3 mistakes I made in my NRI life abroad

As an NRI (Non-Resident Indian), my journey was marked by a life that I knew was sub-optimal. I tried my best though — I lived upto what I knew I could, and upto what was within my line of sight. Reflecting on my own journey, I’ve come to recognize three key mistakes that I believe I have made along the way.

Being Authentic at Office

One mistake I made was prioritizing authenticity in the workplace. This didn’t mean I was not Professional. It just meant I was an open book, being kind where I felt, making jokes where I felt, making connections with people I thought were receptive. In Google it was celebrated to ‘be yourself’. While it’s essential to be true to oneself, I’ve learned that it’s equally important to present the best version of our professional selves in office. Acceptance in the workplace doesn’t give us license to say or do whatever we want; instead, it’s about striking a balance. I didn’t have to take every meeting or interaction as an oppertunity to bond. I don’t blame me — I was looking for connection with people as I was coming from a culture of community.

Quality of Relationships

Another lesson I’ve learned is the importance of quality over quantity when it comes to relationships. As an NRI, I found myself making many acquaintances but not trying to deepen meaningful connections. It meant I spent time with people who were just ah-okay. This resulted in many situations I was uncomfortable with. For example, an…