Here's my 2023 wrap-up...

Hi there,

Well, folks, as we round up the year, it's time for some introspection and goal review! I revisit my 2023 new year resolutions, which we can neatly categorize into 4 exciting areas: (1) Nerding out (Personal Learning), (2) Climbing the ladder (Professional), (3) Sweating it out (Physical Fitness), and (4) Living it up (Leisure). Let's delve into my annual progress report to see if I’ve been a studious learner, a committed professional, a fitness enthusiast, or a leisure lover this year!

Nerding Out (Personal Learning) 📚

At the start of the year, I was all gung-ho about writing quarterly reports on super-interesting topics like AI, US-China relations, and Biotech. Well, life happened and I have a confession to make: I didn't quite get there. But hey, every cloud has a silver lining, right? This little hiccup taught me so much about goal setting. I realized the importance of having clear, bite-sized goals and a solid feedback loop. So, I switched gears and started writing a weekly newsletter instead. Much more doable, right? And guess what? You, my awesome subscribers, have been my constant source of motivation, pushing me to churn out content I think you'll find valuable. So far, I've managed to publish 29 editions (including this one). High five to that!

It’s also about revamping the way I learn. I dipped my toes into the exciting world of Generative AI, playing around with snazzy tools like chatGPT and Notion AI. It's been a wild ride and I'm not getting off anytime soon! For the new year, I'm setting my sights on getting a ChatGPT plus subscription for GPT4 and using the Mr.Reindeer Plugin from GitHub. It's like strapping a rocket to my learning journey, and I can't wait to see where it takes me!

Time to talk about my reading ambitions! Initially, I set a modest goal of 30 books, mindful of my work schedule. But surprise, surprise! I turned into a book-devouring machine, gobbling up around 80-90 books, and skimming through another 200ish. Along the way, I also learned an important skill: the art of abandonment - to have courage to put down a book mid-way if it's not tickling my fancy.

Climbing the ladder (Professional) 💼

In terms of my career, I made a strategic decision to enhance my storytelling and project management skills. I would like to share an experience from a recent project where I had to demystify blockchain and web3 technology for a client. Visualize having to explain concepts like layer 2, decentralized sequencer, or validator as a service to a client without their attention drifting. It was quite the adventure! This challenge pushed me to transcend my business background and think critically about how to translate complex technical jargon into digestible, business-focused insights that the client can understand and value. Also, the book "Make Numbers Count" significantly enhanced my ability to tell stories with data.

Of course, project management was another area of improvement for me. I had the chance to participate in an agile product development project and shadow my seniors, which allowed me to practice and validate the scrum methodologies I learned. By preparing timelines and outlining project deliverables for a high-profile global project, I feel more confident and ready to call myself a consultant in the upcoming year.

Sweating it out (Physical Fitness) 🏃

This year, my fitness goals were varied, focusing on building endurance and trying new things. I aimed to run a long-distance trail of 800km, and guess what? I smashed it, clocking in a whopping 1000.5km! It's a proud moment for me, not just for exceeding my target, but for proving to myself that I can push my limits and achieve more. My other goal was to improve my speed to 40mins/10k by the end of the year. While I didn't quite hit that mark, I did reach a personal best of 45 mins. This taught me that progress is a journey; some milestones take time but every step forward counts. I even participated in my first 10k race and hit a decent time (about 46 mins).

In the spirit of exploring new fitness activities, I gave Muay Thai a shot. Thanks to my friend Ivan's recommendation, I took around 10+ lessons. As it turns out, Muay Thai and I were like oil and water - not quite a match made in heaven. But that's okay! My goal was to try something new, not necessarily to become a martial arts maestro. The experience taught me that it's okay to step out of my comfort zone, try new things, and accept that not everything will stick. It's all about being agile and open to new experiences. Here's to more fitness adventures in the coming year!

Living it up (Leisure) 🎭

In 2023, I also aimed to expand my cultural horizons by visiting two countries I'd never set foot in before. I explored the bustling cities of Seoul and Busan in Korea, immersing myself in their rich heritage and modern wonders. (Huge thanks to Michelle and Woosook for all the great experience I had in Korea!). A trip to Chongqing was on the cards too, and though I had been there in the distant past, this time I discovered new aspects of the city with my parents. And while I was busy racking up frequent flyer miles, I was already plotting my 2024 escapades. Egypt and North Korea, brace yourselves!

When it came to entertainment, my challenge was to watch ten selected movies. Suffice to say, I didn't just hit this target, I smashed it! I dived into a treasure trove of films, both new and classic. Among my top picks were “Memories of Murder” directed by the brilliant Bong Joon-Ho and “The Book of Fish” crafted by the artistic genius, Lee Joonik. I also delved into local Hong Kong cinema, supporting films that shed light on some of our city's less privileged communities, such as “窄路微塵” which discusses single parenting in grassroots families and “白日青春” that highlights the living conditions of ethnic minorities.

The world of stage dramas and performances also beckoned, and I committed to witnessing three of these live. From the thought-provoking “待明日風再起時” to the intense drama of “雷雨”, each experience was unique. Yes, there were some hiccups (who knew that some people didn't understand the concept of turning off mobile notifications during a show?), but it was all worth it when I attended my first live standup comedy show, “索道喜劇” in Chongqing. An exciting, belly-laugh inducing experience indeed!

And there you have it, folks! A whirlwind tour of my 2023! It's been a year dotted with books, marred by a Muay Thai mishap, and punctuated with me turning into a jet-setting globe-trotter. So, as we bid adieu to 2023, I promise to keep the entertainment rolling in 2024. Who knows? I might even become a martial arts maestro (or not!). As we march into the new year, remember to keep your goals bite-sized, your learning rocket-strapped, and your book abandonment skills honed. And most importantly, don’t forget to laugh your way through it all! Thanks for being part of my journey this year, and here's to making more memories together in 2024!

See y'all next year,

Sherman