Building a Bookshelf: Year Four of My 12-Book Ritual

“Don’t be consistent with your past self. Only idiots never change their mind.” - Derek Sivers

Having stayed abroad and immersed myself in diverse cultures, a realization dawned on me: I hadn't delved inward into the richness of my own country. This year, blessed with the opportunity for introspection and exploration, my transformative journey began.

Rajasthan, with its regal havelis and ancient temples, served as the starting point where I recognized parallels between the valiance and tactics of the Rajas and the strategies essential in the business world. The Udaipur palace, a testament to strategic brilliance, became a metaphor for constructing success in my evolving career.

From the sandstone canvas of Rajasthan, my quest for resilience traversed the challenging terrains of Himachal and Kashmir. The Amarnath Yatra (Trek) became a crucible, forging within me the patience, resilience, and endurance critical for navigating the ever-shifting landscapes of my career.

The concluding visits to the Middle East and Australia served as the perfect culmination to a year marked by both personal and professional growth.Just as I analyze and draw insights from complex datasets, my travels allowed me to process and distill diverse cultural experiences and landscapes.

Gazing upon the life beneath the Great Barrier Reef's waves on New Year's Eve, a realization dawned. Just as I had to adjust my breathing and descend slowly to appreciate the reef's hidden brilliance, so too in business and life, must we approach challenges with mindful focus. The coral's vibrant tapestry, a testament to enduring hardship, mirrored the rewards that await those who navigate turbulent markets with unwavering resolve. As the year turns, I carry this wisdom – success demands more than just surface skimming; it's a deep dive into challenges, fueled by the quiet power of resilience.

This year, I embarked on a journey, moving away from data operations and strategy from client success towards LLMs in the AI field, hoping to cope with the coming wave of technological revolution, equipped with these experiences.

1. Anything you want by Derek Sivers
2. Dead in the Water: A True Story of Hijacking, Murder, and a Global Maritime Conspiracy by Matthew Campbell and Kit Chellel
3. A Thousand Brains: A New Theory of Intelligence by Jeff Hawkins
4. Diamonds In The Dust: Consistent Compounding for Extraordinary Wealth Creation by Saurabh Mukherjea, FRSA
5. The Empire of Pain by PatrickKeefe
6. Secrets by Rhonda Bryne
7. Bhujia Barons: The Untold Story of How Haldiram Built a 5000 Crore Empire by Pavitra Kumar
8. Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don't Know by Adam Grant
9. When McKinsey Comes to Town: The Hidden Influence of the World's Most Powerful Consulting Firm by walt bogdanich and Mike Forsythe
10. Numbers Don't Lie: 71 Things You Need to Know About the World by Vaclav Smil
11. The Psychology Of Money by Morgan Housel
12. The Bond King: How One Man Made a Market, Built an Empire, and Lost It All by Mary Childs

Employing a data-driven approach, I once again find myself immersed in my annual tradition of evaluating twelve books, dissecting their strengths and weaknesses through a meticulously crafted set of criteria.

(Note that a higher length score indicates a shorter book, and the impact score carries a higher weightage.)

These insightful books have significantly enhanced my career, and I believe they can do the same for you. Feel free to reach out; I would love to chat and discuss their impact.