Morning!
I am at my favorite regular Starbucks.
Perched on a corner table (not on the community table for a change), a buttered coffee in my hand, lingering pain in my back, knee, ankles and I dont know where all and a lot of thoughts.
So, I played pickle yesterday (the third session of the week; yay!) and it was not the best.
I didn’t even get a drop of sweat. The weather was not really cold. It must have been 28. I saw AK and Prak sweating like they were in some furnace.
The game was also not the best. I mean I won all the matches I played (I am better than the ones I play with) and I could see that if I played with the folks on court next to mine, I would not win a single point.
And for some reason I was ticked. I dont know what it was. I cant pinpoint it. And I hate it. And I carried that thru the night. Was pissed. Ate crap. And then as I type this (10:01 am, 14th Feb), I am not in the best of my moods. And I dont know what to do to snap out of the mood.
The only saving grace is that this has happened after many many days (I saw my tracker and at least in the month of Feb, all I have is good days, 1s. Not even 0). So that.
Maybe this free-writing will help? May be I need to find a way to hit some punching bags. Maybe I need to get back to twitter ;P
Anyhow. Lets see where I go from here.
Edit: 6 PM on the 14th. Moods significantly better!
Edit: 8 AM on the 15th. As of editing this, I played on Saturday also. So 4 days in a week.
The track of the week is Prana’s mashup of A Thousand Years and Lag Ja Gale. Here. I love the lines, pass aaiye…
Now, with that out of the way, here’s the weekly review.
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💭 Highlights, reflections, updates, notes and thoughts from Week 7, 2026
As always, these are not in any order.
1/ Chalta Purza
This has to be the highlight of the week!
I met Bhanu for a lunch and among other things he told me that I am a Chalta Purza. This is the second best thing someone has told me about me. The best is Cockroach (thank you, Vanita).
Per Bhanu, a Chalta Purza is like a cog that can fit into any machine and make the machine go like the fastest rocket to space on the shortest path possible. In other words, Jack of all trades. And ofc the need for these Jacks is a lot more in this day and age.
Ok, I dint do a good job explaining this. I used chat GPT and it said (edited for brevity)…
“Chalta purza” in everyday Hindi means:
A smooth operator. Someone street-smart, well-connected, fast-moving, and able to “get things done.”
In management speak, depending on tone, it can translate into different professional archetypes:
1️⃣ The Positive Framing
Operationally agile, network-leveraged executor
Traits:
- Strong informal influence networks
- High execution velocity
- Navigates bureaucracy efficiently
- Understands power structures
- Knows who to call and when
In org language:
- “Cross-functional catalyst”
- “High-agency operator”
- “Enterprise connector”
- “Execution-focused stakeholder manager”
In startup language:
- “Zero-to-one hustler”
- “Gets shit done without waiting for permission”
2️⃣ The Neutral/Realistic Framing
Politically intelligent operator
Traits:
- Reads room dynamics well
- Builds strategic alliances
- Influences without formal authority
- Knows where decisions actually get made
Often high in:
- Social capital
- Informal power
- Tactical persuasion
3️⃣ The Slightly Negative Version
Politically opportunistic fixer
Traits:
- May bend processes
- May prioritize access over systems
- Relationship-heavy, process-light
- Can bypass governance
Corporate translation:
- “High politics, low process”
- “Influence-driven operator”
- “Outcome-focused, compliance-optional”
The Clean Executive Definition
If you wanted to put it on a performance review:
“An informal power broker who accelerates outcomes through networks, influence, and execution agility.”
In One Line
Chalta purza = High-agency, politically intelligent operator who can move systems.
So that. High-agency, politically intelligent operator. Lol!
And, two things…
a/ my definition and understanding was incorrect.
b/ I love And I think thats like SPOT on!
Brings me to the next point.
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2/ Handwriting Analysis with ChatGPT
Oh some random whim, I decided that I want to use ChatGPT (I use it a lot) to analyse my handwriting.
So, I used this prompt (edited a bit).
You are a world-famous graphologist who has done a lot of work on graphology for a lot of business people, entrepreneurs, political leaders and people in power and you specifically excel in doing it for Indians. And your interpretation is far, far better than others. I'll give you a sample of text written by somebody. I want you to analyze that and give me a very sharp, sharp, sharp thought on how that person is and what are that person's ambitions and life and aims. Remove any biases or perspectives that you may have on that person. Be as objective and as indifferent. Operate from zero empathy.The outcome was, well, amazing!
It told me about things that I knew already (reinforced things). And I am left thinking that may be graphology is legit. Here’s the analysis it created (you will have to ask for access). Some things are worth highlighting.
a/ I may not be a Chalta Purza per that! Lol!
b/ Am great at being a founder. Lol. And I suck at focus and execution. Lol again.
c/ I need to partner with people who are high on conscientiousness. If you are you one? DM me. If you know someone else, ask them to DM me.
If you want more, you are welcome to read the analysis.
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3/ Gardener in a War vs Warrior in a Garden
I dont know where this thought came into my head while I was writing the things above.
I read somewhere that it’s better to be a warrior in a garden than being a gardener in a battle. And I validate this 100%. In the past week, for work, I’ve had to do many difficult conversations and while I did not enjoy those (or the aftertaste) I realized that I need to have more of those. And since I’ve been a gardener all my life, I couldnt.
I thus want to be the warrior who chooses to live in a garden. I want to be the person who can eat first but doesnt. Right now, I cant.
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C4E/ Culture Book 2.0
I am working on rewriting the Culture Book for the next version of C4E. And its not been easy. For starters, the book by Sans is like THE best ever and so brilliant that I am breaking into sweat merely thinking about bettering it.
Then, there’s so much to talk about and pack in it, in an eloquent language, for a world that loves brevity, to be read by high-agency, high functioning people who choose to call C4E their home, their village.
Then, I havent really written a lot in the last few months and thus words are not flowing easy. Writing is indeed a muscle that atrophies. At least mine has. And I must prevent it from dying.
So, AI or no AI, I must write more.
Coming back to the culture book. I am having a hard time. I want to not deviate too much from who we are, who I am and what my core is. And at the same time, I want to build it to last the next few years (if not decades). And while I do that, I want to reflect all that I want to stand for. You know, high-agency, hardwork, long-term orientation and all that. I have some 100 keywords that I want to own and write and share and all that.
Been seeking help from AI and colleagues and I am still no where close.
Sigh!
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5/ Notes from sgSoloCasts / Daily Live
I realised that since I go live everyday (well, almost), I tend to talk about things at the top of my head.
And that means that I dont save them for the weekend to capture here. So starting this week, I will try to include some notes and highlights from my sgSoloCasts here.
- Tried an AI handwriting/personality analysis and found the results surprisingly accurate. See point 6 below.
- Using an AI tool as a “sparring partner” for business decisions and planning follow-on experiments.
- Preparing a storytelling/communication session for March 7 and working on slowing down speech and improving delivery.
- Clear internship philosophy: meaningful work, real exposure/skill development, no busywork.
Ok these are not as insightful as I had imagined these to be!
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6/ Curate People
Naval says that we ought to curate people.
I’ve been doing that since I was like 5 year old. Been a people-connector, low-ego, high-empathy person. Been a Chalta Purza. And yet, when I need people the most, I find myself standing alone.
And the worst part?
The very people that I think I can count on, use me per their convenience and use and throw me. Happened in two cases this past week itself. Sigh!
Also, this use and throw has happened with so much frequency that I am left thinking if its me – I mean if one person had left me, I could have assumed that they did something wrong. But if there are many who’ve used me and left me, there’s something that in me that needs fixing.
So that.
And three things from here on.
a. I dont mean to turn away or offend the rare ones that choose to stay back. There are indeed a few who have my back. You know who you are. I am grateful and I am glad that I have you in my life. I wish I had more cheerleaders and supporters.
And I dont want to discount the role others have played in my life. I am standing on shoulders of many many giants. From my work to money to thinking to life OS to connections to everything else has come to me as a direct and indirect outcome of other people’s generosity.
So, on one side, I want to pay things forward (by helping others selflessly) and on the other, I feel wierd and awkward when I am “used” by others to get ahead.
b. I’ve refrained from writing about this but I think 2026 is the year where I embrace who I am and what I feel. You know, warrior (and not a gardener). I want to accept all the messiness that I am made of. And live that.
c. Despite a and b above, I wish everyone all the best and all the luck that universe has to shower on them. I believe in abundance and net positive games. Each person who grows will hopefully pay things forward and not become a hoarder.
Ok, with that brutal honesty, lets move on.
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7/ Misc things
- I am now an early backer of Remster. This will be the 4th or 5th investment I’ve made in a startup.
- I use a Macbook Air M1 and I updated to the new Mac OS. And the latpop has had a significant drop in performance. Or may be that I have many tabs and windows and apps open (which is true). And my performance is taking a hit. So, either I need a new laptop or may be build a fast desktop. However, I dont want to be tethered to a location. So I am in that decision making limbo. What would you do?
- Saw this tweet. Talks about the Japanese philosophy of breaking the year in 1-6-4. Do see it. For me, the #1 is book2. And then I will marry other large goals into the 6 and 4.
- I submitted a screenplay for the SWA Script Lab and Pitchfest! Wrote about something that I think needs to be talked a lot more – the influencer burnout. This is after a while I wrote something. I hope I get thru.
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🈺 Photos from Week 7
Here are some.
Again, not too many.
I am not taking as many pics as I would like to.
The one I want to “feature” here is…
Over the next weeks, I will retire this. Takes a lot of time and gives no ROI. Plus I now include pics in the commentary section. Lets see.
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🈺 Trackers from Week 7
At some point in time, I will have detailed trackers to show. But for the time being the small numbers that I have tracked are…
- Average Steps -5900. Last week it was about 7800. I want this to be 15K over the next 20 days or so.
- Pickle Sessions – 4! Also with C going out, I need to find someone as enthu about things as she is.
- YT Live Sessions – 5. See here.
- Screentime – Daily average of about 6 hours on my device. Up by 15% compared to last week. I want to bring it to an inhuman 30 minutes. Darn!
What is missing?
Need to get some fitness regimen. Some gym or something. I dont know why am unable to do this :(. May be I will get someone to come to my place and force me to do this? Lets see.
The pen and paper tracker
Here…
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🈺 Action on LARGE objectives for the year
In this section, I will capture my progress on large objectives for the year. In 2026, I plan to do the following three things…
- Book2
- Human Flag Pole
- Save a million dollars
No action in the last week on either the book 2 or the flag pole. I did save some in a bank account that I plan to not touch till the rainy day. So a needle moved on that. Yay!
On the other two, I will build a system. Yeah, I know I’ve been saying that I will build one and never got around to. Let’s see when.
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☑️ So, what did I get done last week? And what will I do next week?
This is a one-line report on progress I made on various things that are important to me. I will only talk about things that I got done. Shipped. Not WIP.
This year, I want to track the following…
- Health. I will work on sleep, food and movement. Last week the sleep was a tad screwed. I had a coffee post 6 PM and then I couldnt sleep and then I overcompensated. And then it spiraled. But then now I am back on a regular 6-7 hours of sleep.
- C4E / Work. I want to shortlist some idea that I want to work on. I am still far from it. Been 45 days since the beginning of the year. Need to work harder.
- Brand SG / Distribution. No action on this. I remain away from social media.
- People (Family, Friends, Strangers, etc). No action.
- Book2. I want to start with this.
- Shauk (Music, Films, Poker etc). No action.
Made comments in italics. Do read and give inputs.
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🏃🏻♂️➡️ Health
I added Health as a key section last year. I read somewhere that you need 4 things to live long – sleep, exercise, diet and community. I will track all four. And then some more variables that I feel are important to me. Let’s see what comes out.
Like the last few weeks, no action. I did play pickle four times this week, if that counts. And my daily health updates WA Channel is live!
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🧠 Reminders from last week
This section captures things that I want to not forget. I add those to SG’s Office. I will copy paste these week on week and track updates.
A few things.
- Start a podcast with C and AK. This remains open and will probably get shut. I dont see the excitement in the three of us.
- Update C4E’s Culture Book. This is WIP and I will hopefully get this done by next week.
These few come to mind as I speak. I have a suspicion that this will grow and will become unmanageable in a few weeks. I will find a solution when I get to it.
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🥡 So, one thing that defines the past week?
Regular.
There is no other word I can think of. Regular day, regular life, regular work. Etc etc.
The other words for this year have been: Easy, Journey, Downtime.
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Phew!
Lemme know what you think.
See you around.
Oh, and this too shall pass!
PS: This series of posts is inspired by Thej and his weekly notes. Previous editions:
PPS: Please do point typos.
PPPS: In case you see me being inconsistent in anything – work, writing, reviews etc, PLEASE do point out.
PPPPS: This is the first “update” of the year and thus a lot of this is incomplete. Allow me one or two weeks to get settled. And, on this one, do lemme know what you think of the new format.