Author: Neera

Google Made Me A Profile Page

Neera

“You can’t have each day as an ‘exciting’ day,” said my friend.

“Why not?” I protested.

We were coming back from a parlor after having a facial.

It was the highlight of the day for us. Something we wanted to do for months. Something we were looking forward to all week.

“Because most days are mundane. The same job. The same housework. Even the entertainment is the same. There is nothing new. The same stuff over and over again,” she whined.

“Give me something to look forward to,” I pleaded. “I don’t want to wake up each day to cook and clean and tire myself with mundane routine. I want to wake up to do something special each day.”

“Good luck to you then.” She said.

We had this conversation just before I finished working and became a full-time writer. In my new life, I wanted to do interesting stuff. I wanted to have something to look forward to each day. I wanted to make each day count.

So, I learned new skills.
– I started my website.
– I wrote a blog post a day.
– I wrote and published books.
– I enrolled in online courses.
– I wrote on social media platforms.
– I interviewed interesting people.
– I got interviewed and made friends.
– I traveled and sketched and painted.

I am a published author now.

People in far corners of the world are reading my stories.

I have made friends in countries I still haven’t visited.

Google has created a profile page for me.

I am having ‘exciting day,’ every day.

Some nights I am so thrilled, I find it hard to sleep.

How are your days?

Are you having ‘exciting days?’

If not, what are you doing to make them ‘exciting days?’

I turned success on its head

Neera

Rather than asking, how can I be successful?

I asked, what can I do NOT to be successful?

The rephrase is based on a mental model
introduced by a great mathematician, Carl Jacobi.

It’s called “Inversion Thinking.”

Instead of asking how to write like a pro.
Ask, how to write like an amateur.

It’s easier to avoid making dumb mistakes
Then trying to be right all the time.

I will look too dumb if I continue making these mistakes.

What are the three words that describe you?

Neera

It’s one of the common interview questions.
Most of the time, people answer it with some adjectives.

– Reliable
– Outgoing
– Energetic
– Team player
– Dependable

But there is more to this question than just a bunch of adjectives.

People who have achieved a lot in their lives can be easily defined in three words.

Here are a few examples:

Gandhi – Truth, Non-violence, Equality.
J.F. Kennedy – Service, Social Justice, Collaboration.
Steve Jobs – Innovation, Visionary, Disruptive.

In their case, the three words are their philosophies, rather than mere adjectives.

Now think again, what are the three words that describe you?

It’s not an easy exercise, but a worthwhile one.

Once you know what you’re all about, what you stand for,
you will find the inner drive that will guide you

I recently did the exercise and the three words that describe me are:
“Freedom, Power and Adventure.”

‘Freedom’ to do whatever I want to do.
‘Power’ to make it happen.
A life full of ‘adventure.’

I would add a fourth one as well:
‘Authorpreneur’ turning writing into a business.

This is exactly what I do and how I live.

Marketing Lesson #3

Neera

I learned the third most important marketing lesson from Justin Welsh.

He once wrote:

Promote yourself online every single day.

Somewhere.

Every day.

– Your work
– Your brand
– Your thoughts
– Your products

People will either:

– Love you ( and become your customers)
– Hate you (who cares)
– Join you (will become your network)
– Follow you (will spread your name)
– Ignore you (already are)

Your online footprint is your professional showcase—use it to attract opportunities and connections.

Your daily effort will ripple into a powerful network, boosting your personal brand.

Embrance Life Long Learning

Neera

Growth and progression are relevant at every stage of your career — not just when you’re starting out.

Here are 3 tips from my own 20 years of ascending the career ladder.

1) Embrace Lifelong Learning:

After taking a seven-year break to raise my kids, re-entering the job market was difficult, to put it mildly.

Even though I had a Master’s in Biochemistry, two incomplete Ph.D.s (a story for another day), and a portfolio of published research papers in esteemed Biochemistry journals, I struggled to secure even a research assistant position.

Undeterred, I embarked on a new journey by returning to university, pursuing an additional degree in Information Technology.

The result?

Five job offers on the table—making the decision which one to accept a pleasant predicament.

But my story doesn’t conclude there. I continued to invest in my professional development, undertaking 2-3 courses annually at my expense.

This commitment paid off, propelling me into a senior manager position within eight years.

2) Mentorship Matters:

Success is seldom a solo journey.

We all require support to learn and grow. Instead of solely seeking mentors for myself, I actively sought opportunities to become a mentor.

Guiding others through their learning, assisting with implementation, and fostering growth became a rewarding part of my journey

Besides, mentorship is a two-way street; you not only impart your knowledge, but you also gain fresh perspectives from younger employees.

3) Build Professional Network:

As a seasoned professional, your network is likely one of your most valuable assets.

Although I am an introvert, I made sure I attended IT events, connected with colleagues in other departments and organizations, and took part in professional groups.

My career progression stemmed from the influence I cultivated with the individuals in my professional network.

Your journey doesn’t end with securing a job and doing well; it’s about evolving, adapting, and continuing to set new goals.

By embracing lifelong learning, engaging in mentorship, and building a robust professional network, seasoned professionals can not only stay relevant but thrive in an ever-changing professional landscape.

Marketing Lesson #2

Neera

I learned the most important marketing lesson from my daughter when she was just thirteen.

Looking for her first job, she approached the manager of a mobile phone shop in the local shopping center.

They were looking for someone to help them ease the pressure. So the manager invited her for an interview at the coffee shop next door.

Once seated, he handed her a pen and posed a challenge: “Sell me this pen.”

With youthful exuberance, she held the pen, examined it, and met the manager’s gaze.

Instead of diving into a sales pitch, she asked a simple yet profound question: “Are you in the market for a good pen?”

The manager grinned and exclaimed, “You’re hired!”

Even at her tender age, my daughter understood a fundamental principle of sales: you can’t sell something to someone who isn’t looking for it.

It’s a mistake many creators make, pushing products or services without assessing if there’s a genuine need.

Here’s the takeaway:
Identify Your Audience: Instead of casting a wide net, focus on finding people actively seeking what you offer.

Understand Their Needs: Dive deep into what your potential clients aim to achieve. Tailor your pitch to address their specific needs.

Help Them Avoid Common Mistakes: Seek out individuals making common mistakes that your product or service can rectify.

Show them how your product or service: Remember, you’re not just selling; you’re solving problems.

When you align your offering with the genuine needs of your audience, they become more than clients—they become satisfied customer.