WMW #17: Pooja Sriram, brand marketer, author and podcast host
"If you are always running behind doing what’s urgent you will miss out on doing what’s important"
Hi there!
The year is moving swiftly and as my list of things to do seems to be growing endlessly, I am lost where to begin.
I recently came across the Eisenhower Matrix, also referred to as Urgent-Important Matrix, which helps you decide on and prioritize tasks by urgency and importance. It’s an easy framework to help you cut out the things you don’t need to do yourself, or at all, so that you can focus on what you must do.
“If you are always running behind doing what’s urgent you will miss out on doing what’s important,” writes Pooja Sriram, the working mum I recently interviewed, which made me wonder if she applies the Eisenhower Matrix to her life too - am I the only one who didn’t know about this? Better late than never, I guess.
Onto my interview for this week. This is the my first interview of 2023, with many others in the pipeline (so excited!).
Meet Pooja Sriram, mum of toddler, brand marketer, children’s author and podcast host
I came across Pooja on Linkedin. Apart from being a working mum, what drew me to her account was that she had a 100% remote job, had written books, and had a pretty cool podcast.
As I always say, the best thing about my newsletter is that it gives me a great excuse to reach out to incredible mums who are designing lives that they love and inspiring others on the way.
By opening a window into the lives and habits of mums that inspire me, I hope to transmit that inspiration to you.
Here is my conversation with Pooja.
Q. Tell us a little bit about yourself (work, family and personal interests/hobbies)
I am a content creator, a brand marketer and a children’s book author! I live in Bangalore in India with my family and I am a true South Indian by culture.
I have diverse interests that include storytelling, mentoring and writing. I often do guest lectures and consulting and find it liberating to mentor students and share my learnings.
I enjoy my time with nature, animals and find every possible moment to build memories with my family.
Q. Did your professional ambitions change after becoming a mum? If so, how?
My professional ambitions were always just ‘a part’ of my life and never took over my life. I always knew I want to use my skills to be financially independent, and that did not change after motherhood. I didn’t contemplate getting back to corporate life so early on after becoming a mother, but my husband supported and motivated me to keep my ambitions alive.
Q. Tell us a bit about your remote role at Sprinklr and how did you manage to get this remote opportunity being based in India?
My current role is one of content and brand marketing to create and distribute content to help a brand grow in the SaaS space. I have been working remotely since before the pandemic. It truly makes it convenient for working mums like me, who are willing to put in 100% at work only by having that tiny bit of convenience and flexibility of being there for the family when needed.
I got the opportunity to work at multiple firms remotely because I was sure of what I wanted to do, I had enough data to back my productivity irrespective of where I worked from, and I did not shy away to ask for what I wanted. But thanks to Linkedin, the playing field was leveled well for me.
Q. How has having a remote job changed your life, both as a professional and a mum?
Having a remote role has been a blessing. If it was not for a remote role, I would have likely quit the corporate workspace. It keeps me busy, challenged and enthusiastic during the day when my 4-year old is at school. I enjoy being there for him when he is home and I am able to fit in some extracurricular activities for him.
The best part of being a Work From Home mom is the fact that my son gets to see how I manage my time and understand that I work hard, enjoy doing what I do, and also make time for him when he needs me the most. Teaching him my version of work-life balance is a form of ‘show & tell’ everyday at home.
Q. You are the author of 2 children’s books! What inspired you to write them?
My first book is called ‘Amma’s Work From Home Buddy’ and true to its name, it is inspired by what happens at our home (and many other homes). It is an easy book written for shared reading with young kids to teach them how their mothers are busy, but yet make time to be with them. The way I normalize work-life balance (if there is any such thing!) is what inspired me to write the book, but I wanted to make it one that talks to kids and not a self help one that talks to moms (we have too many of them).
My second book is called ‘Hairdresser in a Hairless Town’ which is a fictional story of how you cannot give up in tricky situations. As a mom of a 4-year old boy and aunt of a 7-year old, I often listen in (sometimes eavesdrop!) on interesting conversations between the boys. The little one unabashedly asks questions and the older one has perfect answers ready. Such conversations inspired me write a story to encourage more conversations and get kids to come up with their own ideas to solve a problem.
I have always liked writing, but most of my writing has been on blogs and websites. I wanted my book writing to go beyond the screen onto tables, bedsides and bookshelves of homes and get young readers to hold the book to read rather than stare at a screen.
Q. How do you encourage your son to read?
My son likes books although he is only 4-years old and can read only 3-4 letter words slowly. We introduced him to books very early on, and with time, the type of books, the way we read, the way we bring books into his day, has evolved. I write extensively on my blog where I have articles with tips on getting kids closer to books; learning which book to pick for your kid; and introducing Indian authors who write books for kids.
Q. Tell us a bit about Project Spark, what inspired the launch of this podcast?
Project Spark is a passion project. I co-host the podcast with a friend and we do it because we like making conversation, and amplifying voices of people around us. After creating a lot in the digital medium (writing); creating a lot more in the visual medium (my instagram account is a visual diary); and even publishing in the print medium (my books); I was intrigued to see what I could do in the audio space. When my friend said it was her desire to start a podcast too, we decided to bring our skillsets together. We have brought on 25+ women in our first season of the podcast and have received some great feedback. (Check it out here)
Q. How are you doing all these things, and being a mum!? How do you manage your time?
It may sound clichéd, but if you have time to scroll on Instagram or watch Netflix, you have time for anything. I do understand that many mothers do not have the luxury of doing that, but that’s where it becomes important to set priorities. Understand what is important in your life versus urgent. And split your time smartly between them. If you are always running behind doing what’s urgent you will miss out on doing what’s important. I am fortunate that I have help for doing chores at home, and I am thankful that it gives me time and freedom to do other things.
Another simple trick that propels my desire to do different things is a result of spending time on the ‘why’ rather than the ‘how’. If my ‘why’ to do something is strong enough, I know I will find an answer to ‘how’ to make time for it.
Q. What is your ultimate goal as a working mum?
There are no ultimatums in my life. I like the mantra of going with the flow and making the best of every situation.
The goal of life - mum or not, working or not, is to be happy. To be happy you need to first be healthy and everything else follows. I believe that as a working mom, I am able to be financially independent, use my time productively, support in providing for the family - and this keeps us all healthy (physically & mentally) and happy. I hope to keep this equation intact and sustainable. That is the only goal.
Q. Where do you get your inspiration?
Inspiration is all around us. We just need to take a moment to pause and soak it in. Staring at traffic can inspire you to write a song. Looking at fish swim can inspire you to travel. There are no boundaries of inspiration. My biggest inspiration is my son. I look at the world and am unlearning and learning through his perspectives.
Q. What is your best productivity hack?
Not sure if there is a better term for it, but I like to pace my tasks and do them in chunks. For example, I read a book till a chapter ends, then I take a break; I finish writing 5 emails, then I take a break; I listen to one episode of a podcast then I take a break. This way, I don’t burden myself to do one thing continuously, or set a schedule that is not flexible. By pacing myself as I do different things, I am able to complete more things and not feel the stress of any specific activity.
Q. What do you do in your 'me-time' and how does it help you?
I wake up before the rest of my family and that the only true ‘me time’ I get. I have to be careful not to make noise so I can prolong that time as long as possible! My ‘me time’ is usually me staring into nature or practicing yoga, concentrating on my own breath and nothing else.
Q. What is your advice to mums looking to do more both professionally and personally?
When you think about wanting to do something, my advice is to think about ‘why’ you want to do it. If the ‘why’ is clear, everything will fall in place.
Q. Favourite tool that makes your life easier?
My phone! It’s my window to the world.
Q. Favourite quote
“Now and then it's good to pause in our pursuit of happiness and just be happy.”- Guillaume Apollinaire, French poet
Q. Best thing you have read or watched lately
Book: Mindset by Carol Dweck. Highly recommended!
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If you have any more questions for Pooja or want to connect with her for anything, you can reach here via this newsletter ( leave a comment below or email me and I will connect you), or you can find her on her website or Linkedin; and you can listen to her podcast Project Spark, here.
That’s all for this week. Have a good one!
Love,
Abha