At BrilliantRead Media, we always strive to bring meaningful and powerful stories from India and around the world to empower and motivate our growing community. As part of this endeavour, we invited Taranjeet Kaur Chohan for an exclusive interview with us. Taranjeet is a Leader, Entrepreneur, Image Coach, Consultant, Mentor, Trainer and Change Enabler. Let’s learn more about her incredible journey, her background, and her advice for our growing community!
Excerpts from our exclusive interview with Taranjeet:
Could you please talk us through your background and your journey, please;
I grew up in a small town named Bandel, which is situated in outskirts of Kolkata, West Bengal and spent two years in a boarding school in Shimla during my schooling. Along with my BCom (Hons) degree from Calcutta University, I pursued the Company Secretary (CS) course till the executive level.
Soon after completing my college, I joined the aviation industry, where I worked for several years as a lead cabin crew member for the leading airlines in India. During my tenure, I gained invaluable experience in customer service, communication, and leadership, which helped me develop a keen understanding of the importance of professional (soft) skills in personal and professional settings.
As I progressed in my career, I realized that there was a significant need for image consulting and professional skills training in the industry. This inspired me to transition into a career in image consulting and soft skills training.”
This is where I could help individuals and organizations improve their personal and professional image and communication skills.
Overall, my journey has been one of continuous learning and growth, and I am excited about the opportunities that lie ahead in this field.
How did you discover your passion as a ‘Trainer’?
My passion for training & coaching stems from my experience working in the aviation industry, where I witnessed the impact that effective communication and soft skills had on individuals and organizations.
I found that many professionals had excellent technical skills but struggled with communication, presentation, etiquette and interpersonal skills, which often hindered their career growth. As someone who values communication and building relationships, I felt compelled to help bridge this gap.”
My interest in coaching deepened as I saw firsthand the positive impact it had on individuals’ personal and professional lives. I realized that coaching provided a platform to empower people to reach their full potential by unlocking their talents, developing their strengths, and addressing their workupons.
Through my work as an image consultant and soft skills trainer, I have been able to leverage my skills and experience to support individuals in achieving their goals. It brings me immense satisfaction to see my clients make progress and succeed in their personal and professional lives, which further reinforces my passion for training & coaching.
How do you manage to keep going despite the challenges? What drives you?
My childhood was not smooth, and I didn’t have anyone to guide me during my formative years. This lack of direction left me unsure about my future, and it took me a long time to figure out what I wanted to do with my life.
When I joined the aviation industry, I was happy, travelling around across the country, living an independent life and my excellent interpersonal skills helped me make good friends and spend quality time with them.”
However, every time I would go to the bed I always felt like there was something missing within me. It took me a while to realize that I needed to work on myself to overcome my underlying challenges and trauma’s I have faced while growing up.
As a coach, I am driven by my passion to help others avoid the struggles that I faced in my journey of self-discovery. I want to empower individuals to realize their value and potential, achieve their goals, and lead fulfilling lives.
My drive comes from seeing the positive impact that coaching can have on individuals and organizations. I believe that everyone has the potential to succeed, and as a coach, I strive to provide the guidance, support, and tools necessary for my clients to reach their full potential.
Who do you believe has been the biggest source of motivation in your daily life?
My clients have been a significant source of motivation. Seeing their progress and success is immensely satisfying and reinforces my passion for coaching. Their trust in me and their willingness to work towards their goals motivates me to continue providing the best possible service.
I must mention my husband. He has been my backbone and a constant source of support throughout my journey as a coach. He has been my mentor, guiding me when making important decisions, always ready to help in any way possible, supports me through my ups and downs and by just being with me gives me strength to overcome challenges and pursue my dreams.”
The most important thing is that he understands me and my work, and he encourages me to pursue my passion for coaching. His unwavering belief in me and my abilities gives me the confidence and motivation to take on new challenges and continue growing as a coach.
Furthermore, my husband’s support has been crucial in helping me maintain a healthy work-life balance. He understands the demands of my profession and supports me in balancing my personal and professional life.
Lastly, I am motivated by successful individuals who have made a positive impact on society. Their stories of hard work, resilience, and dedication inspire me to strive for excellence and contribute to society in meaningful ways.
Taranjeet Kaur Chohan with her Husband
What are some of the strategies that you believe has helped you grow as a person?
There are several strategies that have helped me grow as a person over the years. Firstly, I have invested time in knowing myself better by working on my inner self and making peace with my past events. This has helped me become more self-aware and understanding of my strengths and weaknesses.
Secondly, I practice gratitude regularly. I believe in counting blessings and focusing on the positive aspects of my life. This has helped me maintain a positive outlook and stay motivated during difficult times.
Thirdly, I constantly upskill myself in various aspects such as mental, spiritual, emotional, physical and financial wellbeing. I believe in the importance of lifelong learning and regularly engage in activities that help me become a better version of myself.
Lastly, I surround myself with positive and supportive people who encourage me to grow and reach my full potential. This has helped me stay motivated and inspired to achieve my goals.
In your opinion what are the keys to success?
Success is very subjective, personally for me the keys to success are:
> Having a clear vision and purpose
>Aligning small goals with the overall purpose
> Believing in yourself and your abilities
> Working hard and working smart
> Upskilling yourself with the skills that are in demand
> Failures are a part of success, so learning from mistakes
> Being kind to yourself
> Appreciating yourself
> Trusting and enjoying the process
What advice would you give to our readers?
As a coach and consultant, I would strongly advise people to start by getting to know their true selves and to embrace their authenticity.
It’s important to recognize that many things in life are simply out of our control, and we shouldn’t blame ourselves unnecessarily. It’s also important to help others whenever possible, and to seek help ourselves when we need it. Don’t rely on others for validation – believe in your own abilities and trust your instincts.
We all face challenges and difficulties in life, but it’s important to be kind to both ourselves and others as we navigate our way through them. Finally, I would encourage everyone to be passionate about their goals and to work hard towards achieving them.
With hard work and dedication, the universe has a way of making things happen. When you achieve your micro goals, treat yourself !
Last but not least, what about your journey makes it satisfying/exciting?
The journey of my personal transformation into a more graceful and better person is undoubtedly one of the most satisfying and exciting parts of my life.
Through this journey, I have gained immense confidence and self-awareness, which has allowed me to tackle life’s challenges with a new sense of purpose and clarity. The knowledge and skills that I have acquired along the way have helped me become a better coach and consultant for my clients, and this is truly fulfilling for me.
The thrill of learning something new and taking on new roles and challenges keeps me motivated and excited about what lies ahead.”
All in all, the journey of personal growth and development is a never-ending one, and I am excited to see where it takes me next.
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.
