As a child, I had just one goal; to be a general in the army. Maybe because I was born in an armed forces family. Their uniforms looked cool!
I worked at it passionately, playing war games, planting bombs under my grandpa’s bed, and running around with a gun in my hand! Just to be clear, all made of plastic!
Come to think of it, it wasn’t too distant from what’s happening around us in the world today.
But then, as John Lennon said, life happened. While I was busy making plans, I traded my dreams for résumé virtues and let passions die for professional ambitions.
From being a radio jockey to a banker, from tech-enabling tech start-ups to selling software, and from switching to marketing from sales, leading the global marketing operations of a $100M tech start-up. Phew! More than what I had subscribed for.
Oddly the more I aimed at success, the more I was moving away from what I wanted to do. I faced the same problem as Barney Stinson: I was searching for searching. For what I wanted in life.
Just when all things career was on an auto-pilot mode, I met Viktor Frankl through “Man’s Search For Meaning” – a book that changed my perspective. I realised, like happiness, success cannot be pursued; it can only be an unintended side effect of one’s dedication to a cause greater than oneself.
So one day, I decided to hang my boots, experiment, solve problems or help someone move from point A to point B.
The last four years have been an incredible journey;
Helped Beyond 8 navigate the Zero to One journey and evolve from a concept to a viable business.
Helping my partner (in business and life) set up a boutique advisory practice.
And advise tech start-ups to pivot their growth on marketing.
But the journey to search for meaning continues.
