Welcome to the Corporate Life

I love corporate. Ever since I was a kid, I was fascinated by that ‘life’ – office parties with well dressed men and high heeled women, subtle laughter, clinking of glasses, and inside jokes I struggled to understand.

I wanted in. And many years later, I became a part of it. One of the young women who strolled the office corridors, attended meetings, and learned plenty about her field.

Fast forward few years and here I am now, sitting on the couch after an exhausting day or weeks really. A cup of tea to soothe my mind and a blank page to pour my worries.

The world I adored from the outside has become such an integral part of me it’s hard to distinguish the two. What happens during the day affects me afterward. The constant whir of thoughts and meetings to stay up-to-date on have become second nature.

The worst of all is probably imposter syndrome – the notion that you’ll never be enough. As a person. As a leader. As an individual contributor. As a manager. It’s a never ending loop of building confidence within, crumbling in those rare moments alone, and then getting back on your feet to face another day no matter how badly you fell or felt.

Corporate teaches one patience and resilience. No doubt about that. But it also has a way of creeping in your mind and heart to test your limits. Are you able enough to handle it. Can you focus on what matters and zone out the rest.

Because at the end of the day, there’s no way out (of the chaos) but through it. Be it people, projects or problems.

And maybe, just maybe as we struggle on such days, the belief that we can and will succeed on this path will become the light that guides us. To stay, persevere and shine :)