Today we would like to introduce you to Anuradha Kowtha.
Anuradha is the founder and CEO of ManifestByDesign.com, a company that teaches professionals and entrepreneurs alike to find their highest purpose and share their message with the world.
Anuradha is a former high school science teacher, lab technician and grant writer. She hails from the lovely Sonoran Desert in Arizona. She currently resides on the Isle of Wight in the UK with her husband Peter and their 3-year old daughter, Audrey.
She is not only passionate about transformation, but also an accomplished Bharata Natyam dancer, and a champion for performing artists and an insightful writer. You can find out more about Anuradha and her work at www.ManifestByDesign.com
Background:
First, let’s give our readers some background on what your life used to be like. Share with them where you started so they will have an appreciation of how far you have come and all that has changed for you.
What was a turning point or challenge in your life that made you decide it was time to take action and begin creating your Custom Built Life™?
Just like most of your followers, I have a long story that brought me to this point. The main turning point was a wake up call in the form of health issues and a car accident in 2003. I was able to continue working, but I was increasingly upset with my career and life. It seemed unlikely that things could change. I remember feeling numb for months, and walking through life without hope. Soon after, I was sitting despondent on the sofa and turned on the TV to see Dr. Wayne Dyer on PBS giving a talk on 10 Secrets to Success and Inner Peace. Listening to his words, I knew there was a reason and purpose to my life. I knew I was alive for a reason and I was determined to find it. In my heart, I knew I would be okay. Often times, I would say in my head, ‘I’m alive and I’m here to do something about that. God, please show me the way.’ One day at a time and one step at a time, I moved forward. I was scared most days, but moving in the direction of my dreams.
Tell us about the “before and after” of your Custom Built Life. (Describe what your life was like before your turning point and what it is like now? What one or two things do you get to do now that you thought would never be possible? What are some of the best benefits to living your Custom Built Life?)
The ‘before’ picture was overworking, feeling guilty when I wasn’t working, and dreading work on Monday all day Sunday. I seem to recall a churning in my stomach and dreaded the stacks of grading as a teacher.
I also felt really lost and confused. I was seeing that all the promises of life didn’t seem to apply to me. I followed the rules and more negative things showed up.
Almost daily, I was tired and lonely. I felt that I didn’t have true friends. My time off was spent upset and wasting time instead of living life. The only ray of sunshine was my Bharata Natyam classes (South Indian Temple Dance) and my lovely cats: Pappu and Savannah.
My ‘after’ is so different. In 2006, I resigned as a high school science teacher and started my M.A. in Rhetoric. Later that year, I completed a childhood dream, of performing my solo debut of Bharata Natyam at the age of 26, a dream that I had held in my heart since a 7 or 8 years old. In 2008, I finished my M.A. with distinction and moved to the UK. I had originally planned to pursue a Ph.D. Dance but instead, completed a Fashion Design certificate and substitute taught in London schools.
Soon after, I met my husband Peter at a friend’s dinner party. He was sitting across from me talking about his recent trip to Australia. We instantly developed a friendship and within a year, we were married in New Zealand. Soon after, our precious Audrey showed up and she is so precious. I no longer feel lonely; I didn’t know that was possible. I thought there would always be loneliness in my life. But now, I feel loved and supported. I also feel like I can give that love and support to others.
I also didn’t think it would be possible to truly regain my health and a handle on my finances, but those have drastically turned around as well. I also own my own business, teaching my clients about alignment and integrity. I think the best part is that I am doing my purpose when I serve my clients help them build their lives by design and get into alignment with their purpose.
One of the biggest benefits is that I live with my best friend. Peter and I are such a good team and though things have been rough at times, we pull together as a family and move forward. We also bring out the best in each other. And though being an entrepreneur means working many hours, it’s for something I love and most of the work is ‘fun’, not piles of grading!
What were some “rules” you used to follow, that you changed or released because they were not serving you well?
That life had to be difficult. Life certainly can be difficult, but I released the necessity of it being difficult. Now I find greater ease as I move through life. Another rule that has been difficult to overcome is sharing my truth. I always worried what others would think and that would unduly influence them negatively or in doing so catch lots of unwanted flack. But the truth is, when I share my truth and wisdom, people respond positively and I feel better about myself. It’s been a difficult journey to stop hiding, but now that is the heart of my message.
What are two or three personal “rules” that now guide your Custom Built Life?
We have a couple rules around food: first that we make time to eat dinner as a family every day, if possible. We also eat real food first. That simplifies what we can eat and we all feel better when we eat real foods. These rules make sure we have time to relax and heal with foods.
The other rule is to regularly celebrate life and each other by sharing what we love, speaking our gratitudes, and doing dances of joy as the moment feels right.
Advice & Perspective:
Our readers would love to hear some words of wisdom that will help them on their own journey of creating their Custom Built Life.
PAST: What is one piece of advice you would give to someone who has just started thinking about creating their Custom Built Life?
Before you can manifest your life by design and build your custom built life, you must stop pressing the ‘panic’ button. What many of my clients face is a desire for a meaningful life and work, but they are constantly under a barrage of stress over finances, relationships, career and home life. They don’t make time for themselves and they are trying to create a new life from place of stress. That may mean doing a little less and making a little time for you.
First, realize that you created your current situation and you, and only you, have the power to change it. Now is the time to get focused on your desires. Many people wait until a crisis hits to change their lives, but just picking an ordinary day and shifting something small will add up much quicker and with much less duress.
PAST: What is the biggest thing you had to overcome to create the life you have today?
The biggest thing I’ve had to overcome is believing in myself. I didn’t have the faith or the confidence that I could pull myself out initially. I had been always waiting to be ‘saved’, thinking I didn’t know how. But I realized that the only one that could fix it was me. Once I took responsibility in a small area, I would gain confidence and then it would start to spill over into other areas of life. I take a lot of pride in all that I’ve manifested and built. The other negative I’ve overcome, was the naysayers or the well-wishers with other opinions. I used to believe that their opinions mattered. In the overall picture, they don’t. They are just saying what they think is right and trying to keep us safe. But you’ve got to follow your heart.
PRESENT: What are three things that people can do right now to start the process of creating their Custom Built Life?
- Make it a practice to chill out, laugh and have fun every day. When we live in perpetual stress, as many do, lasting change is difficult to achieve.
- Commit to your vision. Become unwavering in your faith that it will show up and act accordingly. Dithering is the worst thing to do.
- Don’t wait for the perfect moment to start. Just start where you are, right now.
FUTURE: What lies ahead for your Custom Built Life? What are you currently working toward?
Well, the next few years will be ramping up the business and travel. We are working to become financial free through paying off debt and creating wealth in many ways. We also have plans to bring Peter home from work, so he can pursue more purpose-driven work. In addition, we are combining our work with a huge passion—travel. We are planning a tour for Manifest By Design as well as creating opportunities to travel as a family.
Favorites:
Now for some fun, can you please tell us some of your favorite things? Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens,…
Who have the most influential people been in your life? Why did they influence you so much?
One of the most influential people is Mahatma Gandhi. Since childhood, I watched the movie with Ben Kingsley so many times. I also love Anne Frank and Viktor Frankl for their courage and bravery. I also think, though I haven’t seen eye to eye with my parents, they have always loved and done their best. They, directly or indirectly, helped me hone my message and share my truth in hundreds of way. They continue to support me as I grow.
What is your favorite personal development book?
I have so many favorites in the personal development category. One of my favorites is Biology of Belief, by Bruce Lipton. He shares in that book that we have the ultimate control of our lives by changing our beliefs. And even though many of the programs we run our lives on came from childhood, they too can be rewritten; and as we change that, the way our DNA is read and expressed dramatically changes.
What are your favorite tools or practices for staying motivated?
One of my favorites is singing and dancing around with my daughter. We frequently make up songs and dances inspired by the goal or the victory. Another silly one is using a Staples ‘Easy Button’. It says in a silly voice, ‘that was easy’. That always makes me smile. I make it a habit to push the button when I’m working through tasks that feel like slogging work. Just like the heart gives itself nourishment, find ways to reward and nourish yourself on a regular basis.
What is your favorite song for improving your mood?
I have songs for various moods. Pop song choices include ‘Brave’ by Sara Bareilles or ‘Beautiful’ by Christina Aguilera. But often times, the sounds that center me the most are my Bharata Natyam music and South Indian Classical Music. There is nothing like the voice of M.S. Subbulakshmi or Balamurali Krishna singing devotional songs coupled with the mrudangam (2 sided drums) to bring up my joy. It reminds me to dance and it reminds me of the love and devotion available to us at any moment.
What would people be surprised to learn about your Custom Built Life?
That I am a proponent of unschooling. Despite my background in education, I believe in self-education. We are our best teachers, combined with life experience, we become unstoppable. Each part of my success now is because I repeatedly failed in each area so many times, till I found my true path. I had relationships that were less than ideal, worked in jobs that were less than satisfying, and had a dreadful relationship with my parents. We all start somewhere!
