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42-Year-Old Professional Seeks Advice on Overcoming Dislike for Remote Meetings

Anu

Anu Krishna  |1571 Answers  |Ask -

Relationships Expert, Mind Coach - Answered on Mar 24, 2025

Anu Krishna is a mind coach and relationship expert.
The co-founder of Unfear Changemakers LLP, she has received her neuro linguistic programming training from National Federation of NeuroLinguistic Programming, USA, and her energy work specialisation from the Institute for Inner Studies, Manila.
She is an executive member of the Indian Association of Adolescent Health.... more
Asked by Anonymous - Mar 18, 2025Hindi
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Dear Madam, I am 42 years old and have accumulated over 15 years of experience across various roles, including operations, report writing, quality management, and business development. Before the onset of COVID-19, I worked in an office environment and had a job that required travel, which I thoroughly enjoyed as it allowed me to engage face-to-face with people and discover new places. Since the pandemic, I have transitioned to working from home, where I have been compensated well. This arrangement has allowed me to spend quality time with my family, enjoy flexibility in my work schedule, and significantly reduce my commute. However, over the past 4-5 years, I have found myself increasingly disliking remote meetings. I often experience anxiety before these meetings, even when I am not directly participating. I feel a sense of relief when meetings are canceled or on days when I have none scheduled. I understand that remote work and virtual meetings are likely to be a lasting trend, and I would appreciate your guidance on how to overcome my disinterest in attending these remote team meetings. Thank you for your support.

Ans: Dear Anonymous,
Many people have disliked the 'work from home' option that involves a lot of virtual interface. But do remind yourself: What is the need of the hour? There are a lot of things that you may dislike as eating options but you do anyway knowing that they are good for health, right?
When you start obsessing over something that you don't want, it makes it bigger in your mind to tolerate and that can cause you a lot of struggle. So, why not instead find ways of dealing with the inevitable?
How can you make things better for yourself when you have virtual meets and presentations? What are the advantages/perks of doing these virtually? When you start to look at the brighter side of things, the disinterest kind of starts to fade away and it makes it easier for you to be a part of what your work demands.

All the best!
Anu Krishna
Mind Coach|NLP Trainer|Author
Drop in: www.unfear.io
Reach me: Facebook: anukrish07/ AND LinkedIn: anukrishna-joyofserving/

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Mayank

Mayank Rautela  | Answer  |Ask -

HR Expert - Answered on Dec 08, 2021

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Dear Sir, I would like my question to be anonymous. If your company is allowing you to work from home and your home is in a different city and you are called for meetings, can one ask for travel expenses? I am asking this because my home town is far away from my office and I cannot afford air travel. Travelling by road or train means I need to take a day off each way. How do I approach this problem?Thank you. WFH brings many issues along with it; travel to work for meetings is one of them. Clearly, it will depend on the policy of your company. If your company does not have a policy that covers out station travel while WFH, then you need to make a special request to the senior management. I am sure they will accommodate you. Else, depending on the frequency of the meetings, you will have to look at accommodation in the city where your office is based.
Ans:

Dear Sir,
I will soon be in a position where I will have to interview potential candidates for my department.
I have never interviewed anyone for a job before.
What should I keep in mind and how will I know the person in front of me is a good candidate and a good fit for my department?
Looking forward to your reply. Please don’t reveal my name.

Interviewing is a skill that you develop on the job.

Since you are starting to take interviews, it will be a good idea to do short term online training or in-person training for the same.

You can also approach your HR team or immediate supervisor to be your coach in this aspect.

..Read more

Kanchan

Kanchan Rai  |566 Answers  |Ask -

Relationships Expert, Mind Coach - Answered on Apr 23, 2024

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I am working in a good priviate company for the last 32 years . For the last 6 months I am loosing interest in work orin office wanted to stay at home. But I had realised that even at home during holidays/sundays I do not feels good at all, dont like to talk intereact etc. even do not like to visit any wheres . all the tims=es scared about unwanted worries . Plesae tell me the solution.
Ans: Dear K
It sounds like you may be experiencing a deeper sense of disengagement and possibly even symptoms of depression or anxiety. It's important to address these feelings and seek support from professionals if needed. Consider reaching out to a therapist or counselor who can provide you with support and guidance. They can help you explore the underlying causes of your feelings and develop coping strategies to manage them. Prioritize self-care activities such as exercise, meditation, spending time outdoors, and engaging in hobbies that bring you joy. Taking care of your physical and emotional well-being is crucial for managing stress and improving your mood.Even if you don't feel like socializing, try to stay connected with friends and loved ones. Having a support system can provide comfort and perspective during difficult times.Reflect on what gives your life meaning and purpose beyond work. Consider volunteering, pursuing hobbies, or engaging in activities that align with your values and interests. Be gentle with yourself and recognize that it's okay to have periods of low motivation or energy. Set realistic expectations for yourself and celebrate small victories along the way.If you're experiencing symptoms of depression or anxiety, such as persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or worry, consider speaking with a psychiatrist. They can assess your symptoms and recommend appropriate treatment options, which may include therapy, medication, or a combination of both.Establishing a daily routine can provide structure and stability, which can be especially helpful if you're feeling aimless or unmotivated. Try to incorporate activities that bring you a sense of fulfillment and accomplishment.Practice mindfulness and focus on the present moment rather than dwelling on past regrets or worrying about the future. Mindfulness techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or progressive muscle relaxation can help calm your mind and reduce stress.
Remember that seeking help is a sign of strength, and you don't have to navigate these feelings alone. There are resources and support available to help you work through this challenging time and rediscover a sense of purpose and fulfillment in your life.

..Read more

Latest Questions
Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8154 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Mar 26, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Mar 26, 2025Hindi
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I am 34 Years old. Earning 80k in hand. Till now I have been through loans due to family constraints. Now I have repaid all my loans in advance by prepaying them. I invested in one mutual fund Mirae asset ELSS. But now I have stopped SIP in it. It currently has 2.20 Lacs. I have 3 lacs in bank and given 4 lacs to someone. Has KVP of 2 lacs maturing in 2033. Wife has two LIC policies maturing in 2033 with 15 lacs approx as maturity amount. I have two kids (boys) 1 and 5 years old. As I am in paramilitary so investing in NPS from past 9 years, currently it has 16.5 lacs corpus with 26 years of my job remaining. I want to invest in mutual funds 37k per month. I have no loans, no credit card and no other liability. I have chosen Parag Parikh Flexi cap-10000 SBI Gold Durect Plan Growth-5000 Bharat 22 Index Fund Fund-5000 Nippon India Large Cap-5000 Motilal Oswal Mid Cap-4000 Nippon India Small Cap-4000 Tata small cap-4000 All are direct plans. Want to start them all in Groww app from Apr 2025. I want to buy a house in next 8-10 years of approx 50Lacs current value. My car is ageing and want to replace it in next one year. Please suggest me if my approach is good or do I have to make adjustments.
Ans: Your disciplined approach to finances is impressive. Paying off loans early was a great decision. Now, you can focus on growing wealth and achieving your goals. Below is a detailed analysis of your financial plan.

Emergency Fund and Short-Term Liquidity
You have Rs 3 lakh in the bank and Rs 4 lakh lent out.

Ideally, keep 6 months of expenses as a liquid emergency fund.

Since your salary is Rs 80,000 per month, target Rs 5 lakh as an emergency fund.

If the Rs 4 lakh is not immediately recoverable, consider adding more liquid savings.

Park this money in a mix of a high-interest savings account and liquid mutual funds.

Insurance Protection
Life Insurance: You did not mention a term plan. Ensure you have one with coverage of at least 10-15 times your annual income.

Health Insurance: You did not mention a health plan. Get a Rs 20-30 lakh family floater policy.

Personal Accident Cover: Since you are in the paramilitary, a personal accident cover is essential.

NPS and Retirement Planning
You have Rs 16.5 lakh in NPS after 9 years. With 26 years left, this can grow significantly.

Continue contributing, but do not rely solely on NPS.

Diversify retirement savings with equity mutual funds to give flexibility at retirement.

NPS has withdrawal restrictions, so having non-restricted investments is important.

Investment Portfolio Review
Existing Investments
ELSS Mutual Fund: It is tax-saving but not suitable for long-term wealth building. Consider diversifying.

KVP: A low-return product locked until 2033. Not ideal for long-term wealth creation.

LIC Policies (Wife): If they are traditional endowment plans, they may have low returns. Consider surrendering and reinvesting if feasible.

Planned SIPs (From April 2025)
Your planned SIPs total Rs 37,000 per month. Below is an evaluation:

Parag Parikh Flexi Cap - Rs 10,000: Good choice for diversification and stability.

SBI Gold - Rs 5,000: Gold should not be a core investment. Reduce allocation to 5-10% of your portfolio.

Bharat 22 Index Fund - Rs 5,000: Index funds have limitations. Actively managed funds can offer better returns.

Nippon India Large Cap - Rs 5,000: Large-cap is important for stability. Keep allocation.

Motilal Oswal Mid Cap - Rs 4,000: Mid-cap funds offer growth but can be volatile. Moderate allocation is fine.

Nippon India Small Cap - Rs 4,000 & Tata Small Cap - Rs 4,000: Small-cap exposure is high. Consider reducing to avoid excessive risk.

Suggested Portfolio Adjustments
Reduce allocation to gold and index funds.

Maintain a mix of large, flexi-cap, mid, and small-cap funds.

Instead of direct funds, invest through an MFD with CFP credentials for better tracking and advice.

House Purchase Plan (8-10 Years)
The house is estimated at Rs 50 lakh in today’s value. Future value may increase.

Start a dedicated SIP in a hybrid or multi-asset fund for this goal.

Avoid real estate investment as a wealth-building tool. Buy a house only for personal use.

Car Purchase Plan (Next Year)
Since this is a short-term goal, avoid equity investment.

Use bank savings and allocate part of your upcoming savings for the purchase.

If needed, opt for a car loan but repay it quickly.

Final Insights
Keep an emergency fund of Rs 5 lakh.

Ensure you have term life and health insurance.

Continue investing in NPS but also in mutual funds for flexibility.

Review and rebalance your SIP choices.

Plan separately for house and car goals with appropriate investments.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in
https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment

...Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8154 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Mar 26, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Mar 25, 2025Hindi
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48 years old, with PF savings as 40L, NPS 5L and not other investments. Home loan is there which will be over in next 12 years. have opted for LIC pension plan. Pl suggest the best option to plan retirement here.
Ans: Your focus on retirement planning is important. Let’s assess your current financial position and create a solid retirement plan.

Current Financial Position
Provident Fund (PF): Rs 40 lakh.

National Pension System (NPS): Rs 5 lakh.

LIC Pension Plan: Opted for.

Home Loan: Outstanding, to be cleared in 12 years.

Other Investments: None.

Your savings are primarily in PF and NPS. You also have an LIC pension plan. Your home loan will take 12 more years to be repaid.

Key Challenges in Retirement Planning
1. Low Investment in Growth Assets
Your funds are mainly in debt-based instruments.

This may not generate high returns for long-term wealth.

Inflation can erode the value of fixed-income investments.

2. Home Loan Repayment Impact
Your home loan EMI will reduce your savings capacity.

Loan repayment will extend into retirement unless pre-paid.

Extra financial burden should not impact post-retirement needs.

3. Insufficient Retirement Corpus
You have only Rs 45 lakh in retirement savings.

You may need Rs 3-5 crore depending on post-retirement expenses.

The LIC pension plan alone may not be enough.

Retirement Planning Strategy
1. Increase Investments in Growth Assets
You should start investing in mutual funds immediately.

A mix of large-cap, mid-cap, and small-cap funds is needed.

Systematic Investment Plans (SIP) will help build a strong corpus.

2. Reassess the LIC Pension Plan
LIC pension plans give low returns.

You may consider surrendering it and reinvesting in mutual funds.

A well-diversified portfolio can generate better inflation-adjusted returns.

3. Create a Debt Reduction Plan
Home loan should be cleared before retirement.

Consider partial prepayments when extra funds are available.

Reducing interest burden will free up future cash flow.

4. Increase NPS Contributions
NPS offers tax benefits and equity exposure.

Consider increasing contributions for higher retirement savings.

Choose an aggressive fund allocation for better long-term growth.

5. Build Emergency and Medical Funds
A separate emergency fund is essential.

Medical insurance should be increased beyond employer cover.

Healthcare costs in retirement can be significant.

Final Insights
Your current savings are not enough for early retirement.

Increasing investments in mutual funds is essential.

Home loan repayment should be accelerated.

LIC pension plan should be reviewed for better options.

A well-structured financial plan will ensure a comfortable retirement.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP

Chief Financial Planner

www.holisticinvestment.in
https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment

...Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8154 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Mar 26, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Mar 25, 2025Hindi
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Hello Sir, I am currently 43 years of age and below are some of my assets. FD - INR 2.56 cr PPF - INR 45 lakh MF - INR 70 lakh PMS - INR 50 lakh Term Life Insurance - INR 2.5 cr Medical insurance (family plan) - INR 10 lakh Gold jewellery + physical gold - approx. INR 1 cr one house - yielding INR 30k per month rent currently investing 1 lakh per month in mf through sip (large, mid and small ap fund) staying in another house with family. Loans - zero monthly expense - INR 45k 2 kids - elder one in class 10th and younger one in class 6th education for both kids expected from school to higher education - INR 3cr marriage for both kids expected - INR 1 cr What age should i plan to retire expecting a life expectancy of 85 years for myself and wife and avg expense to be around INR 1 lakh at future date.
Ans: You have built a strong foundation. Let's assess your retirement feasibility from multiple angles.

Current Financial Position
You have Rs 2.56 crore in fixed deposits.

PPF corpus stands at Rs 45 lakh.

Mutual fund investments are Rs 70 lakh.

PMS investments are Rs 50 lakh.

You own Rs 1 crore worth of gold.

A rental property earns Rs 30,000 per month.

You have a term life cover of Rs 2.5 crore.

Medical insurance is Rs 10 lakh for your family.

Your monthly expense is Rs 45,000.

You invest Rs 1 lakh per month in mutual funds.

Key Future Financial Goals
Children's Education: Rs 3 crore estimated cost.

Children's Marriage: Rs 1 crore estimated cost.

Retirement Corpus: To sustain Rs 1 lakh monthly expense.

Retirement Feasibility Analysis
1. Children's Education and Marriage
The first major financial commitment is education.

Your existing corpus and future savings must ensure Rs 3 crore.

Marriage expenses will require an additional Rs 1 crore.

2. Retirement Corpus Requirement
You expect to retire with Rs 1 lakh monthly expenses.

This expense will increase due to inflation.

A large retirement corpus is needed to sustain for 40+ years.

Can You Retire Now?
Your current investments may not fully support retirement yet.

The education and marriage costs are substantial.

You must balance wealth preservation and growth.

What Age Should You Retire?
A realistic age for retirement could be around 50-55 years.

This allows you to accumulate a stronger corpus.

You can continue investing Rs 1 lakh per month.

A phased withdrawal strategy will be needed post-retirement.

How to Strengthen Your Retirement Plan?
1. Increase Equity Allocation
Your PPF and FD investments are conservative.

Consider reallocating part of your FD to mutual funds.

PMS allocation should also be reviewed for performance.

2. Ensure Inflation Protection
Fixed deposits may not beat inflation long-term.

Equity exposure should remain high for growth.

3. Healthcare Preparedness
Rs 10 lakh medical insurance may be insufficient in the future.

Consider a super top-up plan for additional coverage.

4. Rental Income Optimization
Your rental property provides stable income.

Ensure it remains a profitable asset.

Final Insights
You are on track but need to optimise investments.

A retirement age of 50-55 years is ideal.

Equity exposure must be increased gradually.

Education and marriage costs must be secured first.

Healthcare preparedness is crucial for long-term security.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP

Chief Financial Planner

www.holisticinvestment.in
https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment

...Read more

Dr Nagarajan Jsk

Dr Nagarajan Jsk   |300 Answers  |Ask -

NEET, Medical, Pharmacy Careers - Answered on Mar 26, 2025

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How to get admission in to India's top pharmacy college for my daughter who is studying in class 12th
Ans: Hi Vedabrat,
Minimum qualifications:
Minimum qualification for admission to –(extracted from Pharmacy council of India.)
A(after HSC). First year B. Pharm – A pass in any of the following examinations - i. Candidate shall have passed 10+2 examination conducted by the respective state/central government authorities recognized as equivalent to 10+2 examination by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) with English as one of the subjects and Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics/Biology as optional subjects individually. “However, the students possessing 10+2 qualification from non-formal and non-class rooms based schooling such as National Institute of Open Schooling, open school systems of States etc. shall not be eligible for admission to B.Pharm Course.” ii. Any other qualification approved by the Pharmacy Council of India as equivalent to any of the above examinations. Provided that a student should complete the age of 17 years on or before 31st December of the year of admission to the course. Provided that there shall be reservation of seats for the students belonging to the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other Backward Classes in accordance with the instructions issued by the Central Government/State Government/Union Territory Administration as the case may be from time to time. B. B. Pharm lateral entry (to second year/third semester) - A pass in D. Pharm course from an institution approved by the Pharmacy Council of India under section 12 of the Pharmacy Act.

In addition to meeting the basic eligibility requirements, candidates must research their preferred institutes and visit their websites (if the institute is deemed a university or autonomous) to follow the specific admission instructions.

There are two pathways to gain admission to a B.Pharm program:

1. Through Government Guidelines: If candidates prefer not to enroll in deemed universities, they must adhere to government notifications regarding admissions. Admission may be based on an entrance exam or the marks secured by the candidates, depending on the respective state government's regulations. Some state governments conduct entrance exams, while others do not.

2. In Deemed Universities: For those interested in applying to deemed universities, it is essential to visit their websites to follow the admission instructions. Typically, these universities will announce their admission notifications around March or April. Deemed universities may also conduct their own entrance exams. If a candidate achieves high marks, they may secure admission based on merit.

...Read more

Milind

Milind Vadjikar  |1136 Answers  |Ask -

Insurance, Stocks, MF, PF Expert - Answered on Mar 25, 2025

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Hello! Advait ji, My Mom is 82 and gets family pension. She has 70 lakhs FD maturing in March 25. I would like to invest 10 lakhs in FD as emergency fund. Kindly advice how to invest the remaining 60 lakhs, which is risk free and gives good returns (better than FD) She has the following investment - 1. 10 lakhs in Edelweiss Multicap Fund - Gr 2. 2 lakhs 40 thousand in HDFC Flexicap Fund -Gr 3. 2 lakhs 40 thousand in HDFC Midcap Opportunities Fund 4. 2 lakhs 50 thousand in Invesco India Focused Fund 5. 2 lakhs 50 thousand in LIC MF Infrastructure Fund 6. 2 lakhs 50 thousand in Motilal Oswal Large and Mid-Cap 7. 2 lakhs 40 thousand in Nippon India Large Cap Fund 8. 2 lakhs 40 thousand in Nippon India Multicap Fund 9. 2 lakhs 40 thousand in Nippon India Small Cap Fund 10. 2 lakhs 40 thousand in Quant Small Cap Fund. Total Mutual fund investment of 32 lakhs. Apart from MF she has invested in Bajaj Allianz Life insurance plan, where she will investRs 2 Lakhs per year for 10 years. This is a guaranteed plan. She is comfortable running the house with her pension. However, please suggest shorter duration investments (5 yrs) Regards Namrata
Ans: Hello;

She may opt for any of these investment avenues:

1. Post office time deposit scheme(FDs offered by post office for 1,2,3 & 5 year tenure); Joint holding allowed; Premature withdrawal allowed after 6M. (Current ROI 6.9-7.5%)

2. NSC with a fixed tenure of 5 years; No premature withdrawal allowed. Can be held jointly(Current ROI 7.7%)

3. KVP: Although tenure is 9 yrs and 5 months, you may do premature encashment after 2.5 years; joint holding allowed;(Current ROI 7.5%)

You may approach a reliable postal agent to process these investments to avoid hassle of frequent post visits and associated hardships.

These are backed by GOI so no risk of default.

Hope this meets your requirements.

Best wishes;

...Read more

Dr Dipankar

Dr Dipankar Dutta  |1061 Answers  |Ask -

Tech Careers and Skill Development Expert - Answered on Mar 25, 2025

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I am a first year student at MIT Manipal,currently pursuing Electrical and Electronics engineering(EEE),and I am have been given a choice to apply for branch change in my institute either to CSE,Mathematics and Computing(MnC) or ECE in my second year. I did not study Computer Science in 11th and 12th, and I coding in C for the first time as part of my 1st year syllabus.I am not very much interested to coding,but I am learning it since it is there in the course syllabus. My parents suggest switching to CSE, but they are not engineers and do not have insights into the current job market. Since my batch will be passing out in 2028, I want to understand the job scenario for CSE, MnC, ECE, and EEE graduates by then. Among these,which branch provides better opportunities for core engineering jobs with good or decent salary and stability? I have heard that many ECE graduates end up in IT jobs due to lack of core industries-is that true?Would ECE be a better alternative to CSE for core jobs or is it better to stay in EEE? Also between CSE, ECE, and EEE, which has less competition in the job market while still offering good career prospects? Additionally, I want to know which branch is broader, with ample opportunities in both the government and private sectors, especially for core jobs with good pay and stability. base on futuret rends, would it be a wise decision to change my branch, or should I continue with EEE?
Ans: Happy to see that you have asked very logical questions. I can say that, since you are already in Electrical and Electronics Engineering (EEE) at MIT Manipal and have the opportunity to change to CSE, Mathematics and Computing (MnC), or ECE, your decision should be based on:


Your Interests (Core Engineering vs Coding)
Job Market Trends for 2028 and Beyond
Competition & Industry Demand

Future Job Market (2028 & Beyond) for Each Branch
Branch Core Job Scope IT/Software Jobs Govt Jobs Competition Salary Stability
CSE Low (Software Focused) High Limited Very High High but Unstable
MnC Medium (AI/ML, Finance) High Limited High High but Research-Oriented
ECE Medium (VLSI, Chip Design, Telecom, IoT) High Moderate (ISRO, DRDO, PSU) High Medium-High
EEE High (Power, EVs, Automation, Energy, PSU) Moderate High (Railways, NTPC, BHEL, Govt) Low-Medium High & Stable

Should You Switch to CSE, MnC, or ECE?
If You Want Core Engineering Jobs with Stability
Best Option: Stay in EEE

If You Want a Balance Between Core & Software Jobs
Best Option: ECE

If You Want a High-Paying Private Sector Career (But Not Core Engineering)
Best Option: MnC or CSE

Hope this will help you in decision making.

...Read more

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