The Secret to Achieving More

Back in April 2020, I wasn’t completely satisfied with my professional life. Half a dozen years had passed since I began my journey as an entrepreneur. Now and then, there were challenges with finances and stability in the company. I was growing tired of all the backbiting. People who loved to gossip or defame created a toxic environment for me. It was both challenging and taxing! 

My firm had very few/no direct clients. In short, I co-owed a company with a stagnant economy and zero vision. It was high time for me to make some tough calls. The options were to lay the foundation for a new firm by ending the current one. Or have the audacity to purchase a complete ownership of the current company with immoderate expenses and a crapload of debt. 

As Steve Jobs said, “Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma - which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.” So, I followed the hunch and my dreams. In the 2nd week of April 2020, I finally decided to let go of all that was discouraging me or obstructing my growth.  

 I still remember it was the very initial phase of the COVID outbreak worldwide. I took the courage to invest a hell lot on my dime, created a runway of 6 months, coordinated with the entire team working remotely, and never failed to pay my people on the dot. Took over Digitalzone as the sole-owner, hired a Sales Team based out in the US (we never had one before that), onboarded new clients, understood the whole marketing world, the sales process, learned everything in bits and pieces.  

 I dedicated 15-16 hours each day to my work. Learned a new topic every day, enhanced my core competencies about the industry, sales, leadership, marketing, managing finances, and so on. I trusted the process and waited patiently for the outcome. The result after 15 months of commitment and dedication has been pretty commendable. I’m debt-free and financially stable, onboarded over 150 new employees, moved to exceptionally huge office space, added over 100+ new clients. And most importantly I successfully built an employee-centric company, a place where every individual is happy and has viable growth.  

 Now, when I compare the present Me to my past self, I can rightfully say there’s so much one can achieve with knowledge, courage, and patience. I’d like to share a few leadership lessons, which I have experienced and learned until now: 

 Know when it’s time to come out of the “Comfort Balloon”.

The moment you feel you’re doing good, and you don’t need more; you’re probably entering a deep comfortable zone. It’s time to take on a new challenge or take additional responsibilities. Arundhati Bhattacharya (CEO Salesforce, India) said in her IIM speech, “I always tell my female friends when you find a perfect tailor or a hairdresser in a city that means it’s time to move to a new place.” 

 Achieving things with utmost hard work is good but getting comfortable with it and not taking on new challenges is a red signal. You should develop a habit of taking on new tasks and responsibilities that will test your potential, ability, and knowledge. This practice pushes you out of your comfort zone, challenges you to test unknown things and achieve them. Failing in this process is completely okay but not trying is a bigger problem.” You will never get to know your true potential until you try to achieve the unachievable.  

 Human Brain is a typical Hard Drive.

We generally forget what we have learned or read in the past 24 hours. The human brain is designed to overwrite unimportant/least important topics with the only needful subjects. So it’s very essential to note down all the important things you learn, read, listen to, or watch. Just the way we do for our daily to-do list. Taking notes helps you memorize and thus, it’s imperative to pen down and implement the things discussed in daily meetings. Taking notes or writing by hand compels our brain to process every piece of information in a more detailed way, thus loading the information into our memory successfully. 

 Always have an agenda for your meetings.

A meeting without agenda is like having a sports car without an engine. Having a plan in place helps every person to create their pointers and share unique thoughts. A meeting agenda helps set the expectation and always has a better outcome. When the discussion is done based on the agreed agenda, the decision-making process becomes super smooth. Conducting meetings without agenda gives no line of action to the attendees, who aren’t prepared and have no clue in their mind about the discussion/topic.  

 Know how to create a balance.

At the workplace, your presence should make a significant impact and must be felt loud. Similarly, your absence should make no fuss. I had an employee who used to go on vacation every second month. He was good at his work, highly productive, and was a good adviser. But his team always had a tough time and use to end up in turmoil during his vacay. So, I decided to advise him with a permanent solution- suggested him to have a mandatory backup plan and delegate the responsibilities precisely (rather than trying to do everything on his own). Trust me! After he started following what I suggested, his absence made no difference. 

 Jack-of-all trades.

You can be an expert in a particular field, but that’s not enough. In your spare time, learn to sync with peers of other departments. This will help you gain a basic understanding and functioning of all the departments. At times of need, your peers must have the option to come to you as a solution provider to their issues. This will make you the most reliable and go-to person in your organization. 

 Be burning with an idea to make it work.

As Steve Jobs rightly said, “Having an idea or a dream is not enough. You need to be burning with an idea and passion for making it work. If you don’t find passion in what you do, you will not reach the top in your field. Find out calling in the early stage of your career, and then give your best to be the best version of yourself.” When you’re passionate about what you do- working hours, challenges, failures will never bother or distract you. Your body and mind will function the way you guide them. Working protracted hours a day will be the new basic. 

Have the mindset to create and add value.

Keep this in mind – it is our responsibility to ensure that we invariably contribute to the growth and economy of our country. An entrepreneur must have a leadership mindset. Only then will you create opportunities to learn and grow from every challenge in life. Have the mindset to create employment/jobs in the country, boosting the economy. Play a part to make the society an economically and financially advanced place to live in. Always have a value creator mindset – whatever you do, the approach should be the best-in-class.  

And most prominently do things ethically. What you do today will decide your tomorrow, it’s the rule of the universe, solar system, and the planets. Shri Ravi Shankar very well said – “Your Height is your Destiny, but your Weight is your Karma”. You are the creators of your future. You reap what you sow, hence choose your action well.  

Let Go!

And last but not least! It is okay if you tend to forget your spouse’s birthday or any momentous occasion. You may already have a hundred and one things to get done that particular day. It may slip your mind, but yes, make sure you make it up to them. Don’t expect regularity in everything from your close ones. Every person is different, busy figuring out their lives, working towards their goals, dealing with their problems. It is natural to get upset if your partner/loved ones miss making your day special with their wishes or gifts. But rather than expressing bitterness, learn to let go of that moment. Try to understand the depth of the situation. You never know why the other person missed it. Letting go will not only help you move forward but also will help you have your true peace of mind. 

 In Summary: 

• Make prompt decisions for your daily operations. 
• Have empathy and express gratitude. 
• Embrace “We” instead of “Me”. 
• Delegate work precisely. 
• Spend time with people who are more knowledgeable, experienced, and smarter than you. 
• Develop the habit of listening carefully when you’re at a meeting.  
• Be open to new suggestions. 
• Have your “Me Time” every day. It clears your thought process. 
• Sacrifice is the key to success.  
• Show humour at the right time and right place. 
• Have the passion to try new things in life. 
• Always try to surround yourself with a stress-free environment.