Still Figuring Out...

  The concept of an "influencer" might seem like a modern phenomenon tied closely to the surge of social media, but in reality, the essence of influencing—impacting others' thoughts, decisions, habits, and overall lifestyles—has been a significant aspect of human interaction long before the digital age. Historically, our ideas and choices have been shaped by a variety of figures, from Bollywood stars and cricketers to politicians and community leaders. These individuals have always had the power to influence public opinion and personal decisions, albeit without the hashtags and viral videos associated with today’s social media influencers. Consider your own life: it’s highly likely that you have influenced someone, perhaps without even realizing it. Whether it was a younger student in your school, a neighbor, or a family member, your actions and achievements could have inspired others. Maybe someone admired the way you handled a difficult situation, or perhaps they were i...

  The title might sound contradictory to the common belief that introspection requires solitude and freedom from distractions, but I think in today's digital age, where our days begin and end with mobile apps, t he way we engage with digital content can unexpectedly assist in self-reflection. With advancements in artificial intelligence and machine learning, these apps catalogue our choices and continually tailor their content to our preferences. Consider how platforms like Netflix, YouTube, Instagram, and Swiggy cater to us: they offer recommendations and suggestions based on our previous choices, creating a feedback loop of content consumption. For instance, there was a day when I found myself aimlessly browsing YouTube on my MacBook. The homepage was filled with the types of videos I had recently watched. As I scrolled through these suggestions, I realized I had been watching very similar types of videos repetitively, prompting me to wonder why I was drawn to them. This observa...

  Let me begin by clarifying two key marketing terms. Brand image refers to how consumers perceive a brand, while brand identity represents what a company intends its brand to embody. Now, think of these concepts in personal terms: your brand identity is who you believe you are or aspire to be, and your brand image is how others perceive you. If your brand image aligns perfectly with your brand identity, that's excellent—it means you're communicating and presenting yourself effectively. However, if there's a disconnect, you're certainly not alone. It’s common to receive feedback from friends or family that surprises you, making you think, "That's not me at all!" Why does this happen? Often, it's because we blur the lines between who we think we are and who we want to be. So, how can you determine your own brand, or how others view you? Start by engaging in conversations with a mix of people—new friends, old friends, and family. Don't explicitly ask...

  Why is it often so challenging to explain our jobs to our parents? Is it truly that complex, or might it be that we don’t fully grasp our own roles? I believe that most corporate jobs, about 90%, are actually quite straightforward—they're just adapted to contemporary ways of working. The corporate world does love its jargon, which, while sometimes necessary for precision, often complicates simple concepts unnecessarily. If you really want to help your parents understand what you do, start with the broader context. Explain that every company, whether it deals with products or services, is actually running some kind of business. From there, you can narrow down to describe what you specifically do within that framework. This approach not only helps your parents understand your work but can also clarify your own understanding of your role. I hold the conviction that if parents truly grasp what their children do professionally, they might offer insights that seem irrelevant at first b...

When you think of LDRs, it's natural to first consider romantic relationships, but I'm expanding the concept to include the modern-day long-distance relationships we maintain with our parents. I have been in a long-distance relationship with my boyfriend (now husband) for the past 7 years and looking from a purely financial angle, we have spent a total of INR 6 to 7 lakhs on our meetups alone, excluding any vacations or shopping I did before we met. I am not sure about the same city relationships (as I have never been in one :P). LDRs are tough, there are times when you just want to go and meet that person, you just want to be with them. I think what keeps it going is just the commitment you make to yourself that you want to stick with that one person (this is true for marriage as well). While we were in long-distance relationships, we ensured that whenever we met, we had the best experience, we stayed in top-notch hotels, ate from five stars, and spent our hearts out. we alw...

Lucky are those for whom the above-mentioned go hand-in-hand! Well, I am not one of those and I am okay with it. For most of us, clarity is a major issue, we exactly don't know what is our passion, or what we want to do. and many times by the time we figure it out, it is either too late or our circumstances might not allow us to pursue it. I am one of the classic cases of a typical Indian born in the late 90s, was a school topper, prepped for JEE for two years, couldn't crack IIT, went to NIT, was a software engineer for 2 years, couldn't excel in that and did not find content in it, so did an MBA, I thought I am a great fit for marketing, so currently working as a Brand Manager. Well, I have found some solace in my current job but I don't find it challenging enough (Maybe the science love in 15-year-old me kicked in). Due to certain personal reasons, I am now planning to transition into product management in tech. Here I am, still piecing together what I truly want to...