When I set myself and my colleagues the task of writing self-reflection pieces, I said, “Write anything you want.” It should have been “Write anything you want, but be absolutely honest.”

Writing self-reflection pieces as a company is not an uncommon practice. It is usually done internally as a self-evaluation exercise. Often, I think, these appraisals are kept within the company and not shared with anyone else.

But if it’s worth writing, I think it is worth sharing. And if it’s honest, there is no shame.

It’s now two years after college graduation. My thoughts returned to the school days. I realized that, back then, I do not derive as much satisfaction from good grades as much as when I try something different, even radical, and then getting away with it. There are few outlets that give more joy than purposely pushing the boundaries and then getting commended for it. That is what little red ants should do. We are not there yet. But damn, do we keep trying. To be the pack leader, not rear scout.

I am naturally excited when I have ideas and I push hard for them. For the past year, I have restrained a bit and relinquish control because I am not really sure of how abrasive I might come across. But I decided that going forward, it will be in the best interest that I continue to push hard for what I think are potentially brilliant undertaking. One reason is because I have learned to trust that my team mates will forgive me for my bursts of overt enthusiasm. This company has proven itself to be tolerant of the expression of opinions. And I think we all agree that the office should be a creative battlefield.

At this year’s retreat, we’ve managed to do something that we have never done before. We decided on the three things we want to pull off next year. The three non-veto items. Although I can’t reveal them here (because we don’t want to jinx ourselves), the list is on a wall somewhere in our studio, staring at us everyday, challenging us to live up to our commitment. I think that is a testament to our focus ahead. Like many start-ups, we began on a whim and a lack of identity, with fingers crossed, growing the business with our hands instead of our head. Through a few years’ of experience, it’s becoming clearer to ourselves the kind of creative studio we want to become.

We’ve had a pretty busy year. We know it is time for some balance. As the appointed company welfare officer, I declare next year the “Year of Second Passions”. I think it is time we all go pursue with fervour something else out of work. Muay Thai? Cycling? Triathlon? Farming? A new skill? Riding a bike? Self-upgrading? During office hours, we will roll out movie screenings, book sharing corners, a photo wall that changes every 2 months, film critique sessions etc. I hope that this will refuel our energy tank.

Lastly, let us not forget how time is quickly slipping by. I like how Ai Weiwei views life. To him, it is simply an act of using up time. I like how simple that is. Now, it all boils down to how we use it.

We started young. We are older now. In time, we will grow to miss the euphemisms of youth definitely. But I think we want to look back at a period of youth not wasted.

To quote a line from William Wordsworth: “bliss was it in that dawn to be alive / but to be young was very heaven“.

That heaven is now.

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