I still feel reluctant to call myself an entrepreneur because being enterprising is a lifelong journey.

I reconciled to calling myself one when I hung my boots from an active corporate career after three decades in finance. Corporate life was rewarding but it took a lot of my soul energy to reach where I did. It impacted my health and well-being. I just thought that it was time to go on and do what I want to do and that’s how my entrepreneurship journey started.

My corporate career surely helped me become financially secure and I think that inspired me to go ahead and follow my dreams. I’ve always dreamt of being a motivational speaker, of being a career coach, of being a writer, and creating content that creates positive social impact.

Before finance, in the good old 90s, I was a television anchor in Doordarshan, hosting live every day. I left Doordarshan just as the privatization of media started in India because, personally, I moved on to the next stage of my life. I got married and chose to become a mother. I left television at a time when I could have probably blossomed, but my aspirations changed. Deep inside I knew that despite the years that have gone by, I will be happy speaking on a microphone and that took me to a whole new adventure.

I had chosen to be a mother and also be financially independent so it was up to me to find the strength to create a balance and make those trade-offs. I don’t call them sacrifices. We make choices and trade-offs everyday.

Everything has an opportunity cost, and that is what my financial life taught me. I am a proud mother basking in successful motherhood. My child has stepped into the world and is making the right kind of choices.

To all mothers, Breath, Relax, and smell the coffee because time is short, don’t become an overachiever at the cost of missing out on certain significant experiences. Don’t leave the forest for the trees, the forest is in the moment. Seize today with all your courage and your heart in the right place!