When it comes to the pursuit of happiness, Baruch double alumna Tanuja Ramchal (’00, MBA ’03) walks the talk: after a decade in financial services, the former finance major with an MBA in computer information systems jumped off the corporate ladder and embarked on a journey of self-discovery. Today, as a lifestyle and productivity coach and the founder of The Conscious Life Project (www.theconsciouslifeproject.com), she finds fulfillment in helping people align the way they live their lives with the passions that inspire them. At a March 2014 presentation to the Baruch Young Alumni Network (aka BYAN), Ramchal shared strategies to unleash one’s true potential, among them:
1) Understand fear’s roots. Fear is normal and often helpful. It can protect you from bodily harm, but it also arises when you push boundaries. Don’t let unhelpful fear tell you you “can’t.”
2) Act! Successful people weren’t born that way. All faced roadblocks, but they all took action to get where they are. Thinking leads to thoughts, while action leads to change.
3) Take pleasure in the journey. Don’t pin all your hopes for happiness on reaching your goal. Change is a process. Focus on making consistent progress and enjoy the path you’re on.
4) Create a “Not-To-Do” list. Make sure you’re not wasting time and effort on counterproductive activities that aren’t aligned with your vision.
5) People matter. The people you surround yourself with influence the quality of your life. Those who undermine your goals keep you from living up to your potential. As the CEO of your life, take an inventory and hire, fire, demote, and promote people as necessary.
—Sally Fay
Photo by Manny Romero