How to turn your hobbies into a profession

Getting back to work after a long break is really not for you? All the degrees, certificates and accolades won at work do not motivate you enough to undertake the corporate journey once again? But you are still itching to do some remunerative activity? No problem! Open up your horizons. Yes you have worked hard and you were rewarded but circumstances are such that they do not permit you to continue on the same professional path. So what? Look at your hobbies. They will provide you with what you are looking for. 

There are few lucky ones who really enjoy what they do despite repetitive nature of work. One of the times it happens is when you turn your hobby into a profession. My mum has always been good with kids: non-interfering, patient, youthful in thoughts and friendly approach. Hence she is a teacher since the past 40 years and counting! Whereas me, I gave up teaching in the first 10 years of pursuing it as a profession. I am just not made for it. I lack the necessary patience and after a time it starts getting boring for me. So the big difference here is the hobby! My mum loves teaching and hence she looks at work with pleasure but I could only do it as it brought in the mullah for me. I am glad I got out of it as now I am in a much better position professionally. 

Here are some tips on how you can develop your hobby into a profession

    1.       Advertise

Oh yes! Market your hobby. Let people around you know that you are willing to replicate what you are good at for a price. If you love cooking, you can start a tiffin business. If you are good with scissors and sewing machine, you can become a designer. If you are good with animals, start pet services. But without letting others know about your talent, it won’t pay you. Forget the adage, ‘Oh it is just a hobby!’ 

    2.       Let your inner circle sample your offer

Let your close friends and family sample your talent – either by designing a lovely lehenga for your cousin or by baking a lovely cake for your niece’s birthday or by choreographing your own little kathak masterpiece at a family function. Showcase your talents and people will automatically approach you for more. 

    3.       Give it a professional touch

Scale up and go pro. Print business cards, set up a basic website, mark your presence on social media. Give your hobby a professional makeover and voilà you feel back in business. The difference is that you’ll be in a much happier space.

    4.       Do not be afraid to explore

Well what about someone who doesn’t have a hobby or was not able to pursue it? No problem. Develop one. You have a creative bend? Take up a course in graphic designing. You are good with numbers? Pursue a short-term course in finance. You love dressing others? Learn hairstyling and dressing up with make-up course and see where that takes you! But make sure you are good at what you do.  

    5.       Believe in yourself

Yes. I put this last but it is far from the least. If you believe in yourself, others will believe in you. Yes there may be struggles. It’s not all cakewalk. But so far as your belief in yourself is unwavering, success has to kiss your feet. Go girl go! 

Snehal Agrawal Sharma

Flexi-Work Options for Women

Working mum's guide to get back to work

A working mum’s guide to getting back to work post pregnancy

For previously-working new mums, post –delivery of our bundle of joy, we are often faced with the dilemma of whether we should continue holding on to our 9-to-6 job or quit and stay at home with our newfound love interest for which we can lay down our lives!

This spot is not an easy one to be in especially with our world already in topsy-turvy mode. Our whole lives we’ve been working and have always found great satisfaction and passion in our careers. So why is returning to it so hard? The strong-headed mums who can easily take decisions and have clarity in their minds are strongly envied but those of us who are constantly on the fence go crazy trying to decide and end up in a bigger mental mess than ever before!

Well, being a returned-to-work mum myself, I can share a few tips to bear in mind that may facilitate your decision in favour of work:

- First of all, think of how badly you need the money!

It is brutal but the truth. Seriously! You are lucky if you can handle the double whammy on your home finances – single income, triple heads with the third head taking up most of the budget. But for those who need a good dose of income infusion in order to be able to deliver the best to the baby, work is very, very important. 

- How good is your previous organization?

Sometimes, we just assume that our previous company will not allow us flexi-work timings but you will be surprised. In this case, I love the Tata Sky tag line “Poochhne mein kya jata hai?” At most they’ll say no for which you were already prepared. But other times you may be surprised at what can work out in your favour. It happened with me.

- Focus on getting to work instead of debating

Instead of wasting time on your inner conflict, use that time on enlisting resources that can help you to organize your baby’s routine in your absence. You can ‘maska lagao’ your ‘saasu maa’ or your mum or if you are lucky get a good nanny for your child. Dads are also not allowed to go scot-free. Try and get a commitment out of him. See if he can also get some sort of flexi-time. Keep your ears and eyes open for a good day-care centre near your house or place of work. Keep an open mind. Do not be over possessive of your child. You’ll be doing the baby more harm than good. There are thousands of parents who leave their children at day care centres and the children do well for themselves. They develop immunity, become social, develop good eating habits, are on a time-table, etc. 

- Once at work, behave professional

Please do not go around wearing the ‘new mother’ tag. Be as professional as you were before. I know you won’t be the employee you once were – and that’s OK. There are different aspects of ‘professionalism’. Sure – you’re not the first one in the office and the last one to leave anymore – but you’re a better leader, coworker and employee now because you’re a mum. Your multitasking skills have gone through the roof. Your compassion and empathy are higher than ever before and time management skills are better than ever. It might take you a few weeks to realize your new attributes, and it might take your employer a few weeks to recognize the value that the new-you brings to the table. But please do not go pleading around that you have a baby at home, you need to leave early, you can’t do this and you can’t do that. You will command a new respect among your co-workers.

- Think five years down the line!

Yes.. If you think long-term, you’ll immediately want to decide in favour of work. It is just the initial phase that weighs you down. Once your baby is on a schedule and once s/he starts school, it gets a lot easier to work. 

- Being away from your child is good for her/him

You heard that right. Being away from your child helps you to care for her/ him much better than being there 24/7. If you are in a good frame of mind, you bring the same positivity in your love and care for your LO. It also helps your LO to develop her/ his own personality, develop social skills, learn to become more independent and bond better with other members of the family. 

- Be a bit selfish

Eeks. Yes. Think of your mental well-being as well. Ultimately a happy mum nurtures and nourishes a happy bub. If working makes you a happy, independent, self-respecting individual, go for it. Don’t give second thoughts. Instead work towards making it happen.

- Switch

Alas, there are many instances where mums cannot get back to work owing to the circumstances. But do not despair and give up. Instead switch to something new. Try your hand at flexi-work from home options. Take up a new course. Brainstorm to start a small business of your own using your skills and potential. BUT DO NOT GIVE UP!  

- Snehal Agrawal Sharma

flexiworkoptionswomen@gmail.com

https://www.facebook.com/groups/wfhwomen/

Bounce with Furlenco

Ah the blessings of friendship! What would we do without friends? It is indeed strange that friends are closer than family. Perhaps it is because we form these bonds by choice? It is indeed true that friends are the 'siblings from different mothers', your family away from home, your 'sukh-dukh ke saathi'. These are the ones who'll laugh on your face, who'll embarrass the hell out of you in the least favourable situations, know the colour of your knickers, shamelessly blackmail you with your deep dark secrets and yet light up your face and life with their presence.

Bounce: Furlenco

In these times of fatter salaries accorded to decreasing ages, one is compelled to move to metros teeming with opportunities earlier than we'd like to, leaving the security of our homes and our childhood friends. But hey friendship is not that choosy and finicky.. it happens! So there is no dearth of friends. Having a cool jam session after work or college, hanging out 'doing your thing' together, a breezy round of beer with colleagues, a show-off session is all something looks forward to!

Wouldn't you just love it if there is this perfect friends-catcher in your otherwise messy apartment? This perfect piece of furniture that can accommodate all your friends and spark some cheery after-work conversations? After all, floors can get boring!

Furlenco presents the Bounce

Create your own 'Reading Nook' today with Furlenco

Courtesy: Furlenco

Do you know what is the gateway to an alternate world right from within the cozy confines of your homes? No points for guessing that. It is a good engaging book!

The pleasures of reading are multiple. We know it and we yearn to get back to it but most of us are so fagged out at the end of the day that we either put it on the backburner or give in to the persuasion of friends for a round of beer. Some never-say-die bibliophiles lug their  devices or paperbacks around in the hopes that they will catch up on some reading waiting for the bus or even in the bus! 

But what if there is a cozy corner waiting for you back home? A little private space all to yourself where you can rediscover the joys of reading? Create your own special reading nook in your home. Imagine curling up there with a juicy book and getting lost in its plots! Ah, all I need more is that hot cuppa coffee. Oh by the way, these little corners aren't just for reading, either. A nook is great for any of your solo hobbies: drawing, painting, writing, or listening to music. Almost anything that you like doing in a peaceful spot can be done in your very own reading nook.

How to create the right ambiance?

1 1. Find the right spot! – It has to be a quiet place maybe in your balcony or your bedroom or even in your passage. You will find that by rearranging your furniture a little bit, you could open up spaces for a perfect reading nook. 

2 2. The perfect furniture – A good well-stuffed chair, I wouldn’t recommend a lounger or a recliner as then I’d be sure to doze off, a small bookstand that would accommodate all your favourite books and a warm reading lamp are some of the basic requirements for creating a magical reading nook. 

3 3. Make it as comfortable as possible – Keep a bit of your personal tidbits around, things that you would need while reading like maybe an extra pair of glasses, some bookmarks, a cosy comforter, a mug of coffee, etc. 

Courtesy: Furlenco

4 4. Go solo – One of the conditions that make reading a pleasure is the ability to escape into another world all alone.. Just you and your book! So, space permitting, seclude your reading nook with maybe some curtains or some furniture. It helps you to immerse yourself in the book and also gives you a sense of ownership to your little nook. 

     You can get help to set up your Reading Nook here.

Went further and got closer

Day -5 to D-day

'Jaanu, did you take your tiffin?' sweetly enquired Piyu..
'Grrr..', I thought. 'Yes, darling', I replied automatically.

'Here she goes again nannying over me.. Oh well.. Just a few more days and I'll be out of here for one whole year.. WITHOUT her! Phew!!

Two years ago when I got married to my girlfriend of 5 years I did not know I was marrying an SPD victim. For the uninitiated SPD is Split - Personality Disorder. This was much worse as the second personality stuck on :(. My girlfriend Piyu was never this clingy, this fawny, this fussy. It was like an overnight transformation! - which I have started hating over a period of time. She is like everywhere.. literally everywhere.. in my cupboards, in my files, in my laptop, in my socks, in my kitchen, in my dabba, in my thoughts.. but she is slowly fading away from my heart.

It appeared that God had decided to sympathise with me. He sent me an opportunity to get away from her clutches through my work. My company had transferred me to its London branch. The package included relocation of my family but I gladly hid this fact from Piyu. With a sad face (a bit over-exaggerated and I don't think she bought it!) I told her that she would be able to join me only after a year of my joining the London office. I remember that day vividly. I was actually just waiting to be on the other side of the whole declaration ordeal.

All horror broke loose after I announced my transfer. First came the emotional blackmail - how can you, what will I do, you promised never to leave me, will you be able to live without me, you don't love me? Then came orders - leave the job, bargain with the boss, refuse to go. Then came threats - I'll divorce you, I'll go away to Chandigarh, I'll kill you. Frankly speaking my heart skipped a happy beat when I heard the first of the threats but it was short-lived. Predictably the tears started and continued into the night till next morning. Finally acceptance! Ah! We got there. The last obstacle overcome!

 D-day

Tonight was my flight to freedom.. err.. London and I couldn't wait to set my foot inside the airport where my naggy wife would not be accompanying me. This was to be the last time, at least for a year, that she would be reminding me to take my tiffin. I was so happy that I almost kissed her. Almost.

That night I made all the right noises at Liberty's doorstep. My parents came down from Lucknow and her parents from Chandigarh to see me take off from Mumbai airport. Once done, I literally escaped! There was this sweet freedom (can't help using the word again and again!), peace, solitude, discovery, independence to savour for one whole year! Yipee! I did a happy skip before boarding my British Airways flight to London.

One month on

Oh Freedom! you lovely sexy lady! Where have you been, huh? I've been looking for you for so long! Stay with me baby...mmmmmm..

Two months on

As I was taking out the trash this morning, I greeted my neighbours over the fence who were enjoying their Sunday out on the patio. The wife had made some hot buns and the husband was smoking away at a cigar. It was such a mundane scene that it took me by surprise. I had a flash of, well, loneliness! I put it down to Sunday sundries. After all, here I am! All alone and enjoying it! What's with this sudden smushy feeling? I mean I talk to Piyu everyday so I don't know where this is coming from. It'll pass

Three months on

Some colleagues got together to visit a desi restaurant today which was known for its butter chicken. The minute I tasted it I blurted out that it was nowhere near as good as Piyu's! A second accident happened while getting home. I saw a pretty brunette who looked exactly like Piyu. I returned home angry thinking that Piyu must be doing some black magic.

Three months, three days later

As I left my empty apartment empty-handed I felt a twinge of nostalgia. I almost missed having Piyu calling out to me. 'I must be going mad', I thought to myself. That day I spoke to Piyu a bit longer than my customary 2 minutes. Almost like 20 minutes before she asked me to hang up.

Three months, four days later

The next day I got myself invited to a colleague's house - a hearty Punjabi like me! I really wanted to check out his other half (well not in the way you think!) about whom he used to bitch all day at work! Well, we men have a right to bitch too! As we sat at the dinner table I watched the twosome and I admit I felt a pang of jealousy! That idiot colleague of mine was just making all the guy noises, bitching about his wife! He actually loved his wife so much that I could almost smell it! The way he praised her, held her hand, looked up to her, teased her, helped her.. it was so much in tandem, so much in rhythm, so much in love. Suddenly came the full blast realisation that I missed Piyu! I missed my clingy, fawny, fussy wife! Suddenly I had better synonyms for these words all of a sudden - caring, loving and sensitive!

That very moment I decided to give my lovely wife a surprise!

Three months, five days later

I was at the British Airways office booking a one-way plane ticket for her. I was going to fetch her! I couldn't wait to see the surprise on her face. I asked a friend of ours to go home and drive her to the airport under the pretext of welcoming a pal returning from abroad. Meanwhile, our friend's wife packed Piyu's luggage and got it to the airport.

When I saw my wife, I sprouted tears before she could! It was not a moment to be embarrassed of. Instead I rejoiced! I was with my better half, my loving, sweet, sensitive wife and I was taking her back with me, where she belonged.

The following day as I was leaving for office, I heard her sweet voice reverberating throughout our home - 'Jaanu, did you take your tiffin?' to which I replied 'Yes darling' and added a silent thank you.

Rahul Gandhi and famous dialogues

10 famous Bollywood dialogues that Rahul Gandhi seems to express but goofs.. or so it appears! Wily or willy.. You decide

•  When you get laughed at:

'Hason toh saari duniya hasti hai tumhare pe!'

The poor guy fumbled between ‘saath’ and ‘pe’.

•  When you are asked questions at a journalists’ meet:

'Tumhari yeh mashaal!' (I think he meant majaal!)

He loves to use this symbol.. err.. I mean gesture! But I interpret it as 'keep your midnight oil burning, my friend!'

• When mamma yells at you:

'Mi Lordess, main begunha hoon!'

Lordess??? Seriously??? I think he just invented it only for his MOM

• When you get blamed

'Mujhe qasoorwar thehrane se pehle jao unki sign le ao jinhone yeh ghinauni harqat ki hai!'

As if! Haa

• When someone else is praised

'Arre uski kya aukaad.. woh toh ek khachchar hai khachchar jise main kabhi bhi tho kar sakta hoon!'

Err.. mmm.. ya.. right.

• When someone accuses your family

'Kutte kamine main tera khoon pee gaya!' (Goofed up the tense.. it’s ok.. he is forgiven!)

I’d told the bloody media I wanted more publicity than the rest..  

• When you are surrounded by angry creditors

'Main haath jodkar aapse barfi mangta hoon.. mujhe barf kar dena..' (Won’t we just love to do the latter!)

But I cannot return your money! I was hungry..

·          

• When  people talk about justice

'Uparwale ke ghar mein der hai... andar nahi.'.(I think he meant dher hai andher nahi? He is too clever)

Justice will always be delayed

• When someone doubts your qualifications

'Yeh kahan mazzak hai?' (Did he actually mean kya?? I am confused!)

Everyone knows I have done Masters in Corrupt Practices

• When you are surrounded by poor people

'Jeene ke liye aakhir kya chahiye? Bas ek jhooti kasam!' (Err.. mutthi aasmaan?)

And Food Security Bill!