Hey there,
Happy New Year 2023.
I hope you had a wonderful holiday with your family, friends, and loved ones.
As we proceed into another year, I am sure you had your goals and aspirations set for 2023.
I too, like everyone else, have my goals set and ready. 😉
So, it’s finally 2023. Another year to struggle, survive, or to thrive?
If you are a millennial,
You have passed the silver jubilee year in age.
If you are a first-year-born Gen-Z,
You will celebrate your silver jubilee this year (or is it already celebrated?)
So, I’m going to ask you an existential question,
How much have you done with your life so far?
The life expectancy in India is 70 years as of today, considering you are in your mid-20s — you have completed more than 35% of your life on earth and got less than 65% to live, that too if you’re lucky enough to not face any sad catastrophes.
(sorry for sounding like a pessimist)
You cannot remain young and full of life, dreams, and hope till the last day of your life. You will need to retire one day. You will grow old- you will have to rest.
The point is, time is going fast, and the bitter truth is, it never waits for anyone.
We are all growing old day after day, year after year.
We, humans, have a tendency to think there’s so much time, so much we can achieve when we’re alive, and it’s good to be positive but then there are days when reality hits you and you realize that we’ve yet again reached another year. And it will pass by and by, until one day when you reach a tragic epiphany that it’s too late.
I believe that shouldn’t happen to anyone.
Apart from what’s going on with our personal life, I want to help you look at two things to help you get the big picture of what’s going on with the world.
I’m going to help you get started for the year by understanding the bigger picture and also help you understand how big events change our daily lives.
Here we go—
2023 doesn’t look so good for both the financial and economic markets.
You see, no matter what we do on a personal level, the big picture is always affected by what’s happening out in the big world.
When we talk about the economic market, the price we pay for groceries, education fees, medical bills, and essentials like electricity, clothes, and rent (If you live outside of your hometown) is always increasing.
The US inflation rate is still at an all-time high in 40 years. Which means we are paying more for everything we buy. (I took the US Inflation rate, because the US dollar is the world reserve currency and the world lives under the US dollar currency).
If you are following any major news outlet, tech companies continue with the layoff of their employees. (Majorly to cut down costs).
Source: Tech layoffs in January exceed December total in just 5 days
On the financial market, things do not look good.
Third of world economy to hit recession in 2023, IMF head warns
Citi’s Chronert says a recession is near; shares his ‘top conviction calls’ to tough it out
Stocks fall to end Wall Street’s worst year since 2008, S&P 500 finishes 2022 down nearly 20%
So in the next few months and the rest of the year, expect these things-
Increase prices of groceries, and essentials. (Even your Uber fares)
Continue layoff from major companies. (If you are graduating this year, I am sorry but it will be hard for you to get a job).
Increase interest rates which will result in the closing of businesses. (Especially small ones).
I share these insights not to panic or scare you, but to help you stay informed and take strategic steps in your year ahead.
Here is the second one, it's a positive one. 😃
Technology continues to progress and push the human race forward
On the technology front, innovation continues to push boundaries.
Another Crispr First: New Treatment Wipes Out Teen’s Cancer** - Genomic science always amazes me and it is finally happening, gene editing might cure most human diseases.
The Merge of Ethereum - One of the greatest engineering feats I witnessed in 2022. To give you the context of this feat. It’s like changing the engine of a running train or a flying plane).
But most of all, one technology that will impact you and my life in 2023 and beyond is ChatGPT.
It is an AI (Artificial Intelligence) chat assistance that can answer any of your questions, when I say ‘any,’ I mean literally, anything and it is 1000 times better than Google.
It can create Music,
Inscribe poems,
Write essays,
Write letters and emails,
Write computer code for you,
Write you the history of the Roman Empire,
Answer your financial problems,
And it can even be your medical assistant,
And the list goes on.
For example, I asked ChatGPT to write me a personal finance plan for 2023, and here is what I got.
A precise well written plan.
While we are busy with our lives,
Technology is progressing and pushing human limitations forward.
1% better every day
I am currently in my mid-20s, and just like anyone else, I have dreams.
This year I took a personal challenge to learn and get better by 1% every day in everything I do.
Whether it is crafting my art in writing,
doing a podcast conversation,
learning a new skill,
I will learn and get better at it by 1%.
The reason I want to try this is that taking baby steps in anything we do over a long period of time always gives huge results and impact.
I challenge you to do the same thing, you don’t have to make big progress, just 1% of it every day will give you wonderous results.
To do that, set your daily goals and get working on them.
In case you haven't set your goals yet for 2023, you can take ideas from the template I used to make mine.
I encourage you to write down your goals separately for each category.
This year my goals also include sharing happiness, creating impact, and adding value to at least 5 people’s lives.
We are living in a time full of challenges, Wars, Corruption, Conflicts, and all the wrong that is happening in our world today.
But there is always hope to do good and great things, give meaning to people’s lives and share happiness and love.
So, I will be more regular in writing this newsletter, creating podcasts, and updating on social media.
I invite you to connect with me, write to me and even talk with me.
If you like this newsletter please support me by sharing it with your friends. Or even buy me a cup of coffee. 😉 Here is my UPI number- 9880163922.
My Socials
Don’t forget to also check my friend Vini Zhimomi who helps me edit this newsletter for you.
Vini’s Instagram
I will continue to write to you and share this journey with you.
Until next week, take care.
Really insightful 👍🏻