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VVIP Visits: Hindering Disaster Relief
Unpopular opinion: VVIPs visiting sites of accidents and natural disasters is counterproductive. It looks good on cameras but it actually hurts relief and rescue. VVIP visits distract officials, who, instead of doing relief and rescue, have to:...
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Only one thing is progress — doing
Which is the best running shoe in the world? Who cares? You just need a good enough pair. Because the shoes won't run, you will. And I am not being...
Productivity = focus + prioritization
Today, I had dozens of pending tasks. So here is what I did. I just picked one task that really mattered. I dropped everything else, started my...
Remembering Deepak Ratan
A year ago, we lost Deepak Ratan, my friend, IPS batchmate, and an illustrious officer, to a heart attack. We are all in shock. Deepak was still in...
Break free from digital distractions
You are distracted. But not for the reason you think. MORE than 50% of the work interruptions destroying your productivity aren’t triggered by your...
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The power of downtime and diffuse thinking
A few years ago, when I was doing my previous startup, a student once asked me an IITJEE Advanced physics problem. The question appeared so unsolvable that I asked him, "Are you sure the problem is correct?" Sadly, it was 🙂 I thought about it for...
3-step process to clarify thinking
Here is a 3-step process to clarify your thinking, whenever you feel you have a lot to say about something but it all feels jumbled up in your head. Imagine that you have to make a presentation before someone (a client, colleague, etc.). Now, dump...
The efficiency paradox
During my days at McKinsey, I once asked a retired senior partner about life before PowerPoint. How did they make presentations to clients? He said that they used to create presentations on big chart papers using felt-tip pens. They would have to...
Freedom over fortune
You should envy Warren Buffett and the late Charlie Munger -- I certainly do. But not because of their billions. But because of how happy and joyful they are. In their 90s, they have the infectious enthusiasm and curiosity of a 25-year-old. They...