Don’t be apologetic & be kind to yourself: Neerja Birla says one cannot keep everyone happy

This Women’s Day, Neerja Birla, Founder, Aditya Birla Education Trust (ABET), sends a shout out to the women out there and reflects on things she wishes she knew when she was younger:

What is one piece of personal advice you would give your 18-year-old self?
Eighteen was a beautiful but nervous phase of life. Now when I look back, I feel that the one piece of advice I would give myself then would be to get to know myself better and hold onto my dreams and aspirations. I would tell myself to follow my passion, be true to myself and carve an identity for myself sooner. It took me a while to get there, but when I did, it paid off greatly.

What is one piece of professional advice you would give to your 18-year-old self?

Here, I would definitely go with hone my talent more and believe that there is a way for it to be my career, even if it seems unconventional as per what was taught to me academically. I would say build your confidence and boldly step out of your comfort zone. It is okay if you fail. It is one of the main things that will create new paths for you.

What is one thing that has gotten better in your life with age as a woman?
The one word to describe this would be ‘Trust.’ Trust in the process that I am where I am meant to be. At different junctions, life may seem like it is a puzzle that you just can’t seem to put together. Know that it will eventually fall into place.

What is your message for young girls? Something you wish you knew.
To be kind to yourself. Don’t be apologetic for the person you are. You cannot keep everyone happy but know that there is always someone who will get you. Speak about your dreams, desires and fears. Above all consciously love, respect, celebrate and be grateful for yourself and every small detail about your life.

Which is one movie/book/podcast you would recommend and why?
For your ever-fascinating love lives, I would recommend the movie, ‘He’s Just Not That Into You.’ The reason being as the title suggests it really is that simple. If someone likes you, they will show it to you actively. If they don’t, then they are not on the same frequency as you, so you should invest your time, energy and emotions on attracting someone who is.

For your professional lives, I would recommend the movie ‘The Intern.’ The reason for this is it will help you understand the importance of work ethic, stepping into your power and believing in people no matter how different a spectrum of life they may come from.

For all of your life, I would strongly recommend reading and re-reading the book ‘The Power Of Your Sub-Conscious Mind’ by Dr. Joseph Murphy. This will engrain the magic you have in yourself to design your life exactly how you want to, no matter where you are in this moment.