Hello there! Welcome to my Blog.
Setting the Scene
Just as I sat down to type out the first blog, my phone rang. It was one of my team members whom I always look up to when I need a comic relief and a sense of ‘it’ll be all right’. Today however, it was not a casual conversation, and neither was it pleasant when it began. It was about the yearly bonus letters that all my team members received.
He came into my ‘cabin’ with all guns blazing, without knocking, even though we are working from our homes, thousands of miles apart.
Almost 90 minutes later, when we closed the call, both of us were calmer, and surely wiser, in our own ways.
For more than 2 decades now, I have been having such conversations in the various companies and roles I worked in, on either side of the table.
Many hundreds of such instances, some with irreconcilable outcomes, some with outright resignations, but an overwhelming number which had a happy ending with a relief for both sides. And not once did I have to change anything post facto.
It is the conversation that made the difference. The conversation which would start from a sour note of dissatisfaction about the performance ratings, monetary aspects, promotions and what not; but at the end settle down nicely into a respectful acknowledgement of each other’s position, constraints and genuine intentions.
Then onwards the dialogue would never be narrow, but instead it would draw us into the higher purpose, be it professional or personal, that we all need to pursue and the best possible path towards it.
In due course through the blogs, I intend to start sharing my learnings and experiences around many such conversations, the life changing insights, and the enduring friendships that got built in the process.
Coaching Life of the Life Coach
Few years back I dabbled in the art of ‘Coaching’, and it sharpened my focus even further.
The first Coachee who hired me formally was myself, Sourabh De. And the Coachee had a steep goal to conquer. It was to strike off a major ‘bucket list’ item, publishing a book about Travel adventure, History and General knowledge.
And it was done in straight 367 days from the first word penned to the first book sold.
The Book
When I wrote my book, Time Travel to the Edge of History (3 Million Years in 30 days), it was towards the fulfillment of a lifelong held ‘bucket list' item. Soon, I realized that 'I wrote the book, and it rewrote me' and rewired my brain. That experience was life changing.
Now it is in Print on all the major portals, selling decently well for a debut author and getting some rave reviews. The book, many are saying, could be the 'one book you ever needed', and can turn you into 'the smartest person in the room', leaving aside the thousands of new facts and knowledge you will get out of it for years to come.
In the beginning, I wondered whether it was even possible to publish a 450-page book while managing a fully engaging corporate schedule, a demanding family unit, and a certain set of time-consuming socialpreneurship and hobby activities.
Eventually, everything happened. Now looking back and dissecting, it is certain that there was a method to the madness; some learned on the way, some due to natural skills and some sheer luck. And where did I get all the time, while balancing all the conflicting priorities every day?…or was that only about time management or something else?
A life-long Scientist and Clinical Researcher, I was certain that the learnings need to be documented.
That’s why the Website Sourabhde.com
The Website. The Blog. Why?
This website is a collection of the lessons from the corporate life, the material, and the spiritual world taught me. But the prime reason was the book I wrote in the year 2021.
One would ask, ‘What’s in it for me’?
So, What’s in it for YOU?
I thought a website and a blog would be a good start, to strike conversations with anyone who has a bit of time to chat.
We will talk about:
Purpose, Priorities, Motivation, Courage, Productivity, Time management, Communication, Mindfulness, Inner calm, Habits, Discipline, Perseverance, Grit, Affirmations, Improvement, Happiness, Satisfaction, Contentment and above all an all-encompassing Health and Well-Being. In short, Life…Courage and Leadership in Life.
The blogs would be anchored around by personal experiences and learnings as a Corporate and Life Coach and also as a Global traveler with some eccentric hobbies and interests.
As a Corporate coach, I have had the opportunity to be a part of the pursuit of purpose and happiness of close to 100's individuals (from professionals to students to homemakers to businessmen, to many who don’t fit these categories), on aspects I never knew I could help them with. The deepest questions and enquiries led them to find their own answers and refine their journeys. Can I share some of those case studies with you all? of course, I can…and I want to.
Many of those conversations were instrumental in shaping my own thoughts and driving me to a clarity of purpose.
Habit formation and Health
Through our blogs and discussions, we will also emphasize, more than once, the importance of Habit formation and Health including the secrets taught to me by one of my mentors, about the tips of a healthy, youthful being, and the bittersweet journey around that.
As I type these lines, I am ready with my sports shoes on, for my daily habit of a simple run of 1.5 km. Mind you, the keyword here is not run, not sports, not shoes, not 1.5 km (too little for a run); but ‘daily’ and ‘habit’. That’s almost 550 km in a year. Done twice a day, it’s more than 1000 km. Now that’s a big number. Who needs the gym?
What’s a life, without a hobby!
Some of my blog content would also talk about Stargazing and Amateur Astronomy since I also want to share with you whatever I have learned and practiced about stargazing ever since I got my first set of telescopes almost 18 years back.
Whilst being alone on the terrace or a godforsaken jungle, with my astronomical telescope and camping gear, I have had some of the most inspiring moments. Those have materialized into life-changing ideas and beliefs.
1. How patience could be one of your biggest strength
2. How being alone and lonely are two entirely different things
3. How when you look at the sky, you are staring at past and future at the same time
4. How Universe has everything that we as a specie needs to learn
So, Wouldn’t you like to know who the person is who wants 10 mins of your time to read the blog?
Who am I?
During the day, I am the quintessential Corporate creature, having worked with some of the largest Pharmaceutical giants for more than two decades. At other times I turn into that archeologist, historian, amateur astronomer, and life coach, I never knew I could be.
I have always been a quizzer and global traveler, having ventured into some of the most inaccessible places on earth, mostly with my astronomical telescope and field notes. I have lived in 18 cities, and not surprisingly, I find the whole world as my home (Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam as they say in Sanskrit).
An incurable disease struck me when I was a kid, which the doctors termed as ‘Curiosity’. That made me dig deeper and ask germinal questions about human beings and their past, present and future on Earth and in the Universe. Now I weave stories and provoke thoughts through my journeys into the gut of history. When it gets too heavy, I switch to light-hearted short stories from the world and 'live' people, as well as the 'ghosts' from the past.
One day, I hope to solve the conundrum, whether ‘Existence’ is indeed a Trillion-episode, intergalactic Matrix-like reality game show on prime-time, which the producer can take off-air, as we speak.
And therefore, I say, as a likeminded visitor here, you are part of a keenly awakened community.
Your comments, suggestions, observations about my book and the heartwarming stories you share about your fantastic journeys, keep me inspired through the days and weeks. It leads me to amplify those miracles more.
Welcome!
There's much to see and absorb here. So, take your time, look around, and learn all there is to know about us.
I hope you enjoy this site, the blogs and take a moment to drop me a line.
Thank you so much for being part of this journey. I will be thrilled if you subscribe to receive my blog and Newsletter and drop me a line for a chat over coffee or tea, if you prefer.
-Sourabh De