Navratri Edition: How these women MFDs keep themselves motivated

Women wear multiple hats – mother, cook, home minister, finance minister and so on. Also, they are extremely good at managing both personal and profession lives. But what goes behind this and how do they do it so effortlessly.

This Navratri, Cafemutual celebrates Devi shakti and brings to you how women MFDs keep themselves motivated to achieve personal as well as business growth.

Astra #1 Poetry and emotions - by Akta Sehgal, Manas Wealth, Noida

I usually let my emotions flow into a poem. These poems capture my experiences and learnings that help me de-stress and relax. Writing poems calms the otherwise chaotic mind and empowers creativity.

Most importantly, releasing emotions productively helps to think straight while making any personal or business decision. With numerous poems in my kitty, I enjoy my family time along with managing around Rs 26 crore of assets for 100-odd investors.   

Astra #2 Yoga and meditation - by Amrita Sawhey, Allahabad 

I have been a stock broker for over three decades now and it was only last year that I started distributing mutual funds after the sad demise of my husband. This unfortunate fate left a void in my life but couldn’t destroy the fighter in me.

With regular yoga and meditation, I mustered the courage to take over my husband’s business and continued as a stock broker. Additionally, listening to bhajans sets a positive and strong mind frame. Today, I get equal happiness when I talk to my grandchildren as much as serving over 380 mutual fund investors with assets of over Rs 100 crore.

Astra #3 ‘Happy’ breaks - by Asheish Surti, Aureus Wealth, Mumbai

Numerous personal and professional responsibilities can understandably get overwhelming. While, small breaks can be a breather, ‘happy’ breaks help you relax and rewind. You can take up any activity like shopping, talking to a friend, going for a stroll or anything else that brings you joy.

Such breaks create a happy headspace and also improve your productivity. Today, in addition to looking after my family, I seamlessly manage close to Rs 1,400 crore assets for my retail and institutional clients.   

Astra #4 ‘Mobile-free’ time - Binoli Dodhiwala Jain, The Money Mart, Mumbai

Each day I spend one hour of ‘mobile-free’ time with a badminton game, a walk in the society, swimming or yoga. I stay away from the phone is a good way to connect the body and mind. It makes you more aware of your thoughts and focus on your development.

Irrespective of how hectic a day has been, this one hour of phone-free time is a must. With the perfect sync of mind and body, I not only nurture my personal relationships but also create stronger ties with close to 700 investors having Rs 250 crore of investments with me. 

Astra #5 The ‘mental’ to-do list - by Dayashree S Manipur, DM Wealth Solutions, Mangalore

I start my day with a walk or yoga. During this time of silence, I reflect on what my previous day was like and the action points for the day. I term it as the ‘mental’ to-do list which includes both, personal and professional activities and finally finds its place in my diary as the final to-do list. 

By this, I get an understanding of how I can expect the day to look like and makes me more patient to deal with multiple things simultaneously. Thus, I seamlessly meet my family responsibilities and official tasks for close to 400 investors having Rs 75 crore of investments.

Astra #6 - The inner child - Mamta Shah, Mamta Shah Financial Services, Vadodara

I activate my inner child to keep worries behind and make me happier and more hopeful. I enjoy playing board games like Ludo and Snakes & Ladders with my daughter and swinging and sitting on the sea saw with little kids.

A dose of happiness like this makes you enjoy and appreciate small things in lives and have bigger and different dreams. Today apart from enjoying such moments with family, I equally cherish the happy moments of my 400 clients having Rs 150 crore of investments.

Astra #7 - The gratitude journal - by Rajee Rajesh, Banconus Finserv, Chennai

I end my day by jotting down three things that I am grateful for. This could be as small as getting a cab on time or as exuberant as winning an award. The practice of writing a gratitude journal helps to focus on the positives and gets you going even during challenging days.

It teaches you to take one day at a time and appreciate the long way that you have come. Additionally, the feeling of gratitude gives you harmony and keeps your energy levels high. Apart from my own family, I feel grateful to look after 150 investor families having assets of around Rs 470 crore.

Astra #8 Social good - by Simple Shah, Mumbai

I frequently volunteer in social activities. Volunteering makes me grateful for all that I have as it takes me close to the major issues that many individuals struggle with. This makes me realise that the problems that we usually encounter in our personal and professional lives are not as big as we perceive them to be.

Moreover, I take up volunteering as it arms me with managerial skills and teaches me people management. Today, I successfully balance between family and work to manage over Rs 100 crore of AUM.

Astra #9 Hobbies and creativity - by Vinita Baraya, Jaipur

Pursuing a hobby keeps your mind calm and helps streamline thoughts. Additionally, it inspires your creative side and builds an innovative mindset which helps to come up with newer business ideas. Thus, every day I set aside time for nurturing hobbies like gardening, painting, singing, etc. It makes me feel rejuvenated and full of energy.

This way, apart from spending time with family, I can give quality attention to 100-plus investor families for whom I manage over Rs 150 crore assets.