Today, at the Women Techmakers (WTM) Indore event, we had the privilege of attending an inspiring session titled “Work-Life Balance: Thriving in Your Tech Career Without Burnout” led by Soumya Upadhyay. The event offered valuable takeaways on managing one’s professional journey while avoiding the common pitfalls of burnout that many tech professionals face.
A Journey from Civil Engineer to Entrepreneur
Soumya’s journey is a testament to resilience and adaptability. With a background in civil engineering and extensive experience working with multinational corporations (MNCs), she took a significant leap to pursue entrepreneurship. Transitioning to a new domain required more than just technical know-how—it demanded dedication and the ability to manage personal and professional life effectively.
Soumya shared how she navigated this transition while being a married woman and eventually a mother. This shift brought forth unique challenges, but through it all, she remained steadfast in her commitment to maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
The Key: Dedication
Throughout the session, Soumya emphasized dedication as the driving force behind her ability to excel. Whether it’s meeting project deadlines or making time for family, dedication allows individuals to stay grounded and focused on their priorities.
“Dedication is not about being perfect but about being consistent,” Soumya remarked during the session. Her words resonated deeply with everyone present, highlighting the importance of perseverance in overcoming professional and personal challenges.
Understanding Burnout: A Multidimensional Perspective
Soumya’s insights on burnout were particularly eye-opening. Burnout is often misunderstood as purely physical exhaustion, but it can manifest mentally and emotionally as well. She broke down the different dimensions of burnout:
- Mental Burnout: Feeling overwhelmed or mentally drained due to excessive workload, often leading to lack of motivation and creativity.
- Emotional Burnout: Experiencing heightened emotions like frustration or irritability, which can strain relationships both at work and home.
- Physical Burnout: Fatigue and exhaustion, making it difficult to keep up with even routine tasks.
She shared some practical strategies to identify these signs early and emphasized that seeking help, taking breaks, and setting boundaries are crucial steps to prevent burnout.
Strategies for Overcoming Burnout
Soumya offered actionable advice on overcoming burnout:
- Set Realistic Expectations: Don’t try to do everything. Prioritize tasks and set achievable goals.
- Establish Boundaries: Learn to say no when necessary and disconnect from work after office hours.
- Self-Care is Non-Negotiable: Incorporate regular exercise, hobbies, or any activity that rejuvenates you.
- Support System: Build a reliable support system, both professionally and personally, to navigate challenging times.
A Follow-Up Session: Road to GDE by Srashti Jain
After Soumya’s impactful session, I (Srashti Jain) took the stage to talk about the “Road to GDE (Google Developer Expert)” program. My session focused on how aspiring professionals can start their journey to becoming recognized experts in their fields. I shared my experiences and the prerequisites for the GDE program, including contributions to the community, deep technical expertise, and the importance of mentorship.
The session concluded with a vibrant Q&A, where I addressed doubts and queries about the GDE program, shedding light on how it can boost one’s career trajectory and personal growth.
Final Thoughts
The event left everyone with a deeper understanding of how to balance their careers without compromising on mental and physical health. Soumya’s insights and my session on the GDE program served as a reminder that while professional success is important, personal well-being should never take a backseat.
In the fast-paced tech world, maintaining work-life balance is not just a goal but a continuous process of self-awareness and mindful actions. Let’s take inspiration from these sessions and strive to thrive, not just survive, in our careers.
