Three years ago, today, I took a leap of faith and plunged into the world of learning and development. After a rather resounding and eventful 7-year stint as FFLE (French as Foreign Language Expert), I decided to hang up those boots and try on new ones.
Why you ask? Well, that’s story for another day. Let’s not digress…
In frame: this marks my very first session I shadowed with Ganesh Dalvi. It had only been about a week since I’d signed up on his Mentorship (also obliviously and on a whim). I was all of 23 years old. He’d asked me if I was available to tag along and see how the real training world works, and I was the enthu-cutlet, happy to hop on…
This is 21 July’22- so things were gradually returning to normalcy with masks and all….
“Outbound” was an alien concept. Heck, even training was an alien, seemingly unattainable concept to me back then. I remember this day as though it was yesterday- so confused at the start, and so doe-eyed and bamboozled by this world by the end of the day.
Back then, “Réflexions” didn’t even exist. I was still working on getting some certificates in and midst of course completion. Even FOLKS wasn’t the “FOLKS School Of Facilitation and Learning” as we fondly know it today. Back then it used to be called “SAKSHAM FOLKS.”
My growth trajectory is one thing. But it’s been so nostalgic and prideful to see that even the Institution I learnt from has completely changed name, shape and form, and grown tenfold in these years, with me.
Not going to stand here and say “I manifested this” and “I visualised my future here” “I always knew I belonged here” etc etc. Because I did not.
When I came into this world, I barely knew the full form of L&D. I was shooting in the dark, with blindfolds on!
All I did was took an impulsive bet on myself, and my gut. And the fact that I’d still have age by my side after 2 years (in case of failure) was my solace.
At the time, because my French career was at its peak, I was called out for being stupid/ wreckless for abandoning something so well-engraved in stone, to go build castles in the sand. (Justifiably so).
But what they don’t tell you about learning to shoot in the dark is that you develop this sixth sense, and start trusting your gut a lot more than usual. You learn to block out the noise, and focus only on navigating yourself out of the dark using animal instincts. You start listening and seeing with your whole body instead of only relying on one sense.
I’d no clue then, that by the time I write this, July’25, I’d have a thriving business, an IP to my name (Ludofication), and 35+ clients on our portfolio. And I’m still only in 1st gear.
Deeply grateful to all the connections made, people and experiences that shaped me, clients, and all those who put their faith in a curious new kid on the block.
And, of course the master blaster of a mentor that is GD.
3 years ago, today!
