God's strength,guidance and favor!

Just before my first ML began, I was promoted as PM against my wish. I always felt good to be a TL. After my ML and I resumed duty, I was given new opportunities and one was very hectic with severe escalations and critical deadlines. I was aligned to this project which was supposed to get over by 6 weeks. Every single day was like hell to me in that project as everyone was junior except a TA. The only TL who knew the landscape was not committed at all. He always went on long leaves without notice. I had to play multiple roles right from developer to Manager, and needed to be on every single call with the clients irrespective of the time zone. Most nights I was available for troubleshooting along with the client post early morning, I had my almost 1 year old waiting for me to hold her. Inspite of all the challenges we were able to win the customer’s trust and was able to deliver things in about 6 months and within 1.25 year post my ML I was progressed to Senior Project Manager with lots of appreciations from

Infy and the clients. The team was looking up to me for technical suggestions too and I felt really good. Everyone said probably I was one of the very few managers who got their next role in such a short span of time. 

Now around last March I was pregnant with my second one and was running 5+ accounts with different time zones from Canada to Australia and I didn’t have time for anything even for food. On top of all this I was crushed by never ending proposals with few new European clients. There were many days I wanted to quit as I was not able to focus on this second pregnancy at all. But God took care of the foetus and kept providing her with everything she needed. Checkups were normal except during last trimester scan which showed a cord around the baby’s neck and baby was also in breech position. I was scared so much whenever I thought about the delivery. That was when an Aunty called me and told me, “Israelites, when they were asked to cross the Red Sea were scared too, but the water didn’t destroy them instead they made way for Israelites. The ones who had faith and belief would have walked without fear. The ones who didn’t, would have continued their walk fearfully until they crossed at each foot step. So you are going to cross this delivery no matter what, but whether you walk in faith or in fear is upto you. You decide what you wanna do.” This really spoke to me and the Lord helped me with broken waters only after I finished my prayers in the labor ward. With 4-5 pushes my daughter came out. 

I always thought no matter how much I work I would be rated with ‘Met Expectations’ as I was carrying during this cycle. However I wished to complete everything that landed on my plate with utmost sincerity and even when my labor started I was able to share feedback on my team members to the new managers I handed my accounts to. In fact I was available for them anytime at least until 2 months from the beginning of my ML as they are pretty new to my accounts. 

God only gave me strength to do every single work.  Even now I receive my team members’ calls and messages and I could see them actively bonding with me, not to mention we haven’t met even once in person. I could win their trust though they are all split across multiple locations. He made all these possible! 

There was a time when I had to sign off the rating my manager gave me. I 100% expected ‘ME’ but to my surprise I was rated Outstanding. God’s Grace only keeps me going. At the right time I have seen God deploying me into critical high visible assignments, and showering me with extra mercies and favor in the eyes of humans. He always have elevated me at the right time, not too early and not too late. 

With Janice’s and Jamie’s ever growing demands, I am going to start my next stint by mid of May. I am scared of what my next assignment would be, but I believe as usual He will place me in places where I am supposed to grow and where He will be with me, helping me balancing things. 

All glory to God and God alone.

This is to share with ladies like me who might fear that their career might take steps down after they bear a child. It is not true! With God it can step up too. 😀