In Pursuit of My Ikigai
For the longest time, my work has been my identity. Whenever someone asked me “What do you do” even socially, I would talk about my current role and company. It was an automatic answer that came without the need to think.
Over the last couple of years, as I saw close friends and family battle uncertainty and health concerns, I realized that we don’t have infinite time on our hands. If we want to do anything, now is the time. As I reflected on life, I tried to get clarity on what I value, and what I want to build on and leave as a legacy.
I absolutely love my work. I love the freedom & opportunity to build teams, and enable clients to take make better decisions. I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. I want it to be a significant part of who I am, and want to continue excelling at it. Yet, I don’t want my work to be my only identity. I believe I am more than my work and I don’t want to let it define me.
With this is mind, in my 40th year, I am looking to enhance my journey by building on two new dimensions to myself. These two dimensions are of Coaching and Writing. I dabbled in both these in 2020 and 2021 to test waters, and loved the experience. Both give me immense pleasure, and I feel through these I can significantly contribute in my own way.
Through both of these, I am keen to Pay Forward and help other professionals progress towards achieving their full potential so they can feel accomplished and secure. If I can make a difference to even one person, I will consider it success.
So what am I looking to do? Outside of my work that I love, I plan to do 3 things to start with.
1. 1:1 Coaching to help people build and navigate their professional lives
2. Through UpLiFt, published every Thursday, share experiences and diverse perspectives on building and navigating different aspects of our professional life. You can check the first edition of UpLiFt here. Each edition includes 1 Life Perspective + 1 Professional Conundrum + 1 Point to Ponder on.
https://lnkd.in/g_eMkKT3
3. Through Musings, published a few times every week, I share my perspectives on leadership, management, career building, offshoring & outsourcing, and other aspects of our life. While I continue to share Musings on LinkedIn, I have consolidated my Musings over the last couple of years here.
Here is the virtual address I have created for my new and evolving identity. www.gauravkumarmusings.com
Wish me luck, and see you there!
