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Processes – that let everyone know what they are supposed to do, and when.

Culture – that respects everyone, irrespective of what they do or where they are from.

Investment in technology – so that humans do not waste endless hours to do what a software could do for way lesser time, rather they use their creativity where it could nurture the best

The 4th ingredient is the most important one: As a leader, you do not have to optimise to solve all the problems. You rather have to optimise for being resilient and detached from the problem, in order to be able to solve all the surprise problems life throws at you.

The magic ingredient is that when you have the foundation right, you would have the right wisdom to solve the problems, when they arise.

Instead of wanting to be right, do better…

Instead of doing things to impress others, do what is right to you. No matter what…

Instead of running after the validation of everyone, validate yourself.

What seems like the right thing is often the glamourous thing. Which might not the be the right thing.

Right requires efforts. Right requires discipline to let go of the wrong. Including that of yourself.

1. I know myself fully well, and that’s enough.
2. Happiness is the most important thing.
3. Habits work wonders!

What if you know happiness isn’t a chase, it is a choice?

Which means you can feel it right away, even in the middle of a hustle.

Which is the most beautiful thing about happiness.

Happiness isn’t a destination. It is a companion, by choice.

1. Having good habits
2. Reflecting on your failures
3. Being your own best friend

We don’t need big things to get big returns. Small actions do more than that.

1. You forgive for yourself. Not for them.
2. Being on time is how you respect yourself.
3. No one knows you as much as you do.
4. No one is conspiring against you.
5. You will be fine :)

Picking a career is hard.

However, when you treat it similar to dating, it becomes much easier.

And I love it. Why?

The way to get married to your passion is not to settle with the first one you like.

The way is to date as many passions as you can, spend some time with them, and then pick the one you think is right for you.

But that doesn’t mean quitting your job.
If you quit your job to pursue your passion, you will put the pressure on your passion to make money from Day 1 itself – something that will eventually kill it.
Because now you won’t enjoy doing it, you will HAVE to do it.

The right technique doesn’t force you.
The right technique flows through you, with patience.

Few incredible lessons for your career:

1. Early in your career, you get paid for what you can do.
Later on, you get paid for what you know.

2. Write your emails assuming they will be read by everybody.

3. There’s no such thing as “I can’t”.
Either you don’t want to. Or you need help.

4. Don’t be in a hurry to create impact.
Be in a hurry to learn.

5. Early on in your career, pick a job where you learn the most, irrespective of the money.
Learning compounds faster than money!

6. Nothing makes you more indispensable, than doing what you committed to do, without anyone needing to check on you.

7. In the end, every role boils down to how you deal with people.

As a manager, you are a celebrity, whether you like it or not. 

Every word you speak will be analyzed, every action of yours will be reproduced, every standard you allow will set a new standard. 

Think of how you speak, how you act and the standards you accept.

What a manager does knowingly or unknowingly, their team does that knowingly as a norm.

Over the past 12 years of entrepreneurship, I have:

• Raised millions in funding
• Managed to startup again after being fired
• Shared company profits with the team consistently

All of these things have taught me a tremendous amount about what matters in life, and what doesn’t.

These are my new 5 rules for life:

1. Creating Personal Wealth for me and my team

Best done through a bootstrapped startup, which is what I am building.

2. Building an institution where people love to come to work

Bean bags and free lunches are easy. To build a place where people would love to come to work, is the real game.

3. Creating content

I wish more people knew that someone somewhere is getting inspired because you decide to share your journey. You have a moral responsibility to share!

4. Leading people

One of the fundamental mistakes I made early on was to believe people didn’t want to be led. Wrong.
People want to be led. Not managed.

5. Telling the truth

I am a fervent truth seeker. And that is what I uphold for others.
Truth may not be the most pleasant thing to hear. But it certainly makes your life more pleasant by showing you the mirror.

What are your rules for life?