If you always try to be normal, You will never know how amazing you can be.

 I posted this title on LinkedIn a month ago when I read it somewhere in Chennai in Nov'22. I was scrolling through my posts today and found it and it made me think that this line has more to it, and I should express what I feel about this line and some of my other thoughts via it. I've always made an effort to act normally and with good judgment. I was born and raised in Delhi, but I've been living alone in Chennai for the past few years. Being so far away from my family is difficult, but I'm prepared to make compromises in order to progress my work.

I can really relate to the title because I've always tried to blend in and not draw too much attention to myself. I've always been cautious and followed the rules because I've been terrified of failing and other people's opinions. (Especially in Chennai, it's an awesome place btw)

But what if I'm missing something by always trying to fit in? What if there are amazing things I could be doing—things about which I am passionate and which would make me truly happy I'm too afraid to do them because I'm worried about what other people might think? I think almost everyone can relate to these questions. 

Pexels

Though it's a frightening idea, I'm beginning to see that it might be worthwhile to take a chance and venture outside of my comfort zone. I'm aware that it won't be simple and that there will be many barriers and challenges along the way. But I also understand that unless I give it a shot, I'll never know what I'm really capable of. Seriously, you never know what you are capable of until you have been put in that situation, and fighting out of it is the only way out, I have been through such a situation a few times so I know that we are a lot more powerful than we think we are. 

(For any Seinfeld fans out there, it's time to see this episode.)

So I've decided to take baby steps to depart from my usual routine and explore new things. Though I'm not yet sure how exactly that will look, I can't wait to see where it leads. Maybe I'll pick up a new hobby or perhaps I'll start participating more in meetings or offer to help with a new project at work. I will give it my all and see what happens, whatever it is.

I doubt that I'll ever fully understand how magnificent I am capable of being, but I'm eager to try. I'm ready to take a chance and see all that the world has to offer because I'm overwhelmed by leading a routine, safe life. If I'm brave enough to pursue them, who knows what incredible things might be waiting for me?

Guess we'll see :)

Vivek Choudhary

Why it's important to respect your organization?

I joined my first company in 2013, I was new to this corporate world and knew nothing about it. When you are in a new environment you majorly rely on the information given by people who are already there. So I heard a lot of negative gossip about how unfair it is, how people don't get promoted etc. So I started working, gave it my best, and was awarded EE (Exceeding Excellence) 6 months in a row, and just like that, I was up for my promotion in the upcoming quarter.

So All that gossip I heard earlier was nonsense? Maybe or maybe not. But I learned that I should not entertain such nuances in the future. Of course, there are ups and downs everywhere you go. But you should not let such things reflect badly on your organization as a whole. Try to understand, any organization is a huge family and it is impossible to control each and every person, and his/her behavior towards you or your performance. Most of the time it is just your manager, not the company. I have always been a man who respects everything I receive, be it money, appreciation, or respect and I intend to give it back to where it came from. Gratitude should be part of your life. Be thankful for what you have and of course if you feel you are not appreciated where you are you can always go and switch, nobody's stopping you. I see people cribbing about the company and are part of it for a decade, trust me that makes you look bad. 

 Here are some key reasons why it's essential to respect your organization:

It helps foster a positive work culture. When you respect your organization, you show that you value the work that you do, the people you work with, and the goals that the organization is striving to achieve. This can create a positive and supportive work culture where everyone is working together towards common goals.

It shows that you're a team player. Respecting your organization means being willing to put the needs of the team above your own. It means being willing to collaborate and support your colleagues, even if it means going out of your way to help them. When you show that you're a team player, you become a valuable asset to the organization.

It helps build trust and credibility. When you respect your organization, you show that you're reliable and trustworthy. This can help build strong working relationships with your colleagues, as well as with clients and partners. It can also help enhance your professional reputation and increase your credibility within the organization.

It can lead to career growth and advancement. Respecting your organization can open up opportunities for growth and progress within the company. When you show that you're dedicated to the organization and its goals, you may be more likely to be considered for promotions and other career advancement opportunities.

In conclusion, respecting your organization is important for creating a positive work culture, building trust and credibility, and opening up opportunities for growth and advancement. By showing respect for the organization, you can set a good example for others to follow and become a valuable asset to the company.

Vivek Choudhary

India annual GDP Growth

 India is one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, with a robust annual GDP growth rate. In the past year, India's GDP growth has been strong, fueled by a combination of domestic consumption and government spending.

The Indian economy has experienced a period of sustained growth in recent years, thanks in part to a series of reforms implemented by the government. These reforms have helped to improve the country's business environment and increase foreign investment. As a result, India's GDP has grown at a steady pace, with the economy expanding by more than 7% in the past year.

One of the key drivers of India's GDP growth has been domestic consumption. The country's large and growing middle class, combined with low unemployment rates, has helped to boost consumer spending. This has been particularly evident in the country's retail sector, which has seen strong growth in recent years.

Government spending has also played a significant role in India's GDP growth. The government has invested heavily in infrastructure projects, including the construction of roads, ports, and airports. This has helped to create jobs and stimulate economic activity, contributing to the country's overall GDP growth.

Overall, India's GDP growth has remained strong in the past year, despite some challenges. The country has faced a number of economic headwinds, including rising oil prices and a depreciating currency. However, the government's reforms and continued investment in the economy have helped to maintain a robust growth rate.

Looking ahead, India is expected to continue its strong economic growth in the coming years. The country's large and young population, combined with its growing middle class, is likely to drive continued growth in domestic consumption. Additionally, the government's ongoing investment in infrastructure and other projects should help to support economic activity and maintain India's strong GDP growth rate.

Getting Financially Smart

Financial education in India is not taught in schools or any institution, now that we are in a digital revolution and thanks to many influencers on youtube/Instagram we get a lot of knowledge about money management. But in the end, you should do your own investigation and invest accordingly.

I will talk about 2 shows seen on Netflix that can help you gain a new perspective on how you look at money and how you manage it. 

The Minimalist: Less Is Now

This documentary talks about how you own a lot of things you don't actually need, and you should try and get rid of them. It gave us a new perspective on how we often buy new things just because it is on sale and we fail to realize we won't use them. 

https://www.netflix.com/in/title/81074662

Bottomline: Anything we have or are planning to buy should add value to our life, not suck the soul out of our life. 

Get Smart With Money

This documentary talks about different people, how they struggle financially despite having a source of income, and how they cannot get out of the debt they have incurred. How to improve spending habits, make a budget, cut living costs, and save/invest. A basketball player, a family of four, and a girl living alone, Each gets assigned a financial advisor that helps them plan their finances and cut expenses. In the end, all subjects start doing better financially and are able to spend more time doing things they love.

https://www.netflix.com/in/title/81312877

Bottomline: Your income should be divided into 3 parts, Monthly expenses + Savings + Investment. 

You should try to spend some time doing something that you love, for instance, I love writing and I started this blog in 2011 I write every year, sometimes just 1 blog a year, but now I will try to write more often. 

Thank you Reading

Vivek Choudhary

Choudhary Speaks

What matters ?

I turned 31 last month, As per my ideology the most productive years (21-31) are gone, and the hard work I have done in those years will direct how the rest of my life will go, well not entirely but it sure will have a significant impact. During those golden years, I worked hard, like really hard, from traveling in buses to getting a bike, to getting a car I have seen my fair share of hard work and I am proud of that. Doing 24*7 shift, I didn't even care about Saturdays and Sundays and worked as fast as I could and as hard as I could, I wasn't able to make everyone happy but then again my goal was to serve my company, my organization which I can proudly say I did and will continue to do so. 

When I started at 21 I was energetic, young, and powerful (compared to myself at 31) now I have a family, a beautiful and loving wife, and 2 beautiful children (A boy and a Girl) what more could one ask. Now I live to serve my family and fulfill their needs.

I sometimes wonder why we are doing all this, why not relax and enjoy all the time (for that you need a shitload of money) but then again even if you had all the money in the world, what would you do? Would you constantly go on vacation? I can tell you you wouldn't, humans get bored very soon, sometimes sooner than you think, often during my vacation which lasts more than 7 days, I begin to miss home, I travel most of the time and have to spend a lot of time away from family but still, a vacation is temporary it cannot be permanent. So the question comes again what matters the most? 

I have asked this question to several successful people and I got 1 common answer, which is self-satisfaction. 

Now try to understand this, it is a very simple term, "Self Satisfaction" but it is actually nearly impossible to achieve this. You must be 1 in million people if you have this. 

I am not a very knowledgeable guy but for now, what matters the most to me, is the happiness of my family, the people around me, and the people I work with. The environment I spend most of my time, I want it all to be positive and happy that is my goal and I try to achieve it every day and go to sleep with a smile :)

In case you don't agree with what I have said above, feel free to comment, reach out or ignore.

Thank you

Vivek Choudhary