there.
   
5. Together with Nil Gurung, a fellow colleague at Schiavello, we’ve worked on together on a small start-up idea in the Hospitality industry. It wasn’t a lot, but through it I have learned a great deal about CMS (Content Management System) out there and their offerings and ecosystems. Magento with its Marketplace, Shopify, WordPress and WooCommerce with all the plugins. Plus, the puzzle of hosting our solution, where I get to get the first taste of AWS (Amazon Web Service). It was a time well spent.
   
6. Last but not least, I decided to volunteer for my passion for AC Milan (The best soccer club in the world). I’ve jumped and helped a local chapter called Milan Club Melbourne with their Marketing tasks in general. To be honest, I am just looking for a way of channelling all the positive energy. I help with what I can, running small marketing campaign here and there, helping with Social media content, and reaching out to our members. I’ve definitely up my design skills here by using lots and lots of Canva.

Throughout the tumultuous year, me as person and professional, and the family have grown exponentially. I am glad that we have finally made to ‘the other side’ stronger than ever. Now back to normal routines, sometimes we look and back and cherish all the times we were stuck at home as a family. Enjoying a mid-morning coffee in the backyard, a nice walk around the Merri creek in the afternoon, and ordering takeaways every now and then, supporting the local businesses. Don’t forget the new hobbies too, picking up my old dusty guitar and playing some simple songs with my daughters. Bring on the next decade and until the next crisis! Onwards and upwards.