My First Birthday!

My First Birthday!

Yeah! I am going to write about my first year of life. Not only did I open my eyes in a new world, from tasting the unknown to recognizing the right & wrong – I have grown up to a certain bit in my first year of entrepreneurship.

The Birth:

The idea was conceived few years back but it got life only a year back. Like every birth it was painful & challenging and all I tried was to avoid any complications. Initially it was difficult to take up the challenge and convince my family that I am quitting a job (which was paying me quite decently) for I am going to start on my own. But, like it’s been said – it’s only the first step. Yes, we launched 30TH FEB on November 17, 2009 and I was born as an entrepreneur.

The Inception:

The inception, the observations, the test runs were at times positive, at times negative and weird at others. Some dint like the logo, others failed to love the idea. Some were worried about the complications attached…some failed to understand that it’s equally difficult to kill an idea like it is to a newborn. Some raised eyebrows & others raised fingers. Few were positive about me and others laughed it out.

All this – made me jittery at times but eventually made me stronger.

My First Lesson!

Learning started from the very beginning. While during the inception only I had started developing business. Interestingly, the first project was bagged out of a job interview. Before launching my venture – I had been appearing at the job interviews – to say that I was still double minded and because of which I had not given them an answer on my joining within a week as expected and so when I had sent the launch mail about my venture, my interviewer, the founder CEO of a new venture called me to meet the VP-Marketing for a Brand Development task. Bingo! I felt. And soon I realized that one shall not let the client treat you a novice, desperate start-up who is just looking to perform. I truly felt that people try to exploit their level best only If you allow them to. That led me to my first rule – “Value your own time”. ‘Be professional. Promise results. Stay Confident and remember – No one is doing a favor by giving you a task. Business is all about mutual benefits.'

First time in the Playground!

When a child gets out from home to the playground, he learns about the competition, the society and makes contacts. He starts making his own identity in the playfield. Now the point – is not about playing the game but it is more about staying in the filed.

My first boost came when work started coming & people valued my ideas and hence approached me to work with them. Yes. That helped me raise my spirits and slowly I was getting into a Brand boosted number game. Earlier the chase was to sustain and now I was growing & realizing competition. The idea now was to stay here and to make my presence felt.

With Brand projects dwelling and events happening side by side… I was assured of sustainability but every time I had the same fear – What next? To some extent that still is the case…..

Be-fitting the New Shoes!

Good Brand projects came in. Friends trusted me & clients agreed to the concepts & the caliber. Many agreed to my point – that you need to give us projects to see the portfolio of 30TH FEB and you need to offer the projects based on my personal portfolio.

In simple words, Issue the bill to see me fit the bill. 

A Difficult One!

Things started churning and in no time, I was hopeful against all hopes. People who we had pitched in April….called us and we fetched a project in June. As challenges were growing and we realized that we need to grow in terms of team, people and power.

What I thought of as an Ambitious project turned out as the most difficult project in this one year. Certain execution problems cropped in, my personal life asked attention – leaving me in a real fix at instances. Here I was lucky as my client took charge for few hours and actually made my team work up to her expectations. But again I learnt a lesson – I need to delegate and I can’t be there at all the places at all the times. I knew it was the time to think of expansion.

No Effort is a Waste Effort

We worked we our soul and our dreams survived. We are now working with more diligence & better plans. We plan expansion & we are growing. We are growing in number and we are growing in hopes.

I am Team 30TH FEB. And November 17th,2010 is my first Birthday.

Anger – The Depressing Act!

Anger – a painful feeling. A disheartening act, a fit of rage, a dismal memory and the unforgetting moments!

I have been writing about Anger & Anger Management. Why it came again here is because yesterday I witnessed a roadside argument & fight for the first time. I am disturbed post that. Neither could I take it out and nor am I ready to accept the fact that it just happened and this is the way it happens. It was disastrous for me, the abuse, and the indecency & of course the crowd who was there to watch. I am thankful to them who actually came forward to help the arguing parties sort it out peacefully.

Horrendous it was, I felt shocked and realized that I can’t bear any form of violence. I could almost feel the shiver for next 4 hours and was wondering – what must have gone wrong with those who were involved. The similar adrenaline rush was there when I had seen a car speeding so much & ignoring a child who just survived. I did shared that too..here.

I feel so shallow of being human. Cheapest of all as it turns to be is human capital. Its shameful & shocking both.

Yes, its human to get angry but can't we just take an oath to control it as much as we can.

Faith & Confidence

A Man Lost Everything in Fire, Next day he placed a Signboard-"House, Shop burnt, Goods burnt" But Faith & Confidence not burnt,Business Starts Tomorrow...

A friend to talk……an ease to life’s walk :)

Though we are all running too fast in life but then…….for lighter moments we all had with our F.R.I.E.N.D.S, I am posting it...

Nothing serious but I have been feeling like having a cup of coffee with a friend. May be for detoxification but its very much required. After marriage, it so happened that I could never stay at a city where one of my closest friend was around and this I feel would have sorted so many issues with just a coffee or shopping – had she been around.

There are so many things that we need to share, talk or for that matter puke out to someone to feel relief. Yes, our closest ones are always around – hubby, mom-dad, sister, brother etc but a friend is a friend. At times when a friend is not around we end up blabbering things to a wrong fellow which is neither good nor suggested.

Though technology has made things easier – we have phones/mobiles/internet etc but still a cozy chat with a friend is a stress buster and nothing can beat it.

Shriti – my friend from my MBA Days had just called and I feel nice right now. Infact the thought to write this, cropped after we ended the call. She too was like – had we been in one city atleast we could have walked out for shopping, a movie, a lunch or for that matter just a walk together. Ah! I wish. Another one of that kind I have is Sunalini, she too stays in a different city but then, we had moved out for professional commitments. Though chances to meet her are little more frequent but then at times during those blank moments – I wish we had been in the same city.

And now after you get married………enter a family life, work for both roles, its kind of difficult to make new friends. Even if we make one – I guess it would be difficult to reach that kind of a comfort level.(Though for me it happened, I met Sunalini in the new city & new company I had joined after I got married). Still it seems little difficult to me. I wish I had a friend around – always!

Independent India - Independent Indians!

‘Azaadi Mann ki’ is what I feel for on the 63rd Independence Day of my country. Have been wondering by myself….since all the TV Channels have been intriguing – What is freedom for us. The country which is known for its diversity & youth (as we have the maximum young population) is suffering from social evils in one form or the other. Every age group, each geography, all religions are busy fighting their own battles. So does that mean – we need the independence from the evil shackles of diversity? May be!

In one go – I thought we still need to fight for Independence! We shall fight for –

Independence from Corruption
Independence from Fear – of traveling publicly
Independence from Honor Killings
Independence from Child Labor
Independence from Women Exploitation
Independence from Poverty
Independence from Terrorism

Independence from Inhibitions – Azaadi to be ‘ME’

While thinking of my own self, my opinion – I think we need to be independent from our inhibitions. I wish I could. Deep inside when we are aware of something, that thing which our heart, our mind doesn’t concents for and we keep doing. All of us have said that’s life – sometime or the other but how many actually thought of confronting the wrongs in life leaving aside the attitude of self-righteousness. Confronting doesn’t mean fighting for it but atleast showing the courage to face it as it is and not just ignoring the dwelling fact.

Next could be ‘Azaadi jeene ki’, Independence to live the way one wants. That doesn’t mean adopting false practices too but atleast living the way of life one wants to live with. Society by n large plays a role in devising what life we want & how we want to lead. I would beg to differ here…and would request for a little more air to our minds which resist thinking just because its other to the Do’s and Don’ts. Can we have some air please?

And also ‘Azaadi Sapno ki – Khwahishon ki’, yes Independence to Dream & Aspire is important. Infact very important. For dreams add fire to life. Aspirations are like air to the wings and help you fly high.

Most Importantly, ‘Azaadi to be ME’. Yes. Yes. Yes. This is what everyone wants, each of us crave for. This does not mean not be told anything (like the difference between wrong & right)– but atleast not be forced to be like others. To be like the way your spouse wants you to be. To be like the neighbors kid who got into the merit list. To be someone whom world admires. To be a cricketer because its happening. To be someone who does things in his/her own way. But just to be one. Azaadi to be ‘ME’

As for today, Happy Independence Day! Chak De India...

Empty Head!!

I have a kind of empty mind. Or I need one? All I feel like is to relax but if I will relax who will work my dreams. I have a smile…..which come with difficulty and is accompanied by a frown. I have plans and I have counter plans. I want this and I need to think to that too. I have absolutely no confusions but I am indecisive. I am missing home but don’t feel like staying there for long. I want a holiday but I am worried about fetching some new projects in the coming month? I am right now chatting with two of my friends, feel like having coffee in the balcony which is right now witnessing the pleasant weather. But I guess I shall go and take a nap…I feel a little tired.

In all – I want to do too many things and I don’t feel like doing anything at all. I am lost with the list of to do things and I feel like getting lost in the rain. I feel like getting rejuvenated and get going but I guess I shall take a break & travel. I am set to fulfill my ambitions, lord! Why can’t I just be your happy-go-lucky creation?

Still there is some space to breathe when I go back to the drafts in my mobile & read:
“Your sacred space is where you can find yourself again and again”

– Jospeh Campbell.

I am off to look for that space now!! My peaceful space……btw its raining outside!

Hopeless Dream!

I have a hopeless dream – hopeless because I live in the country where my dream has got no credibility to it. It’s wrong, hypothetical and may be too imaginary. My dream is all about respect, all about trust, it’s about equality being followed & practiced. It’s about empowerment too.

It’s about giving wings. It’s about giving space. I dream about peace. It needs to change the definition of love &marriage. It shall mean not to demean the other half. It’s about controlling anger. It’s about sharing with equal rights. It’s about women & their condition. It’s about the hopelessness of parents on the name of social status. I dream about a girl being heard and spared an ear for. I dream that ‘adjustment’ shall not be the only word left for a married women in lieu of her love.

She shall be blamed & cursed when she is actually at fault but not just for the false ‘ego’. She shall be respected for her own dreams & aspirations. Her worth shall not be all about the faults & her weaknesses. She should be allowed to survive with a little individuality.

It’s such a hopeless dream. But I am writing for a hope against all hopes.

I Lost My Space - A Free-spirit's letter to me!

A deep breath is what I started this post with. A deep breath – helps me realize I still have some breathing space….some space at free-spirit to share and have my room too. Where I won’t be adjudged for being someone’s someone and the linkages thereafter.

Acceptance matters. I truly feel and have realized it many times before – that I have lost my space. And the best way to a good life – of course I mean peaceful life is to accept the fact of being a lone survivor in someone else’s place. Acceptance makes life easy, peaceful and beautiful. When there is no acceptance there is no peace.

Expectations kill. Yes, I do agree but my inner self always believed in expecting from self. And that always if followed by Self-belief. The self motivated me breaks down & gather herself to fight the battles of life. Professionally – I never had a problem. I was just able to tackle situations & people with efficacy.

Though on personal front – many a times, I got the feeling of being a complete failure. When I see around, I felt being trapped on a lonely island where no one can listen to you, see you, talk to you – forget about understanding you. I have everyone around still I have a fighting feeling of dejection & loneliness. I feel being the extra one. Called only when required, but the extra one is expected to be ready always. What a Pity! At times I think. I am a strong, happy, full of life – person. Did I say – I am? I was sounds more apt now. For now I have been constantly under pressure of someone’s expectation, social pressures and of being a good everything. That someone could be anyone as close as in family or as far as a business associate. There is no gratification left towards life. It’s just like a drummer on stage….need to beat it loud for others watching him. And no one cares – whether he loves what he is playing or not.

I thought of it as a problem. Yeah, being too practical & sensitive I did think that I should be checked but then I know the problems, I shall sort them out. And the bigger reason is - no one else even thinks there is a problem at all. It’s just my over-sensitivity, my immaturity, my selfishness and me being too ambitious.

A Devastate. More and more times I am being told – what a devastate I am. I have the capabilities to make others feel bad; dishonor them, not to accept their ways of life. But what worries me here is – Am I the only to accept here. Is anyone trying to accept me & my dreams here?

I am not Water. I wanted to say one thing. I am not water so I cannot immediately take the shape of its container. I am human. I did had 2 phases of life before this 3rd one, at home and second at the hostel. I am something. I am a free-spirit and I will take time in forgetting about that. Why am I supposed to leave my own self aside and be someone else that I am not?

I need to be cared. I have an urged to be cared for. Someone who shall stand by me always even at times if its for Social reasons. My mom – shall understand & talk to me like she used to do earlier. And not just about the new identity & its do’s & don’ts.

I shall be given my space. I need my space to dream big, to follow my heart, to believe in myself. My space to cry, smile, breathe and to live.

IMAGINE IT WERE 'YOU'

In my next life, I want to live backwards......An SMS from my friend......IMAGINE......

You start out dead and get that out of the way...

Then you wake up in old people's home, feeling better everyday.

You get kicked out for being too healthy, go collect your pension and then when you start work, you get a gold watch, and a party on your first day.

You work for 40 years untill you are young enough to enjoy retirement.

You party, drink alcohol, and generally promiscuous, then...

You are ready for high school. You then go to primary school, you become a kid, you play.

You have no responsibilities, you become a baby untill you are BORN.

And then you spend your last NINE months floating in a luxurious spa like conditions with central heating and room service on tap, larger quarters everyday and then VOILA!!!! You finish off as an orgasm!!!

YOU REST YOUR CASE!

- Woody Allen :-)

Keep Smiling :-)

NaStY LiFe :-/ BuT LeTs KeeP GoInG!!

Life at times goes as nasty as it can. I am astounded, absorbed and still struggling for the act called entrepreneur. Though I am glad, God included this part to my life. Yes, one fine day and in some fine seconds of life – I decided to get absorbed on my own. I mean to work on my own. And that was the moment when I decided to call it quits to my well paying job which was nicely earning me incentives and lot of appreciation. If I calculate it today – I was happy with my work as my clients were really appreciating. But anyways, a decision taken is a decision followed. So, I started working on it. From nomenclature to concept, from service module to blogs, I was busy doing everything. Finally, I launched 3OTH FEB. Wow! You must be wondering about the name. Well that’s the name I gave to my venture. Yes, there is a tag line too, it’s called – Obviously Different Ideaz. For it says that we are professionals with weird, non-existing different ideaz & creativity.

Setting it up looked tough but not anymore. Sustainability looked like a challenge but we are working on it. Infrastructure is still a weakness. Threat is just the negative thoughts.

Today I wonder about what keeps me going? Well, its ideaz & inspiration. And yes those few people around who told me once and those who keep on re-iterating, ‘you will do it’. I at times ponder – what is more difficult to follow your life or to follow your heart? I am doing what I always wanted to and to get it in the way I want is what the struggle is all about. Lately, I have realized everybody doesn’t takes and organized & straight way as a virtue.

The pressure of sustainability & progress of my venture is mine. And then there is Halo Effect. Everybody else is into a good job and making good money – why did you have to do this? All working women manage life two ways – why you worry a lot. If I am scared of driving (after my dad survived a fatal accident) – why that is being made a mistake a blunder. And above all – what if I believe in doing things my way and those ways do not harm anybody and am absolutely not about breaking rules. Why am I told to do things, talk, walk & even think in the generalized way of life which everybody describes? Why am not I allowed to take charge? People believe in me but want to lead me always. Huh!

Yesterday, I was humming a song and I forgot the words. And I realized that I am so engrossed in my everyday work that I am at a loss of concentration and lack of life. Imagine I couldn’t recall the last time – I was humming a song. And then I realized that I have been pre-occupied, at times with work and at times the pressure of no work. It would be a lie of I say I haven’t missed my job days – I mean who would not miss a lovely bunch of colleagues, daily chit-chats, gossips and above all a pay cheque every month with all the powers of shopping, fun & frolic.

But this is a challenge and I am dedicated to it. I am hopeful about life and I respect the relations & friends and I believe in walking together. Now isn’t that enough!

It all ends up with a one-liner I read, "Grant me patience, but please hurry!"

Strength of a Woman - Happy Women's Day :-)

Shaggy's Strength of a Woman - This is for all the women........who are very special in their very own way!!

This one goes out to all my women you know

My strong women, ugh

So amazing how this world was made

I wonder if GOD is a woman

The gift of life astounds me till this day

I give it up for the woman

She's the constant wind that fills my sail

Oh that woman

With her smile and her style,my

She'll protect like a child

That's a woman

She'll put a smile upon your face

And take you to that (ah) higher place

So don't you under estimate

The strength of a woman

The strength of a woman

Woke up this morning

I got up with the scent of a woman

Just picture if you could what life would be

Ain't much good without a woman

She can nag and be a constant pain

Oh that woman

But those hips she's got me whipped

And it's just to hard to resist

What a woman

Ugh, hey

Tender lips that's so so sweet

Gentle words she softly speaks

Such an angel when we need

GOD bless the ground beneath her feet

She can take you on a high

Be your comfort when you cry

But if you look into her eyes

You'll see the strength of a woman

Strength of a woman

Ugh, ugh, ugh

Strength of a woman :-) :-)

Life...sometimes!

Life is an art,
We need to master it,
Our life- our Canvas
We paint it, we draw things
We use colors, we keep it blank
At times we are at ease, at times a think tank.

Life is a Riddle,
The more we look for solutions,
The more we complicate it.
The less we learn to worry,
The more we accept it.
At times, its pink & rosy, at times we add grey to it.

Life sets you apart,
Tries you, Breaks you and acts smart,
Life – a challenge, a fight.
Let not move the focus and the sight
Even when there is no light,
Smile a lot and think bright
Shine & show as you never feared
Life is all about smiles & cheers :-)

Make a Noise!

Oh! My Life….Lets Rehearse a song!
Mix the music of triumph
Stand - up & straight
Rub your eyes & get ready for the chase
Make a noise – let others hear!

Let others worry, you walk ahead
Discern the unnecessary concerns
Follow your dreams, have faith
Allow to go down, the chaotic fears
Make a noise – let others hear!

Ignore those, who stop you!
Disappear from them, who raise a brow
Stand sound with your plans
Behold your confidence, don’t let it end
Until your belief is set apart
Trust your instincts & work smart
Make a noise – let others hear

Let us rehearse a song!
Mix the music of triumph
Let’s make a noise – to be heard.

I have been feeling a little low....but then after writing the above piece I realised - When going gets tough, tough goes for an inspiration ;-)

Bygones be Bygones..

At the outset of New Year, I have been wondering about the year gone. Saying that, suddenly the one liner knocked in my mind which goes like – ‘If you are still thinking about yesterday, you have not done much today’. And quite aptly, it says it all. I haven’t done much in the year gone by. I mean there are some lacunae that trouble me.

I may have positively brought in a difference to the lives of few closed ones. But I have not actually excelled and the grown as a professional. Blame it on the unnecessary thoughts and the frivolous tension which I allow my brain to ponder over & worry – but I have lost a lot of time. May be the idea of doing things in sync with all and doing them, the way I want created some ruckus.

The year gone by left me confused, indecisive at lot of times. And may be some bad luck prevailed on the work front. Loosing must have been lot easier this year then sustaining. But the good news is – I dint compromised with life. I lived it. And the spirit if living left me with some great moments, fewer achievements and some quieter moments to cherish.

Writing surely is one thing which suffered, I guess it got ignored big time. But honestly, bad concentration was the problem. I was kind of into too many things which worked well and shall fetch some good credits in the coming months. But that’s what is been attempted – results are awaited and the risk percentage is just too high. Also this year we had another transition in place and we moved to Gurgaon from Chandigarh. We truly miss the city b’ful.

One of the good things which happened this year is 30TH FEB. Yes that’s the name of my venture. I launched it on November 17th, 2009. Though it’s in the struggle phase, it could come out well – is truly an achievement. Finally, I could bring out my ideas on a website and could talk about it so clearly.

Though things are moving slow but I could sense some movement. So I would say that by the end of 2009 and the outset of 2010 – Aaal iz Well!

Have a Sparkling 2010. Spread more smiles!