Chandigarh-born Priya Kumar is an internationally acclaimed motivational speaker with 29 years of corporate training experience. The French media described her as India’s Paulo Coelho.
As an entrepreneur, Priya is the founder and CEO of Priya Kumar’s Training Systems, Books That Inspire (a niche publishing house), and Fire Light Films, a niche production house for short films and documentaries).
She graduated from the University of Bombay in economics and holds diplomas in Finance, Marketing & Sales, German and French. She has also undergone courses ranging from calligraphy, and china painting to stock trading and storytelling. Priya is India’s first certified Firewalk Instructor and has conducted over 2000 fire walks the world over.
Excerpts from the second part of Priya Kumar’s interview she gave to Ashish Virmani:
Ashish Virmani: You have been a motivational speaker for nearly 30 years and have built yourself as a brand single-handedly. How difficult was it to pioneer this career path as a woman? Which obstacles did you have to overcome?
Priya Kumar: Well, I never wanted to make motivational speaking a career. It wasn’t even a career option 30 years ago. I was doing something that I felt was adding value. Two years into the field, when the work became too much, and it was time to make a career choice after graduation, I started to charge money. And people paid.
There were no obstacles as such. I think we create them. I speak 8-10 days a month, which is the best thing ever. I travel to exotic destinations. My work begins and ends with an applause. I am the greatest beneficiary of what I do and what I speak. It’s like an affirmation with every session. My work is an affirmation.
I know that not everyone will work with me, and holding that expectation is foolish. I cannot work 40 days in a month. Many people treat rejections as obstacles. I know well that what vibes with me will come to me; it always has.
I love solving problems; it’s my innate strength, so obstacles are welcome. When I don’t have too many problems, I make a few calls, looking for other people’s problems to solve. Being a motivational speaker serves me well.
I live in a zone of abundance. And so there is always an option. A person who has ample choices doesn’t see obstacles. Yes, some things need to be solved and made better, and that is a privilege to do. If a boulder is on the way, I know it isn’t personal; it is in everyone’s way. And so putting it away, I am not only clearing my path, but of many others.
I am treated by others as I treat myself. No one has violated my code. I know who I am and allow it to reflect in my presence and actions. People will only attack and trouble those they believe they can attack and trouble. Even the trouble-mongers are good judges of people. When I fail to honor myself, I open the door for others to do the same.
Money has never been my driver. I have enough money to sail through the seas in my pretty yacht. I don’t want a ship; I am happy to be a passenger for some indulgences. I drive a Mercedes, and sometimes, I eat at roadside eateries. I live on both ends of the material spectrum; they excite me. And you really can’t scare a person who can and who loves to have nothing and everything.
I think big and work in that direction, but I don’t get lost. I am mindful and protective of my purpose. I have a few other ventures, and they are all on the same path of self-development and contribution. The more I do, the more I grow and the happier I become.
“With Artificial Intelligence taking over, the world is headed for a mysterious destination. I feel responsible for setting some guidelines for the future—guidelines that are eternal principles of success and eternal foundations of wisdom. I am building a platform to outlast me—my legacy project.”
Solitude and travel have been constant themes in your life. You have traveled extensively solo to many foreign lands. How has that contributed to your development?
Priya: Travel makes your soul grow. Look at all the spiritual leaders (like Adi Sankara and Guru Nanak) we revere today, they were always on the way…
Imagine you have a 5-bedroom villa and only restrict your life to one room.
I believe the planet is my home, and all its inhabitants are my co-partners, or, for the lack of a better word, family. As I travel, I meet more of my family, people, and all living creatures.
Travel makes me tolerant and curious. I learn to adapt and not command change. It puts me in transformation mode—learning new things with every step. Every experience shapes me. Travel takes me out of my routine and familiar territory and puts my focus back on the magnitude and marvel of life.
I have never returned to the same person or with the same thoughts or problems.
You got married some years ago. So, what has marriage taught you?
Priya: Ah! Marriage is about bringing another person into your world. It better be a similar world. But there is great adventure in having a partner who is worlds apart. Luckily, getting married at a late age has its advantages. I am well settled, financially independent, know myself, and have built an identity and an impact. When my husband chose me, he knew what he signed up for. When you are younger, the self-discovery mode is fresh and could get distorted if there are too many responsibilities to juggle.
“My husband Sandeep and I bring a rich heritage of experiences, which makes for never-ending, interesting conversations. We also have rituals and agreements. We don’t leave anything to assumption, which saves so much angst and misunderstandings.”
Sandeep Mishra (Chief Distribution Officer at Aditya Birla Sun Life Insurance) and I bring a rich heritage of experiences, which makes for never-ending interesting conversations. Before we met, we both had a journey of growth, which brought a lot of stability and understanding.
We have grown, learned, and changed in each other’s company. My solitude travels now have a companion, which does not intrude on my space. It’s fun to have another person as the center of my attention and to think of life and my presence from his perspective. Sometimes, I like to change it, but for the most part, I am entertained and curious.
We both have rituals and agreements. We don’t leave anything to assumption, which saves so much angst and misunderstandings. If I want something, I ask. Sometimes, the follow-up is long, but we have agreed to have patience and not use our weaknesses against each other.
There are slips and unpleasant moments, but the resolution is lightning-quick. So, while you may hear a heated argument, you will hear laughter when you return with a glass of water – an hour later!
Earlier, my decisions had two or three filters—my mom, work, and home. Now, they also have Sandeep. I know that my decisions will impact him, so I am mindful of my choices to not disturb his convenience, peace, and happiness.
What are your goals going forward? And who are some of the people you would like to collaborate with?
Priya: My primary goal for the next decade is a legacy project I am working on. We would be the last generation who has seen both worlds – before and after the internet. With Artificial Intelligence taking over, the world is headed for a mysterious destination, and I feel responsible for setting some guidelines for the future — guidelines that are eternal principlesof success and eternal foundations of wisdom. I am building a platform to outlast me… and that’s what is taking up most of my time now.
I would like to collaborate with the keepers of the future, the people who are setting the stage for the world to become. I want to have a hand in making sure that it is a beautiful one. Real influencers and shapers of our world, such as Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Ratan Tata, Kumar Mangalam Birla, Virat Kohli, Nithin Kamath, Sister B.K. Shivani, and Nita Ambani, are on my list of people to work with and hopefully will do so.
For the first part of Priya Kumar’s wide-ranging interview, click here…
For more info about Priya Kumar, visit priya-kumar.com
