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Building an Early Foundation:
Don’t be afraid to try new things. And say YES! These are two ideas that have opened doors for me over and over again. While I was at the same company for over 14 years, I never did the same thing twice. I was constantly learning new business areas and saying yes to responsibilities I knew very little about. My curiosity kept me learning and growing. Most recently, I used the say YES strategy in a conversation that indirectly led me to co-author a series of books with some of my most admired thought leaders.
I
couldn’t have dreamt of this opportunity. Now every time we have a book launch
party, I get to sit next to these extraordinary thought leaders and sign books
with them. This is a reminder to keep saying YES, as you never know where life
will take you to.
Beyond the Barricades:
I’ve come to realize that everything in life is about two lessons - one which eliminates a little piece of our ego or one which demands an increase in faith. At one point, I had applied for over 200 jobs. Some I would get an immediate rejection from, while others felt like my application went into a black hole. I had a handful of interviews through this process, and even then, after every interview, I was told I had the job, but then I would get a call saying the position had been put on hold or that suddenly, the company had a hiring freeze. Other times I would hear that the position had been eliminated.
After so many rejections, I finally started to listen to that
whisper inside that told me, ‘this is not your path .’A part of me knew that,
but it was easier to stay in my comfort zone. This was a lesson in faith and
ego. Every rejection reminded me to lead with love instead of ego. With ego, I
felt pain from the rejections, but I was able to see the truth with love. I had
to believe that all these rejections were happening for my highest good, and
today, I can confidently say I’m so grateful it happened that way. I wouldn’t
have been able to discover my purpose in its entirety had I not received all
those rejections. When life throws us curve balls ask, is this a lesson in
faith or ego?
Boss Vibes, Self-Esteem, Success and The Art of Etiquette:
I wanted to remind the world that etiquette is
not to impress others. It’s to feel good about yourself, and simple things like
standing tall or dressing nice will boost your self-esteem and confidence. And
if you respect yourself, others will respect you.
The book has lots of do’s and don’ts for the professional world and day-to-day life. Our impressions are lasting, and professionally, it can make or break our career based on how we act. Awareness is the key. I’ve interviewed hundreds of people, and I saw how people did not show up well but demanded a management position or to work on that next big project. Boss Vibes shows you that it’s easier to achieve your goals with a personal brand that allows you to stand out.
The Artistic Flair:
Creating art was very healing for me for many years, and it still is. I started exploring my art journey because I couldn’t express myself through words. Even when I tried, it wasn’t enough. When I started painting, I experienced a sense of freedom that felt liberating. After a few years of this, I took a leap of faith and decided to share my work publicly. I was fortunate enough to have my work shown in Le Louvre in Paris and other museums in Italy and The Hamptons. I was represented by galleries that took my work to London, Miami, and NYC. As time went on, I saw people take inspired action towards their passions based on my art journey. This motivated me in a completely new way.
My mission is to share my work with as many people as possible because I know it will allow them to remove their blindfolds and experience magnificence in their own way. For some, it means writing a book or learning to sing, and for others, it’s to launch a start-up. And if we all do what we love, the world will be a happier place for all of us.
The Power Tool of Personal Branding:
During most of my corporate career, people always assumed I was two levels higher than I actually was. They assumed I had the authority and expertise in any area of work I would be addressing in the conversation. My secret was always showing up well. Whether I felt like it or not, good day or bad day, I showed up well. And secondly, I was always professional.
I address this in detail in my book, Boss Vibes, Self Esteem, Success, and the Art of Etiquette. Often people think that being authentic means they don’t have to be professional. To that, I will say, notice how you feel when you’re in your pajamas versus when you’re in your little black dress or favorite pair of heels. Being authentic is a way of thinking. Being professional is a way of conducting yourself. You have less than 7 seconds to make a first impression. People have already decided if they like you and trust you within those few seconds. This is why personal branding is critical to your success.
Sources of Powerful Lessons:
If we pay attention, our own life is a mentor, and we learn and grow from it daily based on previous experiences. In the traditional sense, my immediate family and certain extended family members have been influential mentors to me, and they make me want to be a better person every day. I’ve had many mentors through my adult life, but my biggest mentor is my guru, His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj. The most valuable lesson He has taught me is to have faith and a positive outlook in everything I do. Things always happen for our highest good, and keeping that in mind through life’s ups and downs will allow us to maintain peace and balance every day.