“From Shyness to Shining Bright”

This is my story and a journey of progress, self-realisation and empowerment. From shyness to shining bright, I navigated through all the challenges, overcame my shyness, and unleashed my true potential. It is a testament to the power of self-belief, resilience, and learning through action. Join me on this inspiring voyage and discover the extraordinary transformation that awaits when one dares to believe in themselves and follow their dreams.

Pre fellowship :

During my school days, I was an average student who was shy and often hesitated to talk with teachers or participate in school extra circular activities. After school, I’d long hours of tuition classes and on my weekdays I used to go to karate or just keep riding my bicycle. Not a lot of people were friends with me. I felt shadowed left out and underconfident among people. l wished to excel just like my peers. However, I held onto my self-belief, hoping for brighter days.

 A significant turning point occurred when I joined a different high school where the no. of students were low and I took commerce as a new stream. The 3 main Subject teachers were really good. A teacher taught us Accounts without needing books. And learning suddenly improved. It brought me confidence in my studies, I was leading Annual Day events, interactive in class. A newfound confidence within me. This experience ignited the belief that I too have potential and I can accomplish great things too. 

My entire college life seems to be a big failure for me. I wanted a good education. I realized that I had completely lost my interest in academics. My College was just getting notes to write exams on paper to get passing marks. As my college days neared their end, I realized that the traditional path did not fulfil my aspirations. I sought something more practical, a chance to learn hands-on. The unforeseen arrival of the Covid-19 pandemic forced me back home, where I discovered my father’s entrepreneurial journey. Witnessing his determination on how he had built a business without any formal degree inspired me. I wished to follow in his footsteps. Driven by curiosity and a hunger for practical knowledge. During this time, I first stumbled upon an Instagram post about the Enterprise Fellowship. It struck a chord within me, offering me a chance to explore my potential through real-world experiences, uncovering my strengths, values, and skills. The fellowship program represented a departure from traditional education, which often felt superficial, and centred around grades and degrees. Determined, I shared my newfound passion with my family and committed to this path of self-creation through hands-on learning experience.

Creating myself – Learning By doing. 

My journey with the Enterprise Fellowship began with online workshops, where our team facilitated sessions for two different artists. It was a joyous and effortless start, but soon we embarked on unfamiliar territory. “The service design project” pushed us to find and interact with street vendors, stepping out of our comfort zones. It took courage to have conversations with strangers and convince them to collaborate with us. I somehow faced it once and then It became our daily routine. By closely observing their businesses, we identified problems and proposed effective solutions. It boosted my confidence in initiating random conversations. 

The sea will make a sailor stronger.

One defining moment came during a client project, where we were tasked with branding a clinic and establishing guidelines to create an online presence for Dr. Alifia, a physiotherapist from Pune. Through client meetings, we diligently analyzed the problem statement. With the help of user research, we identified the target audience’s needs, pains, and gains. When I was stuck in the middle, I sought guidance from mentors and peers, which actually helped me navigate through the challenges. This opportunity exposed me to the realities of the professional world, teaching me the value of hard work and action. Effective communication and seeking support emerged as vital lessons during this period. Whether it was reaching out to my team or seeking guidance from mentors, I learned that there was always a way forward to go.

Participating in the #karo which is a movement where we all go into a mode of doing. Taking action in a shorter period of time, alongside my fellow partners, proved to be another enlightening experience. Working in teams, we embarked on identifying a product and building a business around it. Our collective effort was focused on creating a self-assessment guidebook for personal reflection, named “Aina.” This experience taught me the importance of addressing challenges collectively and finding solutions as a team. It was a departure from my childhood days of solo sports and activities, highlighting the incredible strength that emerges from teamwork. Another project was “Mini Space,” where our team was set to revolutionize people’s hybrid working spaces, creating a better and more enjoyable experience. However, we faced a setback as we lost focus along the way. Now I feel that “satisfaction was in completion, not perfection”, and It became a crucial lesson. The importance of “Not just taking on responsibilities but fulfilling them wholeheartedly”.

Coming out strong:

Amidst the BohriAli project—running an entire life cycle recruitment campaign—I committed myself to delivering results that would earn the trust and reliance of others, and together with my team, we went beyond doing more than just the surface-level of the work; we poured our efforts into making it a success by effectively communicating, sharing feedback, and fostering a true sense of teamwork. 

While on my journey in Enterprise, I was focused on identifying my strengths and embracing challenges. I was also engaged in additional activities for personal and professional growth. Attending weekly sessions provided me with new insights and strategies from the business world. Reflecting upon my experiences in the Conflexions program helped me gain a deeper understanding of myself. I am grateful for the connections I have made along the way. The people I have met, the industry leaders I have had the privilege to engage with, and the peers I have connected with during the Jamboree have all contributed to my growth and development. I recognize the value of expanding my network and surrounding myself with individuals who inspire and challenge me.

Here’s a beautiful picture of me from an evening at the ReGen Networking site hosted by Enterprise for Entrepreneurs, founders and creative people to meet with enterprising young minds namely called “Partners” at Enterprise. It was truly an amazing experience to be part of this community of people and build my network.

Looking back, I still sometimes see the shy part of me in the core, but I have seen myself come out as a strong confident individual, from being shy to being a storyteller, an effective communicator, and a team player. Taking action today, embracing new challenges, and seeking guidance when feeling stuck. I don’t let it take control anymore. I figure things out, no matter what. I may not know where, when, or how, but my unwavering determination assures me that I will find a way.

In this beautiful journey of self-exploration, I’ve made some powerful self-realizations that have shaped my perspectives and will serve as guiding principles in my career of life. I’m ready to embrace the future and a world full of new opportunities. I’m motivated to do good work, make a positive impact, and contribute meaningfully to this world. Creating joy for myself and others. 

“Ain’t no destination,Man but the journey is everything.” -RUSS