​One of my main goals on this trip, in addition to finding the space to reflect, was also to write and to get back into a certain rhythm doing so. Once again, I reflect on this past year being one where I try to write a little every day if only to get some bullet points down about the hours before and after. It's not as much as I would like.

A number of people have been privy to the knowledge that I'm working on a book on networking and finding the flow for it here was also an intention. Whilst I've made progress, the output won't be the finished product when the time related goal comes around. I know those that are to hold me accountable will raise it, and that's ok. I'm comfortable things are going at the pace they should.

So what types of writing have I experienced of late?

• Journaling - I touched on this above. When I was at the airport, I accidentally picked up the journal version of Becoming, by Michelle Obama. As 'a guided journal' it has given me the opportunity to write a little bit each day with focus rather than something else to read.
• Letters - something that I used to do in earnest when I was younger. I think back to those periods being one where letters were perhaps a form of journaling for me. I still have a number of them in boxes at home. And in cases where we may even one another daily, we all have different preferred modes of communication. Shortly before coming out here, a dear friend of mine and I had experienced miscommunication and bizarrely, we've both written something down for clarity of thoughts and point of view. I found my experience of writing letter to said friend cathartic and where I was in the most flow.
• Blogging - This is my 2nd piece thus far this week. Perhaps a form of journaling also. When you allow yourself the space, ideas for content and general thoughts come organically. Even the odd conversation in a bar can spark an opportunity for a reflective piece and even a speech! It's been a while since I've personally wrote my own pieces. We are always open to guest pieces from those that wish to share their career reflections so feel free to drop us a note if you're interested in contributing a piece!
• Application/Professional Profiles - More on this in a forthcoming post, but when you have the time to set new goals, you also get the opportunity to consider what may be of interest. I've updated some of my social media presence, given a formal recommendation for someone and filled in an application. These things require a different style of writing.

I can safely say that some of above should become habits. Probably a no-brainer which should be daily, could be monthly and what should be done periodically. Finally, note taking and jotting down thoughts in any form is progress. Returning to something in the future could be that magic life changing gem.

Written by Rupa Datta, Lead Agent, Portfolio People

For me the last week or so has been about slowing life down to the sort of pace that really allows one to reflect on time gone by and plan for the next year, something that most of us do to varying degrees each year. This first post of a small series is a little bit of a cheat as this year I have managed to read a fair bit, mainly on trains and planes, but also try to do so for a little bit ahead of going to sleep each night.

Those that know me will already know that I truly believe certain books appear just at the write time or call to you just when you need them. To that end, I'd like to share with you what I'm reading during this period and why.

1. The MBA Day by Day by Chris Dalton - this is the 2nd iteration of 'The Everyday MBA' by one of my old business school professors. Even if I pack books when travelling, there's something about having a look at airport book stores that may yield a gem. For me this is a slow read, but also a reference one. So far, its taken me right back to some of my learnings during that period, but with refreshed content also speaking to me in terms of where I am now both in a corporate capacity and as a leader.
2. Be Free where you are by Thich Nhat Hanh - This book was in my brother's apartment and he suggested I may like to read it. He's a psychiatrist and it was given to all delegates of a conference he attended a few years ago. A short, succinct read that I read in a morning and could revisit in the future with some core mindfulness leanings that one can put into practice should they choose immediately.
3. Pre-suasion by Robert Cialdini - This book was suggested by a relatively new team member who joined the company I work for last year. As a result, it was purchased and gifted by the MD to the entire sales team. I've since moved teams and asked if I could borrow a copy for my holiday read. At the time of writing, I'd started it, however suspect it will be a slow read and one I can continue whilst travelling and back on the road.
4. Made to Stick by Chip and Dan Heath - a book I vaguely recall reading whilst writing my final project at business school. As with point 1, the content has been updated however re-reading this now has reminded me a few gems whilst learning new ones. As with point 2, my brother left it on the table for me as he thought it may be my cup of tea. It was gifted to him by a friend of his and he hasn't gotten around to reading it yet.
5. How to work like a CAT by Karen Wormald - my brother is a self-confessed cat lover and over the last week, I've been spending time with his cat. I'm pretty sure I even bought him this book but don't remember! I've read it before and a nice easy read that can be finished over a cup of coffee. A funny little book to use some cat characteristic to navigate organisations!

So those are my 5 main reads at the minute. I'll update above accordingly. What books are speaking to you at the moment?
​

​Guest blog by Sumit Sharma




The universe works in mysterious ways. I am forever being shown this. I’ll tell you why;
Last year Rupa met with me to help me figure out the areas of my life I felt passionate about, the tangents of thoughts, ideas and projects that were flitting around my mind, things that I had decided I identify with and how I went about making my mark on the world.... My Portfolio! 
She has always championed my cause, showing support to my movements, and of course, helped guide me through my own thoughts and realise the portfolio I had in front of me. At this meet she also casually asked me to write a guest blog. 
I wrote it down on my to-do list.
And have forever been pushing it back, reprioritised it, pushed out by weeks, months, till one day it lands on top of my list, I even came to this site to re-read guest blog, by Anthony Bennet on saying YES and not too soon later did I get an email from the team at Portfolio People to write a piece... the universe hey, its been decided that I’m doing this then, with joy of course! 
What’s also musing to me is how my portfolio is so heavily influenced by my parents’ passions and roles in societies and the jobs and ladders they climbed. My mother has been a school teacher for 30-something years and also lead and instigated many local groups, including a multi-lingual story club at the local library. She heavily influenced my educational achievements and pushed me down routes of speaking, reading and writing and was instrumental in my uptake of a part time role at a successful tuition centre. My father was studios and deep into the ever-growing IT sector, where most of my technical passions stem from. Both very hard working and esteemed role models for the growing mind of Sumit Sharma.

Today, I am a solutions architect for a global cloud company, where I look to solve business problems with cutting edge technology. I also teach, educate and give back. I taught as a senior supervisor and tutor part time during my studies and now constantly hold workshops for younger crowds, assist at local schools and volunteer time to youth organisations. 
I literally have a portfolio of projects I am involved in. 
This can sound somewhat flustering, it flustered me for many years, but with the help of mentors, guides and leading lights, I've come to formalise what my two main verticals are. 
1. Being a technologist. through my career, working to solve business problems using technology. I do this as a matter of habit, I admire and appreciate the technological advancements made in various sectors and am in awe of what the future holds. There has been no other sector that has empowered the human race to be more connected, be able to communicate in a plethora of ways, instantly and through ubiquitous systems and platforms. IT is seen to be fundamentals to healthcare, where we are able to leverage technology to simulate test environments, carry out remote operations and analyse health data. 

I scope out and help these services as part of my day job. To be able to have a commercial conversation and simultaneously balance the need for accurate technical information requires clarity, it requires effectivity, herein lies my passions for public speaking: 
2. Effective communication and public speaking. Today, too little time is spent face to face, we very quickly whatsapp each other, send a text, an imessage, logon to facebook or slack each other, for the sake of convenience or just so that we don’t need to speak directly to people. 
When we do get actual face-time, real interaction, we are somewhat reserved in what we say, for fear of offending and often post conversation think, ‘I should have said this’, or ‘I should have said that’, it is those few and far between live moments that I hold key, in which we should be communicating the most efficiently. 
In todays working world, we have executive leadership, senior managers, C level execs, D level leaders, who, respectfully and admirably have reached their positions through experience and graft, but, when holding a presentation or giving a speech are not receiving engagement from the audience or even getting their message across. In todays market and hyper critical businesses, this, quite simply, will not do anymore. Nobody wants death by PowerPoint or hours of a draining voice. They want to be told a story, led on a journey, be a part of the experience. It’s time we got better at speaking, giving speeches, to be eloquent orators. This confidence alone will allow you to take on new challenges and realise new opportunities. 
-- We are multi-faceted beings, with skills outside of a job description or a written testimonial, with a portfolio ready to be realised. We have many skills, unique in each approach, thought and character and our gift to the world is the ability to provide a new view, a different thought or an alternative solution.... that can ultimately help one another and humanity as a whole. 
Look no further than the actions you take and the passions you think about to realise what your portfolio is, we all have one, in some way, all it requires is discovery.