Make 2010 count!

Are you feeling like you’re in a rut lately ?
Do you feel like you’re in a job that just pays the bills ?
Do you always find yourself  in meetings with no time to produce meaningful work?
Find yourself getting a job done without wanting to get it right ?
When was the last time you achieved something amazing at work ?

Lately, I have been meeting a lot of people who have constantly expressed the sentiments above.

So, if your answer to any of the above is yes as well , then, it is time to take control of your life. Time to get inspired again.

It’s the start of a new decade. The first month of 2010 is nearly over. The question is…do you want to make the next 11 months count ? To begin with, don’t expect different results by doing things the same way ! Something has to change. What say you ?

The same job that you probably find tiring now was the job that you once signed up for and had lots of fun doing. So, what changed ? You stopped doing that job. That’s what changed. You stopped looking for ways to do that job better. You stopped thinking and challenging yourself amidst the chaos and those meetings. You stopped trying.

So, get your inspiration going in 2010 !  Love what you do and do it well.

• Any sort of organizing and cleansing process always brings a certain calmness to the mind. Whether it’s organizing your desk or spring cleaning your house or washing your car ….a certain order has been restored and it always feels nice. So, start with your desk cleanse ! Throw away the junk you don’t need. De-clutter.
• Next, get organized…plan your work deliverables for the week. Time management is crucial. For help, read David Allen’s ‘Getting things done.’ You won’t regret it. Just get a personal organization system going for yourself.
• Demand an informal feedback from your manager on your work and what you can do to take it to the next level.
• Put aside a day a week to produce your best work for the week. Call it your Inspiration Day and let no one take you away from that. If an entire day is hard to squeeze, try 2 hours a day. Challenge yourself to generate new ideas in that time. Ask others to rate you on your work for the week.
• Put aside a monthly budget for yourself to participate in regional conferences on your favorite topics or buy relevant books or subscribe to knowledge sites . You owe yourself that personal development regardless of what training programs your company sends you on. Just that step towards self learning will automatically make you feel like progress has been made.

Hello Entrepreneurs!

My name is Sharada Balagopalan.

What do I do ?…

I run a leading Malaysia-based marketing services and marketing software firm along with the founder and my intensely gifted business partner in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. We are supported in our quest to create ‘value’ for marketing teams across Asia-Pacific by 50 other talented and amazing colleagues without whom this journey would have never been possible! (And not half as much fun !) Visit us at http://www.starsolutions.com.my

So, what is my blog about ?…

This blog is about the sharing the tales, victories and travails of entrepreneurship and finding the balance in work and life. I am keen to learn from other business owners on the challenges they faced and how they overcame them.

What made me start writing this blog ?…

I have had the privilege of experiencing an amazing journey over the past 9 years as an Entrepreneur. The experiences that I have collected and the lessons that I have learnt have been far more valuable than all of the material possessions I own. ( Which are not much, by the way but that includes my Prada, Jimmy Choo, Salvatore Ferragamo shoe collections to whom I am deeply attached !  )

The challenges of running a successful business have ranged over a wide gamut of issues…from clearly defining who you are, what you do, how do you create value, how do you make money, how to prospect and find new Clients, attracting and retaining talent, delivering ‘quality’ projects, managing cash flows, growing revenues, looking for funding…the list goes on.

What has made this a truly rewarding venture at the end of the day have been 5 key driving factors :

– It’s the value you create for Clients. It’s addictive and something that must never be lost or forgotten. Creating value automatically leads to creating wealth, trust me.

-It’s working with the people that create the value. It’s very inspiring to be surrounded by that passion, curiosity and energy.

– It’s never losing the faith in yourself no matter how rock-bottom you hit. It’s good to hit rock-bottom coz the only way out is to go up ! There is no one to pat you on the back when you run your own business except yourself…so, losing faith does not help.

-It’s believing that you will win, succeed and make lots of money for yourself and those around you. That cannot be a wavering belief….even when you have only a thousand dollars left in your bank account !

-It’s having a partner in business to believe the vision, share the burden, keep the focus and make things happen !

My collective experiences have made me a better person and a better business woman. I am keen to share experiences and make a contribution to the SME community of Entrepreneurs that dared to dream !!! Hence, the blog. 

About me…

Was born in Bangalore, India. Grew up mostly in Mumbai and Calcutta in a semi Indian-Western fusion environment . I have worked with Clients across Asia-Pacific and have been based in Malaysia for the last 9 years.

I am 35 years old and find myself constantly evolving. Have been getting increasingly curious about many things in the world such as religion, culture, racism, poverty and what it takes to play an active part in the progress of society. I find myself seeking new experiences in life and questioning everything.

I can be work-obsessed but I also have many interests outside of work such as yoga, tennis, photography, cooking, travel, reading and some white water rafting adventures every now and then !

Am fiercely loyal and protective of my family and friends.

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