Reviewing My 2023 Goals (Part 1 of 3)
The bad news is time flies. The good news is you’re the pilot.
– Michael Altshuler
Have I been a responsible and disciplined pilot for the year of 2023? As we enter the final quarter of the year, this post serves as a reflective one for myself to review what I have done so far. By doing this review, I hope to gain an appreciation of my efforts, recognise the results and strive to approach the remaining quarter with greater clarity and intention.
My Main Goal of 2023
A dependable pilot would be my honest opinion of myself thus far in 2023. I began the year with an overarching theme of “Renewal”, envisioning the next 365 days to encompass new beginings which I will approach and challenge myself with courage and an open mind. The main reason for this theme was my decision to experience living in New Zealand, a country that has impressed me with its richness in culture, biodiversity and hospitality during my 3 visits. A place where I feel that my work as a water engineer will be better appreciated by the locals due to their deep appreciation of the natural resources, and by extension, I too will be influenced to approach life with a wider perspective aside from financial pursuits.
Your “Why” and “Support”
With such a daunting goal of moving to New Zealand in 2023, I began chipping at it one step at a time, practicing the concept of modularity (see post about it). Starting with personal research, seeking professional guidance, job searching, interview preparations and heaps of administrative matters, these were ticked off gradually over the weeks and months. There were obstacles that derailed my progress, rejections that crushed my spirit and confidence, and lengthy periods of uncertainty which tested my patience. Which led to me realising the importance of 2 things: first was the importance of knowing why I want to achieve this goal, and second, unwavering support from my wife and loved ones.
Giving up my comfortable life in Singapore was not an easy decision to make. Many around me doubted my decision to leave my stable job at Singapore’s national water agency, while some were baffled at why I am putting my own wellbeing at risk by going to a country that experiences earthquakes and other natural disasters periodically. These were tough questions that I had to answer and convince myself. The trigger, was that deep down I know that I will regret for the rest of my life if I passed on the opportunity to experience living in a country that left such a positive impression on me. As such, with laser focus and conviction, I stuck to the difficult tasks of preparing my CVs for each company that I applied to week after week.
Yet, no matter how disciplined and motivated I was, every rejection and obstacle was bound to entice me with the thought of giving up, to choose a path of least resistance and remain where I was in life. A path walked by many, a life of average and similarity. However, there was always a beacon of faith and love from my wife. Cheering me on, lifting me up when I am beaten down by the challenges. This is a reminder to myself that I would not have been who and where I am without her. To my wife, I greatly appreciate your love and support, and l too will do the same for you as we journey through this life together.
Success Is A Beginning For The Next Bigger Stage
Our combined efforts paid off after half a year, when a head hunter found my profile, which led to a successful employment and visa application to enter New Zealand. At this point in writing, I am sitting by the heater in my jammies, looking out the window as the leaves flutter in the wind, hearing lively and sweet chirps from the birds in the trees. Once again, this reminds me how fast time flies as it has already been more than a month since I moved to New Zealand with my wife.
As I reflect on the past year and the achievement of my main goal in 2023, I am aware that this is just the beginning to many more in New Zealand and my life. There will be new opportunities for myself to grow and mature individually and professionally, and tougher challenges ahead. But one thing is for sure, I have the ability to overcome them once I am clear about my “Whys” and have the support from my loved ones.
Stay tuned as I continue my review of 2023 in the next posts and explore how I can make the rest of the year a better one!