Here's the story you'd read on my LinkedIn-
Age 18- Accepted at St. Stephen's College, Delhi's
Age 21- Graduated with top GPA; Landed my 1st job at Boutique Consulting Firm
Age 26- Worked Government of India with former Mckinsey Chairman
Age 27-Accepted @ Indian School of Business; Accepted @ Fletcher and hashtag#Harvard for exchange
Age 28- Worked at Boston Consulting Group (BCG)
Age 29- Land my #1 abroad job with a foundation by former UK Prime Minister
Age 30- Take over my venture as full-time CO-CEO
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Let me share now another story.
2013- Final year @ St. Stephen's. Rejected from all firms I applied to except two. I felt all my powers slipping through my fingertips.
2014- 1st year of Consulting takes a toll on me. I feel alienated in the firm I joined. I am unable to take the stress. I actively burn bridges with the Managing Director and leave the job.
I get diagnosed with migraine.
2014-I go through the worst quarter-life crisis. I struggle to find my life's purpose. I am partially recovered from the migraine but panic attacks resurface.
2017- I get rejected from all MBA schools I apply to except 2. I spend time alone, questioning my self-worth.
2019- First year in BCG. I struggle to find my feet in the firm.
People are good but I realize I don't enjoy making PowerPoint.I stay strong for 2 years but I quit amidst the pandemic.
2021-During covid, I catch the second wave. I get married to the love of my life 14 days after as scheduled.
2021- I am working as full-time CEO and breathless 100 times a day.
Upon a diagnosis, we find that covid has introduced me to long symptoms.
2022- I am on regular meds. Extremely uncomfortable with my respiratory system something which is supposed to be involuntary.
I gym, walk, and whatnot every day.
I have reduced my hours as CEO drastically to take care of my well-being.
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Many professionals write to me about how perfect they find my journey.
There are gazillion lessons on how I have lived in my 20s.
But here are 3-
1. Don't emulate someone's journey.
2. Health is way more critical than you realize. Especially mental health.
Every time I have pushed myself to compromise my health, I have regretted it!
3. Career journeys are rarely a straight-line curve.
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I am an avid advocate of giving it all your in your career.
But know that failures, imperfect mental health, and loneliness are real problems that you need to deal with head-on.
Own your scars.
It makes the healing way easier ❤️
If you are interested in learning about GGI's MBA Scholar program, you can learn here.
Author- Shatakshi Sharma, Co-founder Global Governance Initiative & GTI, Ex- BCG, Advisor; Tony Blair Institute
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