Musings on life - Pravin Raj, Jan. 2023

Over the month of January, I spoke with 30+ CEOs/COOs, board members, PE/VC partners, executive coaches, executive recruiters, fractional CxOs, mentors, and current leaders in Industry. I watched a few TED talks, listened to several podcasts, and read uncountable blogs/posts/articles. Here is a synopsis of what I’ve learned:

1. Intentionality and specificity are critical: To “Live Forward”, i.e. to paint the canvas of your future life, the more detailed you are the better. Be clear about your purpose (career, family, friends, hobbies, everything) and be unapologetic about it.?
2. Be a giver, not a taker: To quote Adam Grant from his book “Give and Take” (must read for everyone) - Success is not about competition; it's about contribution. The most meaningful way to succeed is to help others succeed.
3. Life will be random: Most things will not go as planned. Be kind to yourself. Reflect on your successes and failures with a positive mindset. Always be curious and keep your aperture wide open (that is how one gets lucky).?

While there are no guarantees in life, one thing is for certain - you will not CREATE your desired life, if you don’t try. To quote hockey great Wayne Gretzky - “You miss 100% of the shots you don't take.”?I acknowledge that it is “easy to keep doing what you’ve been doing” and that there is a certain comfort level with sticking to what is familiar, even if you are not 100% satisfied with it.?Therein lies the conundrum of the “great realization”. ?

Personally, I’m so grateful to friends, colleagues, mentors, mentees, and strangers who have returned my DMs and poured their learnings and wisdom into me…I’d like to pay it forward.?If I can help you think through a particular problem or be a sounding board for a decision you are contemplating, please DM me with details. All I ask is that you contribute $100 to ALS Therapy Development Institute (www.als.net). Why this cause? Tomorrow, I'm attending the services of Linda Sue Fite. She believed strongly in this organization and hence, this request.

Have a blessed day!