As part of our endeavour to identify and share some of the unique and compelling stories from India and around the world, we invited Prathana Sethumadhvan for an interview with us to understand more about her inspiring journey so far. She is a Leader, Coach, NLP Practitioner and Corporate Trainer. Let’s learn more about her inspiring journey, background and advice for our growing community!
Excerpts from our exclusive interview with Prathana:
Talk us through your background and your journey, please;
I did my initial schooling from Loreto Convent, Ranchi, and then Little Flower Secondary School in Ahmedabad, and subsequently my higher secondary from St. Xavier’s School and College.
I was Xavier’s School First in the higher secondary, and a University Gold Medalist from Gujarat University for my Undergraduate Bachelor of Arts Honors In Economics. I have a Bachelor of Education Degree. I have also completed my Master of Business Administration from Maharishi University of Management, Fairfield Iowa, along with being a certified Transformation Coach, a licensed NLP Practitioner, and a certified DISC Profiler from Thomas International.
I represented my school and college in various inter-school and interstate cultural festivals and received accolades for the same. Was an allrounder, and excellent in academics. Held Leadership positions in both school and college.
What made you passionate about ‘Coaching’?
Everyone practically lives in their own mental prisons and shackles without realizing that they do. They really do not believe that they have the power to break free, or if they really should. They believe they must play out their parts and destinies as is, instead of being able to change it.
There is a feeling of helplessness and resignation, that this is all there is -that will be. Few have the courage and circumstances to change it. And here comes Newton’s first law of motion that states — that if a body is at rest or moving at a constant speed in a straight line, it will remain at rest or keep moving in a straight line at constant speed unless it is acted upon by a force.
We essentially behave in a similar fashion. We do not change trajectory until there is an external force that acts upon us, and when it does, it is difficult to cope. These external changes could be a significant emotional event in most cases. No one escapes the vicissitudes of life, and coping and overcoming the same, and finding an opportunity in them, unfolding our potential is an area of immense possibilities.
This is where coaching plays a pivotal role, in helping a client/people interpret their experiences in a way that empowers them, rather than making them feel victimized by the same.
It is important that people realize that they need to periodically do mental ecdysis and shed their toxic beliefs and negative self-talk, to grow and propel their lives forward. This is where Transformational coaching helps, and as a Transformational Coach, I help clients open up access to their (unconscious) emotions. Most times, they don’t even know what they really feel, because the psyche puts up a protective shield. It is not uncommon for sadness to become anger and fear often hides behind aloofness.
Working as a Transformational Coach, a Leadership Coach, I also have entered the domain of Health and Wellness coaching, in order to be able to provide a holistic solution to my clients. A healthy mind houses a healthy body and vice versa. Health and Diseases are a byproduct of thinking and helping clients refine thinking, and coaching them on the nuances of health and wellness also works wonders for their holistic growth.
How do you manage to keep going despite the challenges? What drives you?
At the outset, I do not view challenges as challenges, rather a situation that I need to work around and realign with. At the end of the day, it is an unknown experience and situation – the answer to it is to learn, upskill, manage, and realign – thoughts, time and priorities to overcome the same.
It’s a challenge, because we have never come across it before, and learning to handle it, it no longer is a challenge – so it’s important to examine what tools, resources and thoughts I need to handle, manage and then overcome the same. It’s as simple as that for me.
Who do you believe has been the biggest source of motivation in your daily life?
I think my biggest source of motivation to keep going on, are my children because somewhere deep inside I know, what I do, what I say and how I face life challenges will get blueprinted and imprinted in their subconscious, and it should be an empowering blueprint that will further make them awesome human beings able to manage themselves, their emotions, their success and become valuable members of the community.
Please share with us, how do you motivate your clients?
Motivation is always Intrinsic, and it is the inner motivation to change that brings the clients to the coaching table. What I think is very necessary as a coach is to really listen to what the client is saying, understand the core issue, and thereby facilitate the client to reach a solution to what is troubling him/ her or holding them back or making them behave in a loop with no way out. Helping the client navigate the journey.
Overcoming their inner challenges with non-judgmental support and a safe environment is intrinsic motivation to tackle tough inner issues and overcome the same.
What are some of the strategies that you believe have helped you grow as a person?
There are a few:
1) Acceptance of things as they are, rather than as what you thought they should be. I think this is very important. You can make it what you want, but first, you need to accept what is
2) Understanding that people are who they are, and they will not become who you wish them to be. The only person who can change is You, and you have to align your thoughts and behaviour to understand better and know what is driving people to do, say and behave the way they do. It completely eradicates misunderstanding and conflict in heart and mind.
3) Life is divided into 2 areas – what I control – what I don’t control. I focus only on what I control. It’s unproductive and inefficient to focus on what you can’t control
4) Respecting Individual Differences and working with them.
What about your journey makes it satisfying/exciting?
The fact that I have the ability to impact so many people in a meaningful way for themselves is a humbling and satisfying experience and the key motivator of my journey. Helping clients mentally unshackle, change their self-beliefs and feel their own personal power makes it worthwhile.
You are always positive and motivated, what keeps you going?
Gratitude is the most important tool that keeps me positive and grounded. The moment I feel overwhelmed, All I need to do is look around and see the countless blessings and all I can feel is abundance and positivity.
Humility is another thing that keeps me motivated, when I think of there is so much more to do, and so far I still need to go, and so much more potential than I can utilize and touch so many more lives, with all the gifts, resources and talent God has given me. That is motivating to me.
What are the business mantras you have embraced as you sought to establish your success story?
I get value if I am able to give the value first. This is my mantra. When you live honestly, with a purpose to serve and put the client foremost and make their journey a success, they, in turn, ensure that you are very successful. It’s symbiotic
In your opinion, what are the keys to success?
Success is personal and internal, and it is what you give value to, rather than measure it against someone else’s.
Keys to success for me is:
> Planning and organizing
> Integrity and Ethics
> Creating and Bringing Value – Work, Home
> Lives that you have impacted positively
> Self-Belief
> Resilience
> Mental and Emotional Elasticity
> Acceptance
> Commitment
> Honesty
> Being Honorable and Respectful always.
What advice would you give students and young professionals who want to have a successful career?
There is no shortcut or road to becoming successful. To become successful, one must Learn, learn, and learn all the ropes, face challenges, stretch one’s capabilities, take feedback in a positive way, observe and emulate.
Do not look at any job as just a paycheck, evaluate how you can become contributive and valuable to the organization/your team. Take initiative, do not let small and minor hurdles hold you back. Always keep your eye on the main purpose, the key goal, the broader vision.
It is important to understand that a Career is a Long term. Do not confuse short term wins and losses. You are in it for the big haul and you need to go all the 9 yards. Develop the mindset of a marathon runner. Strength, stamina, resilience, grit and the resoluteness to reach the goal.
BrilliantRead is committed to bringing stories from the startup ecosystem, stories that reshape our perspective, add value to our community and be a constant source of motivation not just for our community but also for the whole ecosystem of entrepreneurs and aspiring individuals.
Note: If you have a similar story to share with our audience and would like to be featured on our online magazine, then please write to us at [email protected], we will review your story and extend an invitation to feature if it is worth publishing.
