Is Thriving in a 9–5 Job While Pursuing Passions Possible?

Is Thriving in a 9–5 Job While Pursuing Passions Possible?

Sep 24, 2024

-By Supriya Lal
By day, I lead multiple engineering teams as a group tech lead at Yelp, solving complex technical challenges.

By night, I transform into a high-energy dance instructor at Rangeela Dance Company, pushing participants to their physical limits.

This might seem like a sharp contrast, but balancing my passion for dance with my demanding tech career has been a game-changer for my personal and professional growth.

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Interplay of Leadership Roles

Giving large-scale presentations in the office became more manageable as I started leading dance classes and got used to talking to an audience. Meanwhile, a leadership role at the office helped me hone my ability to lead a dance class and build the confidence to give clear instructions to students.

Communication is the Key

Clear communication is crucial at work and in the fitness studio. In the dance studio, I communicate through movement and motivation, ensuring that students of all levels can follow along and stay engaged. In tech mode, I guide my teams through tackling design and technical execution.

Compartmentalizing Life as a Skill

One of the biggest challenges in balancing two roles is making sure each one gets my full attention when it’s time, which requires learning to compartmentalize my work. During office hours, my focus is entirely on my work. Once the clock hits 5 pm, I set the work aside COMPLETELY. This is the key to maintaining balance and not overwhelming myself.

Learning to compartmentalize my life significantly improved my ability to multitask at work.

Motivation in Tech and Fitness

One of the most rewarding parts of being a dance fitness instructor is watching people break through their physical limits and achieve their fitness goals. Similarly, as a Group Tech Lead, I see my success in the success of the teams solving complex problems and delivering high-quality work. In both spaces, my role is to encourage people to believe in themselves and push beyond what they think is possible.

Pursuing Hobbies Bring Fulfillment

Dance is my passion, and it helps me unwind from a busy day in tech. Teaching dance fitness gives me a creative outlet and recharges me for my responsibilities as a tech lead.

Conclusion

We don’t have to limit ourselves to our 9-to-5 jobs. With good time management and clear boundaries, it’s possible to excel at work while fully pursuing our hobbies. By embracing both my career and my passion for dance fitness, I’ve found balance and fulfillment in both.

Pursuing your hobbies will bring out the best in your work as well, rather than compromising it. Do it guilt-free!

Heeramandi Hollywood Premiere: A Cinematic Extravaganza and the Dance Vision it Inspires

Heeramandi Hollywood Premiere: A Cinematic Extravaganza and the Dance Vision it Inspires

May 5, 2024

-by Anisha Advani & Priyanka J. Vora

Last week marked a momentous occasion in the world of entertainment as Netflix unveiled its highly anticipated TV series, “Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar,” accompanied by a star-studded premiere that left audiences spellbound. Among the premiere attendees were Priyanka J. Vora, founder & director of  Rangeela Dance Company (RDC), as well as actor and RDC dancer, Nishant Ghan, who were eager to witness the intersection of art and storytelling on display in Los Angeles.

 

 

During the premiere, attendees participated in a Q&A session with the director, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, moderated by Lilly Singh. Bhansali shared insights  into his creative process and the themes that inspired Heeramandi. As he spoke of the importance of following one’s creative instincts and staying true to one’s vision, it struck a chord with the Rangeela team, whose own work is guided by a similar ethos. Ghan commented “the event was just as grand as Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s films are. And when the collaboration is between him and Netflix, it was like Bollywood was given a grand welcome by Hollywood.”

 

For Rangeela Dance Company, the vision is clear: to create art that not only entertains but also inspires and moves audiences on a deep emotional level. Like the director of Heeramandi, who aimed to revive the vibrancy and intricacy of a historical era, Rangeela works to capture the essence of various cultures and traditions through the art of dance which can be seen in their Jhume Ri Gori Video, created by our RDC Director and inspired by Mr. Bhansali’s work in “Gangubai Kathiawadi.” Vora commented, “it was incredibly inspiring to hear Mr. Bhansali speak about his struggle with calling it quits during the grueling editing process for Heeramandi. This resonated with me so well as I, too, get deeply involved in every detail of my productions and it can be hard to take a step back and realize that the project is finally ready for the world to see. Mr. Bhansali has inspired me to always dream big with all my aspects of my creative work.”

At the premiere, Vora and Ghan also had the opportunity to meet Tesher, whose music they have covered extensively in their performances. They discussed how evergreen Tesher’s “Jalebi Baby” has been, as it continues to be the top choice request by wedding clients for Sangeet choreography. This  moment highlighted the power of music and art to bring people together.

Other notable appearance at the premiere was Sharmin Segal, Mr. Bhansali’s niece and one of the actresses in Heeramandi.

As Heeramandi continues to captivate audiences around the world, it serves as a reminder of the transformative power of storytelling and the universal language of emotion. For Rangeela Dance Company, it is a testament to the enduring legacy of artists who follow their creative instincts and share their vision with the world.