This is actually yesterday’s story spoken today but it’s definitely not an after thought. Yesterday Sept 1, was Women Entrepreneur’s Day. Not many folks knew about this, as it was definitely not publicized as much as the latest murder mystery. Looking back, my journey has transitioned from my professional stints to being a homemaker, freelancer and then an entrepreneur. In retrospect this journey has so much in common that a lot of folks fail to recognize this. It’s largely attributed to the wonders of ‘multitasking’ a specialty in women and a rarity in men. While I do hope not to make this a feminist issue, the recognizable pattern is so fascinating that inking this down in my 100 day was imperative. After all, it does define my journey too.
In our professional saga, we ideate, create, take goal oriented decisions, lead teams with mixed expertise and strengths, deal with seniors of mixed persona, build strategies that set us apart and are rewarded with salaries amongst others. As entrepreneurs, we do all the above in addition to taking risks on any idea, innovate and plan finances to back the same ideas with the hope of driving your brand and reeling in the profits. All these are done in an office setting, in the realm of timelines, corporate policies, governance and frameworks.
Now imagine the scenario of a homemaker, where the same elements are just packaged differently. She hurls up strategies and ideas to effectively run her home, leads her team of helpers, who are often more challenging without the feather of education and experience. She plans the home finances to the last rupee with the hope that she manages to save some for her personal indulgences. She ideates and takes decisions to keep her kids motivated with creativity in food, activities, discipline and studies, all of which are crucial goals. This is one area which can get really complicated as she is responsible for the people she has created. She is a wife, mother, daughter, daughter-in-law, friend and so much more.
She deals with her in laws, parents and relatives who are seniors with mixed persona too, which are usually more complicated since they are bound by personal relationships, society and respect. Deadlines are plenty during her tenure, but no fixed hours. She is mostly on a 24 hour schedule, without that Sunday holiday or the much availed and enjoyed paid leave. Even on a vacation, do check if her mind is completely relaxed! You will be surprised, it almost seems never ending. A cup of coffee with friends becomes a planned activity, far and rare. At the end of it all, without the salary or the profits, and many times thankless but they look for motivation in adoration by family, the simple smiles and in most cases the luxury of ‘me’ time.
In this time of independence, women have combined the roles of being professionals / entrepreneurs and homemakers, which adds to the challenge but at the same time has opened avenues of support systems. At every stage, the challenges are perhaps beyond what we can imagine. While the pressure, frustration, anxiety and stress are all so exhausting, the results, joy and a sense of fulfillment make it so rewarding. With the advent of social media, support groups, several boundaries have disappeared and perhaps maintaining our sanity has eased.
Social etiquette's compel us to engage in conversations that begin with questions like”what do you do?” or joke about “what do you do the whole day?” The response often is the basis of an unwanted judgment. So the next time, lets try to embrace rather than question, appreciate rather than criticize and respect rather than undermine.
On this note, cheers to women who make life count in more ways than anyone can imagine!
No comments:
Post a Comment