Annual Letter 2023: Transition & Growth.

<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Photo by </span><a href="https://unsplash.com/@jamie_fenn?utm_source=ghost&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=api-credit"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Jamie Fenn</span></a><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> / </span><a href="https://unsplash.com/?utm_source=ghost&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=api-credit"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Unsplash</span></a>

Dear Friends,

Happy New Year.

As we conclude 2023, I wanted to pen my end-of-year thoughts and share them with you all.

As we mature and embrace responsibilities, our understanding of life deepens, and our decision-making process evolves, encompassing a broader scope of considerations. This evolution in our choices significantly influences not only our lives but also the lives of those around us.

At the beginning of the year, I decided to return to the world of startups and join a fast-paced growth stage startup in the UAE, CAFU - which set out to transform the world of mobility. 

Joining CAFU was one of the best decisions I ever made, which meant temporarily giving up building my startup, but talented people, a visionary leadership team, and a fast-paced culture assured me that I was at the right place to hone my entrepreneurial skills and grow my career. I completed my transition and immersion into CAFU within three months when I realized the beauty and prospects of the opportunity. 

In parallel, over the past year, I have grown closer to my family, and the significance of familial responsibilities has become a profound realization. As I mentioned, you learn a thing or two about life as you age. Moreover, I took the opportunity to play my role in family affairs and be the next torchbearer. From taking charge of my sister’s post-graduation to learning and finding my place in the family business, 2023 put me at the center of my familial activities. Exhilarating, but heavy is the head that wears the crown. 

Along the way, I met and made new acquaintances with some exceptional people. The outcome was surprising: I gained a deeper appreciation for the value of my close friends. I realize that close friends have differences, but your close and old friends are your assets. When you have grown together, especially in the face of hardships, it’s better to repair relationships and cherish them even more. As the old proverb goes, a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. 

There were also a lot of life lessons learned along the way. The lessons are endless, but I made a video of my top six lessons that you can watch here on YouTube. 

P.S. In 2023, I started publishing my Weekly Snapshot and posting videos on my YouTube channel. My goal was/is to share my learnings & experiences with career-oriented youngsters. I’m so happy to announce that we’re ending this year with over 2,300 newsletter subscribers and 500 subscribers on YouTube, with over 25,000 views garnered in the last five months. I could not have done it without all your support, and I truly appreciate you all.

To sum it all up, it has been an exciting and interesting year. I know 2024 will be even more exciting and more challenging - emotionally and physically. 

But as they say, no pressure, no diamonds. 

Let’s get to work.

Best,
Raheel.