How Fathers Strike a Professional Personal Mental Health Balance

Father's Day is a cherished moment that celebrates the love and dedication of fathers worldwide. Beyond the traditional expressions of gratitude, it also serves as a reminder to acknowledge the challenges faced by fathers in maintaining a harmonious equilibrium between their professional ambitions and family well-being. In honour of this Father's Day, a diverse group of influential industry leaders who have achieved remarkable success in their respective fields shared their insights on the significance of mental health and the importance of striking a perfect balance between personal and professional life.

Aatur Thakkar, Co-founder, and Director, Alliance Insurance Brokers- My parenting style is deeply influenced by my grandmother, who serves as my ultimate mentor. As a child, she instilled in me the values of hard work, integrity, and the pursuit of excellence in all aspects of life. These invaluable lessons have shaped my own journey, and now I am dedicated to passing them on to my children. By imparting these values, my aim is to empower them to reach their fullest potential and make a positive impact on their own lives and the world around them.

However, as a father and Co-founder, I face the daily challenge of balancing my personal and professional responsibilities. I firmly believe that effective prioritization and being fully present where I am needed the most, are key. Some days demand my undivided attention to my family, while on other days, work takes precedence. To provide my children with a glimpse into the real world and shape their character, I encourage them to visit the office frequently, immersing them in our work culture during their formative years.

Dr. Vikas Katoch, Founder and CEO, Adomantra and Adotrip.com- As a father, founder, and CEO, my passion knows no bounds. I nurture my businesses, Adomantra and Adotrip.com with love, dedication, and affection, just as I do with my son and team. They are all my extended family, and witnessing their growth fills me with immense joy and pride. To me, a father and a founder have the same definition as my core purpose remains constant - to impart knowledge, instil values, and nurture talent. Building a strong foundation with my team mirrors the bond I share with my son. I admit, balancing two ventures and family life can be challenging. In this delicate equilibrium between work and family, I prioritise work-life balance and have created a flexible environment for both myself and my team. My family receives my undivided attention, and with my son, I transition from being just a father to a trusted friend. We create a strong bond that carries us through the inevitable ups and downs.

I keep my weekends reserved for my family. I ensure that my son and I indulge in outdoor sports, swim and travel together. We engage in conversations about inspirational life events, work, and life challenges while also enjoying the pleasure of reading books and watching movies together. Growing up in an army family, discipline has been ingrained in me since childhood, and I strive to pass on those invaluable lessons to my son. My family stands by me during the days when my work demands my full attention, providing unwavering support. Together, we navigate the challenges that come our way, ensuring that no aspect of our lives is neglected.

Social Leader, Srihari Chity, Integrator, Resource Mobilization, Communications & Partnerships, PRADAN- As a working father of two kids aged 15 and 10, life is not easy. More so if your spouse is also working full-time. Balancing between a highly demanding job, and the needs of kids and family is a daunting task. It calls for a lot of sacrifices and trade-offs. It cuts into your time for rejuvenation. The key is whether one finds happiness while he does his duties for the kids and family.  I try to find my happiness in the responsibilities I have taken at home and clear work division at home helps in that. Kids are my responsibility. This involves making them ready for school in the morning and dropping them off at the bus stop for the school bus, and in the evening sitting with them for 2-3 hours and helping them in their studies. That gives me the opportunity to spend a good amount of time with them which I cherish and we relate to each other very well. They approach me for everything they want without any hesitation. I feel happy about that. Very soon they are going to have their wings and they will leave our abode to make a new one. So the more I spend time with them now the better.

In a society that often glorifies success and relentless work, the voices of such industry leaders serve as a powerful reminder that mental health and family should never be compromised.