Hi friends,

The newsletter is a safe space to share stories: of ourselves and the world around us. Sometimes they are deeply personal, sometimes funny, and some other times, a prompt to guide you to nudge the storyteller, the artist in you.

I have been going through imposter syndrome. I am on this journey of decoupling myself from full-time work and working on my internal story. There are two questions that are guiding my discovery:

1. If I had all the money in the world, what would I like to do?
2. If I had all the time in the world, what would I like to do?

And both these questions are guiding me to 'build and create'.

Follow my curiosity without an end goal.

To quit a full-time job with nothing else going on in life seems like a privilege.

An ex-colleague asked me: How long do you plan to waste your time like this? Go do something useful.

LinkedIN is full of posts with people getting laid off, desperately looking for work, and here I am going against the norm of 'normal'.

Many years ago, I came across a concept by Ravi Venkatesan where he spoke about 'portfolio careers'. The future of work comprises a variety of roles rather than one job at a single organisation.

I have been actively trying to design my 'portfolio work life'.

This is similar to investment. You want to diversify your financial investment in different asset classes. You want to diversify your career into different buckets. Do something for someone. Something else for someone else.

I got a consultancy project with one of India's best universities.

People dream of getting into that university. And here I am with an opportunity to work with the university.

I am have been keeping the news under wraps thinking this is not real.

I am flying to the university this week, and this is now becoming real.

I have an email ID with v*****@iima.ac.in.

And this is becoming more real.

This is a pinch-me moment.

When you have limiting self-beliefs, they'll show up in the way you see the world.

I am constantly reprogramming my mind: abundance does come to middle-class families.

ABUNDANCE DOES COME TO MIDDLE-CLASS FAMILIES.

What are some stories you tell yourself that no longer serve you?

PS: I read all your replies :)

Keep Finding Your Stories.

Until next time,

This is Vipasha signing off

PS: Three uncomfortable things happened last week:

1. I was interviewed by Ashwin Krishnan on his show 'Stand Out in 90 seconds'. 5 questions. 5 stories. 90 seconds. Watch the video here.
2. I did my first podcast with Kashira Fatima on the power of storytelling. No gatekeeping. Sharing everything I know to help others find their stories. You'll find it particularly useful if you want to learn how to give talks on stage.
3. I made a Topmate account to offer 1:1 consultations to shape your story. Book your slot here.

Let me know what resonated the most with you.

Whenever you are ready, here is how I can help you:​
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🎤 1-1 Coaching: If you are business owner giving your next big talk, podcast, investor pitch, learn how to craft your story. Book here: https://topmate.io/vipasha_devi_tilak
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🔊Workshop: If you are a business wanting to enhance storytelling capabilities within your organisation, I teach storytelling and writing to decision makers and leaders.