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Career Advice

Go where you are rare

Success is being at right place at right time. Once upon a time, I refused a lucrative offer to join a leading IT company in Mumbai citing “I won’t shift to Mumbai.” I was well settled in Vadodara when I got an offer to join Sony Music in Mumbai. I asked a close friend for advice, and he said, “Ishwar, you should go there as you will get better opportunity to grow yourself.”

If I’d have refused, Sony Music won’t have happened. Opportunity to write 100s of articles won’t have happened. Joining the league of youngest CEO of Digital at Zee won’t have happened. Traveling the around the globe won’t have happened. Speaking, mentoring and guiding 100s of entrepreneurs won’t have happened. And meeting 1000’s of beautiful people won’t have happened.

“Go where you are rare.” is a great sentence. Being rare positions you as an extraordinarily excellent. It brings the power to you. Things work differently. That ‘rare’ position gives you the opportunity to discover, justify, explain, convince, and win over hundreds of people aiming to grab the spot you are enjoying. You’re at the spotlight.

If you have spotted that ‘rare’ position, the only word of precaution: Don’t solely rely on your talent to draw an extraordinary result out of your situation; push your limits, empathy and your desire to serve.

Keep honoring the purpose of your being that ‘rare’ person, and do more of those things to serve the people around you.

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Maybe this isn’t for me

When did you last watch a toddler’s first attempt to walk? I did it a few days ago. What I observed was that when the child was learning how to walk and fell several times, he never thought to himself, “Maybe this isn’t for me.” He kept trying and the beautiful thing was that the people around were encouraging and appreciating the child for his efforts and didn’t point their finger at him for the fall.

As an inventor, Edison made 1,000 unsuccessful attempts at inventing the light bulb. When a reporter asked, “How did it feel to fail 1,000 times?” Edison replied, “I didn’t fail 1,000 times. The lightbulb was an invention with 1,000 steps.”

I find social validation the greatest enemy. You look for someone else to validate who you are by seeking their approval and setting up yourself for disaster. You’re born a whole and complete man. It cannot come from someone else. You have to know who you are. You have to keep constantly trying like Edison without being worried about the fall much.

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Be the part of solution and fix things that you can

A skilled craftsman goes to old broken house and restores it into a fabulous looking home. A mechanic repairs your car back to travel ready. A doctor heals by treating the disease of a patient. They all see the problem and they all specialise in fixing it.

Be the solution side of any problem and hone your skill that enables you to solve the issue. Also, when you begin fixing the problem you become the favourite of God as he is the one who always fixes the problems when someone calls him.

Allow yourself to be God’s next fixer upper project.

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Dumb. Stupid. Willing

There are dumb people and they can be defined as someone who doesn’t know what they’re supposed to know. Dumb people are by product of circumstances that lack access to learning, bad teachers or unguarded parenting. They are like an empty glass.

There are stupid people – filled with agendas, notions, and concepts and limiting beliefs. They believe they are best at everything and except for themselves, everyone else is a useless species. They know what they need to know, that’s kind of fixed as they have made it a choice not to learn new things. They are like a full glass in which even a drop of water will cause overflow.And then there are people who are willing. Willing to thirst upon the learning that enables them to make good decisions, willing to learn to explore the limitless possibilities, willing to learn to deal with the ever changing world, and willing to question authority, including the self. And these are the people who make things, choices and create a world filled with the makers of amazing things to lead the world to a better place than they were born. These people can be represented as half empty glass.

And then there are people who are willing. Willing to thirst upon the learning that enables them to make good decisions, willing to learn to explore the limitless possibilities, willing to learn to deal with the ever changing world, and willing to question authority, including the self. And these are the people who make things, choices and create a world filled with the makers of amazing things to lead the world to a better place than they were born. These people can be represented as half empty glass.


Who are you, when no one is looking?

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Little Bets

During an interaction with student entrepreneurs at Nirmala College, I met a student who started his business while being in college.

His story is like this:
He thought that he has passion and acumen for photography. He purchased a low-cost camera to start his photography business.

Subsequently, he made some money and invested in buying a professional DSLR with the investment of Rs. 80,000 from his profit. Now, he has a dream to set up his own studio.

My own journey as an entrepreneur started with little bets. Selling books, computer stationery,  side projects. I call it little bets for a small win to gain the confidence you need to inroad for a giant leap.

Little bets are concrete actions taken to discover, test, and develop ideas that are achievable and affordable.

They begin as creative possibilities that get iterated and refined over time, and they are particularly valuable when trying to navigate amid uncertainty, create something new, or attend to open-ended problems.

If you have been thinking about starting up something big, start placing little bets today to experience small win and a big confidence boost. I bet you to place little bets today…

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Why you should treat failure as a learning

The professor of psychology, Carol Dweck, pioneered the research on mindset.

The Stanford Psychology Professor Carol Dweck has done pioneering work on ‘mindset’. She discovered that our mindset determines our mental attitude about how we respond to situations. She classifies the mindset into two types:

1) Fixed mindset people who assume that everything in the world is already fixed: intelligence, qualities, capabilities, traits, and everything runs and obeys the worldly order.

2) Growth mindset: people who believe intelligence is a quality that changes, grows, and develops, like a ropeway created on the pond’s wall by the constant rope running while drawing water from the well.

Most entrepreneurs possess a growth mindset; if not, he’s not an entrepreneur.

I recently read a report that 40% of startups failed last year. It’s projected as a big news. Globally, 90% of startups fail. If 40% is true, then we are the world’s best entrepreneurs or are still hiding our failures under the carpet.

Everyone who’s achieved incredible success has told me that success is going from failure to another failure until you achieve success.

People with a growth mindset regard failure as a learning experience; I attempted something very challenging, gave my best shot, and learned a great deal.

The only caution here is that despite failure if you continue to do the same things repeatedly, you are a fool.

I find Thomas Edison’s answer quite impressive. He tried 10,000 experiments to invent the filament of the light bulb, and each failure brought him closer to the final result.

Carol Dweck’s recipe for developing a growth mindset:
1. Learn. Learn. Learn.
2. Realize hard work is the key
3. Face setbacks.
hashtaggrowthmindset hashtaglifelonglearning

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Lack of strength to decide cost more, compared to do things

“What you want to do tomorrow, you must do it today. What you want to do today, you must do it now. Your time may turn unfavorable anytime, don’t wait for the opportune time.” ~~ Kabir

The above couplet by Kabir is used by all and sundry to depict the importance of time. It’s an apt reminder to all of us that time and tide wait for none. However, the challenge we are facing is to decide on what to do.

Increasingly, we are getting overloaded by conflicting thoughts, ideas, opinions, and options. Driven by the accessibility of choices of similar products, similar price, and similar quality, our struggle with decision-making is becoming challenging and draining your energies.

You delay for taking decisions on whether taking the decision will constrain you to take up another one as they may be better for you.

The law of attraction says that if you take any decision driven by your aspirations, all of the forces of the universe work around that decision.

There is no right or wrong, but a series of opportunities that arises with each passing steps, and the actions that you experience. It’s like a frame of a movie that inspires next step.

Don’t delay your decisions in anticipation of waiting for a better option, because you what is in front of you today can become better by you making the decisions to do it. What is there in front of you is your calling and what is not there may not come up.

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Finding the focus in the distracted world

“For him who has conquered the mind, the mind is the best of friends, but for one who has failed to do so, his mind will remain the greatest enemy.” Bhagavad Gita 6.6

Passion is an important quality that helps us dream with open eyes, wake up every morning, and get out to go and do things to realise our dreams, visions, and goals. But, when surrounded by so many distractions, pursuing the passion with the focus is difficult. On many occasions, caught between these distractions, you can’t go with the flow to get important things done. Your days, weeks, and months pass, living in an uncertain terrain, feeling victimised.

My journey has involved embracing a morning walk, meditation, reflection techniques, and reading books to strengthen my conviction and draw inspiration. These help me maintain my focus.

I have learned that you must discover your strengths and focus on developing them rather than pondering your weaknesses. For example, if I am good at creating products/services, I should strengthen my thinking, innovation, and brainstorming skills. 

The other thing that helps me keep moving is actively seeking opportunities to explore my aptitude in different/adjacent fields that complement my strengths. It’s like a side project that offers an opportunity to strengthen your core.

Another key realisation has been the importance of not spreading myself too thin. Instead of trying to excel in every area, I’ve learned to rely on others who can complement my strengths. We all have unique abilities, and by focusing on our strengths, we can surpass the capabilities of generalists.

With these, the only things left for me to focus on are managing my thoughts, applying my strengths with full focus to get things done, and pursuing stability that will lead to the path and outcome that I desire.

God Krishna meant to say to Arjuna that this is about the mind and achieving results with focus.

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Whether to do business with friends or not

“Pyar dosti hai, agar wo meri sabse achi dost nahi ban sakti to main usse kabhi pyar kar hi nahi sakta” Shahrukh Khan in movie Kuch Kuch Hota Hai.

The dialogue says a lot about the formation of love beginning with a good friendship. Then why do we have so much reluctance to firm up a business relationship with friends, citing, “Let there not be any business between friends; it spoils the relationship.” My mother also constantly reminded me that “put money factor in any relationship, and it will become the sole cause of spoilers.”

Alongside my entrepreneurial journey, I have formed businesses with friends and experienced both good and bad tastes in them. But it has never happened that we have entered into any quarrel or litigation. When things didn’t work out, we reconciled the account and decided to part ways mutually. The friendship still exists.

I know many people who are successful in their life journey better with their friends than doing it alone. So many chartered accountancy firm partners have succeeded in doing business together. When asked about their relationship, my CA friend said, “Ishwar, we have always worked as a family. We never checked the bank withdrawals; we have brought life essentials together, we have gone for holidays together, and we handle everyday family/work responsibilities based on our strengths.”

It’s hard to handle personal, family and work priorities alone unless you find a pill that eliminates our need to sleep, relax, and rejoice in life.  

In my view, the first step is to consider partnership only with friends who share matching values regarding money, social impact, lifestyle, and commitment.

Second, it is crucial to establish clarity on the rules, roles, and responsibilities from the beginning.

Third, you must be willing to ignore the tiny things that will come in the way of painting the picture you’ve decided to paint.

Fourth, having a good partner gives you an ally to easily discuss and decide on the frustrations, challenges, and obstacles that come your way. 

Whenever you feel that you’re entering a challenging terrain with your friendship, watch the friendship of Jay and Veeru in Sholay and listen to the song “Yeh Dosti Hum Nahi Todenge. Todenge Dam Magar Tera Sath Na Chhodenge.”

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Can entrepreneurship be taught?

In my view, you can teach the principles of entrepreneurship but not the passion for execution. You cannot teach what it takes to be successful. You cannot teach someone to have an execution plan and the ability to carry it out when no one is there to hold their hand or guide them day-to-day. You cannot teach how to create values and build a business or how to improve and transform it.

However, you can teach how to prepare a business plan and present ideas with the right pitch deck. You can teach how to discover and implement the value curve in products or services. You can teach how to identify and execute a product’s unfair advantage. You can teach how to explain a product and uniquely position it with the right perspective. You can teach how to develop an idea into a product that people love and find valuable. You can teach how to research, innovate, and bring together people to build a product, ensuring that you ship the right product, service, or opportunity.

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How to be smart in meetings

When I attend meetings and conferences, one of the best thing that I observe that when someone ask a question and I respond, “You’ve asked a very intelligent question.” I’d find a glow in the eyes of person and his involvement in the discussion gets recharged.

The best way to appear smart in any meeting is, you prepare beforehand going for the meeting.  Do a Venn Diagram of things you know and don’t know and thereafter having your attention fixed on the topic either ask an intelligent question or support the answer if you find the explanation appropriate.

This shall help you gain attention, recognition and appreciation instantly.

Share if you have a better way to appear smart through any another way.

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Everyday is the season of doing

The dream you’ve had since you were born is still there, you know. It may seem impossible, ridiculous, unrealistic. Yet, it’s still there—waiting to go beyond your fear of failing, your “what-if” excuses, your concern of what others may think.

Your dream is ready to get out of your head and heart to be a reality.
So, pick up the pen. Pick up the paper. Pick up the microphone and guitar. Pick up your tools and toolkits. Pick up yourself, and go for it.

Your audience has waited too long to see you live out your dream. Now is the time to show them what you can do. Now is the time to give that rockstar performance. Now is the time to reclaim your original artist. Now.

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7 things winners do daily to win their day

THE SAVERS

If you wish to win, here is how you should start your day. Everyday.

SILENCE

Breathing, meditation, or prayer. Whatever that suits you. Your moments with yourself to clear the clutter and develop the focus for what’s important now.

AFFIRMATIONS

You’re what you think and you attract what is ingrained in your thoughts. Appreciate yourself for your accomplishments and remind yourself of the best you want to be.

VISUALIZATION

Sink yourself into the most desirous dream-well. That lavish life. Dream house. Happiness. Whatever you aim for and achieve to reclaim your glory. Whatever will make you feel accomplished.

EXERCISE

Exercise keeps you fit, recharged, and physically prepared. There are 8 – 10 minute exercise options as well. Get the 8 minute app or Yoga Jogging by Baba Ramdev.

READING

The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more authority you develop

SCRIBING

Like me write something meaningful that comes to you. Meeting observation, experiences, or family conversations. Post them on social media or keep it for future reading.

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6 Truths about finding your passion

1. You will need to experiment with lots of things before you know your passion

2. You have to give time to discover your true passion.

3. Never confuse your interests with the passion – interests are momentary flirting with something that excites you.

4. Your true passion will constantly look attractive to you and you will keep going back to it.

5. Your passion will rule over your thinking and day dreaming

6. More you invest your time, money and resources into it, more the meaningfulness you will experience

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