siliconindia | | July 20199home and kids before ourselves and that undermines how we're perceived in the work space. As a faculty-cum-mentor at the IIM-A led CCBP (Cul-tural & Creative Business Program), and when mentoring young fellows at the Ashoka University, I realize women are far more sincere and committed, and don't let egos come in the way of their work. They are determined to take their ideas to fruition and willing to work harder and smarter. But, because of preconceived notions about women's priorities and their commitment to building a serious career, there is a big gap in the number of initiatives that should get financial backing by investors and the actual number that does. That is a huge loss to us, women entrepreneurs, and needs to change. I believe such positive changes will come. Till they do, let's take charge of our lives and not wait for the cavalry. I want to share with you here some learnings that I have gleaned from my own career that have helped me face chal-lenges and succeed at whatever task I set for myself. I hope they'll do the same for you:1. Ask: As an entrepreneur, the one thing that you must learn to do is to ­ ask - for what you want and what you deserve. We need to learn how to negotiate better for our-selves, whether it is a raise or a promotion or an assignment. Leave that `strange calculus' that I talked about earlier, aside. I know a lot of us have been raised to `accept' rather than to `ask'. And to feel like we're doing a disservice to our kids by leaving them at home to go out to work. But again, I'd say, ask for a change in this perception. Ask for help; in my experience, women are more honest about their limitations and able to enlist the support of others to boost their own capabilities. Learn to speak your mind and not well yourself off from conflicts; be heard without being apologetic about who you are.2. Look for Mentors: The Indian startup ecosystem is robust and energetic and there are experienced entrepreneurs out there who have learnt many lessons from their success-es and failures. And they're making themselves available to a new breed of entrepreneurs, both young and older. Seek them out. Take their advice. Ask them to mentor you. There are no silly questions. Explore, be curious and learn from their experiences. Don't believe that you know everything and don't be afraid to ask more questions. 3. Failures are Valuable Lessons: Learn from them. When we fail, we must fail mindfully. We must take stock of the situation and know what our learnings are. Knowing what you did wrong or what you could have done differently is the one way to not repeat those mistakes. Failing mindful-ly makes us stronger to take on new challenges and to start over again. 4. `I Don't Know': As an entrepreneur, these will be the most liberating words you'll ever say ­`I don't know'. It's not hard to admit you don't know something and once you do, there is a world of knowledge that opens-up for you. It is far more gratifying to say you don't know something and then go figure it out than to try and talk yourself out of a situation because sooner or later you'll get stumped. Asking `how' and `why' question sifts the wheat from the chaff. I have seen over the years that sincerity and a mindfulness of our own limitations allows us to learn more. Use that attitude to learn more and open your mind to new perspectives. 5. Help Build Someone Else's Future: While you seek mentors and learn from them, it is equally important to help others, to share your knowledge and experiences. With the extent and power of the internet, there isn't really much that you can claim as your own intel. Everything is researchable. Somewhere, I feel it is our responsibility, to share our learn-ings and help build a future. And you'll be amazed at what doors this process of give and take can open. What goes around comes around. Finally, know that there are no short cuts. Hard work and perseverance pays and nothing is insur-mountable. A challenge is only as big as you let it be. There are no short cuts. Hard work and perseverance pays and nothing is insurmountable. A challenge is only as big as you let it beShilpa Sharma
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