2022 has definitely been overwhelmingly – colourful.
So many unexpected events happened, many I never thought I would experienced.
Some good, some bad. Some overwhelming with emotions – heavy emotions.
It took a lot out of a person who gave a lot out to the world, to feel things turning back on you was definitely not something anyone would look forward to. This had a lot to do with life at work.
It actually started off pretty good, closing 2021 on a high note and stepping into 2022 all motivated. Come to think of it, it was probably too good to be true, things were smooth sailing and we were on top of the world. Then one by one started to fall off, it started to go downhill. Results went bad.
As time goes by, secrets got uncovered, rumours started to become real and by the second half of the year, things really hit the roof.
Personally, I was devastated. Internally disturbed. So much built over the years, just broken.
Life needed to go on. I tried to pick up as much pieces as I can, to remain who I am. Alhamdulillah, with scars all over I’m still standing at the end of 2022. Somehow stronger I guess. But I won’t lie, there are parts broken that still requires healing.
I wish things would not turn out this way but I guess, it’s all part of Allah’s plan. Insha Allah better things lie ahead and hopefully 2023 will be kinder. Either way, it’s ok.
Despite all that happened I actually made it to my 5 years anniversary working in FWD – that itself is certainly an achievement. We are not joking when we say working in FWD is equivalent to working 10 years elsewhere. At the pace we’re growing, stuff we’re building, new horizons we keep going into and all the pressures that comes with it – it’s sure damn a lot of stuff being done every other day. The honest truth is, it does take a toll on you – physically and mentally. However, it probably does make you a much tougher person. If you feel ever like building resilience and do so some character building (not enticing or recommending), then you should give the place a try.
It’s not a place for everyone though – you really got to believe in what you’re doing and see the bigger picture to survive. At least that’s what I tell myself on why I’m gritting and hustling everyday, when I feel the corporate pressures too much – I go back to this.
In actual fact, there is so much that me and the beloved team members have achieved.
The New Business Model team that runs our digital and online business hit the highest results ever over the years – numbers we never imagined to achieve this quick. We came up as the undisputed #1 digital takaful player in Malaysia. It’s one of my proudest moment. I can say I started this off from scratch but obviously now with the strong support from my brother, Marcus Kim.
The Corporate Strategy continued to achieve so much as well, delivering numerous impactful initiatives that brings meaning to lives of normal people out there. I’m super excited to work with our extended family at Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) to operationalise our Social Takaful Fund, which we got the approval and funding over the finishing line just before the end of the year.
Our baby – national treasure as Intan had inspired it to be – Fun(d) For Life grew and went places. I finally achieved my dream of bringing it to East Malaysia – to the states of Sabah and Sarawak, for the beautiful children in the Borneo Island.
The highlight of the year when we brought all the kids and teachers together in Putrajaya – it was just beautiful to see the smiles on everyone’s faces. More importantly, we managed to teach them meaningful knowledge close to what we’ve worked on.
By the way, Fun(d) For Life won the first Value Based Intermediation for Takaful (VBIT) award at Malaysian Takaful Association’s (MTA) Takaful Star Awards 2022 – so yeah, I’m pretty proud of that.
There’s all the happy days with people I work closely with, which I care a lot for, the laughters and road trips – that was definitely fun.
It’s not all bad. Some pretty, really good, beautiful memories.
Most important this year, Ruzain has improved so much and I got to spent good quality time with him despite the busyness of life.
Oh yeah, I’ve managed to continue being consistent on some good habits – exercising regularly (almost everyday), reading almost everyday, and still continuing with a page from the holy book of Al-Quran a day – again almost everyday.
And I started running, which I never knew I could. When I used to read about successful people exercising regularly in the morning and do runs, I thought it was impossible for me. But now I got used to it, it’s pretty good and getting easier. I even redeemed a treadmill so I can do it indoors when its raining. The only thing I can’t do it as early as they do – 5am clubs don’t work for me. Me and Ruzain’s bedtime as set by him is 1.30am. So, I’m still working on getting good 8 hours sleep.
There’s a lot for to be thankful for – Alhamdulillah. Thank you Allah.
Also, I stumbled upon this infographic by McKinsey on LinkedIn today.
Looking at the list, I’m not doing too bad at all. I take some me time, at least I try – so should count as meditation. I do reflection I guess, in my own weird way – by talking to confidants on stuff on my mind. Gratitude – I do that I guess – got to ask the people around me.
Exercise and eating well – I’ve made good progress there – hopefully the medical check up on 4 January 2023 confirms that.
Sleep – oh I need more of it – that I do.
Purpose – this year I got to do a lot of sharing this year. Fun(d) For Life for one has been a platform for me do it constantly too.
Hobbies – I guess exercising and reading ticks that off perhaps? Kindness – won’t blow my horn on that.
Nature – yes, this year I got to go back to what I loved to do before, spending time in nature. Really need to do that a bit more.
Against the list, it’s been pretty good too. Probably why I could cope with so much happening. I do need to work on getting closer to Allah – that’s everlasting journey.
So that’s 2022 and to hopefully a better 2023 ahead. To more fun and laughters in life!