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We have this habit of checking the strength of our relationships, every now and then.
“Let’s see if they can be trusted.”

The minute we test it, we break it.
It is either earned or established through conduct.
It’s not to be tested.

To test trust, is to not have it.

IQ, aka how smart you are, once used to be the biggest determinant of success. 

Then came the EQ.
Empathising with people made us better leaders and effective communicators.

The world evolved and everything around us is now designed to attract our attention.
Thus, making it priceless for the ability to devote our 100% attention without being distracted. 

It’s not the IQ; it’s not the EQ; it’s not their combination either.
The ability to focus is the most significant determinant of success.

It’s unfair to compare our progress with someone who is just starting out, and feel good about ourselves. 

Just like it is unfair to compare ourselves with someone who has been at it longer than us, and feel bad about ourselves.

Different durations. Different people. Different destinations.
Then why the same place of comparison?

Why not compare ourselves with who we were yesterday?
It’s fair, we know the one being compared to really well, and the best part, we can make any change we want to! 

It’s not about who we are today.
It’s about who we will be tomorrow, from who we were yesterday.

Your college.
Your job.
Your car.
Your phone.
Your clothes.
Your choices. 

Remember that people judge because they want to feel good about themselves.
It has nothing to do with you.
It is their insecurity.

1) The Energy Drainer: 

You feel tense and uneasy after each interaction with them.

2) The Pessimist: 

They have a negative outlook of the world.
Always try to talk you out of your dreams.

3) The Criticizer: 

They don’t support you in your decisions.
They criticize every move you make.
They make you feel like you can’t do anything right.

4) The Manipulator: 

They try to control everything. 

Pretend to like you and other people.
But they just want to make every decision for themselves and others.

5) The Victim: 

They blame others for their misfortune.
Constantly seek attention from others.
Talk mostly about their excuse for failing.

Which of these have you encountered the most? 

Harder question: 

Which of these are you often?

While you are building your skills, the most important thing to build is your reputation.

Your goal is to make people say “I am not sure if they know how to do it. But I am certain if told to do it, they will definitely figure it out. I trust them.”

Success is made up of 99% small things done on a daily basis.

You do not have to be immensely talented and gifted in order to be successful at work and in life.

All you have to optimise for is showing up and doing the work.
Every. Single. Day.

Even when it seems boring.
Even when you don’t feel like it.

The most successful people are basically successful at staying consistent.Consistency beats talent and natural gifts.
Heck, it even beats luck.

All the work we do at wariCrew is documented and tracked on @Asana.

We have been using it for 2.5+ years now — with awesome success. 

3 reasons why:

1. It keeps everyone accountable.

2. It allows us to manage projects and their various tasks and dependencies efficiently.

3. It keeps us on time — across content and courses.

It is also the system that determines the timeliness of team members, which in turn, drives 40% of their quarterly bonus through profit sharing.

How is the profit-share determined for every individual?

While the pool is common for the team (10% of net profits), the individual amounts are determined 60% by the quality of their work (which is reviewed through their monthly self-rating followed by my assessment) and 40% by the timeliness of their work. 

Last year, the total profit-sharing pool was 52 lakhs.Such tools help our team of 21 operate remotely and asynchronously.

If you died, your manager would put out a job posting in 48 hours looking for a replacement.

Your friends and family will never get that chance.

As much as your job is necessary, do not ignore the relationships where you remain irreplaceable.

1. When speaking to people, look into their eyes.
It makes you look attentive and unbiased.

In virtual meetings, look into the camera pinhole and not their face (will take some time getting used to).
That way, you look straight into their eyes.

2. Asking simple questions with predictable answers makes you instantly likeable.

That’s why, start a first meeting with standard questions.
“Where are you from?”
“What do you do?”
“Who all are in your family?

3. If you want people to agree with you, begin by asking for a small favour that they will say yes to.

It could be anything.
Even something as basic as “Could you please pass me that pen?”

Chances are high they will agree/say yes to what you ask after.

4. To show that you are listening, keep nodding.
It will make them express more.

Ranveer Allahbadia is a master at this.

5. Your last impression is just as important, if not more, than your first impression.People’s memory of an experience is heavily dependent on how it ended.
Make that last impression count.