January flew by in a blink, but it brought its fair share of challenges, wins, and lessons learned.
I dedicated the first week of the month to spending time with my family, and after that, my mindset was, “It’s okay, you’re just getting started.” A perfect excuse.
The truth is, I had overloaded my plate in the previous months, and I needed a break—which isn’t a bad thing. Sometimes, stepping back is necessary to recharge and tackle what lies ahead.
Wins
One of my biggest wins this month was officially becoming a licensed life insurance agent after three months of studying. Another win? Securing a contract with a company that offers flexibility and remote work. This allows me to return to the insurance industry while continuing my online studies—something I’m truly grateful for.
Lessons Learned
• Don’t cram six months’ worth of coursework into one or two months. I learned this the hard way. I was racing against the clock, squeezing in assignments and university coursework until the very last minute. Not ideal.
• Overlapping responsibilities can lead to unintended neglect. With so much on my plate, I unintentionally put my volunteer work on hold. Thankfully, I’ll have the chance to make up for it soon.
• “What doesn’t get tracked doesn’t get managed.” I had planned to track my activities in January to improve time management and build routines that align with my goals. That still needs work.
• Deep, focused work is non-negotiable. I tend to get sidetracked by other important tasks while studying, which affects my productivity. I need to structure my schedule better.
• Focus modes on iPhone help—but only if I don’t reach for my phone. A common struggle, as someone in my network also pointed out.
• I swapped Facebook scrolling for LinkedIn scrolling. While the content is more valuable, it still needs to be controlled to stay productive.
Gratitude & Realizations
This month, I met an incredible person, Song Kim—the sweetest and most inspiring person I’ve come across. She awakened something in me that pushes me to do more for others, stay consistent, and reach my goals. I’m so happy our paths crossed.
I’m also grateful for the NWLP program at PRUDE Inc.—I received my graduation certificate today, even though I wasn’t able to attend the ceremony.
Listening to podcasts also gave me a valuable insight: Show up, even when you don’t feel like it. Just like how I don’t postpone when my kids need me, I shouldn’t delay working toward my goals. Motivation isn’t always there, but consistency is what makes the difference. That’s my plan for February—keep showing up.
Lastly, a strong support system is everything. I’m incredibly privileged to have my spouse and family cheering me on. Their support keeps me going, and for that, I am beyond grateful.
Moving Forward
January was a mix of wins, lessons, and realizations. Now, it’s time to take those lessons, apply them, and make February even better. If you’ve been struggling with consistency, focus, or time management, you’re not alone. Keep showing up, keep pushing forward. The results will follow.
What’s one lesson you’ve learned in January? Let’s keep growing together!