Nancy Katyal is a leading voice in the corporate circle as an internationally certified executive presence coach and leadership development consultant with close to two decades of experience.She is also a Leadership and communication consultant.
She is also a visiting professor in top B-schools like the IIMs and MIT University. Her clients include Fortune 500 companies, startups, luxury brands, leading corporates, celebrities, top B-schools and organisations like FICCI, CII to name a few. Nancy is president of *Conscious Communication* Council, Maharashtra, at Women’s Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (WICCI). Nancy has been featured in leading national newspapers like the Indian Express, Pune Times, the Times of India, and she has been aired on radio channels too. She has many awards to her credit like the Lokmat Sakhi Sanman Award for contribution in the education sector, Limca Book of Records—National Record, Guinness World Records and fifty-one most influential women award by Brij Bhumi Foundation.
In this insightful interview, Nancy shares her inspiring journey as a writer, driven by personal transformation and a desire to connect with readers on a deep, heartfelt level. She discusses the unique elements of her book "COMMIT TO YOURSELF," the themes she explores in her writing, and her writing process. Nancy also offers valuable advice for aspiring writers and gives a glimpse into her future projects. Through her words, she aims to spark connection, offer comfort, and encourage readers to lead a life true to their core values.
What inspired you to become a writer?
We all desire to change and move out of our comfort zones. We all have those moments where we are tired of the patterns that are not serving us and an inner voice tells us- enough is enough and the pain of being stuck is a recurring pattern.
There were several moments where I felt that every time I passed by the mirror, it was screaming back at me and saying, Nancy, stop lying to yourself and take charge and create that much-needed shift in your life. And the first moment happened when my daughter was born. I knew that my daughter will learn more by observing me than by what I said. So my daughter was the driving force and inspiration.
We cannot control what happens in the external environment, but we can definitely take charge of what happens in our internal environment and that requires us to be willing to make different choices.
I wanted more from life and when I began the journey and after a while started seeing amazing results and shifts in my life, I decided to share the frameworks and tools with the world too and that’s where the seed of writing this book came in.
How would you describe your writing style?
The feedback I have received from most of my readers is that my writing style feels like having a heartfelt conversation with a friend, which is simple and relatable.
I aim to share my ideas in a warm way like we are sitting together over a cup of coffee and listening to a friend holding the space for us with a lot of care and love.
When I write, I want the readers to feel seen and understood, to find pieces of their own story within the words. I use real-life examples, hoping to spark moments of connection between the reader and the writer. My goal is to make complex ideas feel approachable and offer my experiences and learnings that readers can easily apply in their own lives. I want my words to be a source of comfort and clarity, something that you can return to, time and again, and these words I hope serve as a gentle reminder that you are not alone in this journey called Life.
What inspired you to become a writer?
We all desire to change and move out of our comfort zones. We all have those moments where we are tired of the patterns that are not serving us and an inner voice tells us- enough is enough and the pain of being stuck is a recurring pattern.
There were several moments where I felt that every time I passed by the mirror, it was screaming back at me and saying, Nancy, stop lying to yourself and take charge and create that much-needed shift in your life. And the first moment happened when my daughter was born. I knew that my daughter will learn more by observing me than by what I said. So my daughter was the driving force and inspiration.
We cannot control what happens in the external environment, but we can definitely take charge of what happens in our internal environment and that requires us to be willing to make different choices.
I wanted more from life and when I began the journey and after a while started seeing amazing results and shifts in my life, I decided to share the frameworks and tools with the world too and that’s where the seed of writing this book came in.
How would you describe your writing style?
The feedback I have received from most of my readers is that my writing style feels like having a heartfelt conversation with a friend, which is simple and relatable.
I aim to share my ideas in a warm way like we are sitting together over a cup of coffee and listening to a friend holding the space for us with a lot of care and love.
When I write, I want the readers to feel seen and understood, to find pieces of their own story within the words. I use real-life examples, hoping to spark moments of connection between the reader and the writer. My goal is to make complex ideas feel approachable and offer my experiences and learnings that readers can easily apply in their own lives. I want my words to be a source of comfort and clarity, something that you can return to, time and again, and these words I hope serve as a gentle reminder that you are not alone in this journey called Life.
Your book, COMMIT TO YOURSELF, has resonated with readers across India and received significant media attention. What makes this book unique, and what key message do you hope your readers take away from it?
The book offers practical tools and strategies that can support readers to build deeper self connection with themselves, offer inner freedom and build the muscle of courage to navigate the challenges of life with grace and authenticity. This book is a warm invitation to encourage readers to take charge of their life in their own hands on all levels and truly lead a life true to their core values and purpose.
I am touched by the overwhelming response my book has received so far and how it continues to stay relevant after one and a half year of its launch not only in India but across the world and that is because each individual has an innate desire to break free and to commit to themselves for unleashing their greatness.
Are there any recurring themes or messages that you like to explore in your work?
In my writing, I often find myself inclined towards themes that touch the heart and soul of personal and professional lives. These themes include communication, leadership, personal transformation, facing our fears, the art of having difficult conversations, building teams, and deepening our understanding of our core values and the power of human connection.
What is your writing process like? Do you have any rituals or routines?
My writing process is grounded in a daily routine that keeps me anchored and focused. I have a dedicated desk with powerful quotes on display where I write every day, even if it’s just for five minutes. This commitment helps me to stay connected to my work and maintains a steady flow of ideas and creativity.
I don’t look at writing as a task, I look at it as a practice that offers me self-clarity. Every time I sit to write, I remind myself to see it as an opportunity to explore my thoughts, feelings, and ideas more deeply without any judgment.
This process helps me to eventually build on content that I can offer to the world as my way of contribution and authentic self-expression for myself and for my readers.
Are there any particular authors or books that have influenced your writing?
I am an avid reader; I have been deeply influenced by several authors and their impactful books. Eckhart Tolle’s work on mindfulness and living in the present has been a huge inspiration for me. Stephen Covey’s insights on nurturing habits of effective living and Louise Hay’s work on self-love and healing have also shaped my perspective.
Ken Blanchard's work on leadership has profound insights that I found useful.
I love the work Brene Brown has done on vulnerability and courage. Viktor Frankl’s book called Man’s Search for Meaning was life-changing. Each of these authors has helped me understand more about human connection, personal growth and transformation, leadership, the importance of being true to yourself, and the power of compassion towards self and others.
How do you handle writer's block or moments of creative stagnation?
When I hit a wall with writer’s block or feel creatively stuck, I have a few go-to strategies:
Change of Environment: Sometimes just stepping away from my writing desk and going for a walk or changing my environment can make a big difference. A walk outside, going for a short drive, or working in a different space often helps me refresh my mind
Take a break: I allow myself to take a break from writing whenever I feel overwhelmed or when I don’t seem to get any ideas for my writing. Engaging in something different, like reading a book, listening to music or even just sitting with my thoughts can help shake off the block.
Free flow writing: I do some free writing and let my thoughts flow without worrying about whether it's creative or unique. It’s a way to get ideas out of my system.
Phone a friend: Calling a dear friend and discussing my challenges with them offers a fresh perspective and a good conversation can often give us the gentle nudge that we need to start.
Set small goals- I focus on setting small goals for my writing rather than big intimidating targets like 2000 words every day. For me, progress is more important than perfection. Writing a few paragraphs each day helps me build momentum, even if it's just a few sentences.
I often find these strategies support me in breaking through the creative block and returning to my writing with a fresh perspective.
Do you have any advice for aspiring writers looking to get their work published?
If you are an aspiring writer hoping to get your work published, here are some inputs from the heart. There’s never a perfect time to start, the perfect time is NOW.
Please stay true to your unique voice, write from the heart, and through honest self-expression. Embrace rejection as part of the process and don’t see it as a rejection of your work, instead keep knocking on more doors and see it as redirection and opportunity to grow. Surround yourself with a supportive network of fellow writers, friends and mentors as their encouragement can make all the difference.
Celebrate small wins and believe in your work and yourself- your voice and ideas matter, with dedication and perseverance it will find its way to the readers who need to hear it.
Are there any future projects or books that you are currently working on or planning to pursue?
Yes, I have been contacted by a few publishers and I am currently in discussions about some exciting projects. I am still in the process of finalizing which publisher will be the best fit, and I am looking forward to sharing more details with our readers as things develop and progress.
Ken Blanchard's work on leadership has profound insights that I found useful.
I love the work Brene Brown has done on vulnerability and courage. Viktor Frankl’s book called Man’s Search for Meaning was life-changing. Each of these authors has helped me understand more about human connection, personal growth and transformation, leadership, the importance of being true to yourself, and the power of compassion towards self and others.
When I hit a wall with writer’s block or feel creatively stuck, I have a few go-to strategies:
Change of Environment: Sometimes just stepping away from my writing desk and going for a walk or changing my environment can make a big difference. A walk outside, going for a short drive, or working in a different space often helps me refresh my mind
Take a break: I allow myself to take a break from writing whenever I feel overwhelmed or when I don’t seem to get any ideas for my writing. Engaging in something different, like reading a book, listening to music or even just sitting with my thoughts can help shake off the block.
Free flow writing: I do some free writing and let my thoughts flow without worrying about whether it's creative or unique. It’s a way to get ideas out of my system.
Phone a friend: Calling a dear friend and discussing my challenges with them offers a fresh perspective and a good conversation can often give us the gentle nudge that we need to start.
Set small goals- I focus on setting small goals for my writing rather than big intimidating targets like 2000 words every day. For me, progress is more important than perfection. Writing a few paragraphs each day helps me build momentum, even if it's just a few sentences.
I often find these strategies support me in breaking through the creative block and returning to my writing with a fresh perspective.
Do you have any advice for aspiring writers looking to get their work published?
If you are an aspiring writer hoping to get your work published, here are some inputs from the heart. There’s never a perfect time to start, the perfect time is NOW.
Please stay true to your unique voice, write from the heart, and through honest self-expression. Embrace rejection as part of the process and don’t see it as a rejection of your work, instead keep knocking on more doors and see it as redirection and opportunity to grow. Surround yourself with a supportive network of fellow writers, friends and mentors as their encouragement can make all the difference.
Celebrate small wins and believe in your work and yourself- your voice and ideas matter, with dedication and perseverance it will find its way to the readers who need to hear it.
Are there any future projects or books that you are currently working on or planning to pursue?
Yes, I have been contacted by a few publishers and I am currently in discussions about some exciting projects. I am still in the process of finalizing which publisher will be the best fit, and I am looking forward to sharing more details with our readers as things develop and progress.
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