From My Diary – Choices I made ~ #5

In this series, I am sharing the choices I made as far as my professional life goes.

Why I took up my 1st job at the age of 17 is answered in my earlier post  “From My Diary – Choices I made ~ #1” and then why I moved on to my 2nd one and why I left that can be read here >>. “From My Diary – Choices I made ~ #2” 

My journey onto becoming Self-employed could be read here “From My Diary – The Choices I made ~ #3” and From My Diary- Choices I made ~ #4

2009 was the times of turbulence and because of the troubles at my personal front, I was finding it hard to concentrate on my work. As a financial advisor especially as a planner concentration and focus is very imperative. And this is where I was having difficulties.

No amount of talking or discussing was heping me and eventually after trying hard overcoming it, I decided to take a sabbatical from financial planning.

I went to all my then clients and expressed my incapability of managing their portfolio at least till the time I recover from what I was going through.

Many of my clients told me that this is my biggest mistake and that it will be too late if I do not change my decision. I had an idea what I was about to lose, yet I found it to give in to something for which my heart did not allow.

Very few understood me and pledged their support and stood with me. I told them that I may not be able to advise them on any new investments but I will service whatever I have done till now. They said okay and remained with me.

Now that I was no more advising and had lost a good chunk of my client’s income needed to be compensated.

In my working with clients in financial planning, I had helped a few with buying and investing in real estate. Because of my people’s skill I had also managed to stay in touch with few brokers. After some thinking, I ventured into real estate. My work helped me see most of Thane so I had a good idea about localities and the price range for most of them.

The most important factor being there was no long term commitment. Once a deal is done very little was left to do. Slowly and steadily I learned the finer details of this new business and was doing okay. Because of good work I started getting referrals and there was no looking back 🙂

Even today I do real estate business but now it is very exclusive. I only take an assignment if it comes with a recommendation. I have helped my clients buy properties in as far areas as Bangalore, Pune, and Hyderabad.

The most cherished client of mine is Mr. Amitava Banerjee. He was referred to me by his colleague when he first time-shifted to Mumbai. I helped him find exactly what he was looking for. He liked me and my work so much that when he was transferred to Pune he insisted that I find property for him in Pune. I did not disappoint him even this time. Now he is again in Mumbai and his new property is again something which I helped him with 🙂

He has already told me that he wishes to buy a house here within the next two years and I have to help him with that too 🙂

With such good clients and referrals coming my way I am the most happiest person 🙂

My sabbatical from financial planning lasted for about 4 years. Now I am back into financial planning and all my clients who stood with me in my turbulent times are still with me and most them say we knew you would come back 🙂

I remember most of them telling me when I came back that Financial planning is your forte and you are good at it, you should have never left it.

All I can say is each phase comes with its blessings. The lessons I learned passing through that phase taught me one of the most important lessons.

What was that lesson and what price I paid to learn that is something which I will share soon. Stay tuned for one more (my last) post on this series “From My Diary – Choices I made”

In my soon to come post “From My Diary – Choices I made #6” I will share about various other short term jobs I did between 2011 and 2013 and what each of it taught me.

Thank you so much for stopping by and reading my story. If you have something similar experience and wish to share your story with me do write to me at “nilesharma@gmail.com” I will be happy to read and respond to them.

Happy Day 🙂

With this post, I am taking my blog to the next level with #MyFriendAlexa Season 4 as #nilesharmaawrites for #BlogChatter