Pungidasa's Blog, page 2
March 27, 2023
MicroStory — Only here was she herself!
It was here in this park, with her friends that she knew from the last six months was she ever herself.
Elsewhere she was a mother, a loving devoted wife, the woman running the house, the one that smiled at all the guests, spoke to them, enquired about them, all the while flitting in between the kitchen and talking to them...
Here in this park, surrounded by strangers that roamed oblivious to her thoughts, feelings and identities - in a cove of similar friends - she finally was herself. She was finally Aditi!
That Aditi, who was just Aditi - unchained by tags, words and more.
This was her time for just herself and that half hour each day - was priceless.
She was herself for once!
[image error]
March 19, 2023
My journey of becoming a Coach !!
My journey of becoming a Coach !!
(1/3)
Today, It seems a load has been lifted off my chest and a different fire burns within my body!
I have decided to rest my efforts in trying to secure a job in the Employee experience, engagement, organisational development, building purpose driven teams.
Quitting my job in the engineering sector and getting into HR was always going to be tough. I knew that - yet the rebel inside me had decided that a company that does not value me and my contributions in reality is not a company to work for.
I quit! There is so much power in those words. Enough is enough - I have had my share of waiting, parking possibilities that I can start on my own!
I have tried everything within my reach and beyond and yet the job remains elusive.
I have always been passionate about People, enabling them, empowering them, building a culture that is safe, inspiring and allows them to bring all of their self to the table. Building teams around a common purpose, scaling them with zero budgets yet maximising the human connection and energy. To Impact and inspire a big change - an organisation is a huge potential gold mine and I wanted that seat of influence.
In reality, it was always a game that I was set to lose. I have learnt the lessons the hard way.
I park that rebel outside, that mentality of hope around impossible/improbable happening to me. That bubble is gone.
Coaching has found me. And I am now a fully ready Coach!
No more resumes, no more working for shitty bosses, no more trying to change things within my reach and capacity.
Only coaching, just that - putting my head down and working for my own self instead of changing the landscape for me and others!
Yet still making Impact, still making a difference and still bringing Joy!
I am proud of myself ! I quit this struggle.
I embrace the challenge of building a coaching empire!
Thank you for everyone who has helped me get here.
Thank you for everyone who gave me hope and then left me stranded.
Thank you for all those that did not bother to help - you helped me the most.
Thank you for those that sabotaged my journey so far - Your efforts shall always be remembered!
#Iquit !
(2/3)
It's not been easy!
Hell no!
I have had to wade through emotional juggernauts, waterfalls, rapids and what not!
As a coach myself, I was completely aware of the diarheoa of thoughts, feelings, memories that was coursing through my body, mind and soul!
There were tribes of these emotions doing a hartal -
Tiredness,
Anger,
Sadness,
Hurt,
Betrayal,
Frustration,
Irritation,
Hopelessness,
Reality truth bombs and more.
I had to acknowledge all these emotions, give seat to all and just let them share their story!
Employee experience, Engagement was a big chunk of my last three years of contribution beyond the software realm. A, place that I felt that I truly belonged.
I was a natural. I was good at it. I wanted an opportunity, and to be paid for it...
But the forces of the universe had other ideas...
I was so confident that I will get a job, that eight months of hearing only silence was a punch in the stomach!!!
Had coaching not come my way - I don't think I would have had the guts to give this idea it's Mercy Killing!
But coaching found me, I used some of the tools, the coaching mindset to find space to let it go.
Lift that load off my chest and put my legs in just one boat instead of two!
To find it in me to let go was not a one day affair, it took me time.. I had to send the tribes back home. Let the emotions down the Ganga and perform it's last rites.
The more I moved, the lighter the load got. Stronger was the light towards the coaching space.
A space that gave me joy, confidence, conviction and passion that helps me sustian my self, grow and thrive!!!
was I Scared? Apprehensive?
Yeah to some extent. But the power in the idea just got bigger with each day...
That self belief just got stronger!! And like this picture suggests - It was a roar of emotions... Letting go, Embracing the life ahead with a purpose. with an intensity like no other!!!
That's my story !
#thatsmystory #coachingmindset #coaching #selfhealing
PS: I hope to inspire people in the network through this share.. Share my vulnerability and my experience with emotions, coaching and more.
PPS: I am a coach now! You can book a session with me via Calendly.
https://lnkd.in/gRh6CXuf
March 5, 2023
“ Tick Tick Tick “
I miss the " tick tick tick " Of the old fellow!
It's just been a day since we sent him home on his last journey.
He was old and struggling, coughing his way up the clock, tired beyond ages in a supposedly ageless pursuit...
His "tick tick tick" kept me awake so many nights, nights that I so desperately wanted to sleep.
His " tick tick tick " On many nights was a constant, the type of constant that made me feel 'home'.
The old geyser gave up, not before he touched 11.11.
Three generations,
countless birthdays,
Many lives and deaths seen,
Observed, acknowledged...
Sometimes cursed at, sometimes honoured with praises...
The tick tick tick wall clock is finally done.
We will miss him.
Bid him goodbye and lay him to rest! Dear tick tick tick - thank you for your service!
You shall be remembered...
January 24, 2023
Navigating the Corporate Minefield
The corporate office is sometimes a minefield!
It is a minefield of emotions, thoughts, biases, people melding into a pot of colours that keep on changing.
For a lot of us, especially new joiners, laterals transitioning into new roles - this can be a nightmare.
There is constant chatter in the brain,
who do I contact? what do I do?
Am I good enough?
Which group am I?
Do I belong to the group?
Working with the teams and learning at breakneck speeds.
You would most likely need a mentor or guide or even better a coach that can help you navigate this space effectively.
Build your muscles - on working with people, circumstances, failures, beliefs and default habits - by diving a little more into who you are...
Learn to work with emotions, ideas, thoughts, feelings, and the intensity of each of those - with your own compass of what works.
As someone who has been in the corporate space, I have had my share of trainwrecks,
seen people crash, save themselves, play corporate politics and put someone else under the bus.
And this gives me a unique but true understanding of the troubles one faces as a single associate in an organization.
If you are going through such an ordeal,
೧. need a listening ear to simply listen
೨. Need a mentor to share experiences
೩. Need a coach to help your self find answers that work for you.
Do consider a DM on LinkedIn
I have had the distinct opportunity to have more than 800+ conversations with people.
and mentored around 150+ people across the years.
And coached more than 70 clients with more than 200 conversation.
( Currently since this is my bread and butter - I do charge a very nominal charge for the same. )
#coaching
#corporateculture #newhires #consulting #careercoach #mentoring #listening
January 19, 2023
I wish I found this a little earlier! My advice to my Younger Self
I wish I found this a little earlier! My advice to my Younger Self
At 23, when I was struggling to fight the feeling that "I was not good enough, I have to prove myself everyday" - I wish I had found coaching to work with my self limiting beliefs.
At 25, when I was attending office like a zombie, after tons of broken promises from the management, I wish I had found coaching to reflect and take action with an accountability partner to change careers and do it with a plan.
At 27, when the sparks of marriage was turned on at home. I wish I had found coaching to work with my drivers, beliefs and notions - to challenge my beliefs..
at 26, when I returned to office and felt alien in a world that I very well knew, I wish I had found coaching to talk through my self doubts and find my way sooner.
When I launched my books, I wish I had found a coach that could have helped me scale it. I was the first author in the family.
At 28, during the pandemic when volunteer fatigue hit, I wish I had found coaching to reflect that I was doing enough...
Right from my puberty, I wish I had found coaching to build my own self image. it need not have had to be so many adventures to find my voice, to be confident of myself.
To process my emotions after my father passed on, to be a better version of me through intentional action rather than absolute battering by life and learning as an afterthought.
When I was clueless and direction less in so many parts of my life, I wish I had discovered coaching just a little earlier.
At 30, when I was hunting for internal jobs and basically dealing with frustration and chaos. I wish I had a coach that could help me find where I am even before I could think where to go!
At 30, when I quit work is when coaching found me. It found me and I am now a trained coach and the official stamp of certification is almost within reach...
A space where as a coachee, I was spared of gyan, advice, judgement and found a space to simply be myself, reflect, learn and have my own Aha moments..
I am at peace that coaching has found me and I am on a mission to get coaching - to the masses..( currently - the luxury only a few afford via the corporate sponsorship)
To get coaching to you, so that you enable yourself to course correct your path, to find balance and take baby steps, giant steps to build your own life.
So far I have had almost 194 coaching conversations with my coachees.
If this resonated with you, let me know in the comments. let's also have a conversation.
Find out more here about #nimmacoach
https://lnkd.in/gNdif3i3
#findacoach #myjourney #myadvicetoyoungerself #iwishihadfoundthisearlier #lifechangingexperience #coaching #selfawareness
[image error]January 14, 2023
Top 3 Reasons to hire me as Your Coach
Top 3 Reasons to hire me as Your Coach
1) One of my greatest strengths as a person is my ability to connect with people at a personal level - whoever you are, whatever position you hold - You are at ease when talking to me.
Trust building comes naturally, the conversations flow perennially.
It feels natural to me, to hear, listen, not just what the words say, what your body language is saying, your intonations and the subtlety of the underbelly of emotions that you want to share.
2) You as a person are free to be who you are... You can be your true self without thinking twice...I often get this dialogue - I have never shared this with anyone - I felt I could trust you with this. It makes it easy to share tough thoughts, deeper concerns, open up past experiences and be your full authentic self !
3) I firmly believe in Coaching as a tool - I find the greatest of joys in enabling people, Making an impact.
Coaching came to me, when I was ready and it has surely unlocked areas within that I did not even know existed. I have seen first hand what a difference it makes. I don't sell coaching to you. I want you to share that experience and find the same joy that I found.
----
I love to tread unconventional paths as a coach and enable you with simple, easy to use creative tools to find your way home, find your bearings when lost.
Life has been kind to me and given me a sneak peek into some extra-ordinary circumstances and build a strong sense of empathy, compassion and understanding of the various layers of people, emotions.
On a lighter note, you also get to meet me. A Coach, Writer, Poet, Podcaster, Sustainability enthusiast, Rebel who loves to challenge status quo.
Be it any theme,
Leadership, Executive, Confidence, Parenting, Relationships, Wellness, Career transitions, Life goals, Humour, High Potential - hop onto the NimmaCoach (Your Coach) express.
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/your-c...
#top3 #nimmacoach #Creativitycoach #lifecoach #Connect #Confidencecoach #emotionalwellnesscoach #startwithwhy
PS: Story behind this post : Someone asked me "why should someone hire you as a coach? "
I have learnt coaching skills, I am enroute certification, I am passionate about coaching.
"So is everybody else.. What sets you apart? .. USP .. What are your credentials?"
I have had more than 200 coaching conversations. With over 70+ clients.
---
Is that enough ? Will it convince people -- How will they know..
I took all of this into a coaching call and here (this post) is the outcome of such a conversation :)
IF it works for me - it should work for you too !
Get on a call with me today :)
November 20, 2022
She was beautiful,
there was something about her that drew you to her.
She was beautiful,
there was something about her that drew you to her.
A silent magnetism , a charm in her eyes.
Nothing extra-ordinary ,
Nothing more than normal,
but it was there - a sense of quiet ease in which she existed.
She just stood there and people came to her,
she came to a group , the vibe would simply change.
She had the eyes of a mother, compassionate and all encompassing.
She had an energy about her that breathed a different kind of comfort,
her silences were comforting, her words even more so.
Her voice was something that was smooth , heavy, filled with honey and wisdom.
You knew she was a strong woman,
a strong personality.
You could sense that she could read you even miles away.
The way she smiled, it took your breath away.
You were transported to a calm place,
A place of serenity, divinity and bliss !
She was beautiful in ways that one cannot describe,
Words were not needed at all.
One had to see her and that was enough !
I raise funds for charity with my poems. With this I enable kids in rural India to get support funds for their studies via a scholarship program..
If in case any one of you is interested — please do have a look and subscribe to my subscription.
https://forms.gle/fGyz37UoJTWBgNmTA
No pressure ..
[image error]November 9, 2022
I feel it in my bones
I feel it in my bones,
That she is the one for me.
I feel that sense of breathlessness everytime I linger near her.
I feel it in my bones, sinews and heartbeats !
Whenever she puts that angry face on, her face glowing red, reader than the reddest of beetroots,
Her eyes dancing on the tunes of righteousness.
Oh it's a treat to watch her !
I have felt it in my bones, the very first time I saw her. It felt like ancient connection, I felt tears well up in my eyes. The same intense satisfaction wash over me - as if I had but attained the highest form of enlightenment!
I felt her smile change me, make my soul dance in joy!
I felt her laughter rip through my thoughts, shred my inhibitions and bring me home...
I felt her in my bones, the same ones made of universe dust... The same universe of a thousand Millenia.
I felt her in all my universes, her hand on my heart - the shiver run through my body at the touch...
I felt her in her silences, telling stories that she had never told anyone.
I felt her in my silences, a glint in her eye - a nod of understanding...
I felt her voice reverberate in my bones, like an eternal call for love !
[image error]September 30, 2021
August 12, 2021
The Story of India
19.00 :
It was dark and about to rain. Thunder and lightning had already
announced itself.
19.07:
The bus stopped. The conductor got down and came sprinting. He was
running at full speed and was running right at me. For a second, I was scared that he would hit me. I was already carrying three bags – juggling
with them mid-air was already playing in my mind.He stopped near me
and took a deep breath before talking. He spoke to the old man sitting next
to the footpath.
19.08:
There was an old man that I had never noticed before – he was sitting
there with ten to fifteen flags. The conductor took out his wallet and
brought the entire lot of Tiranga and beamed with joy. He hugged the old
man and told him, thanks.
19.12:
He looked at me – "you were the one who waved at the bus right. It was
because of you – I saw this man with the flags. Thank you so much. I
wanted to buy these flags. The bus has stopped – let us go to the bus."As
soon as we came to the bus. The driver started the bus. The rains began as
if it had been waiting for us to reach the bus.
19.20:
The conductor came and sat by my side. I knew he was about to share the
story behind - why he had bought all those flags. He took a deep breath
and smiled. It was a beautiful smile. I told him, "Thank you so much. I was
in trouble if the rains came. I would have been drenched with all my wares.
Had it not been for this turn of events, I would have definitely had to …"
He cut me short - "I am the one who needs to thank you. I came to tell you
the same. I saw the old man next to you, carrying the flag - I remembered
that tomorrow was the 15th of August. I stopped the bus and ran towards
the Tiranga."
He looked at me like he was sizing me up. He decided to trust me, and he
began - "I actually came to buy one flag. I bought all twelve. You must be
thinking that I am some kind of weird person. I am a simple bus
conductor. I have been in this part of the world for twenty years. I come
from a village that not many have heard of. Every year on the day of
Bharatha’s Independence day, I go back home.
This is the first year that I could not go back there. "
He looked up again, just to check if I was listening. I was fully attentive. I
was curious to know the story behind his actions. The way he was
narrating - I knew that this man was speaking genuinely. He was not
telling me a cooked up story. He was not a con-man… I nodded at him. He
continued...
"The story is about my great grandmother. She was a freedom fighter. I
know that your next question shall be - Her name was Yamunakka. She
was not a queen, she was not written about in the papers. She was not
famous, and no history books have her name written anywhere. She was
just a small girl then. She was 12 years when the great man - the man they
call Mahatma visited our village.
He came and gave them all a speech - my grandmother does not
remember much of what Gandhiji spoke, but she was influenced
deeply. She joined the peaceful Satyagrahas. Her father was arrested by
the British - on the pretext that he was helping spread violence. My
grandmother, too, was arrested several times. She was in jail.
When she was released - she went back to the Satyagrahas, cooked for the
kids and women who had lost their husbands to British oppression. She
took up the Charaka. She was one of the twenty women that started to
weave and make clothes. She was not somebody who gave speeches -
even after we got to know of her story, she spoke very less. She told us
that she was a small squirrel in building a bridge to a new country.
I want to tell you, sir - we hear that India was given freedom by the
British, and we give credit to a set of leaders. We speak of them every
Independence day. Everybody knows about them. The news bulletins
continue to make a story about them, and the history books have
recorded their names.
But there were thousands like my grandma - homemakers, kids, school
teachers, farmers, weavers that gave up their daily lives and came to the call
of Gandhiji. These people also fought for their freedom. These people also
got us freedom as much as the leaders did. Gandhiji gave them a call. They
came all the way to Dandi. They came to the speeches. They took up the
Charaka, burnt the Videshi clothes. Imagine… Ordinary people, poor
people, who had everything to lose from this fight. Imagine if Gandhiji had
asked for action, and none of these people had turned up at all..."
He had tears in his eyes. "Tomorrow, I will miss going back home. I have
the duty of being a bus conductor. I bought these flags to remind myself of
the sacrifices of thousands of ordinary people -that keeps our country
running. People like the old man who was selling flags. "
19.50
"I will hoist the flag tomorrow and do my salute to this great nation. My
nation. My grandmother’s nation. " he said and handed me a flag too...
21.00
I came back home. I called up my wife and kids, and over dinner, I told
them the story of an everyday Indian who fought for our country. (And the
millions who continue to fight for it each day, their stories untold.)The
quiet realization was a great way to start the next day.
Aug 15th:
We stood there on our terrace, paying our respects to those millions of
freedom fighters who fought their battles and won us independence.
Jai Hind.
We saluted, our heads held high with pride...
© P u n g i d a s a
I write short stories and I also run a paid subscription for short stories and use those funds towards enabling charities to survive the pandemic…
To know more/ ask for a few sample stories feel free to drop me an email at pungidasa@gmail.com
