warikoo wanderings

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BTW - do you know that I have introduced a new section in the newsletter called "picture of the week", which is the last section in the email. Do remember to check it out :)

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THE THING THAT SCARES US THE MOST IN LIFE

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There is one thing that fascinates me a lot.

This thing called opportunities.

You know, the thing that changes lives, gives people a chance, allows them to change their orbits, etc. etc.?
Yeah, that thing! Opportunities.

I have often wondered, how do people get opportunities?
Are they lucky?
Is it because they work hard?
Is it because they are at the right place at the right time?
Is it because they know somebody?
What is it?

And the more I have thought about it and also looked at my own life, the more I have come to realize that opportunities are indeed random.
You can't plan for them.
You can't predict them.

As someone wisely once said, "Great opportunities do not come with the subject line: Great Opportunity. They just happen."

I agree with that.

BUT
This truth leads to something rather unfortunate that we see in the world - all around us.

People cling on to what they have.
And they are scared of letting go.

We are in a toxic relationship.
But we still cling on to it.

We are in a job we hate.
Yet continue working in it.

We are surrounded by people we can't relate to.
But somehow never gather the courage to let them go.

You know why?

Because we do not know how to get it again!

That's it!
That's the reason.
We do not know how to generate that opportunity again.
An opportunity to meet someone new, to find a new job, to make new friends, to change our current life!

We randomly chanced upon an opportunity, got lucky, or maybe even worked hard for it.
But because we don't know how, if it will happen again, we feel stuck!

And there is only one way to get out of this, my friend.
Create an opportunity engine.

Build a system where opportunities come to you, by design, not by chance.

Imagine how liberating it would be if you had a way of generating opportunities endlessly.
It doesn't matter if those opportunities are great or not.
Some will be, most won't be.
But the fact that you know that a new opportunity might come anytime soon, is what will rid you of your fear or paralysis to change your current.

How do you build this opportunity engine?

In my view, 3 things help:

1. Sending cold emails (I have spoken about this actively).
2. Engaging meaningfully with the content of those who inspire you, or you look up to.
3. Creating or joining online communities.

Just 3 things have ensured that I have never been short of opportunities in my life.
I have met super smart people through these, generated options beyond my wildest dreams and know that these 3 simple steps will continue to throw at me opportunities that will set me up for life.

Consider them - and you might relieve yourself of the fear of feeling stuck!

I also recorded a podcast on this - Give it a listen on Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcast, Apple Podcast, JioSaavn or Gaana.

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BOOK I AM READING THIS WEEK

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I am reading a delightful book this week

​Plato and a Platypus Walk into a Bar: Understanding Philosophy Through Jokes​

It breaks down the key elements of philosophy for the reader and has plenty of jokes to help you navigate through them. Isn't that such a wonderful way to teach something which is hard to understand?

I am loving it - an easy read. And will keep you high in spirits :)

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QUOTES TO SHARE

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We hold on to what we have because we don’t know how to get it again.
​(Share on Twitter)​

Parents are wrong not because they want to be wrong, they're wrong because every one of us will be wrong at some point.
​(Share on Twitter)​

"I am not ready" is an excuse to not do what you have to do.
​(Share on Twitter)​

Don’t be in a hurry to create impact. Be in a hurry to learn.
​(Share on Twitter)​

You can be anybody you wish to be, only if you know who you truly are.
​(Share on Twitter)​

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RESPONSES TO LAST WEEK'S QUESTION

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Last week, I asked "Do you celebrate festivals?"

1. Yes, I love them
2. Yes, because family asks me to
3. No

Here are the responses:

Not surprisingly, a vast majority loves celebrating festivals.

The only thing I observed is that the percentage grows, as you grow older.
So, the share of younger folks celebrating it because of family is highest when young (the rebel in them), and keeps going down, and is replaced by a will to celebrate it yourself.

Fascinating :)

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THIS WEEK'S QUESTION

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Do you like reading books?

1. Yes, mostly fiction
2. Yes, mostly non-fiction
3. No, I read online
4. I don't like reading anything

​Click here to let me know your answer (anonymously)​​​​

You can, of course, always write to me, by simply replying to this newsletter.
I love reading all your emails, even though I may not be able to reply to them all.
Yes! I READ ALL MY EMAILS. ALL OF THEM.
​​(Dravid as coach of the Men's Indian Cricket Team ki khushi ki kasam!)

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CONTENT I SHARED THIS WEEK

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​Top 10 Gifts for Teenagers (YouTube)​

​What are Neo Banks? (YouTube)​

​What is Pyramid Investing? (YouTube)​

​AMA on Travelling (IGTV)​

​How to deal with overthinking (IGTV)​

​7 investing apps I use (Reel)​

​Simple is NOT equal to easy (Reel)​

​Biggest career lesson I've learnt (LinkedIn)​

​Our choices on death (LinkedIn)​

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PICTURE OF THE WEEK

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I was at a shoot last weekend and this was clicked there. I have realized, I look good only during shoots :))

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