Adieu 2016 - What I learned in 2016

If I say that 2016 was just another year for me, it will be an understatement.

To be honest, it was a pretty amazing year as I was involved with many interesting decisions. I love the fact that, being a tester by profession, I took all those decisions and I am happy about it.

During 2016 I have not been an active blogger and hence only 1 other post. But as part of my New Year's resolution, I will be making sure to keep this blog alive with my learnings.

Now that 2016 is about to end, I am herewith listing down my learnings for the year and I hope that you may find some or all of them helpful:

1. Knowing just one or two automation tools doesn't help. Keep exploring new tools as you don't know there's some not-widely used tool that may make your life bit more easier.
2. Don't compromise the QUALITY. Whether it's the quality of the application under test or your thoughts or your life, never compromise the Quality. 
3. If something doesn't feel right, raise it. Take the right decisions; you're the leader of your actions.
4. Keep Learning - There's tons of study material out there. Study as much as you can and start applying lessons learnt. Someone wise once said - "The best way to learn is to teach".
5. Take Notes - Many times we miss to perform an action because we never took a note of what is required/expected. 
6. Ask Questions - Most of us, specially testers, don't generally ask questions and hence we assume things, which may lead us to incorrect conclusions. Stop assuming and start asking questions. Never leave a doubt behind.
7. Never stop practice. The more you will practice, the more you'll discover.
8. Share lessons learnt; you never know when those can help others.
9. Celebrate whenever you can, even the smallest achievements. You'll feel enabled and your will to try more will make you stronger.
10. Don't overthink. There are lot things that we can't control. Let GO.
11. Smile as much as you can - it doesn't cost a penny.