"The early bird gets the worm" goes the saying. But in life, if you are early in doing something, you become a harbinger, only if someone has noticed you or your work; or if you have been able to put out your work for the world to notice. Otherwise, benefits of being the early bird are not available.
India opened up internet to the public in 1995. We were probably the first few ones to have paid Rs 15,000 for a dial-up connection. So, I am used to having internet at home earlier most Indians. 2001 - I quit my full-time job to try to become a full time mother. But the intellectual me would be frustrated. As I was trying to look for a part-time engagement, I was getting weird looks - an MBA looking for a part-time job? I was lucky to get one; but realised that the work involved was so much, that it needed a full-time engagement.
Since I had internet at home, I realised that I could work while at home and occasionally go to the work-place for meetings ad discussions. This concept now called "work from home" was unheard of in 2001-2002. I would apply for jobs (full-time), go for interviews and after being offered the position, would mention the "work from home" concept. This would uniformly shock the interviewers. I tried hard, but in vain, to sell the concept. One woman interviewer (in one of the big Fours, then) was impressed, but apologised - "Your idea is brilliant; but we do not have such policies in place." I even gave her the idea of signing an NDA.
This forced me check out other options. How about an engagement, wherein, I can work for a few hours a week at mutually convenient times? This later came to be known as "flexi-timing". Again, I had to convince a lot of interviewers about the win-win situation, and then, I got a break with a marine consultant. I still owe it to him for giving me the opportunity. It was at that time, when I got further opportunities to handle assignments as a "freelancer". This was a long stint, though still very early for my time. A freelancer was then looked upon as a person who did not have clear goals or was not able to hold a decent job for long. As a growing parent and caring wife and daughter-in-law, this arrangement suited me well. Though, I was earning less than my contemporaries, I was enjoying the varied experiences across industries. Now, a freelancer is seen as equal as a full-time job holder.
So, did this early bird get the worm?
India opened up internet to the public in 1995. We were probably the first few ones to have paid Rs 15,000 for a dial-up connection. So, I am used to having internet at home earlier most Indians. 2001 - I quit my full-time job to try to become a full time mother. But the intellectual me would be frustrated. As I was trying to look for a part-time engagement, I was getting weird looks - an MBA looking for a part-time job? I was lucky to get one; but realised that the work involved was so much, that it needed a full-time engagement.
Since I had internet at home, I realised that I could work while at home and occasionally go to the work-place for meetings ad discussions. This concept now called "work from home" was unheard of in 2001-2002. I would apply for jobs (full-time), go for interviews and after being offered the position, would mention the "work from home" concept. This would uniformly shock the interviewers. I tried hard, but in vain, to sell the concept. One woman interviewer (in one of the big Fours, then) was impressed, but apologised - "Your idea is brilliant; but we do not have such policies in place." I even gave her the idea of signing an NDA.
This forced me check out other options. How about an engagement, wherein, I can work for a few hours a week at mutually convenient times? This later came to be known as "flexi-timing". Again, I had to convince a lot of interviewers about the win-win situation, and then, I got a break with a marine consultant. I still owe it to him for giving me the opportunity. It was at that time, when I got further opportunities to handle assignments as a "freelancer". This was a long stint, though still very early for my time. A freelancer was then looked upon as a person who did not have clear goals or was not able to hold a decent job for long. As a growing parent and caring wife and daughter-in-law, this arrangement suited me well. Though, I was earning less than my contemporaries, I was enjoying the varied experiences across industries. Now, a freelancer is seen as equal as a full-time job holder.
So, did this early bird get the worm?
