Srikanth's Blog

Should we think and act as if we have life all figured out, or should we just focus on the next bend? I stumbled into this profound question while watching the movie Hard Times (1975) . The protagonist only sees the next bend and is not worried much about what's in store in his life. In fact he cannot afford to see farther and beyond, due the great depression and his circumstances. He is drifter and a streetfighter who is only focused on the now and the next move in his fight. There's a great parallel here, as for most people, life is about fighting for survival and existence in hard times. I found a great sense of ease in the character. A taciturn personality, patient, and absolutely stoic. It's a character with great character. Well, I don't want to digress into the screenwriting and filmmaking aspect, however the point is when we focus all our energies only the next bend, we tend to pay absolute attention to what we have in front of us and place our energies into tac...

Here are 10 books that can change your life and work. 1) Who am I? (Sri Ramana Maharshi) 2) Tao Te Ching (Lao Tzu) 3) Meditations (Marcus Aurelius) 4) The Laws of Human Nature (Robert Greene) 5) The 48 Laws of Power (Robert Greene) 6) Essentialism (Greg McKeown) 7) Nicomachean Ethics (Aristotle) 8) The One Thing (Gary Keller, Jay Papasan) 9) Principles (Ray Dalio) 10) OSHO Series

Amor fati is a fantastic way to look at life. It's a latin phrase that means "love your fate". This thought flips the whole narrative of life and helps you seize total control. If you love your fate, nothing can disappoint you. You accept life as it comes. You're open to everything that comes in your life, you learn to go with the flow, and remain with the flow. I think accepting what life presents is probably the ultimate method of robbing and saving yourself from any sort of suffering. It's not about surrendering, it's about framing and perspective. You do you thing, but keep accepting what life presents. While accepting is one thing, loving it is thinking at a different level altogether. Forget practicing it, even the very thought sounds so hard. But, do we have a choice? Love your fate.

1) Actively listen 2) Break bread 3) United front 4) Soulful friendship 5) Travel

1)  Wenn schon, denn schon 2) Writing is thinking 3) Be an outlier 4)  Seize the narrative 5)  Don't follow, lead 6)  Consume less, create more 7)  Get to the source 8) Codify your expertise 9) Collaborate strategically 10) Teach to learn, advocate, and network 11)  Progress, not perfection 12)  Build in public 13) Think first principles 14)  Think multidisciplinary 15) Double down on strengths (even triple down) 16)  Carpe diem

Free is always an expensive affair. It comes with many hidden costs like obligations, low quality, and unforeseen future costs. Always pay for services and products for the best outcomes. Free is costly.

1) Decouple your identity from the identity card. 2) Network through work. 3) Never gossip. 4) Espouse your values. 5) Teach to learn, advocate, and network. 6) Communication is everything. (Use email wisely) 7) Arrive and leave on time. 8) Go the extra mile strategically. 9) Colleagues aren't friends, they are colleagues. 10) Focus on work, work, and work. (The only reason you're hired in the first place) Bonus: Document everything!

1) Know yourself 2) Accept yourself 3) Be Yourself 4) Shed your past 5) Define your values 6) Define success 7) Say no 8) Say yes 9) Amor fati 10) Do your own thing 11) First respect yourself 12) Invest in yourself 13) Embrace silence 14) Celebrate small wins 15) Watch your circle 16) Believe in yourself

1) Air 2) Water 3) Diet 4) Sleep 5) Walking 6) Reading 7) Meditation