Preeti Adhikary is the founder of The Great Nepali Diaspora, a community of exceptional global Nepali talent that aims to nurture connection, collaboration, and camaraderie to create impact at scale.
To kick things off, could you tell us a little about your career background and current role?
After working in multiple industries like banking, startups and nonprofits, I am currently the Founder of The Great Nepali Diaspora, a community of global professionals with roots in Nepal. In 9 months, we have over 2k members in 40 chapters around the world.
What does a day in your life look like for you? Can you take us through a recent workday?
I usually go for a walk in the morning around my neighbourhood. In order to allow time for deep work, I now schedule calls during two days during the week and work from home then. I work from New York city about twice a week and schedule in-person meetings and events during that time. My workday extends from 9 am to 9 pm on most days to accommodate various time zones and members/partners in the west coast, Asia and other locations.
What does work-life balance mean to you and how do you work to achieve that goal?
A strict work-life balance is hard to achieve, especially as a founder of a small organization. There is always too much to do. What I have learnt is to not look for exactly 50% balance but 10% one day, 75% another and so on. There are times where work issues are paramount and urgent and you have to give it your all. On other days, you can prioritize time with friends and family and enjoy a relaxed meal or outing. Removing the self-inflicted guilt is not easy but is the best gift you can give yourself.
In the past 12 months, have you started or stopped any routines or habits to change your life?
I used to exercise religiously for the past decade or so but had to stop due to some health complications. It took me forever to get back into the habit. But now, instead of being stubborn about the type and intensity of exercise, I try to go outside for 30-45 mins per day. As long as I don’t spend the day on a couch, I am okay.
Do you have any favourite books, podcasts or newsletters that you’d like to recommend?
I listen to a variety of podcasts from different genres. Some of my favorites are Happier with Gretchen Rubin, HBR Ideacast, WorkLife with Adam Grant and Masters of Scale with Reid Hoffman.
If you could read an interview about work-life balance by anyone, who would that be?
Ordinary men and women who are navigating these struggles instead of ones that have an entourage of help. Tips from someone I can relate to versus an impossible reach would be more useful.
Do you have any last thoughts on work, life or balance that you’d like to share with our readers?
Real life is messy, imbalanced and complicated. Don’t search for perfection in any of these parts of life and compare your reality with what you see on social media. Be okay with living a non-curated, perfectly imperfect life.
