SIMPLY TWO
ANKURITA PATHAK
Author, TEDx Speaker,
Life Coach
Joint Director – FICCI
New Delhi
Two things one must possess to achieve success in the corporate world.
Professionalism and work ethics.
Adaptability and being open to new things.
Two things that impact your achievements.
Positive thinking and optimistic outlook.
Self-motivation and personal development.
Two things which inspired you to become a corporate professional.
Sense of purpose and personal fulfilment.
Financial independence.
Two challenges you faced in corporate life.
Work life balance.
Keeping ahead of the curve.
Two most challenging years of your professional career?
2006-07, when there was a sudden curve in my career path with an impulsive shift to a completely different sector.
Two achievements you feel proud as an author.
A collaborative endeavour with my brother Ankuran Pathak, our Coffee Table Book titled “Black Coffee & Metamorphosis” was listed in the Hoppingo curated 10 coffee table books alongside Masterpieces of Indian Art by Alka Pandey and National Geographic Rarely Seen.
Being invited to be a part of the prestigious project titled “History of 175 Years of Media in Assam and Beyond”. It was a commemorative publication marking the journey of media in Assam that began with the first issue of “Orunudoi” newspaper in 1846.
Two suggestions for upcoming authors working hard to be published?
There is nothing called a right time or a perfect piece. You will only waste time by waiting for it. Just write it. This is a critical learning from my personal journey.
Do not get into the race for number of books written or number of copies sold. Just enjoy the creative process and personal fulfilment.
Two must have qualities of a successful life coach.
Active listening with empathy.
Non-judgemental and honest communication.
I want to add another very crucial point here from my personal experience. It is important to remain objective and not get too emotionally attached. I find this the most difficult part.
Two focus points of your TEDx talk “The Power of Transformation?”
Change is inevitable and we are bound to transform from one phase to another.
It is imperative that we go through the entire process of transformation including the struggles, challenges, and discomfort, so that we can emerge stronger.
Two of your motivational sessions highly appreciated by the audience.
A session on “Philosophy of transformation” on the occasion of World Philosophy Day” at Indraprastha College for Women, Delhi University.
A keynote address on “Work Life Balance during Remote Working” at the Global Strategic Management Conference, organised by DME Management School.
Two decisions of your life you never regret.
Upskilling myself during the pandemic induced lockdown by enrolling in three different educational programs.
Constantly striving towards maintaining a healthy work life balance, by prioritising and setting boundaries.
Two strengths of your life as a working woman.
Professionalism and a keen sense of responsibility and accountability.
A robust support system of family and friends.
Two expectations from your life partner.
Proactive emotional support.
Sharing household workload. It even better if he cooks well.
Two things about people that annoy you.
Lack of empathy and compassion.
Being critical and judgemental about everything.
Two things you want to say for your critics.
Ask me before you judge or criticise. I will explain my side of the story.
If you still want to go on, keep doing. I will try to do better and be better.
Two people to whom you wish to show gratitude for what you have today.
My mom and dad, for being the wind beneath my wings.
Two most satisfying moments of your life?
Receiving the first money order of my life – Rs 25 from Northeast Times Newspaper, for my first published poem when I was in Class V.
Holding my baby boy in my arms on the day he was born.
Two of the inspiring quotes you like the most.
Perfection is an illusion. Strive for progress in life.
The more you learn, the more you realise that you know nothing.
Two of your favourite tourism places in India?
Meghalaya for its mesmerizing beauty.
Goa for its balmy beaches and chill vibes.
Two things you practice for fitness and inner peace.
Walking for fitness.
Gratitude for inner peace.
Two success mantras of life?
I will figure it out, no matter what.
If I can’t figure it out. I will wait. I will take time, restart, and rebuild and move forward.
