At BrilliantRead Media, it is our constant endeavour to bring meaningful and powerful stories from India and around the world to empower and motivate our growing community. As part of this, we invited Dr. Archana Gupta for an exclusive interview with us. She is an Entrepreneur, Leader, Life Coach, Trainer, Consultant and Founder of GreyMattersInLife. Let’s learn more about her incredible journey, her background and her advice for our growing community!
Excerpts from our exclusive interview with Dr. Archana:
Could you please talk us through your background and your journey?
Born into a doctor’s family, my fate seemed predestined for a career in medicine. Despite my reservations about my academic temperament, I honored my father’s wishes, trusting in my parents’ guidance.
My educational journey was extensive: a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS), a Master of Science in Dental Materials, a Master of Dental Surgery in Oral Pathology, and a Ph.D. in Oral Cancer.
My heart leaned more towards academia than clinical practice, and I envisioned a future retiring as a college professor. However, life had other plans.”
In the penultimate year of my Ph.D., I faced a daunting challenge: depression, triggered by familial and professional strife. Initially, medication provided a brief respite, but the depression soon returned.
Reluctant to restart medication, I discovered the transformative power of coaching through a friend of my husband. These four insightful sessions ignited a curiosity within me, leading me to pursue coach training.
Amidst a tumultuous period at college, marked by unjust denial of promotion and favoritism towards less qualified colleagues, I decided to take a sabbatical to complete my Ph.D. This break also allowed me to complete my foundation course in coach training.
Shortly after finishing my coach training, I also completed my Ph.D. and resolved to embark on a new journey in the coaching business, leaving behind the constraints and frustrations of academic life.
Today, I am a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) specializing in Emotional Intelligence. The intense emotions I’ve navigated throughout my life have equipped me to empathetically guide my clients.”
I’ve learned that managing emotions isn’t about suppression or avoidance; it’s about recognizing them, allowing them to flow constructively, and ultimately thriving with them. This understanding led to the creation of my first coaching module: KNOW, FLOW, and GLOW.
How did you discover your passion as a ‘Coach’?
Embarking on those initial four coaching sessions was a transformative experience for me. It was a journey of empowerment, a path that led me to delve deeper into the world of coaching through foundation training.
This training became a gateway to self-discovery, helping me to unravel and understand my values, beliefs, and life patterns. It was akin to an inward journey, a quest to intimately acquaint myself with my inner being.
I firmly believe that awareness of our feelings and emotions is the cornerstone of self-knowledge.”
When we understand our emotional landscape, we gain insights into who we are at our core. This understanding enables us to make better decisions at every juncture of our lives, thereby enhancing our sense of empowerment.
Recognizing and embracing our emotions is not just a path to self-awareness; it’s a way to harness our inner strength and make more informed, empowered choices in life.
How do you manage to keep going despite the challenges? What drives you?
Witnessing my clients on their journey of self-discovery and unlocking their potential is an incredibly rewarding experience.
Their expressions of awe and gratitude, often exclaiming, “You are a magician!” or sharing heartfelt sentiments like, “We are so happy you chose this profession,” are profoundly fulfilling.”
Seeing them meet and understand their inner selves, often with the realization, “I never saw it this way before,” is both humbling and inspiring. Knowing that even the smallest change I facilitate in someone’s life, any positive impact I can make, fuels my passion and commitment to this work.
Moreover, my own inner quest for self-knowledge is a significant driving force in my coaching career. Coaching is a unique process where, alongside your client, you also embark on a journey of self-discovery.
With each session, as I guide my clients, I find that I am also learning and growing.”
This dual path of helping others while continually evolving personally is what makes coaching not just a profession, but a deeply enriching life experience. The mutual journey of exploration and enlightenment with my clients not only enhances their lives but also enriches mine, keeping me motivated and passionate about the work I do.
Who do you believe has been the biggest source of motivation in your daily life?
My family, comprising my husband and son, stands as my greatest source of motivation. Their unwavering support in every aspect of my life is a constant source of strength and encouragement.
My husband, in particular, is not just a pillar of support but also a profound source of inspiration. His adeptness at managing both home and work challenges is a learning curve for me. Each time I think I’m nearing his level of proficiency in handling situations, I realize there’s still so much more to learn from him.
Additionally, my mentor from coach training, Mr. Ujjaval K Buch, is a significant influence in my life. He’s a figure of inspiration for many coaches and people around him. His unique blend of spirituality and a witty disposition has enabled him to make a remarkable impact in various spheres. This interaction with such an inspiring personality enriches my understanding and approach to coaching.
Furthermore, the diverse individuals I meet on my coaching journey each leave a lasting impression on me. Everyone I encounter has their unique way of influencing and inspiring, and I find admirable qualities in each of them.”
This tapestry of influences – from my supportive family, my inspiring husband, my mentor, to the myriad of people I meet – collectively fuels my passion for coaching and personal growth. Their combined impact keeps me motivated and continually learning on this rewarding path.
What are some of the strategies that you believe have helped you grow as a person?
The strategies that I believe have profoundly contributed to my personal growth are rooted in Mindfulness and Spirituality, forming the bedrock of my development. These core principles, along with other key strategies, have shaped me into the person I am today.
Courage to face challenges, to speak my truth and to stand up for what I believe pushes me beyond my comfort zones and encourages growth and resilience. Acknowledging and taking responsibility for my actions, decisions, and their outcomes has taught me accountability, helping me learn from my experiences and use them to improve myself.
Venturing into uncharted territories and embracing the unknown has opened up new opportunities and has led to significant personal and professional advancements. Being genuine and transparent in my interactions has helped in forging stronger, more meaningful connections. This authenticity ensures that I remain true to myself and my values in all circumstances.
The ability to trust others and to be a trustworthy person myself has been crucial in establishing strong, reliable relationships. It involves being consistent, reliable, and honest, thereby creating a supportive and trusting environment.
These strategies collectively form the essence of my growth journey. They have not just shaped my character but also influenced how I interact with the world around me, fostering continuous learning and self-improvement.
In your opinion what are the keys to success?
The formula for success, as shared with me, revolves around the ‘3 Ps’: Passion, Purpose, and Perseverance. These form the pillars upon which success is built.
However, there are other equally vital elements that contribute significantly to this equation. Accepting and loving oneself lays the foundation for genuine progress and self-confidence. Taking responsibility for one’s actions fosters a sense of accountability and learning.
Standing up for oneself ensures that personal values and beliefs are respected and upheld. Resourcefulness opens doors to creative solutions, while curiosity drives continuous learning and exploration.”
A positive attitude is crucial in overcoming challenges and seeing opportunities in adversity. The commitment to taking massive action, executed with consistency and belief, transforms aspirations into realities.
Lastly, an abundant mindset shifts perspectives from limitations to possibilities, encouraging a life of fulfillment and achievement. Together, these factors create a comprehensive blueprint for success, blending the ‘3 Ps’ with personal growth and resilience.
What advice would you give to our readers?
Self-discovery is indeed a profound journey, one that each person embarks on at some point in their lives. My personal belief, honed by experience, is that the sooner this journey begins, the better. Two decades ago, I placed my trust in my parents’ decisions, believing they knew what was best for me.
However, with time, I’ve realized a fundamental truth: no one knows you better than you do yourself. This is because every individual is unique. In my life, I’ve encountered only a handful of people who, right from the start, knew exactly what they wanted and pursued it with passion, purpose, and persistence. To join their ranks, understanding your own emotions, values, and belief systems is crucial.
A senior during my postgraduate days shared an insightful analogy with me. She said, “The only difference between love and arranged marriage is that in an arranged marriage if something goes wrong, you have someone to blame – the one who arranged it. That scapegoat is absent in a love marriage.” This analogy extends to career choices as well.
Whether you follow the path chosen by your parents or carve your own, the key factor is how much responsibility you’re willing to take for your actions and decisions. This aligns with Sadhguru’s wise words: “Your life is your doing.” Ultimately, the path to self-discovery and owning your life choices leads to a more authentic and fulfilling existence.
Last but not least, what about your journey makes it satisfying/exciting?
Since childhood, spirituality has been a comforting and guiding force in my life. Through my coaching training, I discovered the profound connection between my personal growth and spirituality.
This was not just an educational pursuit; it was an expedition of self-discovery, revealing layers of myself that I had never fully understood before. This passion for self-knowledge, for peeling back the layers of my own psyche, continues to drive me. It fuels my desire not only to explore deeper realms of my own existence but also to facilitate this journey of discovery for others.
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