How 'Corona' Turned Into a Life-Changing Opportunity for Me?

Last few months have been crucial and uncertain for all of us. Businesses were closed for months; people lost their jobs. Kids stopped going school. Health of many got severely impacted. A majority ended up struggling to save money for their day to day expenses.

Amitabh Bachchan’s father once said to the legendary superstar,

“Jab tak Jeevan tab tak Sangarsh hai, aur Jab tak Sangarsh hai tab tak Jeevan hai”

People must have never expected that these very words would echo practically in our life to a tremendous extent. But can a catastrophic pandemic stop us from fighting? Answer is NO.

Remember another epic line as said by Amitabh Bachchan? 

“Set-back ka Jawab come-back se do!”

Early Feb’2020, when the consequences of deadly Coronavirus were hot talks amidst masses, I was battling a major tiff with my ex-boss. Disagreements made me fight for my self-respect and he was adamant about his ‘ego’. In Job, there are only two rules: first- Boss is always right. Second-If any doubt, follow the first rule. I forgot both the rules. The result: My boss started retaliating on me and I had no other option but to give-up job for my self-respect. I resigned, but I was asked to serve the notice period generally two months but, in this case, I have to finish the assignment in hand first.

When you resign for your self-respect, do you care about your assignment? May be YES or maybe NOT! I decided, my client won’t suffer due to my self-respect or the ‘ego’ of my Boss. I served 1.5 months’ notice and completed my assignment. On completion of my assignment, my client sent an appreciation e-mail about my good work to my boss. As expected, didn’t get any response from my boss. I don’t care also. In the 15 years of professional life, God has introduced me to so many good people that I can not complain to him for one bad experience.

Anyway, time passed, and on 17th April’2020, the day came which was my last day. I sent a Good Bye mail to all my friends and colleagues. I was working from home. The entire company was working from home, didn’t get the opportunity to say Good Bye personally to any of my friends and colleagues. I wished them all the best over phone and skype meetings. Later I got to know that out of the 10 team members who worked in my team 7 were promoted. My wish came true. I was happy to know that. I wish I could have been there to wish them in-person. They all were Juniors and you always want to celebrate and see people Junior to you growing.

Well, now what next. After 17th April, the real struggle started. Shall I search for another job? If yes, who will give me another job during the Pandemic? Do I really want a Job? I was in a job for the last 15 years. Loaded with achievements, but not satisfactory. Do I still want to go for another journey that has nothing in it for me? No. I was clear. Searching job was definitely not the next step!

God tests your patience the most in difficult times. When I made my mind that I don’t want to go for a job, that time within 3 days I got call from 2 big firms. First time in my life, I even said NO for an Interview. It was difficult, especially when Pandemic is around. But this was me saying a big “NOoooooooooo”! Sometimes, Be Selfish for yourself and your own happiness. When you start thinking about your happiness, God supports you.

“When you settle with an inner conflict, you are almost there!”

I thought of starting my own practice. I am a qualified CA. I applied to the CA Institute for my Certificate of Practice (COP). I was in a dilemma whether I will be successful? Will I get clients? I was working for US clients for the last 15 years, would I get to interact with Indian clients? All these questions and the ambiguity kept me on tenterhooks for nights. But as Dr. Kalam said, “Dreams don’t let you sleep.” It took some time for me to introspect over my choice to practice. Whether it was for success or my happiness? I thought: what is wrong with trying and failing. Am I afraid of failure? Maybe. Yes, I am afraid of failure. What does failure mean- No monthly income, not payment of EMI’s of housing loan? Life without Luxury. That’s it. Do I want to give up my dream for these? Let me tell you, that there will be always hundreds of such ‘ifs’ and ‘buts’ before every new START.

I denied all confusion to make me feel weak. This time I want to try for myself and my own happiness. I may even end up selling up my properties which I earned during the last 15 years. So what? It was me who earned those. I can lose them from my happiness. What is the use of such assets which can not make you happy? I made my mind.

But things were not that easy. You can convince yourself, but convincing family is a mammoth task. I spoke to my wife and she was naturally worried about my decision. Her father was in a job for 35 years. Her brother was working for 20 years and She has recently started working for 2 years. Now she didn’t want me to start my own firm at the age of 37. It’s a big risk. I spoke to her: “What is more important to you- My happiness or My Job?”. She said obviously my happiness but the job is also equally important. I said I need 3 years and during these 3 years, if I don’t succeed, I will come back to Job. She somehow got convinced. (Half of the Battle is won when your wife is convinced!) Once she was convinced, she stood by my decision like a wall.

There are few members in your life, who never ask you any questions. They just support you. They know you better than yourself. It might be your friend, your family members. I have a few like that. One of them is my brother. He celebrated when I told the news that I have resigned. He used to laugh it out over my on-job woes, with me. Trust someone on whom you can lean on when you need it.

I started applying for my COP. Within 5 days I got my COP. Then I applied for my own firm. It was not easy that during Corona time, offices were closed. But God opens another door when it closes one. Digital India had made such a growth that I registered my own firm without a single visit to any office. The first big step was now a reality.

I also opened a Private Limited Company that too from home. Every day I was reading so much that I was busier than the time when I use to work for my boss. Since it was my own assignment, I was much more motivated than earlier. I worked tirelessly and within 2 months, I got my own firm registered and had one private limited company registered. It seemed quite an achievement getting everything done while sitting at home. Never imagined that I can do it in Corona times. My sister-in-law is my partner and she supported me to start our own firm in my most difficult time. Good people are there to help you. Just talk to them.

The confidence that gradually came with the registration process made me eager to talk about it and share the news with my old colleagues. Most of them are in Job and they wished me good luck. Luckily, one of my friends who was in the US and working as a project freelancer, introduced me to his client. His client had a meeting with me over the phone and gave me a highly technical task on a test basis. Mixed with enthusiasm and anxiety, I completed that task sitting overnight in my room and finally delivered the task. The client was impressed and he handed me over a 3 months contract. That was the start. I worked from home for 3 months and got a few more companies, LLP, and Individuals as my clients. There were times when I ended up discussing longer with the proposed client and advising them. But still, they didn’t turn up. To be honest, I used to get depressed too when the client didn’t respond back, but I didn’t lose patience. One of my uncles advised me when I started my own firm- “Beta- Abhi khud ka firm chalu kiye ho. Keep faith and Patience. Bekaar se Begaar Bhali.” This means rather than sitting idle do work free for someone, at least you will gain knowledge and experience.

Six Months Down the Line…

After 6 months of struggle during Corona time, I have 3 staff members, my own office, and a satisfactory amount of turnover in a short period. I still don’t know if I will be successful or fail in future endeavors, but I am happy, that I tried. AND NO CORONA CAN STOP ANY INDIAN TO GROW.

I hope that my story inspires many others who are perhaps sailing in the same boat as I was six months back. This motive itself allowed me to very candid and true to my every experience in this story. Believe in yourself. Believe in the fact that everything happens for a reason. Thank you readers for sparing your valuable time to read through my journey.

Yogesh Singhania

(Managing Partner, M Y Singhania and Company Chartered Accountants)