Hi Gurus! I am 40 yr old MAN and I have never been regular at gym or exercising. I am 5 kg overweight as per my recent BMI and heart age of 52 yrs (not sure how reliable those results are but they definitely indicate something needs to be fixed) but no other serious health issues 🤞. However, I do perform some form of stretching, push-ups etc once in a couple of weeks which my physiotherapist advised as I had sciatica related pain in past. I do get back pain due to sedimentary lifestyle. Basically, I have not been taking my body and fitness seriously so far in my life. Now, I want to consciously start working out and get more active (my 40th B’day resolution 😊 ) and hence need your help with following (probably silly) situation: - I always wake-up hungry (~ 7:30 AM) and end up having a filling breakfast e.g 2 parathas or 5-6 cookies or 3-4 slices of toast & butter with mug full of chai with enough sugar and hence not able to exercise in the morning. Starting my day with red cross (❌) mark against a task (exercising) doesn’t set a good precedence either. In past I tried starting my day with glass of lukewarm water and lemon / honey etc but in just matter or 20-30 mins, I would feel extremely hungry, and I end up overeating, feeling more guilty ☹. Even after stuffing so much, I am again super hungry by ~13:00 ish for Lunch. TBH, I don’t see people around me eating so much ☹ -I cannot exercise in the evening as there is not fixed time when I would end my day. Also, I want to keep my evenings free for other imp things in my life 😉 Please guide how can I address my above issue so that either I don’t wake up hungry or I can eat something and still exercise. I googled my symptoms, and it says it’s a sign of PMS (?)

Ans: With your educational background in sociology and applied psychology, as well as your aspiration for civil services, you possess a diverse skill set that opens up various job opportunities across different sectors. Your background in sociology and applied psychology equips you with the knowledge and skills needed for roles in social work and counseling. You could work with NGOs, community organizations, or mental health institutions, providing support and counseling services to individuals and communities. Many companies value candidates with a background in psychology for HR roles. Your understanding of human behavior, motivation, and organizational dynamics can be valuable in areas such as recruitment, training, employee relations, and organizational development. Your academic background makes you well-suited for roles in research and data analysis. You could work in research institutes, think tanks, or market research firms, conducting studies, analyzing data, and generating insights on various social and psychological issues. Consider pursuing a career in teaching or academia, either in the sociology or psychology departments of universities or colleges. You could teach undergraduate or postgraduate courses, conduct research, and contribute to the academic community through publications and conferences. You could work with advocacy groups, non-profits, or international development organizations on issues such as human rights, gender equality, and social inclusion as well.

These are just a few examples of the many career paths available to you with your background in sociology and applied psychology. Take some time to reflect on your interests, strengths, and career goals, and consider exploring internships, volunteering opportunities, or further education to gain additional experience and skills in your chosen field.

Ans: Switching from one government job to another can be a strategic move, especially if you're looking for better opportunities. Given your experience in banking, there are several exams you can consider that value your expertise while providing a relatively smoother transition, like the IBPS Specialist Officer Exam (SO), RBI Grade B Officer Exam, RBI Grade B Officer Exam, Insurance Exams, and State Government Exams, depending on your location and preferences for various administrative positions. Your knowledge of banking operations and policies can be advantageous in this exam. It's highly competitive, but rewarding.

When it comes to government job exams, there's no shortcut to success. Competition is fierce, and success heavily relies on thorough preparation, dedication, and strategic planning. Each exam comes with its own set of challenges, and while some may align more closely with your existing skills and experience, none of them are inherently "easy" to crack.

Remember, success in government job exams requires perseverance, hard work, and a positive attitude. Keep pushing yourself, stay focused on your goals, and believe in your abilities. Good luck with your exam preparation!

Ans: Interesting question Dr. being a Doctor of Medicine,you are a specialist, but as you state theres a family reason,that made you discontinue your senior residency with in 5 month's.

Now let's understand the current situation you are in a comfortable situation and the family situation seems settled .

I see you are now offered Senior Residency which you can complete being a Senior Resident in not exceeding 3 years, which you can certainly complete it anytime,peacefully before completing 45 year's.

Now the conclusion it absolutely does not make sense taking the high pressure & hectic assignment for no monetary benefits.!? for the profits of the medical college.. Absolutely NO!

The future is peace of mind, I say this with great confidence of high pressure situations.. Life is longevity of living it well, minus the stress

Your time will come ...settle down my boy settle down..

Here's the Lyrics ..

Settle down, an eat your peas and gravy, my boy
Settle down, settle down my boy settle down
Stop wasting all your time with running around the town
Settle down, settle down my boy settle down
Knuckle down and find a job and take some responsibility
Settle down, settle down my boy settle down
The future's something you should be thinking about
Settle down, settle down my boy settle down
Look around for a wife to start a family, my boy
Settle down, settle down my boy settle down
Listen toy our father and he'll tell you the same as me
Settle down, settle down my boy settle down
Your words would go in one ear and out the other side
Don't say my head was empty and I had things to hide
And you better put something away for your old age
So settle down, settle down my boy settle down
Settle down, settle down my boy settle down uh huh huh

Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Ron Strykert
Settle Down My Boy lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Do listen to the song.. Chill out!

Ans: Hello!!

This information you have shared is not enough to understand what is that you are exactly wanting right now.
Let me see how I can help you. First of all extend your arm and pat yourself on the back for completing your engineering. You are a mechanical engineer!! Celebrate the fact and feel good about yourself.

I like the fact where you say "I am currently, unemployed", this can change soon, look out for opportunities, keep attending interviews, prepare well, ask for help, give it your best shot. Treat every failure as part of a learning process in becoming better next time. Surround yourself with positive and encouraging people.

Till you find a job, live life well on a day to day basis-
1. wake up early
2. exercise
3. eat well and sleep well
4. dress well at home too, don't be in your pyjamas, you should be in such a state that if someone asks you to come for an interview right away, you must be ready
5. beware of negative self talk... nip negative thoughts in the bud
6. looking for a job is your full time job, keep looking
7. be helpful around the house if you are living with your parents
8. till you find a job keep learning and building on your skills
9. volunteer to teach and help the less fortunate lot
10. do not sit idle, keep your body and mind active

Constantly invest in activities that ensure your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well being!! Have rituals that focus on these four pillars of your life!

Blessings and all the very best!!

Ans: I have read your personal evaluation of your son as a doting parent.
I can only advice based on the observations made by you.

In these situations these are called reactive counselling which will not be accurate simply because I haven't heard from the incumbent.
The child is talented and has a creative mind too with the music school certification too!
The mind is experimental looking for new creative challenges.

The career stream should be based on the candidates acumen and aptitude.
Prima facie you have knocked out business and commerce based on your statement can't understand business ...!

Synopsis:gets good marks in Maths, Physics and Chemistry

So science stream is suggested, however need to meet candidate for professional career counselling.

All the best in the most important decision!

Ans: Hello Mr Kunal!!
It is good yo see a parent so aware about their child's capability and wanting the best for him. Congratulations on that!!

Well, to answer your question...... you can google 'career guidance after 10th', there will be a host of companies offering an aptitude test to gauge your son's capabilities. Based on the test they'll suggest a future path on choosing a career and on further education. You can choose one of them based on the reviews and talking to them over phone.

Use a combination of-
1. your son's views on what he wants to do,
2. your gut feeling as a parent and
3. the outcome of the aptitude test to arrive at a final decision.
A single personality test can't decide the future of your child. Make an informed decision, you can involve his teachers who know him well too,

All the best in choosing the best for your son!!

Ans: Hello Mr Mukesh!!
Your son is lucky yo have a father who sends him to the best school. He is getting a good foundation. Investigate why he is scoring less. What do his teachers say about him? As a parent how do you evaluate your child? What is his level of understanding in each subject? Where does his interest lie in? Is he consistent with his studies, does he study regularly on a day to day basis? Remember you become a master in what you repeat, revising and recalling is also a very important part of studies to score good marks.

If your son's focus is good and intelligence levels are average, then he can score well with regular studies. Ensure he revises whatever is taught in the school everyday. Also check with him if he understands whatever is taught in the school. Your son is 14, he is a big boy now and can participate in problem solving. Involve him in decision making and empower your son. Let him participate in the process of he scoring good marks, every child wants to do well. Some children can study for an hour and score well, some children need to put in a little extra to score well. See if his score can be improved by having a home tutor. Make studying, gaining knowledge and scoring well a enjoyable, positive experience!

Best wishes to you for positive parenting and best wishes to your son for scoring well!!

Ans: Hello!!
You are a married business woman and now you are a mother too!! Congratulations!!
There was a time in the world when a woman was revered just because she was a mother, she carried humanity forward, that in itself was a big responsibility. It is time to put the mother back on the pedestal.....in India they say giving birth, is like a 'punarjanam', rebirth for a woman. Don't you deserve some rest at least for 40 days before you start thinking of your business and all. Your body has undergone a lot during pregnancy and birth of your child. Rest a little, heal well and then get back to work. You deserve it!!

Now the action plan for you to perform the dual responsibility of a mother and a business woman with grace ..
Your baby totally needs you for the first 6 months because you need to breast feed her. Gradually get her used to other care givers. Build a good support system at home as well as at your store. Earmark an area at the store and at your home which can work as home/office. Don't feel guilty about carrying your baby to the office, remember how the New Zealand ex-PM Jacinda Ardern, carried her new born to the parliament?
It is a balancing act between the two... motherhood and business woman, it'll take time and you'll eventually learn it. Give yourself sometime, don't beat yourself down if there is a little loss now in your business or blame motherhood for the loss. With a new born your schedules will go haywire for sometime. Soon you and your baby will settle down into a routine, you'll have to work for that. Be very flexible, flow like a river for sometime, with your mental peace as the centre.
Don't try to do everything by yourself, delegate, seek help.

List out what is important for you in life. Have every task laid out on paper, plan and schedule activities, this one act will bring in a lot of peace to you. You'll never ever feel overwhelmed. Prioritize all tasks on a scale of 1 to 5. Keep your targets simple and doable on a day to day basis.

In between being a mother and a business woman, take care of yourself too!! Sleep well, eat well, 20 mins of physical activity and doing one thing that brings you joy( it can be as small as looking at the sun set or sipping your chai peacefully) on a daily basis will give you the strength to perform your balancing act.

Loads of blessings and best wishes!!

Ans: Hello Praveen,

It's great to see your proactive approach towards long-term investing at 30. Building a diversified equity portfolio through SIPs reflects a disciplined savings habit and a focus on wealth creation.

Regarding your query about withdrawing the profit amount and investing it lumpsum in a different fund without stopping the existing SIPs, it's absolutely feasible. You can choose to reinvest the profit amount in a lumpsum in a different fund manager while continuing your SIPs. However, before making any changes, consider the tax implications and exit load, if any, on the profit amount.

Now, for suggesting a portfolio with good returns over the long term, it's essential to have a balanced approach with exposure to various market segments. Given your existing holdings, you might consider adding a large-cap or flexi-cap fund to provide stability to your portfolio. Additionally, having exposure to international funds or thematic funds can provide diversification and potentially enhance returns.

A Certified Financial Planner can offer personalized advice, analyzing your risk profile, financial goals, and investment horizon. They can guide you on optimizing your portfolio, ensuring a mix of funds that align with your objectives and risk tolerance.

Remember, investing is a journey, and staying invested with a long-term perspective while periodically reviewing and rebalancing your portfolio can help you achieve your financial goals. Best wishes on your investment journey!