Now that we're firmly in 2021 (Gratitude to Tiger King, Doja Cat, Queen's Gambit, Stray Kids, and Mamamoo for getting me through 2020), I can say that I'm excited for this year ahead. We can all agree that 2020 can generally be considered a wash marred by societal challenges (i.e. Black Lives Matter, election year) and a global pandemic. There have been a lot of anxious events that I previously thought impossible to experience within a few short months:
My husband quitting his job to raise our son while the day care closed,
Tracking a riotous election that allowed me to question the very soul of this nation,
Encountering multiple videos of brutality and death of individuals that could be own brothers and sisters,
Testing on a periodic basis to ensure I didn't endanger my parents and ailing grandmother battling dementia (though she still knows how to throw shade with the best of them),
Seeing numbers spike in my locale, a predominately African American county, that just barely recovered from the last economic crisis, and
Grappling with my own restlessness, privileged guilt and mental health through quarantine.
Though I don't want to make light of the pain and suffering that have occurred this year, I took advantage of the additional time and extreme privilege I'm afforded in my socioeconomic status to focus on myself and the following worthwhile (hopefully) pursuits:
Watching my son grow up and reach milestones on a daily basis (he's still a tiny tot terrorist...but I LOVE him!)
Transforming a man cave into a remote home office/video game oasis,
Taking a stronger stock of my health by limiting drinking, intermittent fasting and exercising,
Rediscovering my love of dance,
Reconnecting with old friends and discovering new ones,
Contributing to the launch and leadership development of two non-profits,
Starting this blog!
With so much growth and anxiety, it definitely can be considered a bitter-sweet sour-patch kind of year. With TWO COVID vaccines out and being more adjusted to this new normal, I can finally look forward to 2021 in a reasonable and new light. 2020 seems no more than a dying sunset beam, a forgotten town in my rear-view mirror. So let's rip the bandaid off and tick off some of the things I'm looking forward to broken up into two categories: For Business, and For Pleasure. Afterwards, I'll wrap this up with What I'm Just NOT Going to Worry About in 2021.
For Business:
No matter how hard I try to think of personal achievements and opportunities, I always go straight to my career and my goals in the dawn of a new year. My goals though usually end up being pretty superficial, like get promoted to X level, network with X people within the company, or accomplish these short-term tasks (honestly that I can achieve within the month). Planning with these kind of goals end up yielding a pretty hollow career experience. They're also not authentically what I care about and treasure. This year, I plan to do things differently. I want to set myself up for a success that can be reaped 5 years down the road. For 2021, from a career perspective, I want to...
Hone Amazon Leadership Principles: Though I'm trying to deviate from company based goals and initiatives, I really do appreciate Amazon LPs as a career directive. The specific LPs that I really want to hone are: "Earns Trust", "Think Big", and "Learn and Be Curious". In 2021, I will hit 2 years at Amazon and through these LPs, I want to understand how to effectively work across organizations to drive security based goals/requirements. I want to more effectively speak on AWS's behalf to regulators and external customers. This year, I was able to launch a couple of initiatives that are near and dear to my heart, but I want to take more control and drive based on a combination of personal passions and customer necessity. In 2021, I will have finalized my transition to be a people manager. Through these LPs, I want to understand the path to organization leadership and building impactful scope the Amazon Way. Overall, I do want to get comfortable with the change and fast pace of Amazon while ensuring I fight for my own path.
Complete my Executive MBA: In 2020, I started my Executive MBA path through Quantic (at this time, 2 courses and 3 specializations down). In 2021, I want to complete the curriculum with a graduation in 2021. There are many things that can happen to derail the path, but I really want to stay persistent and make this achievement.
Paint the Pipeline for Cybersecurity and Tech: In late 2020, I was able to assist in the development of two non-profits, most notably Empow(H)er Cybersecurity. Within Amazon, I was able to transition my efforts from EY to participating on several Diversity and Inclusiveness initiatives. This including registering minority non-profits to Amazon in the Community, being active in the Black Employee's Network (shout-out to Jawann Graves, Kimberly Hill and Angelina Howard for the guidance), and being an interviewer for internal hiring efforts. After participating in AfroTech this year and corrobating the trials and tribulations of immigrants and other women of color within and outside of the field, I'm realizing that though there is a a market heavily saturated with jobs and qualified minorities, the two are not meeting at the rate that was previously expected. For the next 5 years, I want to provide more transparency in navigating the cybersecurity arena, break down some of the barriers for success within tech, and paint the pipeline (kudos to Tia Hopkins and the EHC Dream Team for that) with a darker shade that can contribute to the future wave's cybersecurity and innovation challenges.
Develop Creative Team-Building: Gone are the close-nit, sloppy drunk, karoake frequenting team events that we had in early yesteryear. Now is the time that we get more creative and social distancy for our team-building. But to progress's benefit, where we learning so much more about each other over shots and heavy liquor pours? Or were we just losing inhibitions to a version of ourselves that we thought other people would have more fun around (deep, right)? I want to discover some better ways, not only to connect with team members remotely, but to develop a synergy, trust and a stronger bond.
Accomplish Post-COVID Travel: Whenever we see the wings of an airplane again, there's some travel plans up in the air that I need to accomplish. Half of my time is working with people that are not even on the same coast. First chance I get, I'm heading to Seattle, WA to connect with my security, service team, and leadership brethren. Before COVID hit us, there were also conferences and team-building activities in other countries, so I'm also hoping that can resume as well for selfish reasons.
For Pleasure:
This is definitely going to be a first this year. I've never really thought about personal pursuits, but the 2020 theme seems to be all about getting back in tune with yourself and self-fulfillment. So let's take a stab for 2021 and say that I will strive to....
Read More Books: I'm not what one can be considered a prolific reader (video games and work gets in the way of that), but there are five books I'm really looking forward to reading. I figured this is a reasonable goal, though I can guarantee you it's going to bleed into next year:
Professional Troublemaker - The Fear-Fighter Manual: When it comes to self-help books, I'm not usually a fan. My VP, Chad Woolf, broke that mold in 2019 when he gave me "Grit" by Angela Duckworth. It spoke to me and it made me really reconsider my view of self-improvement. I've been following Luvvie Ajayi Jones for a while now. Her Ted-Talk and general social media presence has spoken to me! When her book was announced, I didn't want another "Grit" like experience to pass up! Though I'm a naturally pretty bold person, I can always have an additional perspective in this area.
Bridgerton Series: I've never been a traditional romantic novel person, but the Bridgerton Netflix Series produced by Shonda Grimes had me riveted the last week of December (I binged 8 episodes in 4 days). I HAVE to read the series behind this. It's definitely guaranteed to be a quick page-turner.
Mindfulness Without the Bells and Beads: I'm a big fan of Clif Smith. In my times at EY and briefly working with him, it's not just about watching his growth presenting to thousands in conferences and influencing others on a world stage. It's the quiet moments, the behind the scenes interactions of how he's handled work and trials that convinced me that mindfulness was a real thing. Even now, when stressors bear down, I think of his suggestions and breathing exercises and my mind clears for the better. Because of the impact he's made personally in my life, as soon as he announced this foray in literature, I immediately pre-ordered. So now all I have to do is wait patiently for this to finally be delivered to dive in.
Trixie and Katya's Guide to Modern Womanhood: Okay, for those that know me personally, Ru Paul's Drag Race is a frequent pastime in my house. That includes the show itself in all countries from U.S, Thailand, Canada to the U.K., the backstage "Untucked" drama, music videos released from winners and contestants, podcasts, web series, reaction videos and reviews. Trixie and Katya from Season 7 of "Unhhhh" fame are my virtual spirit animals. For my personal enjoyment, experiencing their frantic and quirky personalities put into words will be a highlight for 2021. Thank you, Chad, for the gift!
Red Rising Saga: I completely fell in love with the first trilogy in 2018 and the continuation of Darrow's journey in this science-fiction Greek space epic in the domination of our solar system is a nerd's dream. I have the books, but it's been a hard time to find the time to dive back in. It's also a scary time when I get into these books. There is no sight, no sound, my child is ignored, my hygiene is questionable, and food is not a priority when I'm reading these books. I'm sitting in a bay window, lost to the world, with my husband yelling at me that the world is on fire, and I'm entranced in Mars melodrama and Jupiter space wars. Don't talk to me! I'm reading! The worlds are at stake!
Play Video Games: Duh! Besides Cyperpunk 2077 (when the bug fixes come this month and February), there are a few games that I anticipate playing and reviewing on this blog this year. I've resigned to myself that I'm not going to be such an avid gamer that I have to keep up with the latest that comes out. Regardless if I have a PS5, I have to go at my own pace and time. Star Wars Squadron and Final Fantasy VII Remake are some early plans but we'll see. Either way, I also plan to devote to doing more video game reviews based on my new rating system. So excited for this!
Dive Deeper into Dance: I'll probably explain in more detail in an upcoming blog, but I've recently rediscovered my love of dance. Before, it was scenes to new songs flying through my head on the way to work. Now, I'm trying to connect these scenes to a now, 33-year-old body WAY out of practice. However, developing choreo and seeing my WAY more able friends execute it has fulfilled me in ways that I've never dreamed before! Dance has also gotten me more active in social media. It remains to be seen whether or not it's a good thing or a bad thing, but so far it's eye-opening.
Send Thoughtful Notes: I'm always in awe of how thoughtful my husband and in-laws are with their gift gifting and letters. They have mastered the art of the written word and the ability to make me feel the love and warmth without being right next to them. I want to devote time in 2021 in learning this gift and sending thoughtful notes to friends and family without hesitation.
Accomplish Post-COVID Travel: I know! This a repeat! But there are some places that are non-work related that I would love to go at some point in 2021. Tuscon AZ, Denver CO, Houston TX, and Atlanta GA are drop locations that are an absolute necessity as soon as it's feasible. These are the locations for old friends, relatives, and inlaws that I have missed over this period. Of course Paris, France and Tokyo, Japan are dream places, but they can be postponed to be able to physically see and touch loved ones after we've been restricted this entire time.
What I Am Just NOT Going to Worry About in 2021:
This is also a new segment to my thought processes this year! I can't WAIT to not give an utter f__k about:
Certifications: There is not a day that goes by that someone is not trying to convince to hawk up $300 at least for a new certification. After 10 years of self-humiliation, procrastination and peer pressure, I've realized that the only way I can pursue other certifications is if it's paramount for my job (AWS Cloud Practitioner Cert and Certified Information Systems Auditor) or a completely natural interest (Project Management Professional). This year, I want to smell the roses and enjoy the achievements that I've accomplished. This includes not putting undue pressure on myself to grab a certification that's not a natural fit for my career path. Now this doesn't mean that I'm completely reneging on my values if I pop up at the end of the year with another cert. Just assume that it made sense at the time for me and it wasn't a complete drudgery to get through. My goal for 2021: No paying money, signing up to pursue a certification for no reason other than to impress the inter-webs!
Denying My Love of Kpop: Okay, I don't really deny this, I just wanted an excuse to bring it up. I LOVE Kpop! In 2020, kpop hit the world stage and Korean entertainment companies are DOING the damn thing with promotion of some of the hottest acts in their arsenal. Everyone gets a comeback! Everyone gets a promotion! And I am HERE for it. If you have a Smart TV and I'm at your house, EXPECT me to take over and play another BTS and BlackPink video. EXPECT IT! Gone are the days where I would wait for someone to bring up, "What's up with this Kpop phenomenon?" to express my die-hard stan-dom. I don't care if we're talking about canned soup, if I feel like it, kpop is getting inserted with NO subtlety. There will definitely be a separate blog on this topic at some time in the year.
Imposter Syndrome: Imposter Syndrome is a curse for any person embarking on new territory, but it often rears it's ugly head at the most unexpected of times. Just when you think, "I'm too old for this shit", you're back to highschool feeling like you have to do a trick to be able to sit at the cool kids table. It isn't until you get more comfortable that you realize you could sit at whatever freaking table to you want to, you can ask your OWN hot guy/girl to the dance, and you are worthy to walk in the room with your head held high! In 2021, I'm not going to worry about proving anything to some unknown entity or even my fellow colleagues. I can be honest about what I don't know but I don't have to worry about being a fraud. I can embrace the unique value add that I bring to the table and take my time!
To close out 2020 and to look forward to 2021, I want to channel Heidi In Closet's best phrase. I want us all to be "Blessed and Highly Favored". Don't we deserve it after the year we had?
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