Stop lying to yourself I received an email this morning. 8 years of work experience. Has 2 job offers.Confused which one to choose. In his words, both offers are the same.Same CTC.Same brand value.Same stability.Same location. Here is what I replied:If both are the same, then you would have just tossed a coin, no? Clearly, both are not the same. #1 Stop lying to yourself.It is the biggest reason why we make terrible decisions.We are dishonest with our own selves. #2 Answer honestly, which...
7 days ago • 2 min read
Stay away from these 3 kinds of people 1/ Those who make fun of your insecurities and when you are hurt, they tell you that you are too sensitive. 2/ Those who do not contribute to the relationship, but expect you to be invested and engaged in the relationship. 3/ Those who dismiss your success as luck or destiny and never acknowledge your hard work or capability. We may not always get to choose our relationships.But the worst tragedy is to choose the wrong ones, despite knowing they are...
14 days ago • 2 min read
The victim mindset Received an email from a 21-year-old.Well-to-do family. But parents didn't allow her to venture out much. She agreed. She only studied. Took science when she didn't want to. Worked hard. Got through a Canadian university. Went for Comp Sc but changed majors to Business without informing her parents. Now - she is scared of what will happen to her life. Her email ended with, "I'll be fine because I always do. But the thing is, who do I blame?" We exchanged a few emails, and I...
21 days ago • 3 min read
From a 44 to a 24-year-old Someone on Twitter asked:"Men who are 31+, please drop one piece of advice to men between 18 to 30 years. It can be about anything!" Here is my response (applies to all genders, not just men): Take care of your body:In your 20s, the damage you do to your body due to irregular eating, no exercise, irregular sleeping, substance abuse, etc., will not show. Because the body is still young, resilient, and able to bear the burden of your mistakes. BUT, come your 30s and...
28 days ago • 3 min read
Don't make these 5 mistakes while asking for help Seeking help is the most fundamental way of learning. I am privileged to be in a spot where many people reach out seeking help. To make sure you get the help you need, here are 5 things to avoid: Ignoring the difference between information and helpInformation is what we need when we are starting something.Help is what we need when we have attempted something.Don't seek help with something that can be solved through a Google search.Seek help...
about 1 month ago • 3 min read
I studied in Gujarat I was sitting next to a young, sharply dressed guy on an early flight to Mumbai. Calmly opened his laptop as the seat belt sign went off, working on what looked like a complicated Excel sheet. Worked through the flight. After 1.5 hours, as the hostess walked the aisle requesting to place your seats upright, he shut down the laptop and gave me a “I think I am ready” look. Good thing the middle seat was empty. We got talking. I presumed he was preparing for an important...
about 1 month ago • 3 min read
Difficult relationships I was speaking to a friend caught in a difficult relationship. - Witnessing a different side of his partner.- Incessant fights.- Frustrated that she doesn’t see what’s wrong with her.- Shocked and surprised that she feels he is wrong. Here is exactly what I told him: There are three reactions to a difficult relationship 1/ I don’t want this drama in my life. I shouldn’t have to deal with this. I can no longer take this. I am out! 2/ I love you. I realize that your...
about 2 months ago • 4 min read
I meant action! Just spoke to my mentee. Early 20s.Bright student. Worked 4 years in a challenging but intellectually stimulating environment. Quit to take a break. 4 months into it. Now, not doing so well. Finds it hard to take action. Binge watches. “I think I romanticized the idea of a break.” These were my exact words to him: “I am not an expert, so most of what I share comes from secondary research, and not primary experience or agency. Your mind is currently your enemy. It ruminates and...
about 2 months ago • 3 min read
10 job mistakes I made 1: I assumed fast = smart.I thought being super-fast at work made me a genius. Nah. We’re not paid to get things done fast. We’re paid to get things done right. 2: I thought identifying errors in my work was my manager’s job.No! If your manager has to spot your errors, they are doing your work. Not theirs. If your manager can’t trust you, it doesn’t matter how smart you are. 3: I waited for feedback.I assumed if my manager had something to say, they’d let me...
2 months ago • 4 min read