good morning everybody today I’d like to start with a simple exercise for a
start with a simple exercise for a
start with a simple exercise for a second there
second there
second there imagine yourself five years into the
imagine yourself five years into the
imagine yourself five years into the future it’s a pleasant November morning
future it’s a pleasant November morning
future it’s a pleasant November morning it’s a Saturday but it’s 2022
it’s a Saturday but it’s 2022
it’s a Saturday but it’s 2022 what does 2022 look like for you where
what does 2022 look like for you where
what does 2022 look like for you where do you stay
do you stay
do you stay what work do you do would you stab it
what work do you do would you stab it
what work do you do would you stab it you know when I ask others this question
you know when I ask others this question
you know when I ask others this question then the answers I get are mostly very
then the answers I get are mostly very
then the answers I get are mostly very inspiring I hear things like I would be
inspiring I hear things like I would be
inspiring I hear things like I would be study in one of the best universities in
study in one of the best universities in
study in one of the best universities in the world at that time I would have
the world at that time I would have
the world at that time I would have definitely written a book by then I
definitely written a book by then I
definitely written a book by then I would like to start up my own company by
would like to start up my own company by
would like to start up my own company by then you see how all these answers all
then you see how all these answers all
then you see how all these answers all these statements talk about a future
these statements talk about a future
these statements talk about a future that’s an improvement from the present
that’s an improvement from the present
that’s an improvement from the present it’s a step change it’s for a better
it’s a step change it’s for a better
it’s a step change it’s for a better future right nobody really says in five
future right nobody really says in five
future right nobody really says in five years I’m gonna be penniless and broke
years I’m gonna be penniless and broke
years I’m gonna be penniless and broke right so here’s the catch when asked
right so here’s the catch when asked
right so here’s the catch when asked when we are able to dream of a future
when we are able to dream of a future
when we are able to dream of a future that is so much bigger and better and
that is so much bigger and better and
that is so much bigger and better and brighter than a present why is it that
brighter than a present why is it that
brighter than a present why is it that we are so scared to make that future a
we are so scared to make that future a
we are so scared to make that future a goal and work towards it my name is
goal and work towards it my name is
goal and work towards it my name is Kaushik Mukherjee I’m an entrepreneur a
Kaushik Mukherjee I’m an entrepreneur a
Kaushik Mukherjee I’m an entrepreneur a triathlete but before all of that I’m a
triathlete but before all of that I’m a
triathlete but before all of that I’m a pretty typical product of an average
pretty typical product of an average
pretty typical product of an average middle-class family and today here on
middle-class family and today here on
middle-class family and today here on the TEDx platform I have a confession to
the TEDx platform I have a confession to
the TEDx platform I have a confession to make gold scare the hell out of me and
make gold scare the hell out of me and
make gold scare the hell out of me and there’s a reason for that
there’s a reason for that
there’s a reason for that what if I fail I used to ask this
what if I fail I used to ask this
what if I fail I used to ask this question to myself for many many years
question to myself for many many years
question to myself for many many years till one day it just stopped making
till one day it just stopped making
till one day it just stopped making sense I asked myself look you born in a
sense I asked myself look you born in a
sense I asked myself look you born in a country where you’re by default
country where you’re by default
country where you’re by default competing with a billion other people
competing with a billion other people
competing with a billion other people for everything from traffic on the
for everything from traffic on the
for everything from traffic on the streets to even a seat in an auditorium
streets to even a seat in an auditorium
streets to even a seat in an auditorium like this so when exactly did fear of
like this so when exactly did fear of
like this so when exactly did fear of failure creep in this is not something
failure creep in this is not something
failure creep in this is not something which we are born with this is called
which we are born with this is called
which we are born with this is called social conditioning we’ve learnt to be
social conditioning we’ve learnt to be
social conditioning we’ve learnt to be fearful of failure and because we have
fearful of failure and because we have
fearful of failure and because we have learned to be fearful of failure we are
learned to be fearful of failure we are
learned to be fearful of failure we are always trying to set goals that we are
always trying to set goals that we are
always trying to set goals that we are easily most likely to achieve and that
easily most likely to achieve and that
easily most likely to achieve and that got me thinking the first time I
got me thinking the first time I
got me thinking the first time I realized that was when I
realized that was when I
realized that was when I 25 I was working I had a pretty
25 I was working I had a pretty
25 I was working I had a pretty predictable trajectory in my career
predictable trajectory in my career
predictable trajectory in my career schooling followed by engineering
schooling followed by engineering
schooling followed by engineering followed by any guesses management no
followed by any guesses management no
followed by any guesses management no that was far away an IT job so so I was
that was far away an IT job so so I was
that was far away an IT job so so I was pretty much a very very predictable and
pretty much a very very predictable and
pretty much a very very predictable and then one day if you were to ask me how
then one day if you were to ask me how
then one day if you were to ask me how did a typical day at office look like it
did a typical day at office look like it
did a typical day at office look like it was very simple this this was my first
was very simple this this was my first
was very simple this this was my first job playing a lot of table tennis having
job playing a lot of table tennis having
job playing a lot of table tennis having a lot of free coffee and basically being
a lot of free coffee and basically being
a lot of free coffee and basically being the king of my comfort zone I was
the king of my comfort zone I was
the king of my comfort zone I was killing it at my first job and then one
killing it at my first job and then one
killing it at my first job and then one day during a presentation with the
day during a presentation with the
day during a presentation with the senior management so we were just
senior management so we were just
senior management so we were just setting up the projector and I was there
setting up the projector and I was there
setting up the projector and I was there my manager was there my managers
my manager was there my managers
my manager was there my managers managers was there her director was
managers was there her director was
managers was there her director was there and suddenly in one view I could
there and suddenly in one view I could
there and suddenly in one view I could just see my entire life in front of me I
just see my entire life in front of me I
just see my entire life in front of me I could see who I would be when I’d be 30
could see who I would be when I’d be 30
could see who I would be when I’d be 30 35 45 and it was a very very sobering
35 45 and it was a very very sobering
35 45 and it was a very very sobering thought that’s when I decided that
thought that’s when I decided that
thought that’s when I decided that something had to change
something had to change
something had to change I’d have to do something to bring about
I’d have to do something to bring about
I’d have to do something to bring about a quantum leap in my life I decided to
a quantum leap in my life I decided to
a quantum leap in my life I decided to set a goal that would terrify me so I
set a goal that would terrify me so I
set a goal that would terrify me so I started by saying okay let me first look
started by saying okay let me first look
started by saying okay let me first look back and see what are the goals I’ve
back and see what are the goals I’ve
back and see what are the goals I’ve actually set in my life in the past and
actually set in my life in the past and
actually set in my life in the past and in typical geek nerdy fashion
in typical geek nerdy fashion
in typical geek nerdy fashion I tried plotting them on a graph I said
I tried plotting them on a graph I said
I tried plotting them on a graph I said okay let’s divide goals and take simple
okay let’s divide goals and take simple
okay let’s divide goals and take simple goals
goals
goals let’s take difficult goals let tech
let’s take difficult goals let tech
let’s take difficult goals let tech goals let’s take goals where I’m likely
goals let’s take goals where I’m likely
goals let’s take goals where I’m likely to succeed and goals where I’m most
to succeed and goals where I’m most
to succeed and goals where I’m most likely to fail and the thing that
likely to fail and the thing that
likely to fail and the thing that shocked me the most from this exercise
shocked me the most from this exercise
shocked me the most from this exercise was that almost all my goals that had
was that almost all my goals that had
was that almost all my goals that had set till date were in one quadrant the
set till date were in one quadrant the
set till date were in one quadrant the safe quadrant I mean that was that was
safe quadrant I mean that was that was
safe quadrant I mean that was that was quite a turning point in my life I asked
quite a turning point in my life I asked
quite a turning point in my life I asked myself how am I ever gonna grow do
myself how am I ever gonna grow do
myself how am I ever gonna grow do amazing things in life if I continue
amazing things in life if I continue
amazing things in life if I continue year after year after year to set goals
year after year after year to set goals
year after year after year to set goals in my safe space and I said okay this
in my safe space and I said okay this
in my safe space and I said okay this will not do
will not do
will not do I needed a goal that’s gonna be bigger
I needed a goal that’s gonna be bigger
I needed a goal that’s gonna be bigger than anything I’ve done before this was
than anything I’ve done before this was
than anything I’ve done before this was about 12 years back when MBA degrees
about 12 years back when MBA degrees
about 12 years back when MBA degrees were being peddled as the fastest ticket
were being peddled as the fastest ticket
were being peddled as the fastest ticket to a super fabulous life and I decided
to a super fabulous life and I decided
to a super fabulous life and I decided okay I’m gonna get I’m gonna earn an
okay I’m gonna get I’m gonna earn an
okay I’m gonna get I’m gonna earn an admission into one of the best business
admission into one of the best business
admission into one of the best business schools in the country I’m gonna appear
schools in the country I’m gonna appear
schools in the country I’m gonna appear for the
for the
for the CIT exam and I wanted a seat at IMM at
CIT exam and I wanted a seat at IMM at
CIT exam and I wanted a seat at IMM at the bar there was only one problem with
the bar there was only one problem with
the bar there was only one problem with that
that
that two and a half lakh applicants 250 seats
two and a half lakh applicants 250 seats
two and a half lakh applicants 250 seats 0.1% I could not get about that number
0.1% I could not get about that number
0.1% I could not get about that number and of course the fact that I finished
and of course the fact that I finished
and of course the fact that I finished in the bottom half of my class and
in the bottom half of my class and
in the bottom half of my class and engineering didn’t help but then I
engineering didn’t help but then I
engineering didn’t help but then I thought look I have nothing to lose
thought look I have nothing to lose
thought look I have nothing to lose nobody expects me to get in anyway so
nobody expects me to get in anyway so
nobody expects me to get in anyway so let’s fight like I have nothing to lose
let’s fight like I have nothing to lose
let’s fight like I have nothing to lose and I started preparing I started taking
and I started preparing I started taking
and I started preparing I started taking tests I started taking practice tests
tests I started taking practice tests
tests I started taking practice tests attending classes and as the day’s kept
attending classes and as the day’s kept
attending classes and as the day’s kept you know get kept getting closer to the
you know get kept getting closer to the
you know get kept getting closer to the date of the exam I I knew that there
date of the exam I I knew that there
date of the exam I I knew that there were a lot of people I was competing
were a lot of people I was competing
were a lot of people I was competing with who was smarter than me who were
with who was smarter than me who were
with who was smarter than me who were much more intelligent than me but I
much more intelligent than me but I
much more intelligent than me but I thought okay let me work harder than
thought okay let me work harder than
thought okay let me work harder than them and try to level the playing field
them and try to level the playing field
them and try to level the playing field so I started psyching myself as the date
so I started psyching myself as the date
so I started psyching myself as the date of the exam started coming closer I used
of the exam started coming closer I used
of the exam started coming closer I used to do some pretty crazy things I used to
to do some pretty crazy things I used to
to do some pretty crazy things I used to while taking practice tests I used to
while taking practice tests I used to
while taking practice tests I used to change the time on my watch to 10 o
change the time on my watch to 10 o
change the time on my watch to 10 o clock because I wanted to get
clock because I wanted to get
clock because I wanted to get acclimatized to how my watch would look
acclimatized to how my watch would look
acclimatized to how my watch would look during the actual time of the exam
during the actual time of the exam
during the actual time of the exam because ten o clock was when the exam
because ten o clock was when the exam
because ten o clock was when the exam started I took an exam in the same dress
started I took an exam in the same dress
started I took an exam in the same dress I would wear on the final day I took an
I would wear on the final day I took an
I would wear on the final day I took an exam with TV blaring in the next room
exam with TV blaring in the next room
exam with TV blaring in the next room just in case there was a wedding
just in case there was a wedding
just in case there was a wedding reception next to the on the day of the
reception next to the on the day of the
reception next to the on the day of the exam while while commuting from my home
exam while while commuting from my home
exam while while commuting from my home to office I used to bike that time and I
to office I used to bike that time and I
to office I used to bike that time and I developed this habit of seeing the car
developed this habit of seeing the car
developed this habit of seeing the car in front of me I used to take the number
in front of me I used to take the number
in front of me I used to take the number plate the four digits in the number
plate the four digits in the number
plate the four digits in the number plate split them down the middle and try
plate split them down the middle and try
plate split them down the middle and try to multiply the left two numbers by the
to multiply the left two numbers by the
to multiply the left two numbers by the right two numbers just to get better at
right two numbers just to get better at
right two numbers just to get better at mental math you know now that I think
mental math you know now that I think
mental math you know now that I think about it this is like some serious crazy
about it this is like some serious crazy
about it this is like some serious crazy thing but in 2006 when the results came
thing but in 2006 when the results came
thing but in 2006 when the results came out and I got a call from every single
out and I got a call from every single
out and I got a call from every single one of the top business schools in the
one of the top business schools in the
one of the top business schools in the country I knew that something inside me
country I knew that something inside me
country I knew that something inside me had changed I was not scared to set
had changed I was not scared to set
had changed I was not scared to set goals beyond the bottom left quadrant
goals beyond the bottom left quadrant
goals beyond the bottom left quadrant anymore set a goal where you are likely
anymore set a goal where you are likely
anymore set a goal where you are likely to fail because nobody anyways expects
to fail because nobody anyways expects
to fail because nobody anyways expects you to achieve it and without the burden
you to achieve it and without the burden
you to achieve it and without the burden or expectations you have no idea how
or expectations you have no idea how
or expectations you have no idea how much you can achieve idn’t 2008 there’s
much you can achieve idn’t 2008 there’s
much you can achieve idn’t 2008 there’s a bit of daredevil D that creeps in in
a bit of daredevil D that creeps in in
a bit of daredevil D that creeps in in the final year of every education course
the final year of every education course
the final year of every education course right
right
right the finally or you stop attending
the finally or you stop attending
the finally or you stop attending classes you start hanging out more with
classes you start hanging out more with
classes you start hanging out more with friends you plan to conquer the world
friends you plan to conquer the world
friends you plan to conquer the world and I did that I was four months away
and I did that I was four months away
and I did that I was four months away from graduating from I am Emma the BOD
from graduating from I am Emma the BOD
from graduating from I am Emma the BOD with one of the highest paying jobs in
with one of the highest paying jobs in
with one of the highest paying jobs in campus it was an investment banking job
campus it was an investment banking job
campus it was an investment banking job in New York my batch mate who actually
in New York my batch mate who actually
in New York my batch mate who actually took up the offer went on to net one
took up the offer went on to net one
took up the offer went on to net one crore in salary it still pinches and and
crore in salary it still pinches and and
crore in salary it still pinches and and and I was taking part in a few B plan
and I was taking part in a few B plan
and I was taking part in a few B plan contests and case studies and I suddenly
contests and case studies and I suddenly
contests and case studies and I suddenly thought that you know what I can do this
thought that you know what I can do this
thought that you know what I can do this I should start a company of my own and I
I should start a company of my own and I
I should start a company of my own and I was torn there was a part of me which
was torn there was a part of me which
was torn there was a part of me which said you know the typical things people
said you know the typical things people
said you know the typical things people say get some experience get some money
say get some experience get some money
say get some experience get some money you know better place see if and there
you know better place see if and there
you know better place see if and there was a part of me said no you know now is
was a part of me said no you know now is
was a part of me said no you know now is the time and I should do it so here’s
the time and I should do it so here’s
the time and I should do it so here’s the thing at 26 single without
the thing at 26 single without
the thing at 26 single without liabilities I was just too young to
liabilities I was just too young to
liabilities I was just too young to trade comfort for passion so I decided
trade comfort for passion so I decided
trade comfort for passion so I decided to start up something about I started I
to start up something about I started I
to start up something about I started I started a an online e-commerce site I
started a an online e-commerce site I
started a an online e-commerce site I know I look very funny that I know so
know I look very funny that I know so
know I look very funny that I know so yeah but that’s me so we started an
yeah but that’s me so we started an
yeah but that’s me so we started an online e-commerce portal and when we
online e-commerce portal and when we
online e-commerce portal and when we started it was interesting there was a
started it was interesting there was a
started it was interesting there was a lot of press coverage people said
lot of press coverage people said
lot of press coverage people said congratulations although I really don’t
congratulations although I really don’t
congratulations although I really don’t know what they were congratulating me
know what they were congratulating me
know what they were congratulating me for because I had built nothing but
for because I had built nothing but
for because I had built nothing but anyways as time passed after six months
anyways as time passed after six months
anyways as time passed after six months the press coverage reduced the the I
the press coverage reduced the the I
the press coverage reduced the the I mean we got down to work and then we
mean we got down to work and then we
mean we got down to work and then we realize that things weren’t working out
realize that things weren’t working out
realize that things weren’t working out and no investor would even touch our
and no investor would even touch our
and no investor would even touch our business model with the 10-foot Pole so
business model with the 10-foot Pole so
business model with the 10-foot Pole so I changed the business model I said okay
I changed the business model I said okay
I changed the business model I said okay instead of an e-commerce portal let’s
instead of an e-commerce portal let’s
instead of an e-commerce portal let’s make it a bargaining portal did not work
make it a bargaining portal did not work
make it a bargaining portal did not work okay let’s make a bargaining algorithm
okay let’s make a bargaining algorithm
okay let’s make a bargaining algorithm and give it to other people did not work
and give it to other people did not work
and give it to other people did not work okay let’s try recommending price
okay let’s try recommending price
okay let’s try recommending price let’s try tweaking the engine so it
let’s try tweaking the engine so it
let’s try tweaking the engine so it could recommend insurance premiums what
could recommend insurance premiums what
could recommend insurance premiums what does the any guesses what happened you
does the any guesses what happened you
does the any guesses what happened you know the answer to this of course it did
know the answer to this of course it did
know the answer to this of course it did not work so at the end of it I realize
not work so at the end of it I realize
not work so at the end of it I realize that you know it’s not working out let
that you know it’s not working out let
that you know it’s not working out let me just go back and get back to a job
me just go back and get back to a job
me just go back and get back to a job and in those two years I realized
and in those two years I realized
and in those two years I realized something that you know there never is a
something that you know there never is a
something that you know there never is a best time there’s only now and there’s
best time there’s only now and there’s
best time there’s only now and there’s later
later
later and the choice is yours when you want to
and the choice is yours when you want to
and the choice is yours when you want to start because if somebody told me today
start because if somebody told me today
start because if somebody told me today that look for the first two years given
that look for the first two years given
that look for the first two years given my skills given everything I am for the
my skills given everything I am for the
my skills given everything I am for the first two years you are going to be
first two years you are going to be
first two years you are going to be doing things that you’re going to be
doing things that you’re going to be
doing things that you’re going to be failing at you are going to be doing
failing at you are going to be doing
failing at you are going to be doing things which will not work out
things which will not work out
things which will not work out I would plate exactly the same way I
I would plate exactly the same way I
I would plate exactly the same way I would rather have make my mistakes
would rather have make my mistakes
would rather have make my mistakes learned from my failures when I was 26
learned from my failures when I was 26
learned from my failures when I was 26 then later and that’s what I did
then later and that’s what I did
then later and that’s what I did I knew that my first shot at shaping the
I knew that my first shot at shaping the
I knew that my first shot at shaping the now didn’t work out but I also knew that
now didn’t work out but I also knew that
now didn’t work out but I also knew that next time I would start I would start
next time I would start I would start
next time I would start I would start from a much stronger place and well that
from a much stronger place and well that
from a much stronger place and well that place came pretty soon this was 2012 and
place came pretty soon this was 2012 and
place came pretty soon this was 2012 and I had finished I was I’d finished two
I had finished I was I’d finished two
I had finished I was I’d finished two years in my organization at that time
years in my organization at that time
years in my organization at that time and it’s interesting how we read a lot
and it’s interesting how we read a lot
and it’s interesting how we read a lot about how you’re supposed to focus on
about how you’re supposed to focus on
about how you’re supposed to focus on the goal in hand but what’s also
the goal in hand but what’s also
the goal in hand but what’s also interesting is that nobody really tells
interesting is that nobody really tells
interesting is that nobody really tells us what not to focus on I’m gonna ask
us what not to focus on I’m gonna ask
us what not to focus on I’m gonna ask you to humor me a bit so does anybody
you to humor me a bit so does anybody
you to humor me a bit so does anybody have a doesn’t have a pen or pencil in
have a doesn’t have a pen or pencil in
have a doesn’t have a pen or pencil in their pockets anything anything at all
their pockets anything anything at all
their pockets anything anything at all okay if you do if you do let me see if I
okay if you do if you do let me see if I
okay if you do if you do let me see if I have one yeah I have one
have one yeah I have one
have one yeah I have one okay so just just hold it up right here
okay so just just hold it up right here
okay so just just hold it up right here right now when you hold up something
right now when you hold up something
right now when you hold up something like this right imagine this and if you
like this right imagine this and if you
like this right imagine this and if you don’t have a pen a pen a pencil you can
don’t have a pen a pen a pencil you can
don’t have a pen a pen a pencil you can just use your fingers well now imagine
just use your fingers well now imagine
just use your fingers well now imagine the tip the tip of the pencil as your
the tip the tip of the pencil as your
the tip the tip of the pencil as your goal right you have now defined the goal
goal right you have now defined the goal
goal right you have now defined the goal and now start slowly moving towards the
and now start slowly moving towards the
and now start slowly moving towards the pencil start moving towards your goal
pencil start moving towards your goal
pencil start moving towards your goal you see what’s happening here you know
you see what’s happening here you know
you see what’s happening here you know what’s happening here right now you are
what’s happening here right now you are
what’s happening here right now you are blurring in the background I can’t see
blurring in the background I can’t see
blurring in the background I can’t see you anymore because I’m focused on the
you anymore because I’m focused on the
you anymore because I’m focused on the goal why are you blurring because
goal why are you blurring because
goal why are you blurring because compared to my goal you are not
compared to my goal you are not
compared to my goal you are not important compared to the goal the
important compared to the goal the
important compared to the goal the background is not important if you
background is not important if you
background is not important if you change your focus from the goal to the
change your focus from the goal to the
change your focus from the goal to the background you’re not focusing on the
background you’re not focusing on the
background you’re not focusing on the goal anymore you know what the
goal anymore you know what the
goal anymore you know what the background is Bajorans people telling
background is Bajorans people telling
background is Bajorans people telling you that you know this is not a good
you that you know this is not a good
you that you know this is not a good time why don’t you get some excess why
time why don’t you get some excess why
time why don’t you get some excess why don’t you get some experience and do
don’t you get some experience and do
don’t you get some experience and do that later there’s another thing that’s
that later there’s another thing that’s
that later there’s another thing that’s happening what’s happening I look
happening what’s happening I look
happening what’s happening I look ridiculous so sometimes when you are
ridiculous so sometimes when you are
ridiculous so sometimes when you are chasing goals you end up looking
chasing goals you end up looking
chasing goals you end up looking ridiculous you end up doing really funny
ridiculous you end up doing really funny
ridiculous you end up doing really funny things people laugh let them laugh it’s
things people laugh let them laugh it’s
things people laugh let them laugh it’s not their goal anyways it’s your goal
not their goal anyways it’s your goal
not their goal anyways it’s your goal and it’s up to you to maintain focus on
and it’s up to you to maintain focus on
and it’s up to you to maintain focus on the goal
the goal
the goal and let some fires burn in the
and let some fires burn in the
and let some fires burn in the background when I decided to start up
background when I decided to start up
background when I decided to start up for the second time my well wishers gave
for the second time my well wishers gave
for the second time my well wishers gave me a really hard time there were things
me a really hard time there were things
me a really hard time there were things like you just got married why don’t you
like you just got married why don’t you
like you just got married why don’t you start a family look at what everybody
start a family look at what everybody
start a family look at what everybody else is doing there were others who said
else is doing there were others who said
else is doing there were others who said your batch mates not just the batch mate
your batch mates not just the batch mate
your batch mates not just the batch mate who made a lot of money every batch mate
who made a lot of money every batch mate
who made a lot of money every batch mate they were buying houses they were buying
they were buying houses they were buying
they were buying houses they were buying fancy cars and they’re like look at them
fancy cars and they’re like look at them
fancy cars and they’re like look at them don’t you feel like you should also do
don’t you feel like you should also do
don’t you feel like you should also do the same thing what happens if you fail
the same thing what happens if you fail
the same thing what happens if you fail again your career record recovered from
again your career record recovered from
again your career record recovered from one but yo Korea is not gonna recover
one but yo Korea is not gonna recover
one but yo Korea is not gonna recover for the from a second debacle but my
for the from a second debacle but my
for the from a second debacle but my heart was set and I said okay I owe it
heart was set and I said okay I owe it
heart was set and I said okay I owe it to myself to try again and I did
to myself to try again and I did
to myself to try again and I did fast-forward five years and luckily the
fast-forward five years and luckily the
fast-forward five years and luckily the well-wishes aren’t so upset with me
well-wishes aren’t so upset with me
well-wishes aren’t so upset with me anymore in spite of a journey of ups and
anymore in spite of a journey of ups and
anymore in spite of a journey of ups and downs I’m grateful to share that today I
downs I’m grateful to share that today I
downs I’m grateful to share that today I run a five-year-old venture-backed
run a five-year-old venture-backed
run a five-year-old venture-backed company with multi-million dollar
company with multi-million dollar
company with multi-million dollar revenues and last year for the first
revenues and last year for the first
revenues and last year for the first time we turned profitable so it’s
time we turned profitable so it’s
time we turned profitable so it’s sometimes you got to listen to the voice
sometimes you got to listen to the voice
sometimes you got to listen to the voice inside you it says let’s just ignore all
inside you it says let’s just ignore all
inside you it says let’s just ignore all the voice in the background for a while
the voice in the background for a while
the voice in the background for a while and just focus on the tip of the pencil
and just focus on the tip of the pencil
and just focus on the tip of the pencil you may look ridiculous but it’s your
you may look ridiculous but it’s your
you may look ridiculous but it’s your best shot of getting there now this is
best shot of getting there now this is
best shot of getting there now this is the story that’s closest to my heart
the story that’s closest to my heart
the story that’s closest to my heart it’s also what’s most recent in 2011 I
it’s also what’s most recent in 2011 I
it’s also what’s most recent in 2011 I married the love of my life in 2011 my
married the love of my life in 2011 my
married the love of my life in 2011 my wife married the second love of her life
wife married the second love of her life
wife married the second love of her life because her first love was is and will
because her first love was is and will
because her first love was is and will always be running she she runs his half
always be running she she runs his half
always be running she she runs his half marathon ultramarathon insane and for
marathon ultramarathon insane and for
marathon ultramarathon insane and for many many years I I cured her from the
many many years I I cured her from the
many many years I I cured her from the stands actually mostly the couch I but I
stands actually mostly the couch I but I
stands actually mostly the couch I but I chaired and in 2015 we were blessed with
chaired and in 2015 we were blessed with
chaired and in 2015 we were blessed with a little baby and that’s when it was
a little baby and that’s when it was
a little baby and that’s when it was wonderful life was beautiful exciting
wonderful life was beautiful exciting
wonderful life was beautiful exciting and beyond all the social media pictures
and beyond all the social media pictures
and beyond all the social media pictures we were drowning we were drowning in a
we were drowning we were drowning in a
we were drowning we were drowning in a sea of expectations responsibilities and
sea of expectations responsibilities and
sea of expectations responsibilities and diapers a lot of diapers you don’t know
diapers a lot of diapers you don’t know
diapers a lot of diapers you don’t know I’m not going there so and given the
I’m not going there so and given the
I’m not going there so and given the kind of individuals we were we started
kind of individuals we were we started
kind of individuals we were we started asking ourselves is this it has life
asking ourselves is this it has life
asking ourselves is this it has life changed are we are we done we’re not
changed are we are we done we’re not
changed are we are we done we’re not gonna set goals
gonna set goals
gonna set goals anymore and in one of those moments of
anymore and in one of those moments of
anymore and in one of those moments of introspection I remember asking my wife
introspection I remember asking my wife
introspection I remember asking my wife at that time hey do you want to sign up
at that time hey do you want to sign up
at that time hey do you want to sign up for a run sometime you know it
for a run sometime you know it
for a run sometime you know it de-stresses you he said yeah that’s not
de-stresses you he said yeah that’s not
de-stresses you he said yeah that’s not a good idea I should do that he said
a good idea I should do that he said
a good idea I should do that he said okay and there’s a full marathon coming
okay and there’s a full marathon coming
okay and there’s a full marathon coming up the Mumbai marathon do you want to
up the Mumbai marathon do you want to
up the Mumbai marathon do you want to sign up for that as well like yeah why
sign up for that as well like yeah why
sign up for that as well like yeah why thank you
thank you
thank you sounds great why didn’t you sign up for
sounds great why didn’t you sign up for
sounds great why didn’t you sign up for an ironman instead have you lost it I’ll
an ironman instead have you lost it I’ll
an ironman instead have you lost it I’ll explain the Ironman Triathlon is largely
explain the Ironman Triathlon is largely
explain the Ironman Triathlon is largely known as the toughest single day
known as the toughest single day
known as the toughest single day endurance event in the world Alex Flinn
endurance event in the world Alex Flinn
endurance event in the world Alex Flinn the event comprises of a 3.8 kilometer
the event comprises of a 3.8 kilometer
the event comprises of a 3.8 kilometer swim for that is not a typo I thought it
swim for that is not a typo I thought it
swim for that is not a typo I thought it was the type of the first time I saw
was the type of the first time I saw
was the type of the first time I saw that hunt followed by a 180 kilometres
that hunt followed by a 180 kilometres
that hunt followed by a 180 kilometres bike ride followed by a full marathon of
bike ride followed by a full marathon of
bike ride followed by a full marathon of 42 kilometers and you have to complete
42 kilometers and you have to complete
42 kilometers and you have to complete this all together back to back within a
this all together back to back within a
this all together back to back within a span of 17 hours and the whole idea
span of 17 hours and the whole idea
span of 17 hours and the whole idea seems so out of the box so we didn’t
seems so out of the box so we didn’t
seems so out of the box so we didn’t talk about it for a long while but we
talk about it for a long while but we
talk about it for a long while but we also couldn’t stop thinking about it
also couldn’t stop thinking about it
also couldn’t stop thinking about it and one day in 2015 I created a folder
and one day in 2015 I created a folder
and one day in 2015 I created a folder on my on the e Drive of my laptop I said
on my on the e Drive of my laptop I said
on my on the e Drive of my laptop I said Ironman 2017 and I did some research and
Ironman 2017 and I did some research and
Ironman 2017 and I did some research and I listed all the races between that time
I listed all the races between that time
I listed all the races between that time 2015 till 2017 and made folders of it
2015 till 2017 and made folders of it
2015 till 2017 and made folders of it and slowly slowly we started signing up
and slowly slowly we started signing up
and slowly slowly we started signing up for these races we started really small
for these races we started really small
for these races we started really small and did a triathlon which was quarter
and did a triathlon which was quarter
and did a triathlon which was quarter the distance of a full Ironman we just
the distance of a full Ironman we just
the distance of a full Ironman we just wanted to see if we could swim we could
wanted to see if we could swim we could
wanted to see if we could swim we could cycle we could run and not end up in the
cycle we could run and not end up in the
cycle we could run and not end up in the nearest hospital so on the final day of
nearest hospital so on the final day of
nearest hospital so on the final day of the race we we by the end of it we were
the race we we by the end of it we were
the race we we by the end of it we were dehydrated we were burnt
dehydrated we were burnt
dehydrated we were burnt we were we were given pain but we were
we were we were given pain but we were
we were we were given pain but we were also very very stoked really okay we did
also very very stoked really okay we did
also very very stoked really okay we did this and we really wanted to see how far
this and we really wanted to see how far
this and we really wanted to see how far we could push it because this seemed
we could push it because this seemed
we could push it because this seemed like a ticket and escape from where we
like a ticket and escape from where we
like a ticket and escape from where we were at that moment so we started
were at that moment so we started
were at that moment so we started planning and we were the usual suspects
planning and we were the usual suspects
planning and we were the usual suspects any triathlon in India we would just
any triathlon in India we would just
any triathlon in India we would just show up there we just showed up there
show up there we just showed up there
show up there we just showed up there and slowly the distances started
and slowly the distances started
and slowly the distances started increasing from quarter to half ironman
increasing from quarter to half ironman
increasing from quarter to half ironman distances from half ironman distances to
distances from half ironman distances to
distances from half ironman distances to 3/4 ironman distances and we faced
3/4 ironman distances and we faced
3/4 ironman distances and we faced everything you could imagine there was a
everything you could imagine there was a
everything you could imagine there was a ohh
ohh
ohh Waters Lake swimwear in I felt dizzy and
Waters Lake swimwear in I felt dizzy and
Waters Lake swimwear in I felt dizzy and I was out of breath so I had to hold on
I was out of breath so I had to hold on
I was out of breath so I had to hold on to one of the rescue kayaks there was a
to one of the rescue kayaks there was a
to one of the rescue kayaks there was a race where there was an SUV coming from
race where there was an SUV coming from
race where there was an SUV coming from the other side and it collided with my
the other side and it collided with my
the other side and it collided with my wife’s bike and shared a fall there was
wife’s bike and shared a fall there was
wife’s bike and shared a fall there was so many run when there was lactic acid
so many run when there was lactic acid
so many run when there was lactic acid buildup in my muscles and I was just too
buildup in my muscles and I was just too
buildup in my muscles and I was just too cramped to run so I had to walk more
cramped to run so I had to walk more
cramped to run so I had to walk more than 25 kilometers just to reach the
than 25 kilometers just to reach the
than 25 kilometers just to reach the finish line but on July 2nd 2017 earlier
finish line but on July 2nd 2017 earlier
finish line but on July 2nd 2017 earlier this year when we were at the start line
this year when we were at the start line
this year when we were at the start line of the race at Austria with thousands of
of the race at Austria with thousands of
of the race at Austria with thousands of other athletes we were nervous but we
other athletes we were nervous but we
other athletes we were nervous but we weren’t scared if we had done everything
weren’t scared if we had done everything
weren’t scared if we had done everything in our power to get to that point and
in our power to get to that point and
in our power to get to that point and when the race cannon fired and we drove
when the race cannon fired and we drove
when the race cannon fired and we drove headfirst into the water we knew what we
headfirst into the water we knew what we
headfirst into the water we knew what we were set for we fought the hardest we
were set for we fought the hardest we
were set for we fought the hardest we have ever physically fought in our lives
have ever physically fought in our lives
have ever physically fought in our lives we fought against complacency we fought
we fought against complacency we fought
we fought against complacency we fought against people telling us that your life
against people telling us that your life
against people telling us that your life has changed but we had to reach the
has changed but we had to reach the
has changed but we had to reach the finish line and after 16 hours of
finish line and after 16 hours of
finish line and after 16 hours of extreme pain and fatigue when we finally
extreme pain and fatigue when we finally
extreme pain and fatigue when we finally reached the finish line it was glorious
reached the finish line it was glorious
reached the finish line it was glorious this thank you it this was not an
this thank you it this was not an
this thank you it this was not an endeavour for our title of being called
endeavour for our title of being called
endeavour for our title of being called an Ironman triathlete or a medal
an Ironman triathlete or a medal
an Ironman triathlete or a medal although it’s a pretty good looking
although it’s a pretty good looking
although it’s a pretty good looking medal but this was more to tell
medal but this was more to tell
medal but this was more to tell ourselves that if we plan and just take
ourselves that if we plan and just take
ourselves that if we plan and just take small wins at a time how far could we go
small wins at a time how far could we go
small wins at a time how far could we go just just a couple of big stars I there
just just a couple of big stars I there
just just a couple of big stars I there was a friend of mine who was visiting
was a friend of mine who was visiting
was a friend of mine who was visiting and he said okay you know I’ve seen the
and he said okay you know I’ve seen the
and he said okay you know I’ve seen the middle can I have a look at the middle
middle can I have a look at the middle
middle can I have a look at the middle and I’m gonna move off the light for a
and I’m gonna move off the light for a
and I’m gonna move off the light for a bit and then I said okay here here is
bit and then I said okay here here is
bit and then I said okay here here is what the medal looks like and and my
what the medal looks like and and my
what the medal looks like and and my friend said wow this man looks really
friend said wow this man looks really
friend said wow this man looks really awesome and that’s when it that is
awesome and that’s when it that is
awesome and that’s when it that is struck me and I told him you know what
struck me and I told him you know what
struck me and I told him you know what this man might look awesome but this
this man might look awesome but this
this man might look awesome but this medal didn’t make me you want to see
medal didn’t make me you want to see
medal didn’t make me you want to see what make me you want to see what makes
what make me you want to see what makes
what make me you want to see what makes made me who I am and made this medal
made me who I am and made this medal
made me who I am and made this medal possible then you want to look at the
possible then you want to look at the
possible then you want to look at the fold over there and then you have to
fold over there and then you have to
fold over there and then you have to look at all that the folder got me this
because the world might look at this but
because the world might look at this but I know that without this this would have
I know that without this this would have
I know that without this this would have never happened so in closing I’d just
never happened so in closing I’d just
never happened so in closing I’d just like to say that in life whatever we go
like to say that in life whatever we go
like to say that in life whatever we go through is typically what we what we
through is typically what we what we
through is typically what we what we grow through I was I was a person who
grow through I was I was a person who
grow through I was I was a person who used to be very used to get a panic
used to be very used to get a panic
used to be very used to get a panic attack whenever I had to come on stage
attack whenever I had to come on stage
attack whenever I had to come on stage to speak and about three months back I
to speak and about three months back I
to speak and about three months back I set a terrifying goal for myself
set a terrifying goal for myself
set a terrifying goal for myself to come and ask all of you to start
to come and ask all of you to start
to come and ask all of you to start setting terrifying goals see how life
setting terrifying goals see how life
setting terrifying goals see how life changes
changes
changes I’m sure five five months or six months
I’m sure five five months or six months
I’m sure five five months or six months back when PSID decided that okay you
back when PSID decided that okay you
back when PSID decided that okay you know what we should have a TEDx talk
know what we should have a TEDx talk
know what we should have a TEDx talk that was a goal right
that was a goal right
that was a goal right a terrifying will and look at what’s
a terrifying will and look at what’s
a terrifying will and look at what’s happening right now we are here I am
happening right now we are here I am
happening right now we are here I am speaking and this is happening it’s
speaking and this is happening it’s
speaking and this is happening it’s getting recorded tomorrow millions of
getting recorded tomorrow millions of
getting recorded tomorrow millions of people are gonna watch it it’s amazing
people are gonna watch it it’s amazing
people are gonna watch it it’s amazing right so I just like to end I say that
right so I just like to end I say that
right so I just like to end I say that there’s no point in thinking about what
there’s no point in thinking about what
there’s no point in thinking about what happens if you fail nothing is
happens if you fail nothing is
happens if you fail nothing is irreversible except death no chance is
irreversible except death no chance is
irreversible except death no chance is the last chance until you decide to
the last chance until you decide to
the last chance until you decide to fatigue fall down seven stand up eight
fatigue fall down seven stand up eight
fatigue fall down seven stand up eight our goals are for us to chase thank you
our goals are for us to chase thank you
our goals are for us to chase thank you very much psi T this has been very
very much psi T this has been very
very much psi T this has been very special thank you thank you
special thank you thank you
special thank you thank you [Applause]
”
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