I have never made it to the cover of a magazine, and by the world’s conventional metrics of wealth, status, and grand achievements, I am a “not so successful” person. But over the years, by keeping my eyes open and staying in motion, I have cobbled together a blueprint for living. It is a philosophy built not on trophies, but on raw survival, intense focus, and a quiet, unbreakable peace.
If you are looking for a guide to winning the rat race, look elsewhere. But if you want to know how to navigate this world with your spine intact, your mind sharp, and your soul entirely free, here are my nine principles.
1. The Advanced Reward
People waste their entire lives chasing a carrot on a stick, desperately hoping for a reward at the end of the tunnel. I don’t worry about the reward in everything I do. Why? Because the grand prize has already been paid out. The reward for all the things we do is this life itself—except it was handed to us right at the beginning, upfront. We are already playing out our Reward. The invoice is settled; now, use the next 8 principles to live.
2. The Daily Alchemy
Your mind can only go where your body can carry it. I sustain this engine with a strict, non-negotiable physical toolkit. Every single day, it is about movement, breath, and natural discipline:
- The Routine: A dedicated Walk and Pranayama to clear the system.
- The Fuel: One clove of garlic in the morning, a pinch of moringa, and hemp seeds powder.
- The Midday Anchor: One clove of clove in the afternoon.
Take care of the machine, and the machine will take care of the days.
3. The Strategy of Strain
I do not look for the easy path, nor do I care to coast. My fundamental strategy is simple: Strain myself in what I do. Whatever is in front of me—whether it is a line of code, a business problem, or a daily chore—I throw the full pressure of my weight against it. Pushing yourself to your absolute limit leaves no room for regret, anxiety, or stagnant energy.
4. Zero Baggage
Yesterday is a memory. That is my entire philosophy on time. I try and not let yesterday’s small victories make me complacent, and I don’t let yesterday’s failures paralyze my morning. I just try and learn from them. Bill Gates famously said, Success is a lousy Teacher. Failure is just a good Teacher.
And, the past is just data; it is not a heavy anchor I am required to drag into today.
5. The Phenomenon of the ‘Rakshasas’
Every now and then, you encounter people born with Rakshasa nature—individuals of raw, monumental, exceptional strength – meaning they can do something very well. It is inborn by birth and nurtured by a strange coincidence of happenings.
True impact is a cosmic alignment of variables: 50% Inborn, 25% being at the right place, and 25% at the right time. If Kapil Dev played IPL he would have been the First Player to be auctioned for a minimum of straight 10 years. He was some 15 – 20 years too early.
So, make peace with your strength, right place and right time.
6. A Redefinition of Luck
The world thinks luck means winning the lottery or becoming a billionaire. I think they have it wrong. True luck is much quieter, much rarer: To do the same thing all your life and not go hungry, always have clothes, and never have to bother or depend on others. That baseline of independent dignity is the minimum. Everything else is a Jackpot.
7. Politeness as a Kavach
Being polite is not a sign of weakness or submission. It is your Kavach—your ultimate armor. It filters out needless conflict, so keeps you focused on being good at something you value and keeps the noise of the world at bay. But armor must be respected. I hold a hard, unwavering rule: I try and not stay where my politeness is not valued. The moment the boundary is crossed, I quietly walk away, mentally.
If ever things go out of hand – you should not be the first to have started it. That is a great favor you do to yourself all your life.
8. The Elixir of Life
The true antidote to confusion in Life is Curiosity. Be curious about absolutely anything and everything. The moment you stop asking questions about how things work, why people move, or how the world turns or is turning today, you begin to wither. Curiosity keeps the blood pumping.
9. The Ledger is Set
In the end, I carry no anxiety about the future. The ultimate sum or difference of all the transactions, relationships, and experiences we undergo in this lifetime is already determined beforehand. We just have to do our bit.
Because the ledger is already set, and because the reward of life was given to me on day one, I am entirely free. I owe nothing to the future. I am free to strain myself completely in the present, protect my peace with absolute politeness, and look at this world with an endless, insatiable curiosity.
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