Happy New Year 2025! 🎉
To you, whoever you are reading this—I wish you a year filled with growth, joy, and exciting new beginnings.
If 2024 was kind to you, may 2025 build on that momentum. And if it wasn’t, I hope this year brings the fresh start you’ve been waiting for.
As I write this first blog of the year, I’m taking a moment to reflect. Reflection allows me to pause, process, and lay the groundwork for a year filled with purpose, growth, and new possibilities.
Lessons from a Billionaire: Stephen J. Cloobeck’s Advice
Not long ago, I watched an interview with Stephen J. Cloobeck, a billionaire in the hospitality industry. His advice wasn’t groundbreaking, but it served as a timely reminder—especially since I tend to rush through things and forget these fundamental principles.
Here are the lessons I took to heart:
1. “Listen, Listen, and Listen”
“Your customers, suppliers, friends, and bankers will always tell you the pathway. Your task is to listen.”
I’ll admit, I often prefer talking over listening. Sometimes, I listen, but only to prepare my next response—not to truly understand the other person. This year, I want to change that. Active listening—not just hearing—builds trust, opens doors, and creates new opportunities.
2. “Negotiation: Put the Pen Across the Table and Shut Up”
“When the deal is ripe, it will solve itself. Whoever speaks first loses.”
This principle sounds simple, but it’s a tough one to actually practice. Staying silent in a negotiation feels uncomfortable, and I often find myself rushing to fill the silence. However, this isn’t new knowledge for me—I’ve come across it countless times before, especially in the works of Lao Tzu, the great Chinese philosopher, and Michael Singer, author of The Untethered Soul.
When the time is right, it will happen. Force it before its time, and you’ll only bring on unnecessary stress.
I’m committed to practicing and improving on this in 2025. Hehehe. Watch out, negotiation hustler—I’m coming for you! 😎
3. “Stay Away from Toxic People”
“Bad people will ruin your life faster than anything else.”
This is one lesson I’ve mastered. If something feels off, I’m out—faster than Usain Bolt in a 100-meter sprint. No red flags, no drama, no thank you! 🏃♀️💨
Lessons from My Own Journey in 2024: Insights Gained Through Life’s Challenges
4. Compassionate Communication Solves Almost Every Problem
This lesson was my biggest takeaway from 2024, and it’s something that has transformed both my romantic relationship and my personal growth. Its wisdom is true for any relationship—whether professional or personal.
Compassionate communication isn’t just about speaking your mind—it’s about truly listening, understanding, and showing empathy and kindness, even when it feels difficult.
In my business life, I’ve gotten better at pausing before reacting and communicating with intention and care. But in my personal life, especially with my fiancé, it’s been a more challenging journey.
Like many couples, we’ve had our fair share of misunderstandings. At first, our arguments would spiral into heated exchanges, with both of us feeling unheard. But after a few major fights, we realized something crucial:
If the same argument keeps happening, it’s time to change how we’re communicating.
Instead of pointing fingers, we began asking ourselves: “Are these reactions helping, or are they making things worse and causing damage to our relationship?” How can we solve this? How can we communicate better?”
Here’s a shift I’ve made, especially since many of our conflicts started with me. I used to pride myself on being direct, but I’ve learned that directness without softness can cause more harm than good.
For example:
- Instead of saying, “You’re so selfish! You never listen to me!”
- I now say, “Hey babe, I felt hurt by what you said. Can we talk about it so I can better understand where you’re coming from?”
Nine times out of ten, the issue is just a misunderstanding. When emotions are high, it’s easy to jump to conclusions. But here’s what I’ve learned: except for people with severe mental health issues, no one who loves you is trying to hurt you intentionally.
It saddens me to think of couples who once shared deep love but drifted apart due to unresolved misunderstandings. Many of these conflicts could’ve been easily solved with compassionate communication. But over time, small issues can become bigger triggers, threatening the whole relationship.
By shifting our mindset and embracing compassionate communication, my fiancé and I have grown much stronger together. If you’re feeling stuck in a cycle of recurring arguments without resolution, I hope this serves as a small spark of inspiration to break free and find a better way forward.
5. Change Starts Within
This lesson is deeply intertwined with compassionate communication, and together, they reshaped my 2024 in ways I never anticipated. It’s been a year of unexpected growth—personally and in my relationship.
Lao Tzu wisely said: “Mastering others is strength. Mastering yourself is true power.” And other timeless wisdom echoes this truth:
- “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” – Often attributed to Gandhi
- “The only person you can change is yourself.” – Anonymous
For the longest time, I focused on what my fiancé should do differently—expecting him to change, to compromise, to make things easier for me because, after all, isn’t that what a man is supposed to do? But then, I stopped and asked myself: What if the change needs to start with me?
I owe this shift to my sister, who always reminded me (sometimes with tough love): “If you want a happy, lasting relationship, don’t get stuck in blame. Don’t wait for the other person to change. Look inward and ask: What could I have done better?”
And here’s the surprising truth: when I stopped pointing fingers and started reflecting on my own actions, things changed. I became more compassionate, more patient, and more willing to see things from my fiancé’s perspective.
The result? Conflicts that once felt like impossible mountains became manageable hills. Our conversations have transformed from defensive to genuinely understanding. And the best part? By addressing issues with empathy, we not only resolve them at the core but also ensure they rarely resurface.
Every relationship—no matter how perfect it seems—will face challenges. But here’s the key: conflict isn’t a threat; it’s an opportunity. It’s a chance to grow, to learn, and to fight together—not against each other.
In August 2024, after a year of dating, my fiancé proposed. He shared that while our fights weren’t always easy, what mattered most to him was how we navigated them—growing stronger each time. That gave him the confidence to take this next step, knowing that no matter what life throws our way, we’ll face it together as a team. Yayyy! I guess he’s stuck with me now—hehehe! 😊
Conflict Isn’t A Threat; It’s An Opportunity.
Reflecting on 2024 and Moving Forward
These are my biggest lessons from 2024—the ones that shaped me and will continue to shape my growth in 2025. What about you? Was 2024 a year of growth, challenges, or unexpected insights? What lessons are you carrying forward into the new year?
Wishing you an amazing 2025 ahead! May it be filled with growth, joy, and all the success you deserve. Here’s to a new year of learning, thriving, and making the most of every opportunity! 🎉✨
