Sakshi Chandraakar - Personal & Career Branding Coach

I turn 47 today. And no, I don’t have 47 lessons to share. Just one. But it’s a big one.

𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐩 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐞𝐥𝐬𝐞’𝐬 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮.

For a long time, I didn’t even realize I was doing it.
I was just… adjusting.

To what my parents expected.
To what my partner needed.
To what friends found acceptable.
To what society claps for.

And somewhere in all of that, I stopped asking:
What feels like me?

Lately, that question has become louder.
Not just, “What do I want to achieve?”
But… “Who am I becoming while I achieve it?”

I’ve come to believe that God doesn’t care much about what I’ve collected on the outside.
He’s more interested in whether my soul is evolving.

Am I less reactive than I used to be?
Am I holding on to less guilt, comparison, and fear?
Am I learning to return to myself with softness?

𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐟𝐭—𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐲, 𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐞𝐭, 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥—𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐬𝐨 𝐟𝐚𝐫.

And maybe that’s why this birthday feels different.
No pressure to get dressed up or prove anything.
No fixed plans.
Just moving slowly.

Maybe I’ll watch a movie later, or play cards with family.
Eat my mom’s dal dhokli (one of my favorites).
Or maybe I’ll do none of that and just sit with myself.

Either way, it’s not for the camera.
It’s for me.

And that, I think, is the real gift:
𝐒𝐞𝐥𝐟-𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬.
𝐈𝐭’𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐝 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠—
how I stop overthinking, how I say no, how I hold space for myself.

So if you’ve been shape-shifting too—
just to be accepted, liked, or praised…

Maybe today’s a good day to come back home.
To you.

Took me 47 years.
Hope it takes you less. 🙂

The real demons we face everyday...let's slay them today

I’ve been thinking a lot about Dussehra and its deeper meaning—the victory of good over evil.

But, if I’m honest, the battles that challenge me the most aren’t out there in the world... they’re the ones inside.

We all have our own inner demons, don’t we?

Some days, it’s LAZINESS that creeps in and keeps us from starting that important task.

Other days, it’s the FEAR OF FAILURE that tells us not to take risks, to play it safe.

There’s also that quiet SELF-DOUBT whispering, “Are you really good enough for this?”

The truth is, we all face these demons:

1 - Laziness
2 - Fear of Failure
3 - Complacency
4 - Procrastination
5 - Self-Doubt
6 - Low Confidence
7 - Fear of Self-Investment
8 - Negative Self-Talk
9 - Distractions
10 - Playing Small

It’s hard.

I know it because I’m right there with you, fighting these battles every day.

But festivals like Dussehra remind me that victory is possible.

Not just in the big battles we hear about, but in these quiet, internal wars we face alone.

🏹 So, here’s what I’m doing this Dussehra—I’m making a commitment to slay these demons, one by one.

I’m working on overcoming the laziness, the doubt, the fear, and replacing them with - 🔥 KNOWLEDGE, SELF-AWARENESS, AND BOLD ACTION.

And I’d love for us to do this together.

We all have our own versions of these demons, and we all have the power to overcome them.

It’s not about being perfect. It’s about taking those small, consistent steps towards being the best version of ourselves.

Are you with me?

People learn more from who you are than what you teach!

We often focus on the skills, strategies, and goals in our professions, but the real impact we make on others goes far beyond the work itself.

In more than 3 decades that I've spent teaching in some form or another, I’ve come to realize that the most profound influence we have is through who we are as people, not just what we deliver.

Think back to your own experiences—what do you remember most about the teachers, mentors & people who guided you?

Was it their expertise in a particular subject? Or was it their passion, kindness, fairness, and how they made you feel?

These are the qualities that truly resonate with us, shaping not just what we learn, but who we become.

For me, teaching and coaching are more than professions; they are opportunities to shape lives.

The way we show up, the patience we bring, the humor we infuse, and the trust we build—all have a lasting influence on those we guide.

It’s about creating bonds, not just checking boxes or following a syllabus.

✅ And the truth is, each one of us is a teacher in our own way.

Whether we’re formally teaching, mentoring, coaching, or simply leading by example, our actions shape those around us.

We all have the opportunity to make an impact.

On this Teachers’ Day, I want to thank my teachers, who inspired me to follow this path and empowered me to make a difference in the lives of others 🙏.

I’m committed to continuing this work—helping others grow, one interaction at a time.

To all the educators, coaches, and mentors: Let’s be role models, lead with compassion, and inspire those around us to be their best.

The bonds we create can transform lives.

Happy Teachers Day To All!

An Award, An Icon, and Lessons for a Lifetime!

I was recently honored with the Inspiring Leaders Award by Times Applaud Pvt Ltd and to make it even more special, the award was presented by none other than Anupam Mittal, the founder of Shaadi.com!

I've always admired Mr. Mittal for his straightforwardness, simplicity, and courage.

Meeting him and receiving this award was really special.
But what really struck me were the golden nuggets of wisdom he shared during the event.

Here are a few that stuck with me:

1️- Patience Pays Off:
“Every overnight success is a 20-year story.”
It’s a reminder that there’s no shortcut to success—just keep working hard and trust the process.

3️- Don’t Be Afraid to Experiment:
Keep experimenting in business and life, even if we’re unsure of the outcome. You never know what might work unless you try!

And My Favourite 👇

3- Decisions Matter:
The ability to make good decisions is the most important skill for success.
Every good decision adds up to bigger wins over time. We’ve all made mistakes, but it’s the good calls that eventually lead to success.

A big thank you to Mr. Mittal 🙌 for not only presenting this award but for sharing insights that will guide me forward.

So here’s to more milestones, more learnings, and the journey ahead.

Thank you to everyone who has supported me along the way—this is just the beginning! 🙏

This Independence Day, I pledge to:

1- Commit to Excellence:
I'll strive for the highest standards in my work, contributing to a stronger, self-reliant India.

2- Practice Self-Reliance:
I'll focus on continuous learning, skill-building, and financial independence to empower myself and others.

3- Be a Positive Influence:
I'll use my voice and actions to inspire and uplift those around me, creating a ripple effect of empowerment.

Are you with me?

Together, let's make our actions count and build a brighter future for ourselves and our nation. 🇮🇳

Jai Hind 🫡

"Don't focus on the what, focus on the WHO."

Have you heard this African Proverb? "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together."

I'm about to share the most impactful advice someone EVER gave me...

If not for this advice, I'd probably never be even 10% of who I am today.

Are you ready for this advice??

"Don't focus on the what, focus on the WHO."

Whenever we set a goal, like:
Get a 100% hike
Build a 1 Crore worth brand
Get 100K followers on LinkedIn

We often get stuck with the "what."

Our mind keeps looking for ways to do what we want to do.
But...

Here's where the ultra-successful differ - A LOT.

When they set a goal, they don't obsess over the "what."

Instead, they obsess over the "who."

They look for people who can help them achieve these goals + get help from them.
Meaning...

✅ Want to get a 100% hike?
Find mentors to guide you on leveraging your skills & connect with people in companies hiring for the exact role you want.

✅ Want to build a 1 Crore worth brand?
Find someone who has already done it & ask them to coach you.

✅ Want to get 100K followers on LinkedIn?
Partner with a social media expert to grow your followers or hire a ghost-writer.

👉 Think who, not what.

And your success will be effortless...

Fun Fact: People who try to do everything themselves never finish what they start. They usually give up after trying for a bit.

This is just ONE of the many career hacks that could change the trajectory of your career.

I'm conducting a closed-door masterclass where I'll show you the fastest way to double your salary through Career Branding...

Please find the registration link in the comments.

I have more than 12 WHO's making my life easier & richer.
How many do you have?

To All the Small Town Hustlers!
This one’s for you.

I'm thrilled & honoured to share that I've been named one of the Top 10 Indian Entrepreneurs Representing India Globally in 2024 by Business Standard, Microsoft Start, Mid-Day, The Print, and ANI!

🔥 From earning my first fee of 150/- at 15 in a small town Bhilai to building a multi-crore business in the last 3 yrs, my journey is proof that big dreams can come from small towns.

After a 10-year break, I returned to the professional world and have since empowered 25,000+ individuals to achieve their career goals.

This recognition is not just mine—it belongs to every small town dreamer who dares to hustle.

Your background doesn’t define your future.

With determination, creativity, and a bit of audacity, you can turn your dreams into reality.

This recognition is for all of you striving to make your mark.

My Vision: To empower every professional to become self-reliant and capable of showcasing their highest potential, raising their standard of living, and contributing to our nation’s progress.

A huge thank you to all the reputable publications 🙏

And my gratitude to my amazing coaches, team, family, and community members 🙌

Your support fuels my mission and together, we’re achieving extraordinary things.

Keep pushing boundaries, keep believing in your dreams, and remember—if I can do it, so can you.

I stumbled upon this story from a 7th-grade textbook, and it’s still incredibly powerful.

Here's how it goes...

The ants worked tirelessly to stock their food reserves for the winter.

Every tiny bit of food. Sugar crystals. Fruits. Tree Sap.

Meanwhile, the grasshoppers mocked them:
“Why don’t these losers live in the moment and enjoy their lives?”
“Constantly working hard for no reason.”

"YOLO - You Only Live Once."

The ants seemed foolish, working so hard. The grasshoppers seemed cool, chilling and enjoying life.

Until winter came.

No one could go out in the snow to gather food.

The grasshoppers ran out of food and starved.

But the ants? They thrived, hibernating comfortably inside their hills.

Why am I sharing this story?

👉 Because many people work just enough not to get fired and earn just enough not to quit.

👉 They avoid networking with industry leaders because they don’t need anything from them right now...

👉 They skip creating content on LinkedIn because they don’t seek new opportunities right now...

👉 They neglect building a strong career brand because they aren’t looking for a new job or freelance work right now...

But when their "winter" comes and they need to:
Find a JOB urgently or Seek a new opportunity No one will be waiting for them.

See where I’m going with this?

Don't be a grasshopper. Be an ant.

Let me know in the comments if you find this useful:)

Have you ever seen your mother tear up with pride?

At our recent Career Branding Retreat in Goa, my mother stepped onto the stage for the first time and looked out at the crowd.

With her voice filled with emotion, she shared how proud she was of me and expressed her wish that every mother could feel this joy.

🥺 I lost my dad 7 years ago, and I often wish I had started my journey earlier to make him equally proud.

This experience reminded me of the immense sacrifices our parents make, dreaming only of seeing us succeed.

To everyone procrastinating or feeling unmotivated, remember: it’s not just about us.

Every step we take in the right direction is also for them, for the silent hopes they carry, and the joy our successes bring them.

Let's not deprive them of feeling proud.

For if not for ourselves, let's strive for our parents🙇‍♀️

Will you?