Year in Review 2020 – 20 Lessons for 2021

Putting the Year in Review 2020 in Context

Before we get into the details of the year in review, let us put the year 2020 in context. After the year 2000 and the associated Y2K issues, we have not seen any year that created so much anticipation. In fact, it quickly became apparent that the Y2K bug did not bring the world to an end. The focus then shifted to Vision 2020. I remember having helped create Vision 2020 for few clients all the way back in 2001! Unlike the year 2000, the year 2020 never created a scare, at least not until after it’s arrival!

The build up to the grand vision of 2020 has been continuing for the last 20 years. The year has more than lived up to the expectations of being a game changer; although in the manner least expected. Consequently, it deserves a detailed year in review, as compared to what we typically do in any other year.

Approach to the Year in Review 2020

So, I will present the Year in Review, 2020 with 20 Thoughts and Lessons that we can learn from the Year 2020 for 2021 and beyond. This will not be a journalistic review covering aspects such as the American Presidential elections or the demise of legends such as Diego Maradona. Instead, I will mostly cover events and trends that have touched my life more closely. Hopefully, you will find this approach more relatable and many of these 20 thoughts and learnings will resonate with you.

I will be writing a separate post on each of the 20 thoughts and lessons. This will make for a comprehensive review; much required because of the historical importance of this year. For ease of access and navigation, I will link this master post to each of the detailed posts.

Let us countdown to 2021 with 20 thoughts from the Year in Review 2020 and lessons for 2021. Each day a detailed post on one lesson learnt will be posted starting today, this being an introductory master post, it is linked to all the subsequent posts enumerating the lessons.

#1 – Risk Takes Center stage: Swan – Black or White?

No review of the Year 2020 can even start without mentioning the pandemic. However, I will maintain that the bigger issue that we are dealing with is our approach to managing risks. Pandemics such as the Corona virus or Covid-19 are only one such risk. We cannot predict the nature of risks in the future. However, the biggest takeaway is that we need to anticipate and manage risks far better.

Click here to read the detailed post about the #1 – risk management lessons from 2020 and why the color of the swan matters!

#2 – Accelerated Digital Transformation

In the second part of the series, we turn our attention to the positive aspects of the pandemic. The first thing that comes to my mind is the acceleration of digital transformation and adoption.

Click here and read more to understand #2 – the underlying reasons of the enhanced digitalization and explore the trends that defined the Year in Review 2020.

#3 – 5 ACEs Framework of Digital

The third part of this series examines the trends of digital adoption. This is done using the 5 ACEs framework that I have created.

Click here to read in detail about the #3 – ‘5 ACEs Framework of Digital’ of Year in Review 2020.

Let me know which aces you pulled out this year!

#4 – How to stay positive and productive

The fourth part of this Series deals with staying both positive and productive. As I have been saying during the year, it is important to be stay safe and sane.

Read more to continue to stay positive and productive in the times to come!

#5 – A Pitstop Year

Click here to read the fifth part of the series elaborating on using the year 2020 as a pitstop year and to adopt the P.I.T.S.T.O.P. Framework to stay positive and productive.

#6 – Locus of Control

“Whether you wait for your Sun to rise in 2021 and beyond or illuminate your life right now is completely in your hands!” Read more to figure out where your locus of control lies. And does it need course correction?

#7 – Momentum during 2020

I hope you enjoyed all the above posts of this series, Year In Review 2020 – 20 Lessons for 2021. I have saved something special for this 7th post of the series. The number 7 is associated with luck. Lets talk about the magic of momentum.

#8 – Zoomorous 2020: Top 10 Zoom tips

Top 10 Zoom Tips through a funny, pun filled ride on Zoom. Taking a humorous, or rather, a Zoomorous stock of the Year in Review 2020.

#9 – To Code or Not To Code

What can we learn from this year’s controversy around White Hat Jr.’s marketing practices during 2020? Decoding the question of whether to code or not to code.

#10 – Reality of Artificial Intelligence for Kids

With the right guidance, we can find our passion.

A look into the reality of artificial intelligence for kids. How have schools introduced AI classes and what lessons can we learn?

#11 – Customer Experience during 2020

What was the state of customer experience during 2020? What should be the People, Process, Technology and Strategy of CX for the New Normal?

#12 – Citizen Developers in 2020

“In the future, technology will make things simpler for the business users and the tribe of citizen developers will grow.” What has led to the rise of citizen developers in 2020 during the pandemic, Trends and future outlook.

#13 – Engaging Remote Workforce

Engaging remote workforce virtually is a challenge. Insights on creating custom virtual events for employee engagement.

#14 – Fun With Families At Work

Everyone realized that whether it is work, running a household or hunting for treasures, life is a team sport!

How can we have fun with families at work virtually, in a remote working environment when people are working from home? Join this virtual Treasure Hunt to find out.

#15 – SUPER Physical Fitness and Mental Health

The year of the pandemic has taken a toll on both physical and mental well being. How can we create a system to achieve SUPER physical fitness and mental health? Read more to decode the 5 S.U.P.E.R steps!

#COUNTDOWN SERIES

Now, it gets interesting as we begin the final countdown to 2021. In the last 5 posts of this Year In Review series, I will compare the 20 thoughts for 2020 that I had written at the beginning of the year with the Year that it actually turned out to be. In a year like this when nothing went to plan, this may appear to be an incredibly audacious move. But then, it was not a year for the faint hearted. Continue to enjoy reading the series!

#16 – Journey and Milestones [Countdown #5]

Understanding the journey and milestones of 2020 in this Year In Review series by comparing with the scenario at the start of 2020.

#17 – Digital Tsunami in 2020 [Countdown #4]

Check out how individuals and business organizations responded to the call for survival in response to the Digital Tsunami.

#18 – Top 10 Things to Know About AI for 2021 [Countdown #3]

What are the key developments and trends of AI during the pandemic year and how does this change the course? Here are top 10 things to know about AI for 2021 and beyond into the New Normal.

#19 – Back to the Future in the New Normal [Countdown #2]

With the changes on account of the pandemic during 2020, we need to head Back to the Future in the New Normal, re-discover our roots as humans and our child-like qualities.

#20 – The Grand Finale – 21 Gun Salute to the Warriors of 2020

We close the countdown series with comparisons to the initial thoughts written at the beginning of 2020. And last, but not the least, we bid adieu to 2020 and welcome 2021 with a 21 gun salute to the warriors of 2020.

Comment below to let us know the lessons you learnt in 2020 and the strategies that helped you cope with the New Normal, for the benefit of others.

Wish you all a happy and blissful 2021!

Editors Note:

The ‘Year in Review‘ 2020 series is much acclaimed. The Google’s Featured Snippet on this, painstakingly compiles key lessons from each of the 20 posts from the series. There is something in it for everyone, which is why this post is featuring ahead of billions of other search results.

About The Author

Rajiv Maheshwari is a business and start-up advisor, and the co-founder of From The Experts Mouth. He is a management professional with over 25 years of experience, and worked as CEO for a decade, and in leadership roles with NYSE listed companies such as Accenture and WNS.

He is a Chartered Accountant and MBA (Director’s Merit List from IIM Bangalore) and an autodidact, who is on the path of self-directed life long learning and sharing. He is a thought leader, author and keynote speaker and has developed several frameworks to bridge the gap between academia and industry.