In an interview with ETMarkets, Gupta said: “I try to hit the gym thrice a week. This routine has evolved into one of the most important pillars of my overall well-being as it has significantly improved my physical fitness and also keeps me mentally agile,” Edited excerpts:
Q) Thanks for being part of the segment. How do you keep yourself mentally fit?
A combination of physical exercise, intellectual stimulation, and good nutrition is what keeps me physically and mentally fit.
Working out at the gym helps me maintain strength while increasing my energy level. For intellectual stimulation, I depend on brainstorming with my team, reading a book, or traveling to new places.
The gym certainly helps in keeping yourself mentally and physically fit. Is there a specific routine that you follow?
When it comes to physical exercise, I try and hit the gym thrice a week. This routine has evolved into one of the most important pillars of my overall well-being as it has significantly improved my physical fitness and also keeps me mentally agile.
For this, I prioritize three pillars that are adequate sleep, mental relaxation, and stress management. These aspects create clarity, and a sense of balance, that energizes me to rebound and excel in my work.What role does mental fitness play in leadership roles?
As leaders, it is important to maintain mental fitness to combat any uncertainties and adapt to the evolving dynamics of the business environment.
A mentally fit leader will exhibit traits of emotional intelligence, resilience, commitment, effective communication, and a judicious approach; all of which contribute to the team’s holistic well-being, an equitable and inclusive workplace, increased collaboration, and improved business sustainability.
Having a healthy mind empowers me to think strategically and leads my stakeholders to continuous sustainable growth.
How did travel help you in handling difficult situations at work?
I am an avid traveller. I love to explore new places, meet new people, and visit cultural landmarks as it helps me rejuvenate and gain a deeper understanding of the world and the people.
Travelling to unfamiliar territories has made me better at handling unexpected situations, and it has also taught me to be more tolerant of situations around me. I have also had a deeper understanding of the universality of a lot of values that we share as humans.
Tell us a little bit about yourself – how did your journey start?
My journey in the BFSI sector commenced more than 27 years ago. I have seen the evolution of the financial services sector closely.
Our market today is far more efficient, customer-friendly, system and process-oriented, and of course many times larger than in the ’90s.
Many of the enablers given by our Government have been game-changers. For e.g., Aadhar, UPI besides the other changes like the proliferation of smartphones and access to data etc. I feel lucky to have been a part of this evolution of the financial sector.
Over the years, I have had the opportunity to work in the whole gamut of the financial services industry from banks, to finance companies, and now in Life Insurance.
I also got deep exposure to multi-faceted functions including sales, marketing, operations, servicing, alliances etc. These factors have helped me become a well-rounded financial services professional.
Do you also maintain any specific diet?
I fuel my body with a well-balanced nutrient-dense diet that majorly comprises whole-grain and high-fiber foods, with extra care to ensure I get my daily fill of protein.
I also supplement my diet with multi-vitamins, to ensure I get all the necessary nutrients.
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