Joyful Considerations’ Post

Hi!! After three hectic busy days in Edinburgh, I spent my first day at the London office today. Following that, I headed off to the Grant Thornton building at Finsbury Square, to speak at a panel about career changes. I’m exhausted, to say the least, and on the train home. But as the train chugs along, I’m sat here reflecting on some of the panel discussions. ** When speaking of careers, one recurring theme is career growth. As a follow on from that, we sometimes assess all decisions with respect to how they’ll impact careers and titles. For example, how a career switch will affect grade? Or how might having a baby affect growth? Or for that matter, how might getting into a relationships affect career growth? Or for that matter, how might ending a relationship affect our careers. To that I just want to say this. While career growth is a great aspiration, I always believe that we must lift our heads and think not just about what careers we want to have, but instead, what lives we want to lead. Don’t get me wrong. I’m a single parent, writer and all that, yet I’m super serious about my career; and a very ambitious person. Yet, my career is part of my life, and not the other way round. If I have a good life and mediocre career, it’d be better than having a brilliant career and an unfulfilled life. ** In case you’re sat somewhere, reflecting during a journey, in a parellel universe, thinking about your next career move, it’s my hope that my questions might help provide a different perspective. Goodnight for now. I have a hungry kid at home 🏡 and some dinners to sort :) #career #life #panels #speaking #risk #governance #conduct #culture #think #perspective #holisticliving #mindset #vision #leadership #leaders #parenting #relationships

FIRST DAY at Work The joining season for all MBA colleges is around the corner, I had this on my mind for a while writing about that awaited debut in the professional world everyone has dreamt of right from childhood. While growing up, financial independence is a dream almost every kid has and thus the excitement of joining your first full-time job becomes an exciting as well as a jittery moment. - How will I do? - Will I be good enough? - How would the people around me treat me? These questions are obvious and can consume a lot of energy as well as headspace. This little draft may help you settle down quicker at your workplace. 1. Talk Less Listen More - The first few weeks are all about gathering information and listening to every meeting, conversation, and interaction very seriously. It will help you understand the perspectives of everyone, choose the right friends, and follow the seniors who align most with your ethics. The reason I say talk less is because you will mostly come up with incomplete solutions/suggestions when unaware of the backdrop. 2. Understand the Expectations - You are hired for a reason, understand why exactly this position opened up or was created. It will help you plan your approach much better. Try to find out the methodologies/approach that was followed before you arrived and build upon it. Remember, disruptions are sustainable only when they are built considering previous mistakes. 3. Dive Deep into DATA - This is the most important of all the things I will be listing in this post. I did this personally and I would encourage everyone to do this religiously. Data speaks volumes and adds significant weight to your words when in meetings. Your ability to assimilate data will certainly decide the time you take to really be noticed and taken seriously. Also, solutions cannot be verbal they can only be built sustainably when backed by data. Find someone who knows the meaning of every column header in that historic dump and correlate them to your KRAs/SLAs. 4. Build on Your Core Values They Will be Your Biggest Strength - I was brought up in a household where empathy and compassion were nonnegotiable. I made sure I applied them at work and it helped me calm those overthinking winds during a storm. These values can come from anywhere, your approach to sports, something your professor taught, or even something your favorite YouTuber said. 5. Conclusions at Work are Rare, try and find Mutual Agreements - The faster you accept that Work discussions do not conclude on most of the instances, the quicker you will be at peace of mind. It usually is a mutual agreement between two parties to settle for something practical. I have struggled the most at this but a cautious effort to train myself has helped me. It is okay to start slow also great when you start with momentum but remember loving yourself will take you places. If any of the above made sense to you and/or helped you at work do drop me a message :) #freshers

I've always thought our company culture at Insperity is well above average, and these stats from "Great Place To Work" confirm that. 95% of our employees say Insperity is a great place to work, compared to 57% at the typical company. An impressive 98% say that when you join the company, you are made to feel welcome. I have to agree. Working at Insperity has been a great experience from the very beginning. #GreatPlaceToWork #Insperity #Culture https://lnkd.in/emaCCeJ4

"I was up for promotion this summer, but I got passed over... They told me they need me because I'm the only Senior on my team... And that if I stick it out one more busy season I'll probably get promoted at the end of the year... So, yeah, I think I'm going to wait it out." 🛑 🛑 🛑 Heard this from a candidate with an A+ background yesterday. Yikes! If you've heard this before, ask yourself the same questions I asked this candidate: 1. Will that promised promotion fix my issues with the firm? 2. Will it feel like a deserved reward that boosts my career, or will it be too little too late? 3. Will it set me up for future success with my firm (which is clearly already struggling)? 4. How will it feel if I get to the end of the year...and I'm passed over AGAIN?! What if you just... Ditched the toxic culture. Ditched the empty promises. Ditched the "what ifs!" You deserve to know where you stand. Making a strategic move this summer means that this fall, you could work less and earn more alongside a well-staffed team with innovative leadership — and still be up for promotion! What are you waiting for? Let's chat! 📲🚀 #career #tax #accounting

Graduation season and many will tell you to follow your dreams.... But if I can do it over, I would factor in more what I am best at /and have a competitive advantage in my decision. I would also be humbler and have the long game in mind. Per author: "...it’s no wonder that when young people start working, too many feel betrayed—or at least bored—by tasks that don’t inspire or obviously benefit them. They were told they could do anything, and now they’re being told to schedule zoom calls or get three iced lattes....But here’s the truth: While we are all born with personal worth, we have to earn our professional worth. No matter your academic record, the summer internships you’ve held or even your last job, when we step into a new workplace, we start fresh. And when our careers are beginning, that often means doing the menial labor, the unsexy assignments and the mindless tasks we might feel are beneath us. But someone has to do them. Why wouldn’t it be us? On the job, people will only know our worth once they know our work. That takes time, effort and consistency. It’s not based on potential or promise but on results." https://lnkd.in/guWjDuW7

This anecdote underscores an important truth: our careers should not define our entire identity, and prioritizing our mental and physical well-being is essential for overall happiness and fulfillment. Here's a breakdown of the key points highlighted in the story: Reality Behind the Facade: The consultant appeared to have it all - a high-paying job, prestigious education, and a luxurious lifestyle. However, beneath the surface, he was struggling with stress, sleep issues, and a lack of fulfillment. Pressure to Perform: The pressure to excel in a competitive environment, coupled with the expectation to constantly outperform peers, can take a toll on one's mental and physical health. This pressure may stem from societal expectations, personal ambitions, or the desire to maintain a certain image. Identity and Work-Life Balance: It's easy to fall into the trap of equating our job titles and achievements with our self-worth. However, it's crucial to remember that our work is just one aspect of who we are. Maintaining a healthy work-life balance and cultivating interests and relationships outside of work are essential for holistic well-being. Importance of Self-Care: Neglecting self-care in pursuit of professional success can lead to burnout, anxiety, and other health issues. Prioritizing activities that promote physical and mental wellness, such as exercise, relaxation techniques, and spending time with loved ones, is vital for maintaining balance and happiness. Reframing Success: Success should not be measured solely by career achievements or material possessions. True fulfillment comes from living a meaningful and balanced life, where personal well-being, relationships, and passions are nurtured alongside professional pursuits. In essence, this story serves as a reminder to prioritize self-care, redefine success on your own terms, and remember that your job title does not define your worth or identity.

State of #Mentalhealth is up close and personal. This is as real as it gets. It is in fact no more about IIT, IIM or an ivy league it is purely about the state of mind. To be honest not everyone is alike e.g. for some if it is work pressure however for some it is infact hustle BUT the caveat is to understand and ensure a great mental health for the folks across is the right balance. We will keep harping on the fact and spend millions of dollars in building culture but the fact remains if we don't invest into building superlative mental health for the employees and the employers things might go south. This isnworse than a pandemic. Makes me sad at the state of affairs when we are focussed on just performance without looking at how people are taking that journey. Mentally fit workforce is a billion times more productive, agile and innovative to hustle at a fantastic pace if really the right amount of care is given towards mental health. Our vision at UWC remains to put the most effective deep tech towards preventive healthcare including mental health and wellness and close the loop by extending the human touch with the best of clinicians, therapists , coaches etc network. I wish and pray that things like these can be minimized with the leaders putting their minds and money into building a great mental health for the organization at large. Godspeed. United We Care Ritu Mehrotra Sourav Banerjee Shumita Kakkar sheetal sharma Leann Sims Dan Gardner #mentalhealthmatters #humanresources #leadership #culture

Feeling stressed by work pressure is a common challenge many professionals face. I recently came across this story of a young consultant that highlighted the harsh reality of excessive stress in the workplace. It's important to remember that your job doesn't define you. Take care of yourself both mentally and physically. Your well-being should always come first. #WorkPressure #overcomingchallenges #mentalhealthmatters

It's a poignant reminder that success, as traditionally defined by salary, prestige, and education, isn't synonymous with happiness or fulfilment. This story underscores the peril of allowing a career to consume a persons identity, leading to a life where weekends become the sole oasis of peace. It's crucial to recognise that our jobs are just parts of our lives, not the entirety. Striking a balance between professional ambitions and personal well-being is essential. This story serves as a cautionary tale that, regardless of how impressive a resume may look, it's the health of our mind and body that truly enriches our lives. Let's strive for success that nurtures, not just on paper, but in our everyday experiences of joy and contentment. #lifebalance #selfcare #wellness #wellbeing #suicide #coachmonica

For any Team to be a "Well Balanced Team", each and every member has to be well trained and competent for her/his Role in the Team + also able to shoulder a few more other Roles as and when necessary to a designed and defined extent. Even a serious error committed by one of the members of a Well Balanced Team can be corrected to a maximum possible extent, while causing least possible damage. Similarly, an Innovation or a Good Idea by any member such a Team results into multiple benefits by force multiplier effect. Any major deviation from above basic requirement at any level can cause undue stress at that level and also at few more/other levels. Education at premium Institutes does not produce MAGICIANS !!!! For example, the Armed Forces have their own selection criteria/methods and their own training methods. They achieve excellence in an extremely well planned manner and through well designed hard work at all stages. They do not believe that some Magic can strengthen them thoroughly + inside out for ever + keep them ever prepared. Operation 'Safed Sagar' conducted by the Indian Air Force in May 1999, may be a Case Study for Air Forces all over the WORLD, including those as may be technologically far better equipped.