Once upon a time on a black leather chair, I could not help but wonder, why do people want vacations when one can build a life you would not want to escape from??

Maybe, it’s the fear of losing out on that pay cheque that gives us a sense of security or maybe the infinite “what ifs” that hold us back from taking that leap of faith or maybe it’s the conventional pattern we see around us.

Working for someone else was never on my list. I believed that life is too short to do things I did not like. Waiting for the next few months or years to turn life around was mere foolishness. Honestly, to add to that, I did not have the patience..!

What I did know however, was that it was time I gave myself a chance, took a risk and turn eggs into omelettes!

Follow Your Heart: My mind had become a maniac, constantly reminding me of the worst case scenarios and the pros and cons. Hence, I decided to follow my heart, and give my brain a little rest. Having said that, there are no shortcuts or overnight successes.

Working more, a lot more: Not because I have to, but because I want to. And the results do not fail to surprise me.

Backups Don’t Work: I have learnt to give my backup plans a seat in the backyard. Not having a backup plan ensures that I give my 100 % to the primary plan, work hard towards making it work and do not rely on the safety net. Sounds funny, but is there really anything we cannot achieve?

Set Up Timelines: If it does not go in my calendar, it just didn’t get done! Put first things first, prioritise and go ahead with the plan, however big or small the task may appear and strike it off before calling it a day. Trust me, it’s the best ingredient for a good night sleep.

Make Room For Fun: In the midst of all the chaos and crazy schedule, I find time to escape — if only for some time to think. The real fun lies in imperfections, they make the journey worthwhile. Every now and then, I go out and take breaks, anywhere between 15 mins to a couple of hours, meet people, talk, write, dance, sing, cook, absolutely anything that makes me happy. And, in return I am able to start off feeling more productive.

Meeting People, Taking Feedback: While starting out on your own, you are a one man army and many a times, we tend to fall under the “I know everything” trap. While some think that by keeping your head down and staying busy, you’ll get ahead faster, others are just too shy to ask questions. I may have an idea of what I like and want to do, but that doesn’t always mean it will excite others too. Continuously meeting with the right mentor and taking feedback from them becomes crucial.

So, never shy away from moving ahead, from stepping forward irrespective of the wrong or the right. You never know, the wrong might turn you right.