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There Are No Shortcuts in Financial Markets
A few months ago, a youngster (in mid-twenties) working in a tech role asked me how to get a job in a PE fund. When I asked him why he wanted to do that, he said, "To make a lot of money." Fair point -- these firms can pay quite well. Then I asked...
Recent Posts
Stop Outsourcing Your Life Decisions
We often ask people for advice on what to do with our lives. But how would they know? You know who you are and what makes you tick. You know your...
The Hidden Power of Inexperience
When you are young and inexperienced, you don't know what is possible or what your limits are. You don't understand how the world works. So you try...
The Real Lesson from 12th Fail
Many have asked me to watch the movie '12th Fail' -- people are raving about this wonderful movie. Manoj's story (who battled extreme adversity to...
Stop Trying to Prove Yourself
If you are trying to prove yourself, there is bad news -- this game has no endpoint. There is no finish line at which you will feel, "Finally, I...
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Focus on Your Own Journey, Not Someone Else’s
In a high-rise office building in New York, I was once looking across the street at the next skyscraper, craning my neck. And I felt so 'low down'! But when I looked down (I was probably on the 30th floor or higher), the cars on the street looked...
Why Intelligent People Often Aren’t Rich
Why are intelligent people often not rich? Because they want to make money only using their intellect. For example, if a "non-intelligent" money-making opportunity shows up (say, wholesale rice trading), they wouldn't be interested. Further, I...
Everyone Feels Fear – Face It Anyway
Everybody feels scared: -- On the first day of a job. -- During a job interview. -- Before closing a big sales deal. -- Before the performance review. Fear is nothing to be ashamed of. It is not a personal weakness. Fear is universal -- what varies...
How to Know If Your Idea Is Real
Early in my startup days, I used to sometimes wonder -- am I doing something real or am I just fiddling around, fooling myself? How do I know this is not all in my head? The ONLY real way of knowing whether you are doing something real (and...