City pulse - feb 2010 - Success Story - Priya kumar

1. Motivators
V
ivacious, magnetic and a – political leaders, advocates for humanity,
prominent personality, with CEOs of multinational corporations,
12 years of rich experience has psychologists, peak performance athletes,
given this unique lady the power world-class entertainers, teachers and parents.
to ignite people’s minds to achieve their However, as a child this powerful woman
peak performance. She is a spokesperson, was an out and out rebel with a go-getters’
motivational speaker, corporate trainer and attitude. She always thought outside the box.
the CEO & Chief Facilitator of Priya Kumar’s She says, “I started working as a teenager and
Training Systems (PKTS), who is committed have been working ever since. I always knew
to helping individuals transform the quality of that I would be someone big, someone who
their lives. Today, this renowned personality is would make history. I was very fascinated
called upon by leaders from every walk of life with personalities like Mahatma Gandhi,
Encounter a
with
success
icon
Develop a go-getter’s attitude with Priya Kumar
By Hina Navin
82 CITYPULSE FEBRUARY 2010

2. because as much as people learnt from her,
there is so much that she had learned from
I am humbled with the response that the numerous people she met.
my book has got and the success of “I AM Her philosophy in life is to carry her
happiness wherever she goes and believes
another YOU” has created a big responsibility that happiness is a personal choice and
for me to write a second one which is not due a personal responsibility. She adds, “I am
extremely ambitious and since my work is
for release until July this year. about making people’s lives easier, the higher
I move the better the world becomes.”
Adding to her current kitty of innumerous
credentials, this influential woman has
Gautam Buddha, Vincent Van Gogh and
written a book called “I AM Another YOU”
many others and I felt that I must also live
and in just 8 months of being out it has
my life in pursuit of excellence and create
been declared a best seller. She says, “I am
extraordinary results. Any other future did
humbled with the response that my book
not excite me. I was driven towards greatness
has got and the success of “I AM another
even as a child.”
YOU” has created a big responsibility for me
“I always topped as a student. If I was
to write a second one which is not due for
in the game and if there was a number one
release until July this year.”
place, then I worked towards it. Besides
Besides her book she has also been
academics I have learnt from people and their
invited on several reality shows to do an
cultures across the world. And I think that
episode on motivation for the participants.
‘experience’ has been my greatest teacher. My
Recently she was seen on NDTV Imagine
experience with people and life is what has
shows in “Rakhi Ka Swayamvar” and “Rahul
shaped me and made me who I am.”
Dulhaniya Le Jayega”, which has made her
Being a motivational speaker was not all
known as “swayamvar” specialist. She is now
that easy for her, as time and again, she had
preparing for her own show on television
to set a good example of all the concepts
that should also be launched at the same time
that she had promoted. She adds, “I had to
as her second book. In the next ten years, she
be the epitome of success in my field before
envisions that she will establish a training
I could teach others to do it. I feel that when
academy for continuous learning, have her
you become a success icon then people
own television show and is planning to churn
automatically become motivated in your
out at least15 books!
presence and that was my aspiration when
She concludes, “Well, if someone has read
I started. The past 12 years have been my
so far, then they must have the same drive
journey to achieve that.”
as mine, to excel and to grow. And that is
“It was not easy though, when I was
a personal choice and a possibility that is
teaching as a profession and speaking as a
waiting to manifest. We all owe ourselves
hobby it was ok, but when I gave up teaching
a great life. Its not about the money or
to take up speaking as a career my financial
the peripheral benefits that tag along with
standing took a nosedive. In one year flat
success, its about making a contribution,
I lost every bit of my savings and had to
its about adding value in your own life and
establish myself as a trainer. It took me two
those of others.”
years of struggle to actually find a foothold in
“I believe that no matter what one is doing
the industry. I was too young to be a trainer
for a living and no matter how big or small a
people said, but I think age is the lamest
role one chooses to play, they can still be an
excuse for anything
example for others by
let alone learning.”
virtue of their beliefs
As a trainer she is
and efforts. No matter
very different from
who you are, you
others trainers as
will be surprised that
in her training style
people are watching
she makes it more
you and learning from
a fun-based and
you and knowing this
experiential learning.
itself places a great
She believes that fun
responsibility on one.
is the fertile ground
for learning and No matter how you
experience is the choose to live your life
only real teacher. you are influencing
She had a very rich the lives of at least five
journey in training others if not more.”
FEBRUARY 2010 CITYPULSE 83