A "Global Hero" in the Making...

Quoting from my post on Tuesday 31st May 2011 : The Era of being Unemployed is over for Me! :) The days of migrating from being "Yummy Mummy" to being "SuperMom" are finally here! :) Brace Yourself - The Career Woman is finally Back and this time She's in it - "For The Long Haul" ! It's the Dawn of a New Beginning...

Tuesday February 4th 2014: 2.9 years on...

I am at my Vendor's office auditing our system for detecting prospective fraud subscribers. After getting a good amount of understanding about the daily BAU operations tasks, I start to question the team lead on the operational practices. Just as I have got into the intricacies and noted my observations on the compliance levels, I am alarmed by my cellphone - it says it's the "VP" calling. I barely allow my phone to ring and pick it up to hear his voice asking me to pass my number to the CIO's secretary.  In less than a minute I ensure there is no escalation / unplanned outages on any of the systems I handle and start to wonder why would he wish to speak to me ? I question her about the same doubt and she says she has no idea so I decide to just wait it out... 

It's the CIO on the line and he says "Sayli!! Congratulation's!!! You've been selected as the Global Hero of Vodafone for Q3. This is the 1st time in 2 yrs at Vodafone, that we have an individual being selected for a Global Hero award !! This is a very proud moment for all of us"  

My heart's racing and I can barely speak! All I could think of is 'a very humble' "Thank You that's a wonderful news! :) " Since I am told the formal announcement would come through days later I obviously keep this to myself... 

Since the 4th of Feb until last week  when I was given the opportunity to make a presentation to the Exe-Co, I have reinforced what I penned in 2.9 yrs ago..  Those statements look back at me with a smile ! There is a renewed sense of enthusiasm I feel. I always loved what I did for a living. 

My passion to complete an unfinished task brought me to Vodafone but what makes me want to hang on here is the heightened levels of confidence to outperform and sense of responsibility and commitment towards each individual who has their hopes pinned on me.

Yes I am a role model for living the Vodafone Way! I have accepted that challenge with aplomb! 

But nothing was ever possible without the few dear friends like you who've been an inspiration giving me at least 1 great thing to learn and imbibe. 

And most of all, here's to all my girl friends who unknowingly always tell me "You Go Girl!! You're gonna rock!! :) "

Love you all dearly... 

- Sayli 

On Woman's Day : Some ME Time !

If I were to delve into the life of a dozen women, it probably would be no different. We spent the whole of our lives ensuring every member in the family feels cared for, that people at work, truly are satisfied about having hired us to do our job, that the house is in order, the children have finished their homework, had their milk/banana and a zillion other things that may be relatively insignificant.
Then somewhere down the line, we loose sight of our own being. We keep telling ourselves that of course our lives are balanced, until it occurs to us that maybe one of the most important aspects of our lives got ignored : we allowed ourselves to age faster than a Rat !
And aging does not mean having a wrinkled face or grey hair, it goes beyond ! We stopped feeling alive due to the absence of wanting to pursue our hobbies. It was always about joining the 3 points to make the triangle : Family, Home, Career. There was never a ME in there. And while a lot of women a generation or a couple older might feel I sound Selfish, the truth is beyond a certain point we would truly end up feeling not too good about ourselves.
If I were to talk to the late 30's / mid 40's woman : she isn't too interested in her husband, she doesn't look too well, she doesn’t feel too happy, shez caught in a more mechanical way of living, life for her is more about duties than actually living each breath!!
Why ??? Because she missed out on learning to attach a greater importance to her own needs for the lack of time. But only if she set aside just that 1 extra hour by either getting up earlier or staying awake later or just shutting out communication to the world in an hour in between, that 1 hour everyday would eventually have added a decade to her life : and even if life cannot be measured by the number of days, she could've at least lived the same number of days - only a lot happier than now.
We all have work, we all have a family to care for, a career to progress in, a home to look after, children to raise, but if we don't take that time out for ourselves, no one will give it to us on a platter. Let's learn to make time : to maybe just go up the terrace and watch the sunrise, or read in silence with your favourite cuppa chai, or just plant a sapling, sketch / paint, write, knit, dance, bathe in relaxation, smell the flowers, go for a walk, talk to yourself, do anything that just involves U alone !!!

That truly is the best gift you will give yourself everyday : some time that is a Classified ME TIME !! I just did – Will You..?? :)
Have a Wonderful Woman’s Day ! :)
Luv as always,
- Sayli ! :)

On a Lighter Note - On Weight Loss

Hello!! :) & Herez wishing all my readers a very Happy 2012! This year for me, is going to be all about kick starting that sleeping metabolism, building strength & muscle, bettering my stamina and loosing fat & flab!

For the very 1st time in the 30 short years I’ve lived, “Weight Loss” has actually become a New Year Resolution! I am surprised at how fast I have piled up weight in the past 6 months!! I can’t wear those trousers to work nor dare to carry myself around in a simple round neck t-shirt with my favorite pair of Jeans. So I have resorted to Jackets & Blazers and while I enjoy wearing these very smart business casuals on Friday’s, I can’t wait to be ME!! :)
There are some thumb rules that I have always sworn by and will continue to stick to while I am at my goal:

1: Drinking plenty of Water : This year it’s going to be drinking plenty of WARM Water – makes me feel less bloated and it was a big help in getting rid of the post pregnancy belly.

2: Eating every 2-3 hours: This year it’s going to be substituting canteen food for homemade food, canteen snacks for 2 different fruits, hunger pangs are going to be satisfied by dried fruits.

3: Reducing Sugar, Oil & Salt: This year it’s going to be just 2 small cups of green tea without sugar, giving up on pickles, papad & pakodas no matter how tempting they appear & avoiding sprinkling my salad, butter milk & plain white rice with salt. I cannot give up on sweet, so that needs cutting down to a smaller portion. The trick is to always share the dessert with people around You. :)
4: Getting back to the GYM: Waking up while the rest of the house sleeps to hit the gym in that early hour, running on the treadmill to the sound of loud techno music, strength training along-side fellow gymmers gives you a high of a different kind!!! Reason enough for keeping up that 6 days a week exercise routine alternating between cardio & weight training. This year, if I miss a weekday, then Sunday morning will be my day to make up!
5: Ensuring a generally Active Routine: An afternoon walk in the office campus, taking the stairs, washing your pair of clothes etc etc (anything that ensures more motion ;) )
6: Relook your Wardrobe: CLOTHES are the biggest motivation for a Woman to stay fit ! Take a look at those amazing pairs of cocktail/maxi dresses, that pencil skirt, that waist coat !!! You’ve invested a hell lot on putting it all together. Now it’s time you reaped its benefits. Loose that FAT!!! Look Good Lady ! Because - “U’re worth it”!! :)

Happy Toning - Happy 2012 !

- Sayli :)