My Story: It was my choice to broaden my perspective on life

It is a gloriously sunny day here in the UK (Glorious = 22o Celsius), and I am penning this update from Hunstanton beach, not far from the picturesque town of Kings Lynn and adjacent to the royal estate of Sandringham.?Yes, folks, I am in Norfolk, UK … and I'm sure Her Majesty would want to say 'kripya chay ke lie padhaaren! ', that's if she was free for a cuppa!

Firstly, my apologies for being not being as active online in recent months. As you may be aware, I have just completed my final MBA exams. I am taking some time out (before the dreaded thesis) to traverse the UK countryside and reconnect with you, and to chat about opportunity, choices, and the future!?Indeed.?

Let me pause to clarify and before an avalanche of negative keyboard warriors descend.?Yes, the global Covid-19 pandemic has inflicted an unimaginable trauma on humankind. It has pierced the hearts, souls, and minds in a different yet equally harrowing manner.?Like some spectral thief in the night, it has robbed us of our friends, families and loved ones, and our sense of loss is immense.Let me share with you my general experience.?Personally, I have found inner strength through the adversity imposed on me. I came to realise there was an opportunity for self-development in the chaos. It is my choice to craft my future and align my personal ambitions, and not be defined by current events, and that is why I chose to study abroad.?

Let me start from the starting: Success stories need not be dramatic as most would have them be; they can be subtle changes in an individual’s way of life, paving the way for accomplishments once thought impossible. Having struggled from a young age in my life, I have seen hardships of growing up in a remote village in India. With a farmer as a father and motivator, I chanced upon a budding goal to make something of myself. I grew up to the challenges that life was throwing at me, and though financial constraints restricted my movements, it never quite diminished my spirit. With the zeal to renovate my fate, I went head onto the opportunities before me till I recognised my acumen in Management. They say life teaches you, shapes your ideals and influences you if only you take the cues. I did take each cue and opened myself to opportunities and experiences.

The na?ve student I once was, was slowly melting away and I was looking into the mirror to see a professional for whom the sky was the limit. In time, I got the opportunity of donning the hat of Assistant Vice President – Business Operations & Service Delivery for a year at The Chopras. During this run, I worked extensively on business strategy development and implementing modules that would trigger growth in credibility and revenue as well. We were, by now, churning out optimum students to perfect universities and thus, earning trust across global universities. Even marketing fell under my purview, giving me access to unlimited learning and networking. With each working day, my eye was set on the vision that I had created 9 years old, and by the 10th?year, in 2015, I had proudly founded and was the director at The Mentors Circle, a student recruitment agency. Today, 5 years down the line, The Mentors Circle has been the recipient of the Best Newcomer Agent of the Year – 2018?by the Government of Ireland and has reached the milestone of generating handsome annual revenue. These instances came across to me as a testament of my efforts and the way I lead, and it also pushed me into understanding what next.

My objective of pursuing my MBA education at this stage of my life are three-fold. Firstly, now is a vital time when the earth is resting and leaders are sharpening their tools. Secondly, a global network of learning seems so vital and alive when aiming to take business decisions to the next level. Thirdly, neither is success nor learning a destination but a journey to embark on. Following these principal ideas, I put a proposal that allowed me to study and gain extensive formal education, which would only further allow me to add to the reputation of The Mentors Circle.?

My working life has been dedicated to learning; to directing myself and others around me to learn from the best, to focus on excellence in education and to attempt to achieve beyond expectation and limitation. I aspire to achieve and to deliver on accomplishments that would, not only, drive my own personal growth but, as a corollary, to ignite the ambitions of those within my sphere of influence … and to do so in an open, honest and transparent manner!

It was my choice to broaden my perspective on life (more important given current events).?It is my choice to be that global citizen we are all told we should be.?I chose to 'add value' to my life, not just educationally but to offer greater insight and perspective and equip me for dealing with future challenges … indeed, what better time!?As frustrating as it was, I chose not to be defined by events I had no control over.?I decided not to fixate on what we have lost but to focus on the future and, more particularly, the career opportunities now present, considering the 'new normal' that is evolving.?

'The only thing we have to fear is fear itself', advised Roosevelt … personally, I am on the Marie Curie side:

"Nothing in life is to be feared; it is only to be understood."?        

Now is the time to understand more so that we may fear less. "Your future is your choice.?What is there to fear?

To be continued....