Question 1: What Did I Change My Mind On This Year?
- Attending a gazillion networking events won’t help my purpose- I would rather focus on building my product and find the team or market that aligns with my mission through networking, that is when a network can become net-worth.
- The thought of doing something is actually harder than doing the thing- hence from here on onwards I will fall in love with the journey, the process and worry less about the destination.
Question 2: What has been the energy harmony this year?
Energy creators
- running
- writing
- prayer
- conversations
- reading techcrunch and,
- waking up early
Energy drainers
- recruiting for clients at my new job in Chrisad
- applying for new jobs
- purposeless networking events
Unaffected
- working out in the gym
- washing dishes for Brother Bao
- daily bus commute to work
- taking long walks
Question 3: What were the boat anchors in my life- people, self-limiting beliefs and habits?
- An interaction with a good friend who couldn’t give credit to an entrepreneur who successfully built and sold a company before 20. My friend believes his success stems from having financially successful parents (PS: I actually don’t know whether he has successful parents and nor does my friend) but as much as I love this friend- I can’t agree to his cause-effect thinking for what you don’t have. I am optimistic in this regard, and will always focus on the resources I have to build my mission.
- This one was particularly tough- as on the opposite side of the conversation I had someone with a highly successful career. His advice was thought provoking and seriously challenged my belief and direction. See at age 25, I made a self promise, I will build a thriving company before 30 that will significantly, meaningfully and immensely impact the world and then, leave for Bangladesh. He thought I had a rigid mission and I shouldn’t put my life in boxes- well there is some truth to that, sometimes the universe knows better what is best for you. But is following a direction wrong? Is waking up to a purpose and excitement for that purpose wrong? NO. I don’t believe in navigating life like a headless chicken, I am lucky to have a vision and I must walk towards it- while remaining flexible in the details.
Question 4: What did I not do because of fear?
- Never thought I could run a marathon- signed up for a half marathon this year to start
- Didn’t think I could pay for rent alone- doing it now, it’s hard but liberating
- Didn’t know I had it in me to write a blog- well here it is!
Question 5: My greatest hits and worst misses this year?
Greatest hits:
- Found a higher paying job to fund my new company Brother Bao
- Connected 100 people and made $5000 for SME’s through my previous company Spon
- Traveled 3 states in the US and took a road trip to LA
- Met and had a conversation with Jerry Brown- the former governor of California
- Got applauded for my contribution at Chrisad’s conference- my new job
Greatest misses:
- Did not invest in Rivian before the share price doubled
- Could not scale Spon and had to close down the company
- Did not get my driver’s license
Therefore, summary of my learning this year:
- Stand with your perspective as long as you know you are right
- Write your story with the blessings from the universe
- Fall in love with the process, the journey, the destination will take care of itself
- Have patience- good things take time!