My life lessons ♨︎
This is something which I wish I could tell my younger self. If you’re in your 20s or 30s figuring out work and life, maybe this helps.
18 Years, 2 worlds- Lessons that you pick up on ground/ trading floor. 11 years in traditional MNC bank setup. 7 years in a startup. One taught me polish. The other taught me pace.
This is something, which I wish, I could tell my younger self. If you’re in your 20s or 30s figuring out work and life, maybe this helps.
Learn to say no and say it well. Don’t ghost. Don’t ignore. A clear, respectful “no” saves time. People value honesty over false hope.
Being objective ≠ being transactional. Just because something isn’t for you, doesn’t make it bad. Pass respectfully — and still gain from a conversation. Don't get labelled as transactional. It never looks good on anyone.
Build your decision making framework and keep updating it. Watch how smart people decide. Your brain is your OS. Start with something. Improve it. No need to wait 6 months to upgrade.
Be honest with yourself. Rate your communication, sales skill, hard skills privately. No fake “I’m killing it” mindset. Improvement compounds. Ego doesn’t.
Sales is not "chipkao-ing." It’s transparency, relevance, timing. Sales is life - to your boss, spouse, investor. Get good at it.
Don't float through your prime. Float through meetings… float through life. It slips away. Work. Play. Travel. Read. Run. Solve. Rest. Have a purpose — 0 to 1, 1 to 10, or 10 to 100. Find it. Feed it.
Thrive in maze. Unstructured ≠ unorganised. Bring clarity to chaos. Do non-routine work, it keeps your mental wiring alive. (Think of it like brain deadlifts, getting pushed is when you are developing muscle somewhere).
Not everyone will like you. That’s not your job. Skip decoding energy-drainers. Find mentors. Keep your circle close. Grow your tribe — match your vibe.
Be a sponge. Absorb energy. Borrow systems. Read when under thinking. Write when overthinking. It will save you years.
Be decent. No need to fake warmth. Just be reliable.People remember how you made them feel especially when you had nothing to gain. That’s the true compounder.
And few more, since I am writing free flow.
- Take risks early. Not much to lose
- Focus on compounding — skills, character, relationships
- Process >> Outcome
- Agency over talent
Bonus Thought ( so much to share 😄). Sun doesn’t rise at the same time everywhere. Stop comparing. It’s the fastest way to lose joy. Not easy but practise it. Your timeline is yours. Own it.
I don’t have it all figured out. Still trying to read more, meditate better, lift heavier. But I reflect, adjust, and share. If you’ve been around longer — drop your hardest-earned life skill below, something which you will tell your younger-self or may be your kid.
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