Healthy Internally and Externally

Passionate to be an entrepreneur, Navneet Ravikar, Chairman and MD, Leads Connect Services, embarked on his entrepreneurial journey in 2009, after quitting his job as a Manager in IFFCO Tokio. He founded Leads Connect Services, an agriculture technology and farm risk management company, and soon after a month, ventured into insurance brokerage, named, Leads Insurance Brokers. Navneet heads both the companies and is responsible for overall growth, liasioning and innovation. In an exclusive interview with Corporate Citizen, he talks about his work philosophy and how he maintains holistic wellness

Corporate Citizen: How do you maintain holistic well-being?

Navneet Ravikar: I believe that wellness is not a single road-it is multifaceted. Just not being ill or having any disease is not wellness. It is the absence of any health issue, along with clarity of mind and balance of the overall body and soul. While 100% attainment of this is quite difficult, I ensure that I work around all aspects of well-being-from yoga to mindful eating and practising and adopting certain habits that help me attain better physical and mental strength.

CC: How does your profession help you in dealing with stress and anxiety?

My profession involves nature-the idea of nature is serene, calming and healing. While professionally we strive to help the agriculture ecosystem strengthen, personally, I feel that understanding and time I invest on the ground helps me think clearly.

CC: Your mantra about keeping fit and healthy?

I work around all the thoughts at a subconscious level. At a time, when we all are running to get things done and face new challenges every day, physical as well as mental health seems to be affected inevitably. It is important to address health internally as much as externally

CC: What keeps you fit and healthy?

Like I said earlier, I practice mindful eating and indulge in any form of physical activity-it could just be a short walk, but I make sure that I devote a few minutes to myself before I go about my day.

CC: How do you like to rejuvenate and recharge and de-stress?

My children, my family have a huge role to play. You walk in after a long day at work and are greeted with warmth and love, and those big heartfelt smiles - I guess that is my biggest blessing and stress-buster in life.

CC: What is your food philosophy?

I think one should enjoy food but in moderation. When I talk about mindful eating it does not imply that I do not enjoy those delicious pakodas or some pasta occasionally, it’s about keeping a check on the portion control. I ensure a good workout too post all that indulgence.

CC: Do you follow any exercise fundamentals?

Yoga and meditation have transformed me, not just physically but I see an overall mental balance as well. I was not always such a health-conscious person but once I invested myself into this way of life, there has been no going back.

I think people should connect with some/any form of physical activity-whatever makes them happy and committed. It could be dance, it could be a good trek or just work out at home, whatever it may be, make sure to make that body move. Even for youngsters, while health may seem great right now and the need to workout not that important, it is important to indulge in a regime-the change it would make is immense and worth the hard work.

CC: How do you set out your priorities to keep your work and personal life balanced?

I prioritise time. When I am at work, I am completely focused on my meetings, deadlines and agendas. But when I am home, I make sure that my family gets the attention and commitment they need. While there can never be a perfect balance, it is important that you take your relationship at every front with honestly and dedication.

CC: While on the move, what helps you the most in maintaining calm and peace?

Everything is sourced back to closeness and harmony with nature—once you have mastered this, your life functions better.

CC: Tips to maintain work-life balance.

• Give yourself targets – I think it works when you put deadlines to things.
• Cut yourself some slack.
• Designate some time for yourself.
• Assess your performance from time to time.
• It is not YOU, it is WE - as a family, in personal life and as a team in professional life that marches ahead.

CC: Anything else you would like to say on holistic wellness, what can others learn from your learnings?

I think it is never too late to start, never too late to dream, and never too late to work towards achieving physical, mental and emotional well-being.