Author: Saurabh Garg

Navigating the Freelancing Landscape: Insights from My Journey

Explore the ups and downs of freelancing through personal experiences and valuable lessons that can inspire your own career path.

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In today’s dynamic world, freelancing offers unparalleled opportunities for those willing to take the plunge. Through my journey, filled with ups and downs, I’ve learned valuable lessons that can help aspiring freelancers navigate their own paths. Join me as I share my experiences and insights that can inspire you to start your freelancing career.

Table of Contents

🌱 A Glimpse into My Background

My journey began like many others, grounded in a mix of formal education and the relentless pursuit of knowledge. I graduated with a Bachelor’s in Information Technology from Delhi University, and later pursued a Post Graduate Program in Management from MDI in Gurgaon. While these degrees provided a foundation, they were merely stepping stones. The real education came from life itself.

As I often say, I was taught by the “school of hard knocks.” This phrase resonates with me because it encapsulates the essence of learning through experience. In the world of freelancing, it’s not just about what you know; it’s about how you adapt and grow from your challenges.

📉 The School of Hard Knocks

The “school of hard knocks” is a term that captures the essence of my professional journey. It’s where I learned my most valuable lessons—not from textbooks, but from the trials and tribulations of real-life experiences. Every setback was a lesson in disguise, teaching me resilience and adaptability.

I often reflect on my early days in the industry, where I faced numerous challenges that tested my skills and determination. Each failure was a stepping stone, pushing me to rethink my strategies and approach. This philosophy became the cornerstone of my freelance career, reminding me that every setback is an opportunity for growth.

📈 My Professional Journey: The Ups and Downs

My professional life can best be described as an “up and down curve.” From the moment I started, I experienced rapid growth followed by significant setbacks. It’s a cycle I’ve come to accept and embrace. I’ve had three distinct peaks and valleys in my career, each shaped by my ideas and decisions.

During these ups, I found success through innovative ideas and hard work. Conversely, the downs often stemmed from the same source—my ideas. I learned that in the world of freelancing, success isn’t a straight line; it’s a winding road filled with unexpected turns. As I like to say, “The ups have happened because of my ideas, and the downs have happened because of my ideas.” It’s a continuous cycle of learning and unlearning.

🚀 From Startups to Self-Employment

Transitioning from startups to self-employment was a natural progression for me. My journey began with three startup ventures, each offering unique lessons and experiences. As I navigated the tumultuous waters of entrepreneurship, I realized that my true calling lay in self-employment.

Today, I proudly identify as a self-employed entrepreneur. My work is not about creating something entirely new; it’s about refining existing ideas and offering value in a space where many others operate. I no longer view myself as a startup person; instead, I focus on building a sustainable business that aligns with my values and aspirations.

🔄 Industry Agnostic: Learning Over Specialization

One of the most liberating realizations in my career has been the notion of being industry agnostic. I believe that the ability to learn new skills quickly is far more valuable than being pigeonholed into one specific area. My diverse experiences across various sectors have equipped me with a unique perspective and a versatile skill set.

In my view, it’s not about being the best in one field; it’s about being adaptable and open to learning. Whether it’s mastering a new marketing strategy or delving into a different industry, I approach each challenge with enthusiasm and curiosity. This mindset has not only broadened my horizons but also enriched my freelance career.

🌟 Inspiration: Beyond the Conventional

Inspiration can come from the most unexpected places. For me, it has shifted over the years. Initially, figures like Bill Gates and Steve Jobs fueled my ambition. Their stories of innovation and success ignited a spark within me, pushing me to dream big.

However, as my journey evolved, I found inspiration in the everyday hustle of individuals who, like me, are navigating the complexities of freelancing. The resilience of fellow freelancers, their stories of grit and determination, and their unwavering commitment to their craft motivate me to keep pushing forward.

As I often reflect, “The act of making money is not just about the end goal; it’s about the journey and the community you build along the way.” This belief drives me to connect with others, share insights, and inspire those who are just starting out on their freelancing journey.

📚 The Importance of Learning from Others

One of the most profound realizations I’ve had is that my journey has been deeply influenced by the wisdom and experiences of others. As I often say, “Every single thing I own today has happened to me because of the kindness of strangers.” This philosophy underpins my approach to both personal and professional growth.

In the freelancing world, it’s vital to recognize that no one operates in a vacuum. Whether it’s through mentorship, collaboration, or even casual conversations, we can learn invaluable lessons from those around us. I remember sitting with my mentor and discussing ideas that would eventually lead to the founding of C4E. If he hadn’t been there to guide me, I might not be where I am today.

Learning from others isn’t just about absorbing information; it’s about understanding different perspectives. It’s about acknowledging that we stand on the shoulders of giants, and by doing so, we can build something even greater. The key is to remain open and receptive to those lessons, no matter where they come from.

🌍 Embracing Change: The Explorer Mindset

When I think about my journey, I often identify as an explorer rather than a traditional founder or leader. As I once quoted Derek Sivers, “I am an explorer.” This mindset has allowed me to approach challenges with curiosity and resilience. Change is the only constant in freelancing, and embracing it can lead to unexpected opportunities.

In my experience, being adaptable is crucial. The ability to pivot, to try new things, and to explore different avenues can make all the difference in your freelancing career. Like the wise young woman who said, “I go where my vibes take me,” I’ve learned to trust my instincts and follow the paths that feel right, even if they diverge from my original plan.

Each project, each client, and each experience adds to my toolkit. I’ve come to appreciate that the journey of freelancing is about exploration—discovering new skills, meeting diverse individuals, and pushing the boundaries of my comfort zone.

🤝 Paying It Forward: The Philosophy Behind My Actions

Paying it forward is a philosophy I hold dear. It stems from the understanding that I owe my successes to the generosity of others. As I often reflect, “There is no way I can pay them back, so I found a way of paying it forward.” This realization has shaped my approach to not only my work but my interactions with others.

Every kindness I’ve received has inspired me to extend that same kindness to others. I learned this concept from a character named Jack Reacher, who embodies the spirit of paying it forward. It’s a simple yet powerful idea: when you receive help, you pass it on to someone else in need.

This philosophy drives me to create structured programs that encourage others to share their knowledge and experiences. Since 2017, I’ve been actively working to instill this mindset within my community, ensuring that the cycle of kindness continues. When we uplift one another, we create a ripple effect that can lead to transformative change.

🌱 Building a Legacy: The Importance of Mentorship

Mentorship has been a game-changer in my life. I’ve had the privilege of learning from incredible individuals who have shaped my career. In turn, I feel a responsibility to mentor others. As I often say, “If Rajesh did not invest in me, I wouldn’t be investing in others.” This debt of gratitude propels me to give back.

Mentorship is not just about imparting knowledge; it’s about creating a supportive environment where others can thrive. I’ve seen firsthand how a little guidance can lead to significant breakthroughs. Whether it’s through one-on-one coaching or group workshops, I strive to share the lessons I’ve learned along my journey.

Building a legacy is about ensuring that the next generation of freelancers has the tools and support they need to succeed. It’s about fostering a community that values collaboration and growth. When we invest in others, we not only enrich their lives but also create a stronger, more connected network.

🤝 Creating Value Through Collaboration

Collaboration is at the heart of freelancing. In a world saturated with competition, the ability to work together can set you apart. I’ve found that the most rewarding projects often come from partnerships where each party brings unique strengths to the table.

By collaborating, we can create value that exceeds what we could achieve alone. Whether it’s teaming up with fellow creatives on a project or pooling resources for a common goal, collaboration opens doors to new possibilities. As I often emphasize, it’s not just about creating something new; it’s about refining existing ideas and enhancing them together.

In my journey, I’ve met incredible individuals who have inspired me to think differently. Each collaboration has taught me the importance of leveraging collective knowledge and skills. The relationships built through collaboration often lead to long-term partnerships that can significantly impact our careers.

✍️ The Power of Writing in My Journey

Writing has been a powerful tool in my journey. It began during a phase when I found myself with ample time and a desire to create. I started penning down my thoughts, which eventually evolved into letters that I shared with others. These letters were a way to connect, to express ideas, and to inspire.

As I reflect on that period, I realize that writing serves multiple purposes. It’s a means of self-expression, a way to clarify my thoughts, and a method to document my journey. Each word penned has been a stepping stone toward greater understanding and connection with others.

In the freelancing world, writing can be a significant asset. Whether it’s through blogs, newsletters, or social media posts, sharing your insights can build your brand and attract opportunities. I encourage everyone to embrace writing as a tool for growth and connection. The stories we tell can resonate with others, inspiring them to embark on their own journeys.

💡 Why My Work Matters: The Impact of Sharing

In the world of freelancing, sharing isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s a necessity. As I often say, “Each thing in my life is exactly in the same space.” This interconnectedness is vital not only for personal growth but also for building a community. When we share our work, insights, and experiences, we open doors for collaboration and innovation.

However, I’ve noticed a gap. People often appreciate my work, yet they hesitate to share it with their networks. It’s crucial to bridge this gap. If you find something valuable, don’t just keep it to yourself. Share it! Your recommendation can be the catalyst for someone else’s journey.

This philosophy extends to all aspects of my work. Whether it’s through my letters, podcasts, or workshops, I strive to create content that resonates with others. The impact of sharing is exponential; one small act can influence many lives. Remember, “The act of making money is not just about the end goal; it’s about the journey and the community you build along the way.”

🧗‍♂️ Navigating Challenges: Learning from Failures

Failure is an inevitable part of the freelancing journey. As I’ve navigated my path, I’ve faced numerous challenges that tested my resolve. Each setback has been a lesson, shaping my approach to work and life. I often reflect, “If I knew what had to be changed, I would have changed it myself.” This realization has taught me the importance of seeking help and collaboration.

For instance, there have been times when I partnered with individuals who didn’t share my vision. The experience was frustrating, but it highlighted the necessity of aligning values. As I learned, “I want to be sure about who I work with because they end up wasting time.” This insight has been invaluable, guiding my choices in partnerships and projects.

Moreover, maintaining momentum is essential. I’ve seen how delays can derail progress. As one of my collaborators wisely pointed out, “If you stop them from moving, it just delays and then stops.” Keeping things in action, even on tough days, is crucial for success.

⚡ The Importance of Momentum in Freelancing

Momentum is the lifeblood of a successful freelance career. It’s not just about starting strong; it’s about maintaining that energy. Each project, each client interaction is an opportunity to build on your previous successes. I often say, “You have to keep the momentum going.” If you let things stagnate, you risk losing the drive that fuels your creativity.

In my experience, staying connected with clients and collaborators is key. Regular check-ins, updates, and discussions can keep the fire alive. When I work with someone, I aim to establish a relationship that feels like a long-term partnership. As I’ve learned, “Think of it as a long-term transaction.” This mindset fosters trust and encourages ongoing collaboration.

Each small win contributes to a larger narrative. Celebrate your achievements, no matter how minor they may seem. They serve as building blocks for future endeavors. Remember, “Keep things in action,” and you’ll find yourself moving forward, even when the path is unclear.

🌈 Final Thoughts: The Journey Continues

As I reflect on my journey so far, I recognize that it’s an ongoing process of growth and learning. The freelancing landscape is ever-evolving, and so am I. I often remind myself, “The day I make it, you will know.” This keeps me grounded and focused on my goals.

Every experience, whether positive or negative, adds to my tapestry of knowledge. I have not reached my destination yet, but I am committed to the journey. My work is not just about personal success; it’s about uplifting others along the way. I believe in paying it forward, ensuring that my journey contributes to the paths of others.

So, if you’re considering freelancing, remember that it’s not merely about the destination. Embrace the journey, learn from your failures, and keep pushing forward. Your story is unique, and it has the power to inspire others. Let’s navigate this landscape together!

❓ FAQ: Common Questions About Freelancing

  • What skills do I need to start freelancing?
    While specific skills depend on your niche, strong communication, time management, and adaptability are essential. Continuous learning is key in a freelance career.
  • How do I find clients?
    Networking, social media, and freelance platforms are great starting points. Don’t hesitate to share your work and seek referrals.
  • What should I charge for my services?
    Research industry standards and evaluate your experience. It’s essential to set rates that reflect your skills while remaining competitive.
  • How do I manage my time effectively?
    Establish a routine, set clear goals, and use productivity tools to stay organized. Time management is crucial for maintaining momentum.
  • What if I face rejection?
    Rejection is a part of the journey. Learn from it, adapt, and keep moving forward. Every setback can lead to a greater opportunity.

Feel free to reach out if you have more questions or need guidance on your freelancing journey. I’m here to help!

This article was created from the video Deeksha AK and SG with the help of AI.

Navigating the Freelancing Landscape in India: Your Ultimate Guide for 2025

The ultimate guide for freelancing in India! Read about common challenges, building a client base, understanding your pricing and FAQs

Freelancing in India is more than just a career choice; it’s a lifestyle that offers freedom and flexibility. In this comprehensive guide, I share insights and experiences from a recent Q&A session, aiming to inspire aspiring freelancers to take the leap into this dynamic world.

Table of Contents

📖 Introduction to Freelancing

Freelancing is not just a way to earn a living; it’s a portal to freedom and self-discovery. Many of us dream of working on our own terms, choosing projects that resonate with our passions. But how do you begin this journey? It starts with understanding what freelancing truly entails.

Freelancing allows you to explore various fields, offering the opportunity to diversify your skills. Whether you’re a writer, designer, or coder, the world is your oyster. However, it’s essential to recognize the commitment and discipline freelancing requires. This isn’t just a job; it’s a lifestyle.

💡 What Freelancing Means

At its core, freelancing is about autonomy. You decide what projects to take on, who to work with, and how to manage your time. Yet, with this freedom comes responsibility. You must market yourself, manage your finances, and ensure you continuously develop your skills.

  • Flexibility: Work from anywhere, at any time.
  • Diversity: Engage in various projects that interest you.
  • Independence: Be your own boss and set your own rates.

🌍 Understanding the Freelancing Landscape

The freelancing landscape is ever-evolving, particularly in countries like India. With the rise of the gig economy, more individuals are seeking flexible work arrangements. Understanding this landscape can help you navigate your freelancing journey more effectively.

In India, freelancing is gaining traction across various sectors. From tech to creative fields, there’s a demand for skilled freelancers. However, the competition is fierce. Standing out requires a combination of talent, networking, and branding.

🌟 Key Trends in Freelancing in India

  • Increased Demand: Brands are increasingly turning to freelancers for specialized skills.
  • Remote Work Culture: The pandemic has accelerated the acceptance of remote work.
  • Digital Platforms: Websites like Upwork and Fiverr are becoming go-to places for freelancers.

⚠️ Common Challenges Faced by New Freelancers

As exciting as freelancing can be, it’s not without its challenges. Many new freelancers face hurdles that can seem overwhelming at first. Identifying these challenges is the first step in overcoming them.

One of the most common challenges is the inconsistency of income. Unlike a traditional job, freelancing can lead to feast-or-famine cycles. It’s crucial to have a financial cushion and a steady stream of clients to mitigate this issue.

🚧 Other Challenges Include:

  • Self-discipline: Without a boss, staying motivated can be tough.
  • Client Management: Navigating client expectations and communications can be challenging.
  • Isolation: Freelancers often work alone, which can lead to feelings of loneliness.

🤝 The Value of Being Indispensable

One of the keys to success in freelancing is becoming indispensable to your clients. This goes beyond just delivering quality work; it’s about building relationships and trust. Clients who see value in your work are more likely to return and refer you to others.

“The clients will not be able to go away from me because they see me doing multiple things at a lesser cost.”

This quote encapsulates the essence of becoming indispensable. By expanding your skill set and offering additional value, you create a unique position in the market. Your clients will not just see you as a freelancer; they will see you as a vital part of their team.

🔑 Tips to Become Indispensable:

  • Exceed Expectations: Go the extra mile in your work.
  • Communicate Effectively: Keep clients updated and engaged.
  • Be Proactive: Offer solutions before they even ask.

⚖️ Finding Balance: Cash vs. Creative Satisfaction

One of the most significant dilemmas freelancers face is balancing financial stability with creative fulfillment. It’s essential to recognize that not all work will be exciting or fulfilling, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t valuable.

“You need to be able to balance the two together.”

Understanding Hugh McLeod “sex and cash” theory can help. It suggests that freelancers should engage in work that pays the bills while also pursuing projects that ignite their passion. This balance is crucial for long-term satisfaction in your freelancing career.

💰 Ways to Achieve Balance:

  • Prioritize Paid Work: Take on projects that pay well but may not be your passion.
  • Allocate Time for Passion Projects: Dedicate specific hours for creative endeavors.
  • Network: Connect with others in your field to discover collaborative opportunities.

🔍 Navigating Work You Don’t Enjoy

Every freelancer will encounter work they don’t enjoy. It’s part of the journey. The key is to navigate these situations wisely. Taking on projects that don’t excite you can be a stepping stone to better opportunities.

“If you are privileged, you can choose to say no to work.”

However, not everyone has that luxury. Sometimes, it’s vital to take on less desirable work to keep the cash flow steady. The challenge lies in how to manage this without losing your passion for your craft.

🚀 Strategies to Handle Unpleasant Work:

  • Set Boundaries: Clearly define the scope of work to avoid burnout.
  • Find Meaning: Look for aspects of the work that you can connect with.
  • Use It as a Learning Experience: Every project can teach you something valuable.

🏗️ Building Your Client Base

Starting your freelancing journey can feel daunting, especially when it comes to finding clients. But let me tell you, it’s all about building relationships. Instead of waiting for clients to come to you, take the initiative to reach out.

One effective strategy is to ask your current clients for referrals. After delivering quality work, approach them with a simple request: “Can you introduce me to three people who might benefit from my services?” This not only opens new doors but also builds a pipeline of potential clients.

“I would love to take up any project that you may have at any cost as a first project.”

This approach generates warm leads and establishes trust through personal recommendations. Remember, it’s easier to connect with someone who has already been referred to you by a mutual acquaintance.

📈 Networking Beyond Referrals

Networking is another crucial aspect of building your client base. Attend industry events, join online forums, and engage on platforms like LinkedIn. When you make meaningful connections, you increase your visibility and create opportunities for collaboration.

  • Participate in Webinars: Share your knowledge and showcase your expertise.
  • Engage on Social Media: Comment on posts, share insights, and connect with industry leaders.
  • Join Freelancing Groups: Collaborate with fellow freelancers to share leads and opportunities.

🌟 Leveraging Testimonials for Growth

Testimonials can be powerful tools for attracting new clients. However, it’s essential to use them strategically. Instead of merely displaying testimonials on your website or LinkedIn, think about how to leverage them for more significant impact.

“Testimonials have become like ratings on Amazon.”

While testimonials can validate your work, they can also become stale if not utilized creatively. Consider creating case studies that highlight your successes. Illustrate how your work solved a problem or added value to a client’s business.

📝 Crafting Compelling Case Studies

When crafting case studies, focus on the following elements:

  • Background: Provide context about the client and their needs.
  • Solution: Detail the approach you took and the work you delivered.
  • Results: Share quantifiable outcomes to demonstrate the impact of your work.

Promote these case studies on social media and your website. Not only do they showcase your expertise, but they also establish credibility with potential clients.

💼 The Importance of Free Work

It might seem counterintuitive, but doing some work for free can significantly expand your reach. Consider this as an investment in your business development. Allocate a portion of your time to pro bono projects that align with your interests or target market.

“You need to allocate a certain percentage of your time as your business development cost.”

By offering free services, you gain valuable experience, build your portfolio, and create opportunities for paid work down the line. The key is to establish clear boundaries so that you don’t end up overwhelmed.

📊 How Much Free Work Should You Do?

Deciding how much free work to take on depends on your personal circumstances. Here are some guidelines:

  • Set a Time Limit: Dedicate a specific number of hours each week to free projects.
  • Choose Wisely: Select projects that align with your long-term goals.
  • Evaluate Outcomes: After a set period, assess the return on your investment.

By thoughtfully incorporating free work into your strategy, you’ll likely find new clients and opportunities that lead to paid projects.

🔍 Finding Your Niche as a Freelancer

Identifying your niche is essential in the crowded freelancing market. A well-defined niche not only sets you apart but also makes it easier to target your marketing efforts.

“You find a niche. Simple.”

Think about what you’re passionate about and where your skills lie. Are you a finance writer? A social media strategist? A designer specializing in branding? The more specific you are, the easier it will be to attract clients who need your expertise.

🧭 Steps to Identify Your Niche

Follow these steps to find your niche:

  • Assess Your Skills: Take stock of your strengths and experiences.
  • Research the Market: Identify gaps in the market that align with your skills.
  • Test the Waters: Start with small projects in your selected niche and gather feedback.

Once you’ve established your niche, focus your marketing efforts on that area to attract the right clients.

🎨 Spec Work: A Tool for Exposure

Spec work, or speculative work, refers to projects you undertake without guaranteed payment, often to showcase your skills. While it has its critics, it can be a useful tool for gaining exposure and building your portfolio.

“The value of spec work on LinkedIn is immense.”

When done thoughtfully, spec work can demonstrate your capabilities and creativity. It allows potential clients to see your style and approach firsthand.

🌈 How to Approach Spec Work

If you decide to pursue spec work, consider the following:

  • Choose Relevant Projects: Focus on work that aligns with your niche and interests.
  • Share Your Work: Promote your spec projects on social media and professional platforms.
  • Engage with Your Audience: Use feedback to refine your skills and approach.

By strategically using spec work, you can draw attention to your freelance services and attract clients.

💰 Understanding Your Worth: Pricing Strategies

One of the most challenging aspects of freelancing is determining how to price your services. Understanding your worth is crucial for setting rates that reflect your expertise and the value you bring to clients.

“Forget about what the world is charging.”

Start by assessing your financial goals and the amount of time you’re willing to dedicate to work. Calculate your desired monthly income, and work backward to determine your hourly rate.

📊 Pricing Strategies to Consider

Here are some effective pricing strategies to help you determine your rates:

  • Value-Based Pricing: Charge based on the value you provide to clients, not just the time spent.
  • Market Research: Investigate what others in your niche are charging to establish a competitive rate.
  • Fixed Rates vs. Hourly Rates: Decide whether you prefer to charge per project or by the hour based on the nature of your work.

Ultimately, your rates should reflect your skills, experience, and the quality of work you deliver. Don’t undervalue yourself; remember that you bring unique expertise to the table.

💼 Negotiating with Clients: Tips and Tricks

Negotiation is an art, and as a freelancer, mastering this skill can significantly impact your success. You need to approach negotiations with confidence and clarity. Remember, your worth is not just determined by the client’s budget; it’s about the value you bring to the table.

“If you can afford me, great. If you cannot afford me, thank you so much.”

This straightforward philosophy can guide your negotiations. When discussing rates, start with a clear number that reflects your skills and experience. For instance, if you typically charge ₹5,500, stick to that, and don’t be afraid to raise your rates over time.

🔑 Key Negotiation Strategies

  • Know Your Worth: Research the market rates for your services and adjust accordingly.
  • Be Transparent: Clearly outline what your rates include and how they benefit the client.
  • Stay Firm: If a potential client hesitates at your price, remind them of the value you provide.
  • Incremental Increases: As you gain more experience, gradually increase your rates with each new client.

By following these strategies, you can create a positive negotiation environment where both you and your client feel valued and respected.

📑 Creating a Compelling Client Pitch

Your pitch is often the first impression potential clients will have of you. A compelling pitch can set you apart from the competition. It should highlight your unique skills, experiences, and how you can solve their problems.

“I would love to take up any project that you may have at any cost as a first project.”

This approach reflects your enthusiasm and willingness to collaborate. However, ensure that your pitch is tailored to each client. Here’s how to craft a winning pitch:

📋 Elements of a Strong Pitch

  • Personalization: Address the client by name and reference specific details about their business.
  • Problem-Solution Format: Clearly articulate the problem the client faces and how you can address it.
  • Showcase Your Work: Include links to relevant projects or testimonials that demonstrate your expertise.
  • Call to Action: Encourage the client to take the next step, whether it’s scheduling a call or requesting more information.

Remember, a pitch is not just about selling yourself; it’s about building a connection and establishing trust with potential clients.

✨ Final Thoughts and Encouragement

Embarking on your freelancing journey can be daunting, but remember that every expert was once a beginner. Embrace the challenges and learn from each experience. The key is to keep pushing forward and never lose sight of your goals.

“You need to be able to balance the two together.”

Balancing your financial needs with creative satisfaction is essential. Don’t shy away from taking on projects that pay the bills, but also carve out time for the work that inspires you. Your journey will be unique, filled with highs and lows, but it’s all part of the adventure.

🌈 Encouragement for Aspiring Freelancers

Stay connected with your network, seek mentorship, and continue to develop your skills. Remember, you’re not alone in this journey. Many have walked this path before you, and their experiences can guide you.

If you ever feel stuck or need advice, reach out! I’m here to help you navigate the challenges of freelancing in India. Together, we can build a community that supports and uplifts one another.

❓ FAQ: Common Questions about Freelancing

As you delve into freelancing, you might have questions. Here are some common queries that often arise among new freelancers:

🔍 What Should I Charge as a New Freelancer?

Start by researching the market rates for your services. Consider your experience and the value you bring to clients. It’s okay to begin at a lower rate and gradually increase it as you gain more experience and confidence.

📈 How Do I Find Clients?

Utilize social media platforms, attend networking events, and join freelancing communities. Reach out to your existing network for referrals and leverage platforms like Upwork and Fiverr to find new clients.

🕒 How Do I Manage My Time Effectively?

Establish a routine that works for you. Use tools like calendars and task management apps to prioritize your work. Set aside dedicated time for client work, networking, and skill development.

💬 Should I Accept Work for Free?

Consider taking on pro bono projects strategically. This can help you build your portfolio and gain experience, but be mindful not to overextend yourself. Set clear boundaries to ensure you’re not sacrificing your time and energy.

🔗 How Can I Connect with Other Freelancers?

Join online forums, social media groups, or local meetups. Engaging with fellow freelancers can provide valuable insights, collaboration opportunities, and support as you navigate your freelancing journey.

PS: this article was created from the video QnA on How to Freelance – 29 Aug 2024 with the help of AI.

Wk 13-25 – Weekly Notes

Notes and thoughts from Week 13, 2025

Morning!
At this time, its 9:05 AM and I am waiting for AK to finish reading highagency.com. And then she and I will record the next episode of Adulting Podcast. And then I have a bunch of things to do and then I have a lunch with Paras. And then I have some work. And I will find time in between all these to write this piece.

So, with that, let’s go!

🈺 The LARGE objective from the week gone by? And the next week!

I was to work on the 2025 plan and Book 2.

Like last week, I didnt make any progress on either. I do have a few reasons and excuses on why I couldnt. I will not get into those. I will acknowledge that I didnt work. And I will try and do better in the coming week. So that.

Moving on…

☑️ What did I get done this week?

I will give a one-line report on things I got done on various things that are important to me. I will only talk about things that I got done. Shipped. Not WIP.

At this point, the following things are important to me (I know too many but…) and these are IN ORDER.

  1. Health
  2. Meru
  3. C4E
  4. Brand SG
  5. People (Family, Friends, Strangers, etc)
  6. Book2
  7. Shauk (Music, Films, Poker etc)

Health. I want to do 4 things here – eat better, sleep better, work on my muscles and generally by happy. In the week gone by, I did nothing. So -1 there.

Meru. A lot of action here. I cant talk about a lot of this. I even wore shoes 2 days in the week gone by! So yeah! But despite the action, am far from getting to the ideal state. So, I will give myself a 0.

C4E. Again, like Meru, I did a lot but nothing to show for. Luckily, Chandni is doing the heavy lifting on the revenue and everyone else is supporting her. On Labs, AK (and increasingly KP) are keeping the movement. I will give myself a 0.

Brand SG. I got a few emails as a result of work I had done in the previous weeks. So that was good. However I didnt take any action on it. So, a -1.

People. Did a few things. Got Bri some gifts. She knows about one. Doesnt know about the other. Plus, like last week, met a few people. Nothing large of consequence. So, a 0.

Book 2. No action. -1.

Shauk. No large action. Did catch the sunset. And thus, a 0.

So the overall score is -3 for this week. Same as last week.
Trends from the previous weeks: -3, -2, -1
The max I can get is 7 in a week. Let’s see when I get to it.

📊 The tracker from the last week

Here’s the tracker.

What do you notice?

For me, the highlights are…

  1. I’ve missed my daily twitter review. I need to try harder.
  2. I didn’t track money for a few days. This is largely because I had relatives over and with them I was loose with money.
  3. Sleep and recovery has largely been ok. I need to get more consistent though.
  4. I added a few rows (journals, OMAD etc). I plan to track those.

That’s it I think.

📷 Some Photos from the week gone by

Here are some photos from the week gone by.

Absolutely love some of these.
Do you want to guess which one?
Ping me on X.

📖 Interesting Reads from the last week

I bookmarked a lot. But I havent read a lot.
Nonetheless, I will capture those here.
At some time, I will have someone post these on larger platforms as well.

  1. What to do. By Paul Graham.
  2. This mile long essay on High Agency by George Mack. This is one of the most important pieces you will ever read.
  3. This essay from Anand never goes old. Do read it.
  4. Companionship Content by Anu Atluru. I love each thing she writes.
  5. Assorted links on how to get rich (thanks to AK for the prompt)
  6. Recurse Manual – This could actually be the future of SoG. And while you are at it, do read Late Checkout Story, Values at Bending Spoons, the Tiny Story, Lossfunk and other venture studios #currentThings
  7. Pradeep’s Note Taking Dilemma – here
  8. Made this list of tools I use – here
  9. Finshots on Ozempic in India – here
  10. Had to read about Frank Slootman but I did not.
  11. The Turner Diaries. Here.
  12. Gautam on how to capitalise a services compnay and reward people.

💭 Highlights, reflections and notes from the week.

Here are some from this week.

A/ AI
Faceless channel, content, code, design, creative services and dunno what all. A lot is on my mind, especially that one of my children is directly impacted by this. I will probably write a longer note some day. For the time being, AI remains at the top of my head. So that.

A.1/ Studio Ghibli
I hve to talk about this. I may not have an eloquent answer but for the first time in my life, since the AI revolution happened about us, I am feeling cheated. Enough said. May be I will do a solocast on this.

I also wrote this on my daily note on the 27th March…

The entire internet has gone bonkers over it. And I think it’s not a good thing. No, I am not resisting change. I am in-fact all for change. But I felt sad that the insane effort that all these artists at Ghibli put in to build art is now a commodity. On the internet, it will be a passing fad – people will make photos, try to look “cute”, make films and I dont know what all. But in the process, we will forget the hardwork that the artists would have put in.

Of course you can compare that to the work of writers and painters and coders. And surprisingly, I was ok when those were “displaced”. So little conflicted on that.

Nothing has changed since I wrote that.

B/ Bhiwandi
On Tuesday, I went to Bhiwandi to see some warehouses. While I went to a few only, the visit was eye opening. The suprising efficiency with whch things were moving around was jaw-dropping. I have heard about those at CynLr, I’ve seen documentaries, I’ve experienced it (QC) but I saw the engine like a living and breathing thing for the first time.

I am not sure I am big fan of how that’s working but it’s incredible. Has to be a highlight of my week.

C/ Meri.health
I got this message on my WA group where a gent from the first batch of IIT Delhi (Ramesh Ji) wants to do a public health startup. And I am unable to help him (I have a lot going for me). I tried to find someone who can help them but I was unable to. My heart goes out. I wish I could help them.

In fact, if you are someone who can help these folks, I would love to connect and even volunteer for a bit with you.

D/ Attention Span
Multiple people have told me multiple conversations that I have ADHD and I need to do something about it. I will start with meditation.

On the beach today, I will not use my phone at all. And I will fix this. #currentThings

E/ Eco Mode
I am gonna live in the Eco Mode from 1 April. The only expenses I would make would be towards work and health. Nothing else. No more gifts, no more “quality of life” improvements, nothing else. The idea is to extend the runway for as long as I can.

F/ Rejection
A candidate rejected me at Meru.

Here’s some backstory. When I interview someone, my approach is to dissuade them from joining me. Some people try to show you the rosy picture and good things and all that. I try to show you the worst things and then, despite that, you are keen on working with me, I am all heart.

This person rejected me. And that was not cool. I felt bad. Need to not feel bad when such conversations happen. Oh, the funny thing is that I’ve been rejected by people in the past and each time that happened, I didnt really feed bad. This one felt personal and hurt more. Dunno why.

G/ Nails
My nails havent been clipped in a while. And I need to find a way to do that. I dont like them dirty and there isnt any time to do that. I may do it today.

H/ Travel
I had decided that this year I will travel less. That is already not happening. I am staring at an upcoming trip to Bangalore (for health) and a trip to Bangkok (to meet Vivek and kids). I want to not do either. But I will have to. So that.

I/ This tweet. And People.
I wrote this in fit of rage. I absolutely hate when my people dont trust me. I want to write more but I will leave at it. I will write on my Roam and in my ecochamber but its important to capture that my heart has been broken so bad that I dont know what to do about it. No, I am not ok. But dont ask me about it. I just want to pour things here and someday when (and if) I write a biopgraphy, purely to leave lessons for people, I will talk more on it.

J/ The Order
More about it is here. Saw this last night. Loved it. Oh, and the writer of The Order (Zach Baylin) is also the writer for King Richard!

I saw a film after a while and I totally loved it. I must find more films and see those.

K/ Started Journaling.
After I saw a tweet (it was by Namya Khan and I cant find the link (thanks to Pradeep for sharing the link)). And this has been inspired by Marcus Aurelius.

L/ Lucky Ali
He’s been dropping bangers one after another on his YT channel. See some here. so many emotions. Lemme make a list.

  1. Why am I not producing this? Why am I not after Rabbi Shergill to make documentary on his life?
  2. He’s aged and clearly unable to sing well. It’s not good to see him in pain. On the other side, its incredible to see him try so hard!
  3. Things like music never go old. One must create art, even in the day and age of AI

On, and staying on music, I cant stop seeing this by Maithali Thakur. May be have a dekho.

M/ Purpose
On C4E Village, the other day we were taling about purpose and while talking, happened to say something increbile (at least I think so). That the world is a mirror. If you are unhappy, the world would look unhappy to you. If you are happy, the world would look happy. I further said…

“…am 42, failure, but instead of that making me sore – it inspires me to do more. more than a 24 year old. and not to any end. but to burn. on both sides. in a way that meri aag ka tez, mera prakash at least mere aas paas ke logo ki duniya ko roshan kar de and unki raah me ek streetlight ban jaaye. raah pe chalna unka kaam hai, mera hai raah ko roshan karna”

And I said…

“we make meaning in life when we make meaning in other people’s lives. the most content, happy, people are the ones that are either reading Naval or doing charas or helping others.”

And finally, my advice was…

“bina apne matlab ki duniya ki madad karo, kaafi swad aaega”

N/ Naman hit a personal money milestone.
Super happy about it!
More on it on my echochamber

M/ Other things that I want to capture but I may not spill too many words…
Not too many things to be honest. I have actually covered most of those in the text above!

Phew that was a lot for the week.

🧠 Reminders from last week

I am adding this section. To capture things that I want to not forget. I will copy paste these week on week and track updates.

Here are things from the past weeks that I want to remember. And no, this may not be a comprehensive list. In categories.

  1. Health
    • Kitchen setup
    • Gym membership
  2. C4E
    • C4E Base
    • Design
    • Borderless agency / Upwork
  3. Shauk / Personal
    • Poker
    • Better dressed SG
    • Use of money / time
    • Love
    • Demand more from life

In case you know me, lemme know if I have missed something.

🥡 So, one thing that defines the past week?

Action.

In the previous weeks, it’s been Survive, Looking Up, Survival, Taste, Community, Respect, Money, People.

—

Ok!
This is it for the week gone by. Late by a day. But it’s here. Yay!
Lemme know what you think.
See you around.

PS: This series of posts is inspired by Thej and his weekly notes. The previous editions are here: 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09 (missed), 10, 11, 12

PPS: This week, thankfully, I maintained a note where I would keep dumping things that I want to capture in my weekly note. I loved being mindful about this habit. I will continue with it.

Wk 12-25 – Weekly Notes

Notes and thoughts from Week 12, 2025

Here are notes from week 12 of 2025.

I am in Delhi. And unlike other Delhi trips, I was mostly homebound. I didn’t step out as much as I do on other trips. I did meet a few people. I went for a walk with Kunal. And then some. But more or less I was home.

Oh, and I took easy this week. I didnt invest too much time or effort in trying to meet people. I have this new found policy – I will match the effort you make to be around me. In case I REALLY need you, want you etc, I will make extra effort. But more often than not I’ve realised that I don’t need to go out of my way. For example, this person – I call her THE ABSOLUTE BEST hire for C4E that we will never be able to hire – I’ve been trying to meet her for 6 months. And each time I am in Delhi, she’s one of the first people I text. And each time, something or the other happens at her end and we dont meet. This time, I decided to not bother. I know my loss but ek nahi to koi aur sahi. I can’t spend my life waiting for one person to show up. And thus I am gonna choose people who choose me. Simple.

PS: Am I wrong? PLEASE do let me know.

And with that rant, moving onto the review.

🈺 The LARGE objective from the week gone by? And the next week!

I was to work on the 2025 plan and Book 2.

I didnt make any progress on either. No, I didnt not think about them – just that the laziness of being in Delhi and lot of action on the work front had the better of me.

And no, I am not giving up on either. I will revisit these at some time. Book 2 is easy. Thanks to Bri and Claude, I am ok on that. I spend enough time talking about it, thinking about it that I am confident that it would happen this year. I wanted to push the first draft by end of Mar. That may still happen if I can find time once I am back in Bom. If not that, then by 15th April for sure.

On the 2025 plan, I am not so confident. But I will make it happen eventually.

Moving on…

☑️ What did I get done this week?

I will give a one-line report on things I got done on various things that are important to me. I will only talk about things that I got done. Shipped. Not WIP.

At this point, the following things are important to me (I know too many but…) and these are IN ORDER.

  1. Health
  2. Meru
  3. C4E
  4. Brand SG
  5. People (Family, Friends, Strangers, etc)
  6. Book2
  7. Shauk (Music, Films, Poker etc)

Health – I was home for the large part of the week. And that means I ate home cooked food. I still feel bloated and I get sleepy right after I eat but at least my sleep is better. Once I am back in Mumbai (on Monday), I will work towards building my kitchen. I am also gonna invest in health (gym etc). I wrote about it last week. I just need to action it. So yay!
I will give myself a 0 on this.

Meru – Regular work. Some products are close to seeing the MVP ready stage. We are moving with hiring. And some more action.
I will give myself a 0 on this.

C4E – Nothing much. Actually -1 on this. Reasons beyond this blog.
So -1

Brand SG – Nothing on this either.
Again, -1.

People – I loved the people I met while I was in Delhi. Plus thanks to Meru, I am meeting more people.
So, +1 on this.

Book 2 – Didnt write as much but I did move the needle.
However, I will give myself a 0.

Shauk – Nothing on this. The list of open projects is long – Madhushala, Aakanksha, Network School (:(), Poker, Optimist Manifesto and many many more.
Another -1

So the overall score is -3 for this week.
Trends from the pevious weeks: -2, -1

The max I can get is 7 in a week. Let’s see when I get to it.
Added this to my tracker too.

📊 The tracker from the last week

Here’s the tracker.

I love all the green on sleep hours and recovery.

I think the two of these things are good because I am eating better. Even though I am walking less than average, I am still ok. Guess its the food.

The other highlight is that I am unable to track money when I am home. Even though, this Delhi trip I stepped out far less than I would normally do, I did spend money and yet I didnt track it.

My emotions have been suprisingly in check. For all the hatred that I give to delhi, I am amazed that the things I track are actually, on track!

📷 Some Photos from the week gone by

Here are some photos from the week gone by.
Not too many. I told ya that whne I am in Delhi, my productivity goes for a toss.

Do lemme know which one you thought was the best.

📖 Interesting Reads from the last week

Not too many. Just one. Even though I have nothing, I dont want to remove this section.

  1. The Techno-Optimist Manifesto. Here.
  2. Self promotion – Wrote this. Also, updated the contact page.

💭 Highlights, reflections and notes from the week.

Here are some from this week.

A/ Ayush (from Notice)
Met Ayush. He’s the founder of Notice. He’s 24 and WHAT A GUY! I wish I had his brains and talent at that age. I want to do something with him. I dont know what. But parking it here.

B/ SoG 2025
I met a few bright people while I was in Delhi. I plan to bind them in a group or something. And I want to call it SoG 2025.

Unlike other SoG cohorts, I am trying this one to have “older” folks (people who are ~25) and push each of those to make 10X than what they make right now. For example, if I could help Ayush scale Notice 10X? Assuming, he’d want to work with me.

To be honest, I am little out of my depth here but what’s the point of life if we don’t try?

This is in continuation to what I wrote last week about how I want to spend my time and money here.

Coming back.

I made a post on twitter / linkedin asking people to nominate themselves. I’ve got a few replies. Let’s see what I do with it.

Oh, and if you are reading this and you have folks to recommend, please lemme know. I really can make a LOT of difference to lives of people.

C/ What did you get done in last week?
Since the Elon tweet and now with Meru, I am learning an incredible lesson. That things need to move week on week. And they need to be tangible. And we need to be high-agency AF.

And thus I am implementing this across my life. And I will implement this across all the things I do. If you are not high-agency, I dont want you around me. Simple.

D/ Ek Aur Panna
I decided to write off one more friend from my life. I wont talk more about it here but I am unable to operate when I am not treated with kindness. And this is when I’ve invested time, energy and effort into helping you build you life. Pavithra taught my recently that I shouldnt look at things in terms of a transaction but I dont want to be in rooms where I am not respected.

I will choose to be kind, polite, supportive and all that but if you cant treat me well, you could be whoever, I am out.

Also, I need to think – if I am the one who’s writing off people at this speed, will I ever have friends and family left when I am old?

Also, if you are reading this, is this my Ego at play? Help please!

E/ Home
I have made a decision that each month I will come home for a week.

It will mess with work and health and money and all that but I will. In fact, I will book tickets in advance (I cant book them right now – haath thoda tang hai) but I will book these. Till I have enough money to get my parents to move to Mumbai.

F/ Founder Brand
Met this young founder who thinks that building a founder brand will sell his products. I had to tell him to not ape others blindly. While founder brand is an important thing, it can’t be THE only thing! May be I will record a podcast on this. CC AK. Idea for the next episode.

G/ The head in the ass behaviour of someone I respect
Again, related to D above, yet another gent seems to have gotten so big that he’s got his head up his backside. This one is from MDI and is a self-appointed leader of a random group. I dont know what happens to people when they grow big!

Also, my decision on D above, is it because I have my head in my ass?

H/ SG Helps on Marketing
Thanks to this tweet, a couple of people filled in the form. And I spoke to one of those. And again, I was blown by the talent of that person. I think I have stumbled on to something interesting with it. Must find a way to scale it.

I / Dubai
I seem to have trained the algo on Insta on Dubai.

And I know that at least for the foreseeable future, Dubai is not happening. So I need to retrain my algo. Having said that, I want C to continue to focus on building C4E to be a borderless business (even though the world we live in seems to closing with each passing day). Dunno what she wants. I will not push her and let things take their course.

J/ C4E…
…is closing the year with a flat line compared to last year (no growth, no degrowth) in terms of topline and profits.

Not a good news. I was supposed to do 40 crores of topline this year. TBH, we would have been 2X last year if not for the bad last few months.

Again, on this, I want Chandni to write an annual report for all our stakeholders. Again, her wish if she wants to.

K/ Workshop on Taste.
Manas would’ve taken the workshop on Saturday. I was unable to attend (cos am in Delhi). Hope people would have had fun!

To be honest, I am not sure if I like that I am missing all these bombs that we are planting at C4E. I do these becuase I like to do things but if I am not there, then what? But I jknow that I need to focus on buliding Meru to be able to have more.

Sigh!

L/ Other things that I want to capture but I may not spill too many words…

  1. Lesson on tipping from HT. I will ensure that I will tip EACH place I am at. I know I dont have enough but I will ensure that whatever I have gets distributed well.
  2. Wall of Portfolios is an incredible idea that I wish I had built! I will reach out to each person on that wall and try to make friends.
  3. Booked a wrong flight. I typically don’t make mistakes with these things but I did. And thus this needs to be captured. 
  4. Worked from a McD for three days last week. My soul is crying. 😀 
  5. Had Wai Wai Sadako at Yeti. Loved it. Been in love with it since I went to EBC.
  6. Met friends from childhood – Monu, Kunal. I wish I could live around them. But life has happened. I was reading something that says more than 95% people still live in / around the same pincode where they were born! 

🧠 Reminders from last week

I am adding this section. To capture things that I want to not forget. I will copy paste these week on week and track updates.

Here are things from the past weeks that I want to remember. And no, this may not be a comprehensive list. In categories.

  1. Health
    • Kitchen setup
    • Gym membership
  2. C4E
    • C4E Base
    • Design
    • Borderless agency / Upwork
  3. Shauk / Personal
    • Poker
    • Better dressed SG
    • Use of money / time
    • Love
    • Demand more from life

In case you know me, lemme know if I have missed something.

🥡 So, one thing that defines the past week?

Survive.

No large, deep thoughts. Just plain old being.

In the previous weeks, it’s been Looking Up, Survival, Taste, Community, Respect, Money, People.

—

Ok!
This is it for the week gone by. Late by a day. But it’s here. Yay!
Lemme know what you think.
See you around.

PPS: This series of posts is inspired by Thej and his weekly notes. The previous editions are here: 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09 (missed), 10, 11

A challenge of blog questions

So Thej tagged me and Pradeep on a post asking some questions about blogs. If you don’t know the two men, well, you don’t know them. To me, both have been incredible people to know. I’ve learnt a lot from both of them and I wish I could be closer friend to them!

Here are the questions and my answers…

Why did you start blogging in the first place?

My first published blogpost, that continues to be around, is from Jan 2004.

No, I dint make a typo. Been 20+ years. Prior to that I used to write on some Yahoo services. These are not online anymore.

Since this is long ago, I may not recall what I was thinking. I can go read those posts but I am not inclined to. I don’t want to delve in the past.

I can speculate why I would have started writing. Lemme postulate.

1/ At the time, I wanted to be famous. I thought writing could make me famous. I think Chetan Bhagat had just release his book around the same time, if I am not wrong. I must have thought if he can, why cant I.

Oh, I was enamored by the chase of fame for a long time, to be honest. But then life happened and I realised my foolishness and naivety.

2/ I wanted to see my name on a book (which eventually happened!). No, this is not same as being famous. Book was going to be a tool but I also wanted to share my thoughts to whoever was listening. I would joke often about just two or three people reading my texts.

3/ I grew up in the days of dial-up models, ICQ , Yahoo Messenger, Orkut etc. And that had made me love the medium of texting. Writing was a natural progression. There was probably no grand plan or reason about why I started writing. But, oh boy, am I grateful?

4/ I was (and still am) an self-concious, self-sabotaging introvert. I have had many connections but very few friends. And thus writing probably became the outlet.

I think this.

What platform are you using to manage your blog and why did you choose it? Have you blogged on other platforms before?

Right now, I am on a self-hosted wordpress. I dont know much about it but I get by.

I chose it because, well, everyone else chose it.

In the past, I’ve used blogger, typepad and others. Again, am not a good person when it comes to answering about past.

I used to be a tech person back in the day. Now, even though its easy, I dont want to be. So, wordpress is ok.

How do you write your posts? For example, in a local editing tool, or in a panel/dashboard that’s part of your blog?

This depends.

Like this post, I opened wordpress, opened a new post and started writing. Some posts, I write on notepad and then copy paste. Often I write on flights. I write those in notes / Google Notes offline and then copy paste.

So there is no standard method.

When do you feel most inspired to write?

I can answer this in many ways. There are many times when I am inspired to write.

1/ When I am mindfucked, I try to write. Often I will not write about things that I am mindfucked by. But writing helps.

2/ When I see that I am failing at this game of life, I write. I get a bout of inspirartion and then I write. Hoping that it would inspire someone, somewhere and I would get the rub off. And I would get some unfair, God Mode advantage.

3/ When the time to write is here, I write. For example, I publish a weekly note (again, inspired by Thej) and I know that I have to write it over the weekend. So I carve out time to write.

4/ I write for work. If I see something incredible that is happening around me and I feel the need to pass on my opinion on that, I write. For example, I wrote a memo when the Steve Jobs book came out.

So that.

I’ll also mention when I cant write.

  • When I am bored, I cant write.
  • When I am ASKED to write something, I cant write. Even this post has been on my mind for a few days and today I am writing becuase, well, I dont know 😀

Do you publish immediately after writing, or do you let it simmer a bit as a draft?

In most cases, yes, I hit the button right after I am done. This done could happen in one sitting (like this post) or could take multiple (most of my weekly notes). This post will get published as soon as I am done answering. I wrote this in one go, on a saturday morning.

In some cases, I show the draft to few people and take inputs.

In rare cases, I revist what I’ve written. I let that simmer. I then edit and then publish.

Oh, I almost never read again what I’ve published. Unless someone points a large flaw in my thinking. Like recently Pavithra made me think about one of the things I had published.

What’s your favorite post on your blog?

None.

I am indiffernet towards what I’ve created. Once I hit the publish button, I dont care what happens to it. When I get some feedback, I often go back edit. Often I dont. Depends on my mood, to be honest.

Any future plans for your blog? Maybe a redesign, a move to another platform, or adding a new feature?

I would like it to be designed better but i dont have the time to do that.

I am ok with WordPress. I dont want to move.

I would like to add a feature that allows people to subscirbe to my posts. Its such a simple process and tool that I am ashamed that I have not been able to figure this out.

Oh, I would like to import all my posts from blogger into this wordpress website. I tried many tools, plugins etc and I failed. Apparantly, my blog on blogger is way too big to be imported. In case someone can help on that, I would be grategul!

Who’s next?

I’d say Derek. I will email him and see if he is inspired to write 🙂

This is it. Was good fun!

Wk 11-25 – Weekly Notes

Notes, highlights, thoughts and other things from the 11th week of 2025.

Morning!
Writing this on the 17th.
While it was a short week for the world (holi and all), I had a long one. I can blame it on work, friends, health and all that! And thus I am late by a day. It is 8 AM right now and I am taking off at 930. If I can publish it before that, great. If I can’t then the post will come towards the end of the day. Have a lot to do.

Nonetheless, let’s go!

🈺 The LARGE objective from the week gone by? And the next week!

There’s a slight change in this format from the past few weeks. I will now track this as one or two LARGE things that I want to do in a week. And my report on that. And then the next section where I will talk about what did I get done in the week.

A/ 2025 plan.
This remains open. I thought I would take a week off and do it. I did not. I continue to keep this open as a task.

So that.

In the coming week, I will…

1/ Carve out time for the 2025 plan.
I met Ashi, Shubhi and a few more friends from MDI on 16th Mar and my eyes have opened up to my foolishness with money. I need some discipline and that would be a large part of this.

2/ Get to the first draft of book 2.
I am at a place where I have enough material to convert my notes into a working draft. So that.

☑️ What did I get done this week?

I will give a one-line report on things I got done on various things that are important to me. I will only talk about things that I got done. Shipped. Not WIP.

At this point, the following things are important to me (I know too many but…) and these are IN ORDER.

  1. Health
  2. Meru
  3. C4E
  4. Brand SG
  5. People (Family, Friends, Strangers, etc)
  6. Book2
  7. Shauk (Music, Films, Poker etc)

Health – This was bad. I was unwell. I ate kachra. I didn’t sleep well. If I could give myself a -10. I would. In fact, this is the BIGGEST red flag. So, will work on that!
-1

Meru – Regular work. Nothing new. Worked hard. Long. Was fun. Need to hire a lot of people. If you know people, please do reach out.
I will give myself a 0 on it.

C4E – Did maintenance things. And trying to hand over things to C. Putting in place things for other parts of C4E. Nothing large to report. Nothing large done.
So, a 0.

Brand SG – Did nothing, even though this is an important one. I mean I did record a few podcasts but I haven’t done anything large. I didn’t even post things on LinkedIn. I didn’t connect with others.
– 1

People – Did a few things. But nothing large to be honest.
I will give a 0.

Book 2 – Wrote a lot. I am ok with the progress I made. Not happy. Not sad. Ok. most of it was done by Claude. But progress for sure.
I will give a +1

Shauk – Nothing on this.
So, another -1

So the overall score is -2 for this week.
Trends from the pevious weeks: -1

The max I can get is 7 in a week. Let’s see when I get to it.
Added this to my tracker too.

📊 The tracker from the last two weeks

Here’s the tracker.

Look at all that food I am having!

I am killing myself one bite at a time. I will fix this. I have promised Ashima that I will get a functioning kitchen. And thanks to Rohilla, I do have a viable cook. I just need to find the money that I need to spend.

My back-of-the-envelope math says that I will have to spend 48K per month on this. Here’s the calculation: Cook – 5K, Groceries – 10K, Supplements – 10K, Gym – 5K, Coach – 8k, Physio – 10K.

And this does not even include the one-time expense (gadgets, utensils, clothes etc). At this time, I don’t have this kind of money on me. Lemme see what can I cut back from my life and allocate to health.

One large decision that I can potentially take is that I can move to Thane or Vashi or whatever. But I refuse to be not at the epicentres. I even wrote last week about how you need to be in the epicentres of action.

The other decision I can take is to cut on Starbucks (I do spend about 30K on casual coffee and meetups). But then this is where I meet my people and other people. May be not.

Anyhow. This is not the place for taking decisions. I am merely dumping whats on my head. Oh, and I know that I am probably over-indexing on the spends. Most people probably manage it in FAR less. But, like I say, I am not a great money manager. Ok, moving on.

📷 Some Photos from the week gone by

Here are some photos.

Not too many worth sharing. But some inspiring ones nonetheless. Do lemme know which one you thought was the best.

📖 Interesting Reads from the last week

This week was busy. I didn’t get a lot of reading done, tbh. However here are a few that I would love to share.

  • On assisted suicide. By Kahneman. THE Kahneman. Here.
  • On Network Effects. I read a few posts on the website. Start with this Masterclass. In fact, over the next few days, I will go down this Rabbit Hole and explore this as much as I can. If you are reading this, do read this and lets see how we can teach each other this. I would also like to see perspectives against this.
  • Charlie’s Psychology of Human Misjudgement. This one never gets old. I even told all my people to go read it. Thanks to Andrew for this 🙂

💭 Highlights, reflections and notes from the week.

There’s a lot in this department to be honest. I may not be able to capture all of those here but I will try as much. Lessgoo…

A/ Health
I am not at an age where I am thinking a lot about mortality (funny I am writing this from a plane and I am worried if the plane goes down, what would happen to all things that I have thought about and planned in life), spirituality and other such things. And I am also thinking a lot about how do I become that person who is capable and able to lead others. And I thus need to be in the prime of my health, if not in other departments.

This is a classic “why” that I now have and thus I need to act on the how and the what.

Now, within this, I can control a few things (what I eat, when I sleep etc.) and there are a few that I cant control (diseases, acts of God, randomness). So rather than crying over what I cant control, I will try and optimise what I can, indeed control.

B/ Network School
Even since they talked about Network School, I have wanted to be there. Last week, I secured an “admission”.

My suspicion is that anyone and everyone is getting that. I would have loved to go (little steep for me at USD 1500 per month) but at this time, a lot’s happening and I don’t want to digress.

This is the classic case of wrong timing. If not for Meru, I would’ve gone for a month for sure.

C/ C4E Base / C4E House
I want to get C4E Base in various parts of the world where the entire C4E village can co-live and work on things that are important to them (these could be C4E or non C4E things).

Think of Hacker houses. But for folks from C4E. I know the current ownership structures in the country and the emotions attached by people on their houses makes it tough to create these houses. I will have to build some of these. Let’s see when I am able to do so.

These spaces would be co-work, co-live, co-create, co-perform and all that. These spaces would encourage others to drop in, others to feel at home, others to do whatever they wish to!

D/ Design
This continues to be my Achilles Heel and a want and a need since 2007 when Raj and Vikram first made me aware about power of great design in life and all that. And since I pivoted C4E to brand, I have continued to want a great design partner.

E/ Upwork.
Murtaza opened up my eyes to upwork. For some reason, I’ve always remained on the edge with upwork. I have had this bias that only the shit ones get their projects from upwork. But once Murtaza showed us the numbers, I realised how wrong I was!

I would like C to chase this. But from now on, I can only like. The decision is hers.

F/ Using money.
This could be a long one.

Lemme try to make a coherent narrative. I am a big fan of Paras Chopra. Not just cos he’s made a lot of money but also cos he seems to be giving in using it the right manner – building tools of public utility, offering grants to the deserving, building residencies, initiating moments etc etc.

Same for Andrew Wilkinson. He runs Tiny and he uses some of his money to build things. Same for Ray Dalio.

Now all these may be construed as cherry-picking but they are supporting people. And this is where my lesson is. Why cant I support people like that with my money? I mean I already do with SoG Grant (this year I’ve given up some 45K already but these have been to individuals and in most cases the beneficiaries get to work on a project or two). But can I do this in a way that it compounds and builds something AND someones?

No, I am not a philanthropist. I want to see a better world that M & m may get to inherit and I want to build that work. I want to happen to things. And thus I need to make money. Or may be raise some money. Let’s see what path I take. #sgtodo.

G/ A man who knows a man
Chota Anna (I can’t put his real name here) told me the other day that he’s a man who knows a man. I was instantly reminded of myself. I am also the man who’s knows a man. And I know more men who know other men. And ofc I am a people-connector. So, 2 + 2, I am in a great shape ;P

I want all my people to be this. I know I have a lot of introverts in my life. I know I have a lot of private people in my life. And I know that I merely am a platform for opportunity exchange. So, I need to become an even larger connector.

So that.

Oh, and Chota Anna has asked me for help with some films. I was sad for a minute that I no longer have access to TRS or PPP and I won’t be able to help him. But I will do whatever I can to help him. I can’t be too active, cos Meru, but I will do whatever I can.

More on this in the next few days.

H/ Book 2
This is going SURPRISINGLY better than what I had expected. Thanks to Claude. If there are no large surprises, I should be ready to ship the first draft by the end of this month! Yay!

I/ Love
I’ve been thinking about this lately. I realise that I am ready for this. And yet I don’t have the time. Anoush told me something like, I need to carve out time for love. I realized I don’t have it in me to do even that.

In fact, I realised that I am stuck in that dichotomy – on one side, I want to be detached from everything. On the other, I want to be around my people. But then it makes me think – what’s the point of this life anyway if you’ve spent it in chasing action and all that.

The spiritual in me has come to the conclusion that life is pointless in large scheme of things. But on a day-to-day basis, you need to be engaged (park it as i) and be useful (part this as ii). And while you are engaged and useful, you need to build.

i, You can choose to be engaged in tiny things (like gardening) or you could be engaged in send rockets to the moon (and trying to catch them back). You know that carrom scene from Munnabhai? The old man chose to be engaged in and invested in his game of carrom. We call this “matar” at C4E. All of us need to be engaged in some game of carrom, some matar. For me, it could be C4E. For someone, it could be their family. For some, it could be religion. But there has to be something that becomes your identity and you engaged, invested in it!

ii, You can choose to be useful to your family (make that your focal point). Or you can be useful to the world at large. If you are useful to the family, in all probability, the family will support you and take care of you in your old age. When you are doing it for “others”, you are left to fend for yourself. So, need to figure this.

So that.

I just realised, all these posts are actually great linkedin posts. And if not that, twitter content. And if not even that, a separate essay. When I write these on my weekly note, it gets lost in all the other brain dump. Will think on this. #sgtodo

J/ Demand more from life.
Demand better things (food, drinks, clothes), better service, better people etc. People may say these things don’t matter. They do. But as you demand these things – you MUST NOT be an asshole.

I have a friend – she seeks the best and she wants the world to bow down to her whims and she gets him way most of the times but she’s often an asshole about it. Funny thing is, this attitude of “world is out there to serve me” allows him to do well in life. I’ve often thought about being a bitch like that but I’ve realised that my values don’t permit me to be that.

But what I can do is, stop being a perpetual people pleaser. Instead of doing things to seek validation, please people, I must do things

In fact just yesterday, I took a hard call of not supporting a lady who needed a lakh or so to get out of domestic abuse. The old me would’ve instantly given her 10-15K. This is the number that I am willing to let go of without any remorse. But the new me (who wants to support only the ones who deserve support) has chosen to not do that.

Thanks, Adam Grant!

K/ Poker.
I will teach all my kids poker. It’s a great tool to help you grow. You learn about risk, arbitrage, people, decision making, emotions, maths, gut, small talk and all that.

I took a session for C the other day. I will do it for others. If you want to be a part of the lessons, DM me these magic words – “pocket me rocket hai”. The session is STRICTLY for the ones that DM me these words.

Oh, I am not good at it. May be I can invest time to become better. But then, does it add to my current life plans? Not really. So, I will merely teach :D.

L/ Other things that I want to capture but I may not spill too many words…

  1. Spillpot! I love when people ship projects. However broken they maybe. This is a good case in point.
  2. I am guilty of rotting on insta last few days. To be honest, all of it was with the motivation to get things done and learn more and all that. But I end up wasting time on it. I will limit my insta screen time to 10 mins in a day. I know this may not be enough to see, connect etc. But I will limit myself. Same for chess. Oh, I am not even good with chess!
  3. Super lesson from Hareesh Sir – “sheet banate jaaenge, cheez bhi to banani padegi”.
  4. Fam health scare. I will park it here. Nothing more, nothing less.
  5. Got myself a Gen-Z tee. I want to dress better. I am lazy and unplanned but I will fix it.
  6. I need to get myself sunglasses. I used to love them as an accessory at a point in time. And then I lost a couple of pairs in quick succession. And then I realized that the pairs I wanted were too expensive for me. And then I trained myself into thinking that I need to get Vitamin D. Lol. So, I will buy a pair.
  7. The way the captain speaks in the flight says a lot. Confident. Articulate. Polite. I must learn to be that. Wait. I have the word. Gravitas. That! In fact, I can relate the same to events. The way an event manager handles things when things go wrong, you realise their power!
  8. I am in Delhi for 3-4 days. I may stay longer if need be. This time I don’t plan to meet a lot of people. One of these that I will indeed meet is Farheen.

🥡 So, one thing that defines the past week?

Looking up.

I think this is how I would summarise the last few days.

In the previous weeks, it’s been Survival, Taste, Community, Respect, Money, People.

—

Ok!
This is it for the week gone by. Late by a day. But it’s here. Yay!
Lemme know what you think.
See you around.

PPS: This series of posts is inspired by Thej and his weekly notes. The previous editions are here: 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09 (missed), 10

Wk 10-25 – Weekly Notes

Notes from the 9th and the 10th week of 2025.

Hello hello!
I am back!
I missed week 9. I was unwell and thus I didn’t publish. I could have but it takes like a few hours of active thinking to get this going and I didn’t want to a shoddy job at it. No, I am not for perfection but I am definitely for putting in the effort and I know I was in no shape to put in the effort. So that.

The other thing, no one asked.
So much so for writing in public, and attempts to build an audience!

Anyhow. The point is, I am back to writing.

A lot seems to have happened in the last 2 weeks. And yet nothing seems to have moved. You know what I mean? Everything is happening at once and nothing is happening at all.

More in the next few paras…

🈺 What I was supposed to do in the week gone by. And my report on the same.

A/ 2025 plan.
This remains open. We are now officially in the third month of the year. I’ve never been this delayed with this plan. May be I will take a day off this week and do this?

B/ Health
I have a LOT to report in this department. I got myself kitchen things. After I think 7-8 years. The last time I had a semblance of a functioning kitchen was when Sonali and I lived together in Ghatkopar. Once she moved on, I haven’t had the kitchen things.

I am building it back. I don’t like it to be honest but I need to live long and be healthy while I live long.

I am also adding some more ingredients to what I eat – things like Protein, Oats, Almond Milk, Sattu, Turmeric, Chia Seeds, ACV etc. I’ve built a habit of blending a lot of these things in a grinder and eating / drinking what comes out of it.

Been doing it for 3 days now and so far it seems to be ok.

Oh, the trigger for this was the latest episode of food poisoning. I fell sick and missed a few events. And that’s when I decided I’ve had enough of this life. Oh, I have activated this channel where I will upload EACH thing that I eat. And do read this from my clone.

I just need to add a gym and workout and I think we would be ok.

☑️ What did I get done this week?

I will give a one-line report on things I got done on various things that are important to me. I will only talk about things that I got done. Shipped. Not WIP.

At this point, the following things are important to me (I know too many but…) and these are IN ORDER.

  1. Health
  2. Meru
  3. C4E
  4. Brand SG
  5. People (Family, Friends, Strangers, etc)
  6. Book2
  7. Shauk (Music, Films, Poker etc)

Health – Started to set up the kitchen. Will try and get a cook. And like I said, will add some workouts. I’ll give myself +1 on this.

Meru – This is new. I am adding this on top of C4E. At the time, we are setting up the business and this means there’s a lot of work – team, processes etc. On this a lot is getting done, thanks to Hareesh Sir. I will give myself a 0 on it.

C4E – I am not very active on this any more. The only thing I do now on C4E is take care of my people (mentoring, coaching etc) and service long-term relationships (clients that are now friends and I am invested in their success). The other critical areas (running the kitchen etc) have been taken up by others.

Over time, I want to stop reporting on this. But I may not be able to. C4E is the only thing I’ve created and probably the only thing I am attached to. With or without my running it like a business. Think Berkshire and Warren. I will give myself 0.

Brand SG – Recorded many conversations. For C4E, for Adulting, and for Meru. The first guest for The Otpmist’s Manifesto is decided. So good overall. I will give myself +1.

Now, need to find a way to build distribution.

People – Did nothing. -1

Book 2 – No action. I just need to carve out time to send prompts to Cluade. So, -1

Shauk – Nothing on this. So, another -1

So the overall score is -1 for this week.

The max I can get is 7 in a week. Let’s see when I get to it.
Added this to my tracker too.

📊 The tracker from the last two weeks

Here’s the tracker.

You’d spot a lot of reds. And greens. Blame it on food poisoning. I mean I think it’s food poisoning. I didn’t really go to a doc to check. My aversion to doctors is a well-known thing!

The point is, I was unwell. And that left me with some down days. And that affected how I live and work.

📷 Some Photos from the week gone by

Here are some photos.

This one is a mix of app screenshots and photos that I took. Do check out some of the sunset pics and videos. Absolutely bombs.

📖 Interesting Reads from the last two weeks

I know there are more things I read and saved. But this is all I have to share at this time.

💭 Highlights, reflections and notes from the week.

A/ Starbucks
I am at a Starbucks as I write this. And I love that I am in the zone while I am here. I just need to build a space like this. At times I think I should start a coworking space. Other times I don’t want to. I may as well say, fuck it, let’s do it. And I may open it up. Anyone wants to partner up?

B/ Love
This is a big one. I think I am ready to find love. If I can find love. I mean I’ve been that romantic who believes that love just happens but it clearly hasn’t happened to me. I am unlucky like that (no am not crying about being unlucky – am VERY lucky otherwise).

Oh, and why do I want to find love?
Well cos apparently love is the fifth ingredient that you need in life to live long and thrive. Read this.

C/ From C4E to Meru
A large part of my time will now be spent on building Meru. While I do that, C4E will be run independently by Chandni, Anshika, Fareen, Kaushik and others. And they will be helped by our friends, colleagues, partners and well-wishers. I need to write a separate post on this someday. Not for others. But for self.

Oh, the other thing that has happened is that I now open Meru’s email before I open C4E’s. If this is not moving on, I don’t know what is.

D/ Spiritual SG
Lately, I have found myself to be very very spiritual. I find deeper meaning in the music I listen to, the actions I take, the people I meet and the decisions I make. I don’t know what this means or where I am going but this is new to me. I’ve been a transactional person all my life. I look at things from a problem-solution lens. And then I move on. Once I add spirituality to things, things change. So that.

I’ve been reading a lot of Kabir, Baba Farid, Buleh Shah, Rumi etc. I am not sure what school of devotion, spirituality, bhakti etc they belong to. But I like what I am reading.

E/ This tweet
I saw a couple of people I love get what they want. And that was incredible! This was easily the highlight of the week gone by. Do read it. Please 😀

F/ Films
While I was unwell, I saw a lot of films. Jack Reacher. The Runaway Jury. I don’t even recall the name of, or the story of the other 8-part series that I saw!

While vegetation is ok for a few days, I remembered that I wanted to make films. I will get back to it. I am not sure when I will find the time with all that’s happening but I will add this to the shauq column and get going.

G/ Mumbai
Here’s a thing. If you are young, ambitious and want to grow, you HAVE to be in Mumbai or Bangalore. No Delhi. No Pune. No Goa. No remote. While on this, read these two by Paul Graham – Ambition and Cities and Hubs. Of course, if you can go beyond India, look at places like Dubai, NY, SFO, Singapore and such places.

I know the world we live in is very connected and all that. But there’s some magic that happens when you shake hands and look at someone in their eyes. Hubs create magic that nothing else can replace.

Oh, this trigger came to my head because in the last few days, I’ve spoken to two really sharp young women who’ve expressed their desire to move from their cocoons to large hubs. In fact, I saw one really smart person move to Pune to join some startup that sells cheap Chinese knock-offs and it broke my heart. It could be a great career move but its life harakiri.

You will get limited as a person if you goto a place like Pune, Nasik, Kochi, Chandigarh, Indore, Jaipur, Ahmedabad (C4E Labs is based out of Ahd, btw) and all that.

Of course, if you are not ambitious, you can continue to “enjoy” the “quality” of life in these second-rate cities. But if you are ambitious and want to make something from your life, consider moving to a hub. Move to epicentres of action and not pine for the relaxed, remote life. You can relax when you’ve done what you’ve been sent here to do. And while the remote things may work for a few exceptional people, in general, for average folks, remote life is not worth it.

And I say this with all my disclaimers (edge cases, exceptions, strong opinions, power of youth, opportunity, privilege, life conditions, family etc etc).

And yes, the fuckery that “hubs” impose on you (bad infra, pollution, “fast” life, “struggle”) is 100% worth it.

H/ Space. Trust.
I realised that I want to have a large space for self. And then some space for my friends and family. You know, sai itna dijiye?

And thus I need more money. To be able to have a large space. And no, not on rent. But own. India sucks like that. Pesky neighbours look down upon you and question if someone is staying the night with you. I don’t know why we are such a low-trust society. And here I am – I put my faith and trust in even strangers.

So I need that. I will work towards that.

I/ Impermanence. Of loss.
Something happened at C4E that made us lose money (about 3 lakhs) and our reputation. As a team, we could’ve done better. We’ve taken our lessons. The largest for me is that I need to listen more to my gut and not give into emotions.

The biggest thing for me from this experience? Ensure that people directly involved are ok. And I second, do not add random processes so avoid such things from happening in the future.

No, I don’t want to get into too much detail. But the last word on this is, this too shall pass.

J/ Other things that I want to capture but I may not spill too many words…

  1. Looking forward to the workshop on Taste. On the 22nd. More here.
  2. The fact that I live away from my parents continues to eat at me. I don’t know what to do about it.
  3. Loved the connection between Baba Farid and me.
  4. Met a friend and gave him gyaan on how to manage life. I wish I could do more such sessions. Anyone else needs to put a structure to their lives?
  5. Plants remind me of Sonam. Starbucks reminds people of me. What else can one be reminded of? reminded by?
  6. I put this tweet offering help. Spoke to a few people. Must do this more often.
  7. cerebralquotient.com is gonna be live soon!

I think this is it. Was good to be back and writing! I really missed the joy this simple activity brings to me. Must do more of this.

🥡 So, one large takeaway from the week?

Survive. Survival. Surviving.

I think this is how I would summarise the last few days. This is what defines my week

In the previous weeks, it’s been Taste, Community, Respect, Money, People.

—

Ok!
This is it!
Lemme know what you think.
Gotta go.
See you around.

Oh, here are the previous editions: 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09 (missed)

PS: This series of posts is inspired by Thej and his weekly notes.
PPS: Added emojis!

Wk 08-25 – Weekly Notes

Notes from the 8th week of 2025.

This one comes from Bangalore.
And I am listening to this as I write this.

So, I had decided that I will not take flights this year. But I took one. I have talked about why I did that. And oh boy, am I glad I took it! I missed that entire grind of cheap yet comfortable travel, seeing new things, meeting new people, and observing things. The curious cat old man in me is thrilled!

Must reconsider the decision to not take flights. The largest reason for not taking flights is that it fucks with the routine but at least I’ve been consistent with my daily tracker. And if I can be ok with that, I think I can add other things (food, yoga etc). Just that I will not be able to travel light. And that’s ok.

Ok moving on. Here’s my update.

What I was supposed to do in the week gone by. And my report on the same.

A/ 2025 plan.
This remains open. I will work on this someday 😀

Vivek often calls it the State of the Union. Lol!

B/ Health
I took my weight before I left for Bangalore (I was 89 KGs). I will measure it again once I am back. While I am here, I am being mindful about what I eat and how I eat and all that. I am also walking a lot more. It helps that I picked a guest house near the client’s office.

I am yet to fully assume the identity of a healthy person but it’s WIP. Last night I was craving for a pizza. But I replaced that with chips etc. Lol!

Like I said last week, my health will be my north star.

What did I get done this week?

I am adding this here from this week on.

At this point, the following things are important to me (I know too many but…) and these are IN ORDER.

  1. Health
  2. C4E
  3. Brand SG
  4. Startup (this may take up C4E’s place in the list)
  5. People (Family, Friends, Strangers, etc)
  6. Book2
  7. Shauk (Music, Films, Poker etc)

I will give a one-line report on things I got done. Done. Shipped. Not WIP. As I go along, I will add more to this but today, one line update.

Health – Walked an average of 9K steps this week. Meditated twice this week. At some point, will add yoga and muscle-building things.

C4E – In Bangalore to meet a client. Put in the process for the team to work without me. So far, we seem to be ok with it. However, we’ve not been stress tested yet. C and F seem to be doing well with it. On the Labs piece, the website is live. AK is leading the team of BK, SJ, KA and others and shipping things. So that’s cool.

Brand SG – I am a lot more visible on the internet. Thanks to AK in large. I also kickstarted the Cockroach podcast. We call it The Optimists Manifesto. Read more about it here. The idea is to talk to people who’ve survived despite everything around them!

Startup – Helped team get ready for launch. There’ve been hiccups (new team and all that) but learning!

People – Did nothing.

Book 2 – “Wrote” a few chapters with the help of Claude. Shared some of those with the beat readers group (in case you want to help me, join this).

Shauk – Nothing on this.

I will also make a tracker on this.
Oh my love for forms and trackers ;P

The tracker from the week that went by.

Here’s the tracker from the week gone by.


Look at the averages column. Highlights…

I am incredibly stoked that I averaged 10K steps. Subendhu averaged almost 12K steps in the last year. On the YTD, I am at 8900 steps. I need to be able to beat him. Let’s see how it goes.

I also added meditation. I haven’t added for the 23rd (today).

Finally, sleep seems to be at a 6-hour average mark. I’ve tried everything but I am unable to get more than 6 on average, unless I am tired. Once I start with the workouts, this will probably go down. Let’s see.

Some Photos from the week gone by

Here are some photos.

This one is a mix of app screenshots and photos that I took.
Nothing special to be honest.
If you see something interesting, please let me know.

Interesting Reads

Here’s a list of things that I read / saw / consumed that left an impact on it. In some cases, I went and stirred up debate in my network.

Here’s a list. In no particular order.

  1. This video on Instagram – link. Hits you in the gut about how you let go of your life.
  2. Blume’s Annual Report – link – yet to read it. I typically take a print and read this. Yet to do so.
  3. Buffett’s annual letter is here. Again, yet to read.
  4. This tweet. I want to grow my account as well! Only for this reason (access)
  5. This thread on Reddit about how people in Nepal are building a video editing agency. Must replicate this in India for C4E.
  6. This post by Ankush Datar on legacy. And why it’s overrated.
  7. Ian Chappell retires from writing. Love such writing!

Highlights, reflections and notes from the week.

In no order…

A/ People Business
It became evident that at C4E, we are not an agency. We are in the people business! Over the week, met multiple people and held multiple conversations where this was reaffirmed. What we do at C4E is communication but we are in the people business. As Pradeep San often said about Gravity – we are in the business of saving jobs. That’s a separate story for another day. But at this time, we are in people business and we need to reorient ourselves to that.

B/ Hemant and Gokul
The two of them are different as chalk and cheese. And yet both of them are very very intriguing and inspiring. Each time I spend time with either, I am amazed at the capacity of a human mind to think that much. The other thing that is common to both, is, that their ideas are dense and the depth of their thoughts makes it tough for an average Aman (like me) to comprehend their ideas. I wish I could find a way to make their thoughts more accessible to the world!

Wait.
Who’s permission do I need? A lot of their inputs are in the public domain. Why can’t I start repurposing and talk about that in my words, on my blogs. What say? And, any volunteers?

C/ Sur
This dawned onto on Saturday. I am seeing C now run the business. I have played a tiny part in her life and now I need to find a way to not get into her way. More on this on my roam. But had to be captured.

Why Sur? Well, read this to find out.

D/ Poker + Writing + Teaching
One of my lifegoals is to be on the road, meet people and never worry about money. Sometime in the past I had imagined that I would be able to become a professional poker player (touring the world, playing in tourneys), teach at various colleges (while I am on the road) and write about my experiences while I do first two.

It’s great on paper. Except that I don’t have poker skills. And I have tried to learn and yet I am not good. Something in the week gone by reminded me of this goal. May be I will put a deadline on my life experiments and pick this up. May be when my parents are gone, I will become a full-time hippie traveller. A bald hippie.

And no, it’s not easy to imagine a life where my parents are not around.

E/ Ego in action
I saw my Ego in action. On at least two occasions. One with an old client. One with a potential client.

Must prevent this.

I don’t want to get into too many details (clients or whatever) but what I did was wrong and I shouldn’t have been told by my team to not do this. I know that some time this will come and bite me in the back but I must check this.

PS: I also saw my humility in action 😀
I will not talk about this.

F/ Manas Ayare (linkedin)
Met this boy at a Starbucks. Spotted some crazy stickers on his laptop. Got talking. And then from there on, one thing led to another. Now, his company and C4E are offering a workshop!

AK is leading this from C4E. Here are the details.

G/ Nakul Kumar (Cashify)
Met Nakul for dinner. And it was incredible. Each time I meet him, its incredible. Got so many lessons. The biggest one is that I need to build a process-first company. So far we are not. There’s more. On my Roam.

Oh while I was there, I bumped into a classmate from MDI. Each time I meet him, its at a lounge, a restaurant etc. Love these serendipitous meetings.

H/ Other things that I want to capture but I may not spill too many words on those.

  1. Must build media! The new podcast may be helpful.
  2. Must invest more in young people.
  3. Gave a 10K INR grant to a 16-year-old. SoG in action!
  4. Saw this news about Tyreplex. Reminded me of xTyres.
  5. This one by Bri is nice. I wish I had this clarity at the age of 19. Or whatever her age is.
  6. Talked to Dr Malpani. Inspired to do more. Especially his idea of building an ecosystem of startups in India.
  7. Got access to NeoSapien. Playing with it. Let’s see where we get with it.
  8. I love eggs!
  9. I cleaned by followers / following list on X, Insta and other places. I am getting more mindful about how I curate my conversations.
  10. Removed the cover from the new phone. TBH, I don’t like it much. But now that I have bought it, I am with it for a year at least. And then we shall see what to do with it.

Guess this is it.

So, one large takeaway from the week?

In one word?
Taste.

I’ve read, thought, and talked about it so much that it’s funny. In fact it has spilled from various conversations over the last week as well. But taste it is.

The close second is community. But at this time, I will stick with taste. I even recorded a podcast on it. Here.

For context, last week, it was Respect. And it was Money and People before that.

—

Ok!
This is it!
Lemme know what you think.
Gotta go.
See you around.

Oh, here are the previous editions: 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07

PS: This series of posts is inspired by Thej and his weekly notes.

Wk 07-25 – Weekly Notes

Notes from the 7th week of 2025. I talk about C4E, Book2, Hospitals, AI and its impact on life Personal Brand, Economics and more.

Versova
Starting writing this at home.
Now at Starbucks.
There’s calls and meetings. So let’s see when and how I finish this.
Now at Jamjar at 1805.

The 7th week of the year is over!

Is this year flying past by like a rocket to the moon or what! I know that time seems to pass on faster as you age but this year has been something else. I don’t remember when the new year started and I don’t know when Feb is now ending in like 10 days!

I think this is also cos I’ve been on probably the steepest slope that I had to climb. And on this one, I am not merely climbing. I am sprinting. And no, I am not complaining. I am loving it!

Anyhow, here’s my update.

What I was supposed to do in the week gone by. And my report on the same.

A/ 2025 plan.
I don’t even want to talk about this. Open forever. It’s no longer on my radar. I don’t think about it.

But like I said last week, this is my ritual for like 1000 years. I want to not have done this. I will pick this up. If not next week, then in the week after that. And if not then, then some other day.

B/ Health
This was not on last week’s list. It was in one of the things that I wrote about this was NOT on the top.

I am adding this to the TOP from this week onward.

My ability to do large things and go beyond is indexed on my health. And I need to work on it.

A few days ago, I tried to shift my identity to that of a healthy person. So far it hasn’t helped. I need to do more action on it.

I will track these two as North Star things. I will remove the plan once I do it. But health will be my north star.

Moving on.

The tracker from the week that went by.

Here’s the tracker from the week gone by.

Here are the changes I made…

  1. I have added a weekly average column to know how the week was (often it gets tough to see that in large context). Now I know that in this week, I spent more money than average. I walked less than average. I slept more. I was more in control of my emotions. Etc etc.
  2. I added a color code to “good” behaviour. You can see the two days when I slept more than 7 hours. V will be proud of me 😀
  3. I can’t stop eating Kachra!
  4. If you see this, please tell me what you see that I am missing.

Photos from the week

Here are some photos from the week gone by.

There are a lot that I want to capture for posterity. I am uploading those here as well (with slight edits to ensure that this page is not messed; originals are on the link).

Oh, since I have a new phone, am taking a lot more photos.
Plus I am reading a lot and thus a lot of content to share.
Plus I went to the beach more times this week.

So that has helped.
Let’s see how it is the next week.

Interesting Reads

Here’s a list of things that I read / saw / consumed that left an impact on it. In some cases, I went and stirred up debate in my network.

Here’s a list. In no particular order.

  1. If there’s one thing you read, PLEASE ensure it is this. In the essay, Prasad talks about life and careers in a post-AI world.
  2. On the same thread, Sam Altman’s Three Observations.
  3. It would be useful to re-read this piece by PG. On writing. And life in a post-AI world.
  4. Prak shared this piece by Michael Dempsey. I read it. Took notes. Went down the Rabbit Hole on Schelling Point. Still unable to wrap my head around it. But will spend more learning. In fact I am increasing getting fascinated by Maths, Physics and Economics (see this channel). Let’s see where I end.
  5. The Pygmalion Effect. Video (not a read per se)
  6. Jung on Life After 40. This was very interesting, especically cos I am, well, over 40. And even more so cos I keep crying that I am old and all that.
  7. No one cares. Read this.
  8. Been reading about SEO and these two pieces were good to read. In one line, all the fears of folks about AI-written content are dumbfounded. Google does NOT punish (as of writing this, unless things change).

There are more links and things that I read. And there are more videos I see. I share those on this group. In case.

This brings me to highlights, reflections and notes from the week.

In no order…

A/ AirPods Pro Max
I had decided that starting 15 Feb if I could write for 30 days straight (and even AK had to write), I would get myself one. But none of us wrote. So, no AirPods for me. Important to document.

B/ Book2
I’ve started to work on it. And I am leaning on Claude for that. So far, I’ve “written” 5 chapters of approx 2500 words each. So that’s fast. At this pace, I should have a draft ready in like one month!

Here’s a WA group that you may join in case you want to help me read the early drafts and help me find direction.

C/ C4E lacks action and attention
I’ve not been able to focus on C4E in the last few days.

Thankfully we are in the middle of our downward cycle and thus there isn’t much to do. So we are ok. Plus the team is running whatever we have well.

However, we as a unit lack action-orientation. We take too much time for everything. We think a lot. We dont break enough things. We are not ghissoing our chappal enough.

Need to fix it. And add some sense of urgency. I will pick this up in the next week.

Three things worth noting here.

  1. We wanted to price ourselves at a premium. We took action towards that we haven’t made any large progress.
  2. Our new creds was to be ready last week. It is not. I will not ask for it or chase it. I will make one myself. Adding to my todo.
  3. We need to reinvent our model. We haven’t done anything about it.

D/ Dave Matthews Band
I’ve recently been tripping onto music from Dave Matthews Band. I dont know but I love the sound they make!

You can start here.

E/ Claude and Cursor
I’ve been experimenting with the two things. One to write “code” and the other to “write” book2. And I love it.

I feel my mind has expanded. I can see it expand! I now realise that I can do a lot more. The power of my thoughts is a lot more, well, potent! The sky seems to be the limit. I will try and write more on this. But time seems to be a roadblock.

F/ I suck at negotiations
I knew this all along but I know this more now. That I suck at negotiations. I dont know if I want to learn that, at this age but it’s a good thing to know about. I will ensure that my kids learn the skill. And do whatever needs to be done – to make them great at it.

Oh, and as a matter of principle, I will not work on any negotiations from here on.

G/ Growing up
Had to go to the hospital. And I hated it. Each time I go to one, I hate it. I dont have an answer for my hatred or my aversion to those. But I hate them.

I know I will have to go to more of these in the next few years. It’s a deep fear. And I am trying to learn. I hope I am better. I hope I grow up!

H/ H2 of the day makes me sad and ineffectiveness
I’ve realised and I have known that I can’t do anything productive in the second half of the day. So this week on, I will move all my non-value-add things to the second half. The first half will only be to do deep work, independent of any conversations. If someone has to meet, it has to be in the second half. At least, for as long as I can control.

Even today, I did a lot till about 1 PM. Post that I went to the clubhouse and merely vegetated. Must be my sugar levels or something.

Irrespective. I will try and control this a lot more.

I/ IPO
Ajax are getting IPOd tomorrow.

They are a client and this is the first time I’ve seen a client get to IPO. Incredible learning experience. One more feather to the cap.

Now the lifegoal is to build a company that IPOs. Or may be not. I may not do well with the public scrutiny that public companies must endure. Let’s see.

K/ Angry and Sad with Kumbh
My parents were stuck in an overnight jam somewhere in UP. Or whatever state that Kumbh is happening at.

And I hate it.
And I dont know what to do about it.
I am angry and sad about it. I have enough money that they are not on public transport. But I dont have enough money to get them a charter plane and VIP darshan. I wish I had.

Plus, on top of it all, I dont understand how faith and religion becomes so important that they are willing to endure this. I am reading Man’s Search for Meaning I and get the why to live and all that but where is the why in this?

Thankfully their spirits are high.

L/ Other things that I want to capture but I may not spill too many words on those.

  1. For a work thing, I decided to submit to two elder gents. I will blindly do what they ask me to. I will offer to them the kind of adulation and submission I’ve wanted from my people. See this.
  2. Managed 45 days of daily journal. Now will aim to do 365.
  3. Deleted Insta yet again from my phone. I will put that on sinphone and see how much time I invest on it.
  4. Became a fan of Nicobar! But only when they are on sale. And I am ok to wear older fashion. The only thing latest I want is the iPhone 😀
  5. I am increasingly getting interested in Economics. Here is one of the creators that I absolutely am a fan of!
  6. I need to check for ADHD. I dont know if there are online tests. But I need to know.
  7. I have started to work on my personal brand all over again. This time on video. Have reached out to AD for help (now that he’s doing this professionally). Let’s see where I reach.

Ok that.
Phew

One large takeaway from the week?

In one word?
Respect.
More about it on my Roam. Or somewhere in the deep confines of my mind 😀

For context, last week, it was Money. The week before that it was People.

Ok!
This is it!
Lemme know what you think.
Gotta go.
See you around.

Oh, here are the previous editions: Wk 01, Wk 02, Wk 03, 04, 05, 06

PS: This series of posts is inspired by Thej and his weekly notes.

Wk 06-25 – Weekly Notes

Notes from Week 6 of 2025.

10:25 AM
Starbucks, Versova
Let’s see how long do I take on this. I’ve started a Forest timer. Let’s see.
Update: Made numerous calls in the middle. Publishing this at 14:06 PM

So, this is my favorite time of the week. Where I am by myself. And I sort of journal what’s happening in my head. I do a recap of the week. I dump all that I need to get out of my system. Call it flushing. Some things make it to the blog. Some dont (the ones that dont, get to my Roam). The thing that I am most careful of is that I dont delve in the past. and I dont want to worry about the future. I am present. Thinking. Cataloging. Actioning. Just the act of sitting at one place and writing and publishing is nice. In fact, I often think that if I could just write and pay my bills, I will do that. But then, that’s alternate reality. I need to act on whats up today!

Oh, I am listening to this as I write.

Here are sections (I want to change this but I will do so at some other day)…

What I was supposed to do in the week gone by. And my report on the same.

A/ 2025 plan.
This has been open for like 2 months now. I met Neha last night and she mentioned that she’s been seeing make these plans for 3 years and no action. I am still poor, fat and all that. Vivek says the same.

But…

I remain a thick skinned person. This is my yearly ritual and I will not trade this for anything. So, at some point, I will get to this. Parking as sgp1 and todo.

The tracker from the week that went by.

Here’s the tracker from the last week.

I ate a lot. I walked some. I spent a lot. More or less the emotions were in control. My streak of daily updates is good too (I’ve moved those to @altsg). I had a REALLY bad day couple of days when someone shat on C4E on a public platform. But now that I look at this chart, apart from that one red and yellow window, I was mostly ok.

This is surprising. There’s a disconnect. My daily twitter posts reflect otherwise. May be I need to write my posts better? Or maybe I need to capture things better. Will be more mindful in this week.

In fact, J said that for someone who claims to be a Stoic, I am moved a lot by my emotions. She’s not wrong. Must be more mindful.

If you see this, please tell me what you see that I am missing?

Photos from the week

Here are some photos from the week gone by.

Oh, btw, I tried to find a way to embed Google Photos into WordPress. I found a plugin as well. But I was too incompetent to get it to work for me. IF you know wordpress well, would you want to do this for me?

Interesting Reads

Adding this section from this week on. The intention is to capture what left an impact on it. And have my people read these and debate.

  1. Triangle of Talent by Shaan VP. FUCKING EYE OPENING.
  2. Derek Sivers on How to Spark a Movement. I see this often.
  3. Imperfection by Dharmesh Shah. Loved loved loved it.
  4. This presentation by Paras Chopra where he makes a case about why India needs to build our own AI Model. I have my disagreements but he is the man in the arena. Also, Paras is inviting people to work with him to build those models. Some of you may want to apply. Going by his reputation, he will ensure that it reaches fruition.
  5. This piece on Atoms and Bits.

There are more links and things that I read. I share those on this group. In case.

And this brings me to highlights, reflections and notes from the week.

I will lean onto my Roam and Daily updates for this.

In no order…

A/ C4E – a LOT happened at C4E in the last week.
And here’s a quick summary.

  1. Reputation. I dont care about mine. I may live or die. But C4E is a village and I will not have ANYONE call us a scam or a fraud. I am ok to not meet your expectations or whatever. But I am not a scam. I will work harder than anyone else you may find. You know, more chappal than anyone else. But I am NOT a scam. The sad part was that apart from me, I dont see anyone else at C4E care for the reputation! I wrote more on my daily update here.
  2. Premium Pricing. I will restructure C4E to only charge a premium pricing. I may die hungry but I will not work for anything that I am not comfortable with.
  3. People Ops. I will ensure that we treat people better. We are mostly good but I want to take it up a notch. We HAVE to be the best when it comes to people.


B/ Health
I am at that age now there I am seeing multiple health issues. I have something wrong with my heart and I need to see more docs for that. Skin seems to be breaking out. My back hurts perpetually. I really need to fix my hernia. I need spects. I can go on and on.

I need to work on this. And I will. Starting today, I am changing my identity to that of a healthy man. I will do each thing that you expect a healthy person to do. Including working out.

And this will be more important as I go along with the startup that I am working on!

C/ Farheen 
Spoke to this lady. She’s all of 23 and WOW. My gut says that she will do a lot in life and go far. But let’s see. She offers social media marketing, SEO and allied services. If you are on a lookout, you may consider chatting wiht her

D/ Dubey Ji at Marine Drive
Just yesterday, I was at Marine Drive and I did what I do each time I am there. Get a massage. And of course got talking to the masseuse. And he told me about this person – Dubey Ji. Apparanty, he’s the guru of most of the masseuses on the Marine Drive. The important part is that Dubey Ji is now retired and each of his shagirds give him a tiny sum each day! I would love to be that where all my kids are doing well and I am merely living vicariously thru them!

E/ I got a new phone.
And I dont feel any emotions towards it. It was important to capture. As a young person, each time I got a new phone, I made an event out of it. I realised that it was no longer the case.

F/ AKs website is up after a month!
So cool! The world needs more of her. Here’s the link – akforthevibe.com

G/ C and Krishna
If I were to make a list of people who believe in SG, Krishna and C will probably top the list. And I have been unkind to both of them over this week. And I need to fix it.

But…

I don’t know how. I know both of them will read this post and both of them will say, “its ok”.

H/ Took a loan
I had decided that I will not take a loan again. But this month I had to. And by the looks of it, I will need to take another one. I dont know when this cycle will end. Let’s see.

I/ The AI Fomo
I talked about it last week too. And its getting all the more real. TBH, since last week, I have made some progress. I am more aware. I have read more. But I still dont have enough to give me comfort. I need to find that.

J/ Worth Living For
Prof Kavi Arya mentioned this in a conversation. He said something on these lines… “Most people tend to think about things that they want to die for but this approach was refreshing – what are you willing to live for?”

This opened by eyes like nothing else had!
I am willing to live for a lot of things. And no, these things don’t mean leisure or pleasure.

K/ Other things that I want to capture but I may not spill too many words on those.

  1. Updated my Work With Me Page. After I got the inspiration from Hardik Pandya’s page.
  2. Gokul NA. Each time I speak with him, I am inspired to do more with my life. I REALLY wish I could drop everything and work FOR him. He’s a rare person that I want to work FOR. And not WITH.
  3. May get to work as a marketer on a project at IIT Bombay. I am not getting paid a lot but I would like to get the experience of being at IIT often. Maybe know more students and all? Oh, on my previous visit to IIT, I bumped into Mayank Pareek! Talk of serendipity!
  4. Films business. I HAVE to do something about it. I will have to restart from scratch now that I am out of TRS but I will do it.
  5. I have a crush on a 51-year-old!
  6. I’ve been missing Steve Jobs.
  7. Made some tough calls that I was avoiding for a while. Some more tough calls need to be made. Will do those in the coming week.
  8. Met Arun Kedia for a coffee. One of the best meetings in a long long time. More notes in my Roam.

Ok that.
Phew

One large takeaway from the week?

In one word?
Money.

Last week, it was People.
This week, its money.
I don’t want to write more here (context is on my Roam). In case someone wants to know more, you know where to find me.

PS: Reminds of KWAN – love, respect, community AND the dollars too!

PPS: Now that I am on films and trailers, I saw this and it brought a lump to my throat. Happens each time. And then I saw this.

Ok!
This is it!
Lemme know what you think.
Gotta go.
See you around.

Oh, here are the previous editions: Wk 01, Wk 02, Wk 03, 04, 05

PS: This series of posts is inspired by Thej and his weekly notes.