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Editor’s note
Devi Gianetti is the queen of many trades—her pursuits as varied as her gene pool and as unique as her name. A trained method actor, Hindustani/Jazz singer, model and surfer par excellence, she embodies the inquisitive and expansive spirit of the global Indian woman. She points the way to turning a curse (pandemic) into a blessing (self-knowledge). Check out: her website and Instagram.
The upside of a diverse job description is the assurance of never EVER being bored again. The downside is the Atlas-esque pressure of living up to my own standards. I stepped off this tightrope for a sec (thank you, Corona!) only to find that balance within my career will come after I find balance without it. “Mindset before Skill” became the title of my pandemic positivity manual, and here’s the toolkit that comes with it.
The Habit Coach/Awesome180: I kissed self-care goodbye with my erratic work schedule, but when a burnout began to loom, I knew my errant ways needed managing. The Habit Coach Ashdin Doctor’s philosophy is based on the insight that the key to optimizing one’s life lies not in our motivation but in our fundamental habits. He offers science-backed, easy to implement habit hacks in the 300 episodes of his YouTube channel. And his app, Awesome180 (Android, not available on iOS), holds our hands through defining, tracking, and setting these habits in place. Turns out self-care isn’t just for weekends. You can also follow him on Insta.
Headspace: Dreaming big has always helped me stay positive and make difficult choices. But I’ve also therefore lived more for the future than in the present. The Headspace app is mindfulness in your pocket. It features bite-sized guided meditations for everybody, whether you want to manage your stress, eat more mindfully, or learn to enjoy life moment to moment. Ever since I followed these clinically validated sessions for just a few minutes a day, I’ve been less stressed, more focused, and had better sleep. Check out the website for more. Download the app: Android, iOS.
The Power of Vulnerability: In the matter of vulnerability, I was social distancing long before it was cool. And so were all of us, according to Brené Brown, a research professor of human connection. In this TED talk, she wittily challenges the idea that vulnerability is a weakness. The words that say with me: “I believe that you have to walk through vulnerability to get to courage, therefore...embrace the suck.” Words that have never been more relevant or reassuring. Watch the talk here.
One learning thing: What’s in a name? A lot, actually. I’ve always believed a personal brand is not just about business and about identifying the many facets of our distinct selves. ‘Introduction to Personal Branding’ is an online course made up of simple and engaging videos, reading material, and exercises that encourage self-exploration. You learn what it means to inhabit your brand by defining your personal value system and then applying it to your business to create authentic communication. I can’t think of anything more true to this introspective time. Sign up over at Coursera.
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