If I were to choose between writing about myself or get a tooth extracted, I would probably pick the latter. For someone who has spent close to two decades in advertising and media, not being able to advertise or market oneself is laughable and yet here I am, reticent as they come. People that know me to know me, and for people that do not, well, I’d say, I hate to be slotted by my gender – woman leader, woman champion, woman head, woman this or that.
That, I know is a privilege. I have been extremely fortunate to have an unexpected, largely uninterrupted run in my career where my gender has played at best a peripheral role. This, I know isn’t the case for hundreds and thousands of women in our country. Every day, I read stories about women being held back on account of the gender and they deserve so much more. Gender disparity is real and hence every day in whatever way I can, I fight for a level playing field for women. If what I write today is of help to working women then, that will be worth shrugging off the reticence and sharing a bit about my life. hacks
I’ve had a childhood that was spent across the country moving with my father who was in the Army. I learnt that can pick up and restart anywhere at any time. My parents taught me to choose independence – financial and emotional over stability. My courageous sister, a doctor and a COVID warrior taught me that even when things get tough and you get knocked down, you must get back up and try again and again. My friends taught me that no matter how far I go or how busy I get; they are just a call away. My colleagues inspired me, pushed me to be competitive, do better work every day and yet yanked up my spirits whenever I was in a work rut or generally blah. A day doesn’t go by when I don’t learn something crazy from my artistic husband and my goofy kid.
So long story short, here are few hacks that I’ve picked up along the way that may help you to stay the course.
There is a long game. Very often, when you are in the middle of a crisis or problem, you cannot move beyond the vice-like grip of anxiety. Work-related problems often seem all-encompassing. Breathing deeply helps and so does a complete shut-down of laptop/phone and a long decompressing walk or a chat with a friend. Rarely, you will ALL good days in your working life. It’s like life, a bit and down. Taking it slow and pacing yourself makes sense.
Saying I don’t know isn’t a weakness. Saying I won’t learn is. Being flexible and adaptable can be your kryptonite. Everything is changing at such a pace, it’s truly not possible to be rigid about what you know, and you don’t. I’ve learned the most from my youngest colleagues and have no shame in saying I don’t know, please teach me.
Acknowledge people and praise freely. Look for the best in people you work with and praise every time they do something you thought was admirable. Take the time to be specific about what you admired or enjoyed their work instead of simple platitudes. hacks
Take time to think. Slotting time to just daydream isn’t laziness. For someone who thrives on the rush and the chaos (being in media makes you an adrenaline junkie), taking time off is almost sacrilegious. But inaction is as important as action and the time to think and check-in with oneself makes you a better professional.
Lastly, learn when to say yes and when to say no. There are times when you will have to push yourself and do the uncomfortable, seemingly undoable work. Growth happens only when you take on challenges. Taking on and finishing something you are afraid to do, will give you a sense of accomplishment unlike any other. Yet, know when you are just getting bogged down by busywork. We need to understand what drains us and say no to that work.
About Indira : Indira Rangarajan is currently the National Content Director, Mirchi. Indira has spent the last 14 years of her life across various roles in Radio Mirchi from heading content creation for various geographies to managing and curating music across multiple stations in India.
Before moving to radio, Indira worked as a creative director with leading advertising agencies, SSC&B Lintas, Ogilvy and Mather. She has worked with a varied portfolio of brands like Kissan, Dell, Kwality Walls Max Candies, Pond’s range of beauty products, Vaseline, TI cycles, Amrutanjan, Aircel phones and more.
She brings with her an in-depth knowledge of the Indian film/non-film music content ecosystem having worked closely with labels and musicians as well as regional and national content creators to design the soundscape and programming for Radio Mirchi & Mirchi Love.
She has created award-winning celebrity shows like Calling Karan & What Women Want with Kareena Kapoor. Along with programming, She has also worked on Radio Mirchi’s TV properties like the Mirchi Music Awards and Mirchi Top 20 which has amassed unmatched popularity consistently over the last decade.
She’s vocal on social media platforms on women’s issues, mental health and music and music programming as a platform-agnostic entertainment medium in and outside of the workplace.
-Team WS
