Imagine you’re driving a luxury car down a perfectly paved highway. The AC is crisp, the music is perfect, and the GPS says you’re heading toward “The Dream.” But as you look out the window, you realize every other car is exactly like yours. Everyone is driving at the same speed, toward the same destination, with the same look of quiet exhaustion behind their eyes.

You want to take the next exit but the dirt road that leads to the unknown. Your hand freezes on the steering wheel. A voice in your head whispers, “Don’t. It’s safe here. Just one more mile.”

I recently held the “golden ticket” to stay on that highway forever. And then, I did the unthinkable: I took the exit.

The Gold-Plated Cage

I finally realized why so many people feel “stuck” in a life that no longer fulfills them: they struggle to find the courage to take non-average actions.

But the moment you decide to forge your own path, the same crowd starts to whisper.

The “Comfortable” Trap

Recently, I was selected in the H1B lottery. For many (myself included, a few years ago), this is the ultimate dream. It’s the permission slip to stay in the “Land of the Free” and stack U.S. dollars until your bank account looks like a phone number.

However, I am moving back to India. Since then, I’ve been met with a constant barrage of warnings. People tell me it’s the “worst decision” I could make. They point to:

• The USD Income: The sheer math of earning in dollars is hard to walk away from.

• First-World Convenience: Pristine roads, clean air, and organized systems.

• The “Kids’ Future”: The perceived responsibility of providing a “world-class” education.

• The Social Reset: The fear that your social circle will evaporate or change beyond recognition.

• Falling Behind: The internal panic that you are going “backwards” in life.

• Status Anxiety: Losing the prestige that comes with “living abroad.”

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The Elephant and the Rope Story

There is a famous story about a circus elephant.

As a baby elephant, it is tied to a small wooden stake with a thick rope. The baby elephant pulls and tugs, but it isn’t strong enough to break free.
Eventually, it gives up.
Years later, that elephant is a five-ton beast that could easily uproot a tree, yet it stays tied to that same small wooden stake. Why? Because it believes it is still stuck.

It has forgotten what it is truly capable of.

Many H1B holders are like that elephant. It’s not a lack of courage; it’s that they have been conditioned by the system for so long that they’ve forgotten their own power.

The Invisible Weight of the H1B

Nobody tells you what the H1B actually does to your psyche. It’s not just the 60-day grace period; it’s how it changes the way you carry yourself.

• Year one: You’re just excited to be here.

• Year two: You start noticing you word things differently in meetings.

• Year three: You realize you haven’t disagreed with your manager once.

Not because they are always right, but because the “visa math” doesn’t favor the bold. You watch a friend with Canadian PR quit their job to take a three-month sabbatical, and while you call it “amazing,” you don’t mention that you haven’t taken more than five days off in two years.

You make great money. Life looks perfect on Instagram. But there is a low hum of anxiety running in the background of your mind - a constant, vibrating frequency of “what if” that becomes your new normal. You forget what it feels like to be truly relaxed.

The “One More Year” Syndrome

The cycle is predictable. You work hard to get to the U.S., you get the H1B, you adapt to the culture, and you start a family. Your social circle becomes a mirror of your own life. Everyone has the same background, the same fears, and the same visa constraints.

You think about moving home, but you delay.

“I’ll move back in March 2028,” you say.

But 2028 arrives, and things got changed so suddenly it’s “just one more year.” Before you know it, 11 years have passed. You are now in a Green Card backlog that will take 50 years to clear. The “usual logic” takes over: “It’s stressful, but the pay makes it worth it.”

Escape the Average

This isn’t just an H1B story. It’s a human story.

Most people never take the exit and stay in their “cages” because they are gold-plated. They stay because the crowd is staying on highway. But to live a life that is truly yours, you must be willing to do what the average person won’t: Listen to your own intuition over the collective fear.

As Buddha said:

“Your worst enemy cannot harm you as much as your own unguarded thoughts.”

If your thoughts are constantly guarded by the fear of losing what you’ve built, you aren’t living; you are merely “maintaining.”

True security doesn’t come from a document, a title, or a location - it comes from the realization that you are the one who built your success, and you can build it again anywhere.

Ask yourself this: “Are you staying on the highway by choice, or because you’ve forgotten you’re strong enough to take the exit?”

I send out Master Mentee 🎓 weekly with curiosity and a passion for growth. If you’re enjoying it, I’d be grateful if you shared it with a friend who’d appreciate it too.

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I opened an email from immigration.

I was selected in the H1B lottery.

For most people in the world, this is the Super Bowl. The Olympics. The Golden Ticket to the “American Dream.”

This was my fifth attempt. For four years, I asked the universe for this email. I checked my inbox with a shaking hand, hoping a computer algorithm would finally validate my existence.

But this year was different.

I’d already booked my flight to India. I’d already secured my internal transfer. I was ready to go.

Then luck threw a 100mph fastball at my head.

The Luck Trap

The H1B isn’t about skill. It’s not about your “impact” or your fancy job title.

It’s a casino.

The house usually wins. But this time, the slot machine hit triple cherries right as I was walking out the exit door.

Most people would turn around. They’d see the flashing lights and stay for one more round. They’d let a random number generator decide the next few years of their life.

Not me.

The Power of Agency

Here is the mental shift that changed everything:

Before today, my story was: “I’m leaving the U.S. because of visa issues.” It was a story of a victim. A story of someone being forced out by “the system.”

Now? The story is: “I’m leaving because I want to.”

That is a 10x more powerful narrative. When you move from having to do something to choosing to do it, you reclaim your soul.

I’m not staying for the “Golden Ticket.” I’m going back to India because that’s where the high-quality version of myself lives.

The Noise of the “Standard Path”

My friends think I’ve lost my mind.

My family is worried.

In India, social comparison is a national sport. People look at the U.S. visa as the ultimate trophy. One relative told me indirectly, “Only a fool would lose this opportunity. People work hard just to get a foot in the door, and you’re walking away?”

But here’s what they don’t get: Market value is not the same as personal fulfillment.

They are looking at my life through a spreadsheet. I’m looking at it through my heart.

The Fear of “What If”

The hardest part isn’t the move. It’s the “unknown.”

We stay in mediocre situations because we are terrified of future regret.

• What if this decision is a mistake?

• What if I miss the dollar salary?

But we never ask the real question: What if I stay and live someone else’s dream for the next ten years?

That is the true risk.

The Common Ground Rule

I’ve started living by a new rule: Spend your energy where it helps everyone.

Focus on the spaces where nobody argues. Nobody argues with giving to charity. Nobody argues with being a better human.

I want to be in a place where my growth isn’t a debate or a point of comparison. I want to be in a place where I can contribute.

The lottery result gave me a choice.

And I am sticking with my initial plan.

Have you ever walked away from a "perfect" opportunity because it wasn't your opportunity? Tell me your story in the comments. Let’s break the silence of social comparison together.

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They pick a job, then try to squeeze a life into the gaps between Zoom calls and spreadsheets. It’s a slow death. That’s how you end up in your 70s, staring at a wall, wondering where the time went.

I was living the same. But I’m done with it.

I’ve officially booked a one-way ticket to India which I covered under “The Unwritten Roadmap”. I decided where my soul wanted to be first. My career? It can follow me there or get out of the way.

The Jeff Bezos Regret Minimization Framework

Success isn’t about how much you make. It’s about how much you don’t regret.

I work at Amazon. My “grand-boss,” Jeff Bezos, is the king of this philosophy. When Jeff wanted to quit his high-paying hedge fund job to sell books in a garage, his manager took him for a long walk in Central Park. His manager told him:

“This sounds like a great idea, but it would be an even better idea for a person who didn’t already have a good job.”

Jeff didn’t look at his bank account. He used a Regret Minimization Framework. He imagined himself at 80 years old. He knew he wouldn’t regret trying and failing at a startup, but he would forever be haunted by the “what if” of never trying.

He chose “adventure and service” over “ease and comfort.” He chose to advance humanity.

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The Prison of the ‘Golden Handcuffs’

The “Golden Handcuffs” are a psychological cage.

When you have a steady, high-paying job, you become addicted to the “Ease.” You start to believe that “starting over” is a loss. This is the Sunk Cost Fallacy in action.

We focus on the years of effort we’ve invested in one place (job or career or resources) and fear “burning it to the ground.”

But here is the blunt truth: You have to experience an “ego death” to reinvent yourself. You have to be willing to lose the title to find the purpose.

Life is Not a Spreadsheet

My manager recently left Amazon to return to his own home country. We were in the same boat. His exact words regarding making this big decision: “Life is not all about money and status.”

Those aren’t just words; they are a lifeline.

After booking the flight ticket, I’ve interviewed multiple internal teams for job transfer. The interviews are done. Finally, I submitted my application for an international transfer to India. Team, hiring manager and I have shaken hands.

I’m not just changing offices; I’m reclaiming my time.

I refuse to leave a legacy of “I’ll go home next year.” I’m going home now. I’m going to have quality time with my father and mother while they are still here to enjoy it.

Adventure over comfort. Service over ease. Presence over status.

Thanks to God and every person who pushed me toward this cliff. I’m jumping, and I’ve never felt more alive.

I send out Master Mentee 🎓 weekly with curiosity and a passion for growth. If you’re enjoying it, I’d be grateful if you shared it with a friend who’d appreciate it too.

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Recently, a viral Substack essay titled “THE 2028 GLOBAL INTELLIGENCE CRISIS” painted a vivid scenario where the global economy is upended by the rapid rise of AI (or AGI). This kind of discourse doesn’t just stay in tech circles; it’s all over my family WhatsApp chats and group get-together.

Even the markets are feeling the tension. When Jack Dorsey, CEO of Block, announced a 40% reduction in workforce, a move many saw as a shift toward AI-driven productivity replacing traditional white-collar roles.

While these narratives focus on what we might lose, very few people are talking about what we stand to gain. I am deeply optimistic. We are the first generation to hold advanced intelligence (AI) in our hands to shape the future. Here is why.

When Machines Replaced Muscle

To understand where we are going, we have to look back at the Industrial Revolution of the 18th and 19th centuries. Before this era, most work relied on human muscle, with limited mechanical power.

Fact Check - To give you an idea of the scale: During the mid-1800s, a single steam-powered excavator (like the Otis Shovel) could move as much earth in one day as 50 to 100 men working with hand shovels.

In the construction of early railroads, what used to take a crew of 100 men several weeks to clear could suddenly be done by one operator and a machine in a fraction of the time.

At the time, people were terrified. If one machine could do the work of 100 men, the math seemed simple: 99 people would be out of a job. This fear led to widespread protests. In the early 19th century, groups like the Luddites famously smashed textile machinery, fearing that automated looms would destroy their livelihoods.

If I had been living in that era, I probably would have been right there with them. If your entire life is built on a specific physical skill and a machine suddenly does it better, fear is a natural response.

But looking back, we don’t regret the “loss” of back-breaking manual labor. We appreciate the convenience of the modern world that those machines built.

History shows that every technological leap triggers fear before its benefits become clear. We are watching that same cycle play out again today.

The Modern Resistance - Cones and Cabs

We see this same pattern today with autonomous vehicles. Self-driving cars have become one of the most protested technologies in recent years.

In San Francisco, activist groups like “Safe Street Rebel” began a campaign of “coning”, placing traffic cones on the hoods of Waymo and Cruise vehicles to “brick” them and shut them down. Organized labor unions and taxi associations joined the fray, arguing that the expansion of autonomous vehicle permits would lead to mass unemployment for low-income workers and drivers.

Whenever a technology directly impacts a person’s safety or their immediate paycheck, it leads to a battle. AI is no different; it’s just the newest front in a very old war.

The Shift from Physical Muscle to Mental Might

What makes humans unique is our combination of physical and mental ability. For the last two centuries, we used technology to automate our physical limitations. We stopped using our backs to lift rocks and started using engines. We liked the convenience, even if we feared the change.

Now, it is the “mental muscle’s” turn.

Today, the most high-paying jobs require deep, specific knowledge and the ability to make complex decisions. Because of AI, machines can now analyze vast amounts of data and make those decisions in a fraction of a second. This is why it feels so personal this time, it’s affecting “mentally exhaustive” jobs, including my own as a Software Development Engineer.

At Amazon, I see this every day. Tools that we use for software development can now complete tasks in minutes that used to take me two full days of coding and debugging. Our “speed to delivery” is getting faster, much like that steam shovel lifting rocks.

A Gift for the Year 2125

Our children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren will be thankful that we had the courage to launch this technology. We are moving toward a world where human potential isn’t spent on repetitive mental tasks, but on higher levels of creativity and connection.

If you’d like to hear my thoughts on what the world will actually look like in the year 2125, leave a comment below and I’ll dive into that in my next post.

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I became a father to a baby boy.

For a software engineer used to the comfort of logic and the reliability of predictable code, the chaos of new parenthood was a wake-up call I wasn't "totally" prepared for.

The Addiction We Don’t Talk About

In the hospital, things got complicated.

I remember the suffocating silence before my son’s first cry. When it finally happened, the relief was more intense than resolving a production-breaking bug after days of struggle.

But that’s when the “addiction” started which I noticed to myself.

We usually think of addiction as drugs, alcohol, or the dopamine hit of social media. For me, it was my newborn.

I found myself checking his breathing every few minutes. I was obsessed with his safety, paralyzed by the fear of the unknown.

In the world of dev-ops, we call this “over-monitoring.” In fatherhood, it’s just the raw, terrifying reality of love.

The Physics of Sleep Deprivation

Because of the birth complications, I stayed awake for 48 hours straight. I maybe managed two hours of shallow rest.

When I finally lay down, my entire body started to vibrate.

It felt like a different kind of intoxication. It turns out, that’s because it is.

The Research: Science shows that staying awake for 24 hours straight impairs your cognitive performance as much as a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.10%. That is well above the legal limit for driving.

For programmers and managers who brag about “the grind,” let this be a warning. You aren’t being productive; you’re just drunk on exhaustion.

A Fracturing Corporate World

While I was navigating fatherhood, the corporate world was fracturing.

I survived two rounds of tech layoffs at Amazon. The uncertainty was a ghost that followed me down every hallway.

I still have my job, but the “Amazonian” spirit feels different now.

I’ve always believed that change is the only certainty in life. If you can’t get comfortable with change, you won’t survive in this industry.

But the recent shifts in Big Tech culture don’t feel same.

The Decision to Walk Away

I’m about to make a decision that would make most career-driven professionals sweat.

I’m moving back to India.

I have no certain plans. I have no “next move” lined up on LinkedIn.

For a person who usually craves a roadmap, this is deeply uncomfortable. But comfort is often the enemy of growth.

The career will always be there. This time with my son and my family won’t.

Stay tuned. The next chapter is unwritten.

I send out Master Mentee 🎓 weekly with curiosity and a passion for growth. If you’re enjoying it, I’d be grateful if you shared it with a friend who’d appreciate it too.

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It got me thinking. What's the real juice? What did I actually learn from watching it, again and again?

You Can't Connect the Dots Forward (So Stop Trying)

Jobs started with the truth bomb: trying to predict the future is a fool's errand. Seriously, how often do your "master plans" actually play out?

But here's the kicker: it's ridiculously easy to connect the dots backward. Think about it.

My job at Amazon right now? Not some grand vision from 2014. It's just the messy, beautiful result of a bunch of tiny past decisions. I was in India, doing my Bachelor's. Made a friend. He came to the US for his Master's. I was in the same boat. Different universities, different internships.

He landed Amazon internship. I was at ABB. My dream was a FAANG company, sure. But when he got that offer? That's when it fueled my own ambition to crack the interview.

And yeah, I got in. We even became roommates. Back in 2014, sitting in India, surrounded by millions of other students, thinking I'd work for Amazon in the US? Impossible. Utterly insane.

But looking back, every single small activity – even just making that one friend – pushed me here. The lesson? You can only connect the dots backward. Always.

So, How Do You Live Life Forward? Trust the Damn Process.

Here's the flip side. I started writing online in October 2024. Did I have a grand plan? Nope. Do I know how it'll help me in 2035? Still no clue. I'm just… doing it.

But here's my promise: I will have the answer in 2035. You, reading this right now? You don't know how it's gonna help you. But let me tell you this: your reading habit? It's benefiting you. Guaranteed.

So, here's the deal. Trust something bigger. God, destiny, karma, reincarnation – whatever your flavor. It's the only way to navigate this crazy ride called life.

Death is Life's Best Invention (Seriously)

You know that thought: "Today's my last day." One day, you'll be 100 percent right about it.

And the thought of death, suddenly, all the fear? Gone. External expectations? Who cares. Becoming successful? Nah. More money? Irrelevant. FAANG company? Promotion? Impressing colleagues? Delivering the best presentation ever? All that noise just melts away.

I've felt it. That moment when all your worries vanish. I even wrote about it in this post.

Just the thought of death can flip your entire day upside down. The trick is to use that power for something meaningful.

We avoid so much. Speaking up to that Senior SDE or your boss. Chasing money when you should be chasing purpose. Obsessing over what other people think.

Ask yourself one question, right then and there: "If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do?"

That question? That's your biggest life decision maker.

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Imagine waking up every day with a headache that isn't physical, but a mental burden. That was my reality during my time at Amazon. Finding no pleasure in anything, yet continuing on as if there's no escape. Your mind is constantly fatigued, and you can even feel the exhaustion in your body.

A Mind on Overload

The worries quickly piled up: health, relationships, upcoming meetings, current projects, colleagues, future career, finances, politics, and even laws. The list became endless. You feel perpetually on the verge of being exposed as an impostor, and every meeting brings a chill.

Your heart pounds loudly, and you experience moments of black vision, like a scene from a movie. Your mind can go completely blank, a sensation you've never known before. One moment you might feel on top of the world, but most often, you're utterly helpless.

The Weight of Decisions

Simple choices, like what to eat, felt as monumental as farming in a desert. Even after ordering from a restaurant, you'd second-guess the decision. You become so mentally drained that it's hard to recover. Regret over past choices weighs heavily.

Your mind races at an uncontrollable speed, like a falling star. It's impossible to stop; it's just out of control.

During these times, you perceive life in a way others don't. You can't share your thoughts with friends, fearing they'll think you're crazy. While they enjoy Netflix or sports, you find it all a complete waste of time. Eventually, you learn new words to describe what you're feeling: anxiety and depression.

The Grip of Anxiety

Anxiety is at its peak in this state, making you easily irritated. Even a small mishap, like wasting toothpaste, can lead to intense self-punishment. If you wake up in the middle of the night, you just want to start working.

After many nights of this, sleep itself becomes an incredibly difficult task. Sometimes, you just don't want to go to bed, feeling a relentless restlessness.

You can't even sit still for more than a few minutes. Whether it's the middle of the night or during lunch with friends, your thoughts jump to distant future events, like the year 2055, with little or no reason for concern.

The Rabbit Hole

After many days, you just beg for a single minute of peace from your thoughts. But it never stops. Your mind becomes consumed with negative outcomes, pulling you deeper into a rabbit hole of endless "what if" scenarios.

Even when you consider taking time off, an internal critic whispers that you're running away from your problems. It calls you names: coward, not smart, fearful, weak, stupid. You begin to believe you're misusing PTO and taking benefits unfairly. Anxiety then convinces you that your misuse will be discovered.

Both your inner and outer worlds suggest you're using a "sympathy card" instead of solving the real problem. So you keep repeating what you’ve been doing.

Finding the Good

While these experiences are incredibly challenging, they also have a silver lining. This period taught me profound lessons that one adult could never learn in a normal life. I began questioning everything, like a child, including unanswerable and answerable questions.

I asked myself:

• "What am I doing with my life?"

• "Why am I not making progress?"

• "Am I living up to expectations or letting others down?"

• "Am I going in circles?"

• And critically, "What is the purpose of life?"

• "Why do we exist on Earth?"

In this state, you learn at the speed of a child, finding answers that most people never even conceive, as they are too caught up in the rat race.

At the time, you may not understand what you're fighting or how severe it is. However, later in life, you'll share this entire journey with your spouse, friends, parents, or children.

The Power of Support

The only thing that truly helped me was a supportive team, especially my manager. Managers are human too, and my manager was able to sympathize with me. This is a testament to true managerial skill, and it highlights the difference between a manager and a leader.

Every leader can be a manager, but not every manager can be a leader. My manager, in this instance, was a true leader. You, too, will find someone who stands by you and has your back. You'll never forget that feeling. These types of connections will be deeply real and last a lifetime.

A New Beginning

Ultimately, the universe wanted you to learn and change. I emerged as a new person with new values from that time. One value I want to share today is a deep desire to help humanity, without any expectation in return. This value is incredibly challenging, but I will strive to uphold it consistently.

I learned to truly listen to my inner voice, something I'd always ignored before. The relentless 'what ifs' eventually forced me to confront my deepest fears and redefine success on my own terms.

Finally, remember this:

This means you are strong enough to create this mental-state and trying to navigate even the most challenging states, just like a resilient child.

From what I’ve come to understand, anxiety and depression come from feeling mentally stuck. It’s like mind keeps replaying the SAME problem over and over, trying to solve it but never quite getting anywhere. The longer it loops, the heavier everything starts to feel starting from low mood.

If you're reading this and feeling lost, remember that even in the darkest moments, there's always a path towards understanding and healing. You're not alone.

I send out Master Mentee 🎓 weekly with curiosity and a passion for growth. If you're enjoying it, I'd be grateful if you shared it with a friend who’d appreciate it too.

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I shared it with my family. They hit me with a very real question:
"What about all your stuff?"

My answer, at the time, was simple:
"I'll just use storage services."

We laughed, moved on. I forgot about it. Life, as it does, got in the way. Job, promotion, marriage – the usual beautiful chaos. The dream gathered dust.

When Life Throws Balls, You Learn to Catch (and Store)

Then, something wild happened. Not "travel the world" wild, but something that unexpectedly connected to that old dream:
I needed storage. For the first time ever.

That fleeting thought from years ago, about using a storage service, came back. I didn’t overthink it. I went to the storage service website, booked a unit, and dropped off my things the next day. It was seamless.

I remember stepping out of that storage unit, keys in hand, and breathing in the early evening air. It smelled like dust and summer—familiar, but also oddly freeing. Something inside me shifted. That old dream? Maybe it hadn’t died after all. I am almost free to pursue that dream that I had years ago.

That simple act of using a self-storage unit wasn't just about moving boxes. It was a vivid reminder: those "wild thoughts" you have? They're rarely just wild. They're often whispers of your future, blueprints for your resilience.

Life will throw balls at you. Some will be small, glancing blows you barely notice. Others will be massive, gut-punching impacts that leave you reeling. You’ll get injured. It’ll hurt. For a while. But here’s the kicker, the profound lesson I’ve learned: you will recover.

It might take time. A lot of time for the big ones. But over time, the weight redistributes. What feels unbearable today might become the very thing that makes you stronger tomorrow (or you will laugh about it).

How Worry Fuels Overthinking

And that brought me to a different realization—one that’s less about action and more about what happens in the mind.

This journey of unexpected connections and resilience also shed light on another pervasive challenge: overthinking. Why do we do it? Because we worry.

It’s almost never about the present. You don't worry about the breath you're taking right now.

Worry is the mind’s anxious dance with the future (anxiety) OR
the regretful replay of the past (regret).
It’s the "what if" game. And it’s exhausting.

So, the next time those "wild thoughts" surface, don't dismiss them. Maybe they're just life's way of setting the stage for something bigger. And when life throws those inevitable curveballs, remember: you’ve got this.

The Unshakeable Belief in Your Path

The secret to all of this? It’s not complex.

It’s about belief.
Believe in your God, your karma, your soul, your destiny—whatever it is.
Lean into it.

Trust that bedrock.
And then, keep taking action.

That's it.
Simple, profound, and utterly necessary.

So, what’s one “wild thought” that’s quietly followed you for years? Maybe it’s not so wild after all. I’d love to hear it.

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It wasn't just a physical presence; it was a psychological invasion. My carefully constructed world, built on routines and future plans, crumbled.

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The Echo Chamber of Fear

The fear of death, they say, is the deepest. All other fears feel like small bubbles against it, popping instantly when that primal dread hits. But for me, in that moment, it was the fear for my loved ones that truly suffocated me.

My own mortality felt distant, almost an afterthought, compared to the crushing weight of imagining a world without the people who anchor my soul. My mind, a notorious overthinker, became an echo chamber of worst-case scenarios.

Director meetings?
Presentations?
Performance reviews?
Deadlines?
They vanished into the ether.

All that remained was a primal urge to be with my parents, to feel the safety of their presence, even as a grown adult.

It’s crazy how a primal fear can make your brain go to the most absurd places. My mind even spiraled into worrying about estate tax.

Yes, you read that right.

My life felt like it was crumbling, and my brain decided that was the opportune time to contemplate how much the government would take from my hypothetical savings. The absurdity of it almost made me laugh, a dark, hollow sound, amidst the quiet terror.

I found myself battling an internal urge to make wildly emotional decisions, yet somehow, a tiny voice of sanity—or maybe just sheer stubbornness—prevailed.

Holding On: Sanity in the Chaos

There's an ancient wisdom I cling to:

This became my mantra. My work, my daily tasks, meetings, chores—they weren't just obligations; they were lifelines.

They were the tangible anchors that prevented me from drifting entirely into the abyss of anxiety. For brief moments, anxiety made me think it was me against the universe.

In a world that suddenly felt utterly alien and threatening, the mundane became miraculous. It was the simple act of putting one foot in front of the other, of focusing on a spreadsheet or a deadline, that kept me tethered to reality.

Angels in a Stranger World

And then, there were the angels: my friends. Moving into their home felt like shedding a physical weight I hadn’t realized I was carrying.

The air in their space felt different, lighter, cleaner. It wasn't just a roof over my head; it was a sanctuary. It was the quiet comfort of knowing I wasn't alone in this terrifying, unpredictable journey.

They didn't just offer me a room; they offered me peace of mind, a sense of safety that had been ripped away. It truly felt like walking into a luxurious hotel after a long, harrowing journey—except this hotel was filled with the unconditional love of friendship. I'm profoundly, eternally grateful for them.

The Inevitable Embrace of Change

At the end, my so-called created world completely destroyed, but a new one began to build. My daily schedule, routine, and comfort will require adjustment. But now I know from experience and believe in the saying:

This experience, as terrifying as it was, became a stark reminder of what truly matters: not material possessions or future anxieties, but the human connections that pull us back from the brink.

It was a terrifying, beautiful lesson in vulnerability, resilience, and the quiet power of simply showing up for one another.

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Then, life intervened, as always. A personal shift. Suddenly, my focus wasn't on deliverables, but on dividends, stock markets, bonds, global trade, macroeconomics—anything but my job. For three weeks, my workday became a classroom for everything else.

The Unseen Hand of Reward

The reason for this sudden shift became starkly clear: I wasn't seeing any immediate reward from the work itself. This wasn't about the paycheck; it was about the intrinsic payoff.

Perhaps it's the nature of hyper-growth environments. At Amazon, team churn is the norm. People come and go. Finding a five-year veteran on the same team is like spotting a unicorn.
It begs the question: why invest deeply when the landscape is constantly shifting?

Yet, Amazon thrives. For 25 years, it's navigated this constant flux, outmaneuvering competitors. So, the system works. But for the individual, the question persists: "What's the benefit of relentless effort?" If I know my team will likely change, what's the long-term play?

The Mind's Deception

This internal debate led to a profound apathy. Showing up felt like an act.

Meetings became pointless.
Conversations with colleagues seemed artificial.
My work, uninspired.
The hard-working professional felt, to themself, poor in spirit.
Every minute felt like an uphill battle.

It became impossible to escape the feeling of disinterest. Then, the jolt: Is my mind playing tricks on me? This was the "Big Tech" dream, the one I’d chased. How could it now feel so… empty?

I believe we're all guilty of it. Once we have something—a healthy body, a sharp mind, a loving family—we take it for granted.

We don't apply the same intensity as someone striving for it. Our minds, it seems, are perpetually seeking the next thing. Even if I built my own company, the novelty might fade.

Beyond the Milestone

The true revelation hit me: My dream wasn't to work for big technology company FOREVER. My dream was to see myself at FAANG, but never thought about whole life.

It was a milestone, a destination, not the life journey. And there's no shame in that. My dream wasn't wrong; it was the fuel that brought me here. Without it, none of this would exist.

This echoes a concept I've explored before: the arbitrary nature of success. Define it wisely. My personal definition remains: "I’m at peace with who I am, and I’m proud of what I’m doing."

This insight immediately answered my mind's persistent question about the "benefit of hard work."

The effort I pour in today isn't for an immediate, tangible reward. It's an investment. The true reward will manifest in the future. So, I choose to be proud of what I'm doing now. I trust myself, finding peace, knowing I'm doing what's best for everyone involved.

Even on days when motivation is elusive, I persist. It’s tempting to overthink, to enact drastic change. But sometimes, the hardest, most rewarding path is simply to accept the present and lean into the work.

“He who has a why to live can bear almost any how.” — Friedrich Nietzsche

Do you agree?

Leave a comment

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Is it some magical skill they're born with?
A golden ticket called luck?
Or maybe just the right last name?

Deception. Seriously. Talk to anyone who's clawed their way to the top – the self-made ones, the grinders – and that fairytale crumbles fast. Those shiny labels we slap on them? 'lucky,' 'smart,' 'skillful'? They're just snapshots.

The Illusion of Overnight Rockstar

We see the highlight reel – the Ted Talk, the IPO, the bestselling book – and call them 'lucky.'
We hear them speak eloquently and think, 'Wow, so smart!'
We witness their expertise and marvel at their 'skill.'

But here's the cold, hard truth: that 'overnight success' was probably a decade-long slog in the dark.
You know it, I know it.

Now, I hear you. You're thinking, 'Hey, I also do the hard work!'
And you're damn right. Plenty of hardworking people don't reach that pinnacle we call success. So, what's the damn difference?

Showing Up When It’s Hard

It boils down to this uncomfortable truth: successful people keep showing up, even when every fiber of their being screams no.

Every profession, no matter how prestigious, comes with its share of less-than-glamorous tasks.

University professors need to tirelessly pursue funding opportunities.
Supreme Court justices handle tedious administrative duties.
CEOs of major corporations must navigate board member approvals.
Even the President of a large nation faces the constant scrutiny of the media.

Many of these tasks might seem unappealing, yet successful people consistently give them their best effort.

I believe this willingness to tackle the less desirable aspects is what ultimately makes them appear 'lucky,' 'smart,' and 'skillful' in their respective fields.

They lean into the discomfort while the rest of us find excuses to bail. The average person might simply stop or avoid these crucial tasks.

The Power of "Peace" and the Art of Saying "No"

Here's the kicker: this relentless drive doesn't come from forcing yourself into a miserable existence.

Remember that 'peace' and 'pride' I talked about in my last article? That's the fuel.

When you're genuinely aligned with what you're doing, when you feel a sense of purpose, the hard work doesn't feel like a soul-crushing burden.

Without this internal alignment, the risk of burnout becomes significant.

This inner compass also gives them the strength to say 'no.'
They're not chasing every shiny object or pleasing every person.
They guard their time and energy fiercely, focusing on the tasks that genuinely move the needle towards their vision of success.

It's a tough lesson for us people-pleasers, right?

Leave a comment

The Bottom Line

It's About Relentless Forward Motion on the Right Things. Forget the magic formulas and the overnight miracles.

True success isn't about innate talent or random chance.

It's about the gritty, unyielding commitment to doing the necessary, often unexciting, work that propels you forward.
It's about knowing what to push through, even when it feels like pushing through treacle, because it aligns with your bigger game.
It’s about saying 'no' to shiny things or objects to protect your time while pushing through unexciting work.

That's the real secret sauce. Now go out there and grind – “Strategically”.

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We chase it, post about it, obsess over it — but rarely stop to ask if we even understand it.

Is success the number in your bank account?
Is it the followers you rack up?
The blue checkmark on your profile?
Is it the high paying job?
Or maybe it’s something quieter... something you can’t flex on Instagram.

Success is a moving target.

Just when you think you’ve caught it, it evolves.

The Dream: Big Tech and Six Figures

When I was younger, my idea of success was crystal clear:
Work at a Big Tech company.
Earn a six-figure salary.
Make it in the U.S.

Simple.

I even had a ritual: anytime I felt low, I’d rewatch The Social Network.
Watching Mark Zuckerberg build Facebook gave me the emotional fuel to keep going.

At times, I compared myself to him — the young tech prodigy.
That comparison became my motivation.

Like so many Computer Science students, I thought reaching that dream would be the final stamp of having 'made it,' and that I would be successful for life.

The Sacrifices No One Talks About

I left my family, my friends, and the life I had known for a couple of decades for that dream.

It didn’t feel like a sacrifice at the time.
It felt like a step — a necessary step — toward the success story I was writing in my head.

Eventually, I started living the life I had once only dreamt about.
I even told myself, "I’ll never feel unsuccessful again."

Spoiler: I was wrong.

The Day Success Slipped Away

Nothing dramatic happened.

No job loss.
No major life event.

But this week, that feeling of "I am successful" quietly slipped away.
Self-doubt crept in.
Disappointment followed.

It made me ask: Why?

Why did I lose my sense of success when nothing major had changed?

Success Is a Feeling, Not a Finish Line

Here's the brutal truth:
Success isn’t a permanent status you unlock.

It’s a feeling.
It’s personal.
It shifts with time.

No high-paying job can lock it in.
No title can guarantee it forever.

Success is simply how you see yourself at a particular moment.

But the real definition of success should be:

A Final Thought from an Unlikely Source

Ironically, I stumbled upon a Brooklyn Nine-Nine episode that captured it perfectly.

It said:

Life is chaos, success is completely arbitrary, and confidence is everything.

Turns out, real success isn't chasing a finish line.
It's learning to be okay with where you are — even if the world doesn’t clap for you.

I send out Master Mentee 🎓 weekly with curiosity and a passion for growth. If you're enjoying it, I'd be grateful if you shared it with a friend who’d appreciate it too.

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Perfection is the enemy of progress.

This quote has been stuck in my mind lately, especially in light of recent global developments.

It’s simple yet profound—and it's something that hits home for many of us. Let me explain.

Disclaimer: This article reflects personal opinions and observations. It is not intended as financial, political, or professional advice.

How Perfectionism Held Developer Back

As a software developer, Developer takes pride in writing clean, efficient, and scalable code. But sometimes, the pursuit of perfection becomes a silent productivity killer.

Developer has spent countless hours chasing the “right” way to do things.

In those moments, progress quietly dies.

Not because they’re lazy, but because they’re trying to protect themselves—from judgment, from failure, from releasing something that’s less than ideal.

That endless loop of ideation often leads to analysis paralysis.

Each week, there’s a need to write code to build new features—both small and large. And for every task, there are always multiple ways to solve the same problem and write the code.

Instead of shipping code and iterating quickly, Developer often falls into the trap of overanalyzing every approach.

This habit has slowed progress far more than any bug ever has.

What Trade Wars Taught Me About Decisions

Now, zoom out with me for a second.

Look at what’s happening around the world.

The U.S. wants to bring manufacturing jobs back. A noble goal. Jobs have been declining since 1979.

Why? Because manufacturing elsewhere is cheaper.

Not just due to wages, but because of macroeconomic forces like currency strength.

The U.S. Dollar is strong. So strong that paying in USD makes domestic production expensive.

Since the U.S. Dollar (USD) is the global reserve currency, it tends to have higher value compared to most other currencies. That makes it more expensive for companies to manufacture domestically.

It makes outsourcing an obvious business decision. To maximize profit, businesses often shift manufacturing to countries with less expensive currencies. High profit, lower cost.

Some nations even intentionally devalue their currency to stay competitive in global markets.

Overall, It’s a brutal game of chess—one where the pieces are people’s livelihoods.

The Tariff Dilemma

One approach the U.S. government has taken to counteract this trend is tariffs—making imported goods more expensive to encourage domestic production.

However, this strategy is controversial. Some support it, others oppose it.

Like many of you, I don’t have all the answers. I’m not an economist or a policymaker. But I believe it's a complex issue with no one-size-fits-all solution.

There’s no perfect solution.

Have thoughts? I’d love to hear your ideas in the comments.

Leave a comment

Lessons From the Code Review Process

In my time at Amazon, I learned a powerful lesson: Don't get stuck chasing perfection.

When writing code, I now pick a strong solution, implement it, and submit it for review.

My team can suggest improvements or highlight flaws—and that’s okay. That’s how we evolve as developers.

The same applies to system design. I lay out multiple options, propose a recommended architecture, and invite feedback.

This collaboration accelerates innovation and avoids decision paralysis.

Nature Is the Only Perfect System

Here’s the truth no one tells you:

There’s no perfect version of anything you’ll ever build.

In reality—perfection doesn’t exist in software, business, or the world at large. Only nature seems to come close.

So if you have an idea, build it. Ship it. Learn from how people respond. Most things—like writing code—are reversible. You can always refactor, redesign, or rework later.

Final Takeaway

Most people are stuck in analysis paralysis.

Still waiting for the perfect time.
Still polishing the idea.
Still researching tools.

You? You’re different.

If you take one thing from this article, let it be this:
Start now. Build. Iterate. Improve.

Your product. Your code. Your blog post. Your new business idea.
None of them need to be perfect. They just need to exist.

You’ll be miles ahead of those still stuck debating the “perfect” way to begin.

Build first. Perfect later.

I send out Master Mentee 🎓 weekly with curiosity and a passion for growth. If you're enjoying it, I'd be grateful if you shared it with a friend who’d appreciate it too.

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Have you really gone after the ones that scare the hell out of you?

I’m talking about the big, messy dreams. The ones that make your heart race at 2 a.m. The ones that come with a price tag: your time, your comfort, your safety net. The kind that spit in the face of certainty and ask, “How bad do you want this?”

Most people run from those dreams and others run for it. But here's the truth—those are the only dreams that matter.

My Dream

My dream? It wasn’t just a dream. It was an obsession.

I wanted to go abroad. Simple to say. Very hard to do.

See, some people are born with a passport that opens doors easily. I wasn’t one of them. The idea of leaving my home country felt like trying to launch a rocket with no fuel. But I was stubborn. And hungry.

Between 2013 and 2018, I devoured everything about the U.S.—tech blogs, YouTube rabbit holes, garage-to-giant startup stories. I studied Steve Jobs like he was a religion. I watched Mark Zuckerburg build empires from dorm rooms. I didn’t just admire them—I wanted to join them.

That’s when the dream stopped being fantasy and started becoming fuel. I didn’t just want to visit the U.S. I wanted to build something that mattered.

2019 changed everything. I packed my life into a suitcase and flew across the world to chase a Master’s degree in Computer Science.

Today, I work at Amazon—one of the big tech companies I once read about in restless sleep. Back then, it was a fantasy. Now, it's a line on my resume.

But let’s be clear—this isn’t about flexing. It’s about what’s possible when you decide your dream isn’t up for negotiation.

Living the Dream Isn’t Always a Dream

I left home and moved abroad to chase a dream.

But living abroad isn’t the dreamy highlight reel you see on Instagram. It’s stunning at times—but also lonely, challenging, and raw.

Nobody tells you this part.

You don’t just pack a suitcase. You pack your entire identity. You leave behind home-cooked meals, language that feels like a hug, and people who’ve known your soul since you were a kid.

You trade comfort for potential. Familiarity for growth. Community for solitude.

There’s a quote that hits different when you’re living it:

Honestly, I didn’t know the giving part.
But I feel it now—in the airport goodbyes, in the birthdays you miss, in the silence of an unfamiliar city.

Everyone sees the wins. Few talk about the cost.

But make no mistake—this is where growth lives.

The Hardest Part

The hardest part? It wasn’t the visa. Wasn’t the different education system. Wasn’t the job hunt. Wasn’t the food or the culture shock.

It’s missing my family and friends.

I grew up in a close Indian household where love wasn’t spoken but it was shown. Through small daily check-ins. A hot meal waiting. A hand on your shoulder when life felt heavy.

My parents weren’t just my safety net. They were the whole damn parachute.
They backed every wild dream I had—even the ones that meant losing me to another country.

Back then, a quick call could reset my world. Their voices were my grounding wire. My reminder of where I came from.

But distance has a cruel way of rearranging relationships.

Sometimes I miss a call because I’m drowning in deadlines. Sometimes I forget to reply because life gets loud. But that silence? It cuts deeper for them than I ever intended.

It’s not about being dramatic. It’s about being human.

They’re getting older. Many-time they don’t say it out loud, but I hear it in their pauses. Their health dips. Their energy fades. And all I can do is watch through a screen, gazillion miles away.

This is the side of chasing dreams nobody writes about.

You don’t just pay in money.
You pay in moments you’ll never get back.

Success Comes With Sacrifice

There’s no version of success that doesn’t ask for something in return.
No dream that comes without a price tag.

Just like there’s no sunshine without a little rain—there’s no big win without a loss.

Yes, I’m living the dream now. I made it to the other side.
But let’s not pretend it didn’t come at a cost.

I left behind comfort. Familiarity. Family.
The moments I’ll never get back.

And that’s the real truth about chasing something big:
You gain a new life—but somewhere along the way, you quietly bury parts of your old one.

Because in the silence of that sacrifice... is where you truly meet yourself.

A Final Thought

Maybe you skimmed this article. Maybe you didn’t. Either way, if there’s one truth I hope you carry with you, it’s this:

If you’re lucky enough to sit at the same dinner table as your family…
If your best friend is just a drive away…
If your people are close enough to hug—don’t wait.

Smile at them. Hug them a little tighter. Tell them you love them.

Because one day, you’ll realize that wasn’t “normal life”— That was privilege in disguise.

The biggest luxury isn’t chasing the dream.
It’s having your people beside you while you chase it.

Don’t forget that.

I send out Master Mentee 🎓 weekly with curiosity and a passion for growth. If you're enjoying it, I'd be grateful if you shared it with a friend who’d appreciate it too.

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But have you ever paused and asked: What does “wiped out” actually mean? I got curious. If that much money disappeared, where did it go? Into crypto? Gold? Offshore accounts? Foreign markets? Nobody talks about it!

To my surprise, I found the answer was—nowhere. Because that money wasn’t real—it was just paper dressed as value.

Let’s dive into what really happens when the market “loses” trillions.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. It is not financial, investment, legal, or tax advice. Always consult with a certified professional before making any decisions involving money.

Real Money vs. Paper Money

To understand how money can "disappear," we need to grasp the difference between two types of value:

• Real Money: The currency issued by governments — what you withdraw from an ATM or hold in your wallet.

• Paper Money: Not actual currency, but market valuation based on perception, demand, and sentiment.

This paper money isn’t printed or stored anywhere. It’s created by how we, as a society, value assets like stocks, houses, or cryptocurrencies at any given moment.

Analogy: Real Estate

Let’s say you bought a house today for $100,000.

Over time, due to high demand and limited supply, prices shoot up. A real estate agent tells you your home is now worth $500,000. You feel rich on paper — but you never actually sold it.

A few months later, the market cools. That same agent now estimates your house at $300,000. Suddenly, the media reports, “$200,000 wiped from local housing market!”

But in reality, you didn’t lose actual money — you still own the house, and your bank account remains unchanged. The loss is unrealized.

The Same Concept Applies to the Stock Market

Stock market valuation is mostly perceived value.

Let’s take a fictional company — Master Mentee 🎓 — as an example.

Master Mentee launches an IPO and issues 1 million shares at $10 each. Investors (maybe even you) pay $10 million in real cash. That money goes to the company. Real money.

The company does well in 1st year post-IPO. Stock prices climb to $100 per share. Now, Master Mentee’s market cap is $100 million.

But here’s the catch: If no one sells, that extra $90 million is just on paper. You (Investors) haven’t received that money — it’s an unrealized gain.

Market Crash and "Lost" Millions

Now, say something happens — bad leadership (You can blame me), poor earnings, a market panic — and the stock drops back to $10.

Boom! $90 million wiped out from market cap. Sounds bad, right?

But if you never sold your shares, and bought them originally at $10, you haven’t lost a cent. The money didn’t vanish — it was never real to begin with.

Only those who bought at $100 and sold lower have realized losses. Everyone else just saw their paper value drop.

So Where Did the $6 Trillion Go?

Now let’s apply this to the broader market.

In the last couple of days, $6 trillion in perceived value was wiped out. But unless people sold at a loss, no real cash was lost.

Unless someone shorted the market or had leveraged positions, no one gained that money either. It's a recalibration of perception.

TL;DR: Market Loss ≠ Money Gone

• Stock market “losses” are often unrealized.

• The “money wiped out” never existed in your bank account.

• Most of it is valuation based on emotion, demand, news, and speculation.

• Only realized gains or losses affect your actual wealth.

So next time you hear about trillions vanishing, remember — it’s not that money flew away, it’s that our collective perception of value changed.

I send out Master Mentee 🎓 weekly with curiosity and a passion for growth. If you're enjoying it, I'd be grateful if you shared it with a friend who’d appreciate it too.

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Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, legal, or tax advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making any financial decisions.

Many FAANG and FAANG-adjacent employees often misunderstand how to manage their RSUs (Restricted Stock Units).

These employees typically receive a regular monthly paycheck like any other salaried worker, but in addition, they’re granted company shares as RSUs—usually every quarter, depending on their vesting schedule.

Let’s take a simple example:

Imagine a FAANG employee who has worked at the same company for 2 years. It’s very likely that around 30% of their total compensation has come in the form of RSUs.

For clarity, let’s say the company is ABC, its share price is $100, and the employee receives 100 shares every quarter.

Because ABC is a publicly listed company, these RSUs are treated as taxable income at the time of vesting.

Basic math: 100 shares x $100 = $10,000 in taxable income

The Fair Market Value (FMV) of the shares at the time of vesting is considered income, so the employee needs to pay taxes on this amount—let’s assume a 33% tax rate.

Now, employees usually have three options for handling these taxes:

1. Sell to Cover

In this option, a portion of the RSUs is automatically sold to cover the taxes (in this case, 33%).

So instead of 100 shares, the employee receives 77 shares, as 33 shares (~$3,300) are sold to cover the taxes.

2. Cash Payment

Here, the employee receives all 100 shares but must pay $3,300 out of pocket to cover the tax.

The employee gets the full 100 shares deposited into their account, but must transfer $3,300 in cash to the brokerage account to settle the tax obligation.

3. Sell All

In this case, all 100 shares are sold immediately, and the net amount after taxes is deposited as cash.

The employee receives $7,700 in cash, as $3,300 is withheld for taxes.

All three options are valid, and the best choice depends on an individual's financial situation and goals.

Let’s break down some common scenarios:

• If someone needs cash immediately, Option 3 (sell all) might be the best.

• If the goal is to build long-term wealth, either Option 1 or Option 2 could be more beneficial.

But choosing between Option 1 and Option 2 isn’t always straightforward. Let’s go deeper.

What if the employee isn’t living paycheck to paycheck?

If they have sufficient savings and believe their company is growing, Option 2 becomes appealing, as they retain all 100 shares.

But here’s the catch: with Option 1 or Option 2, employees continuously accumulate shares from the same company every quarter.

And that’s where the classic saying comes in:

Even if the company is performing well, holding only one company’s stock increases risk. Diversification is key to building a resilient investment portfolio.

So, what’s the solution?

Employees should think about creating an exit strategy for their RSUs.

Let’s revisit our employee example with a thought experiment:

Suppose they have $3,300 to invest, and they can choose between:

• Buying more ABC shares (their employer’s stock at $100 per share), or

• Buying XYZ shares, also priced at $100 per share.

If their current portfolio only includes ABC shares, what would you recommend?

Leave a comment

To follow the principles of diversification, it might make sense to invest in XYZ instead, while allowing 33% of ABC shares to be sold each quarter to cover taxes (Option 2).

This approach builds a gradual exit strategy and helps reduce overexposure to a single stock.

With $3,300 still available that wasn’t needed for taxes, there’s flexibility to invest in XYZ or explore other promising opportunities. It’s a smart way to stay diversified, manage tax obligations, and make your portfolio work more efficiently over time.

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This year marked my fourth annual performance review at Amazon, which we call Forte. I can't believe I'm already on my fourth Forte review!

Before joining Amazon, I had heard that the performance bar at FAANG companies was exceptionally high, so I was really nervous about my first review. I had come across countless stories of employees being placed on "Focus" or PIP (Performance Improvement Plan), often leading to resignation.

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Breaking Down the Review Process

Before I dive deeper into my experience, let me first explain how Forte works. At Amazon, Forte happens once a year, and employees are required to gather feedback from colleagues, stakeholders, managers—essentially anyone they've collaborated with over the past year. Likewise, I also provide feedback for those who request it. Here’s the typical timeline:

• November to January – Request and receive feedback

• February – Managers finalize Forte summaries

• March – Managers release summaries and schedule discussion meetings

All feedback is completely anonymous—once I submit feedback for a colleague, it goes directly to their manager. The manager then determines which feedback to include in the final Forte summary and which to filter out. However, managers can see who submitted feedback for whom.

When I first learned about this process, I was intrigued because it allows employees to pinpoint areas for growth—or in other words, identify skills they need to improve. Since feedback remains anonymous, people are more likely to be candid, and because managers have visibility into who provided the feedback, responses tend to be constructive yet professional.

Why Honest Feedback Matters

Providing honest feedback—especially in person—is one of the hardest things to do. People naturally shy away from difficult conversations. However, Amazon’s Forte process encourages open, detailed, and actionable feedback, helping individuals recognize their strengths and address their weaknesses so they can focus on professional growth and long-term success.

Honest feedback is like a compass—it points you toward areas where you need improvement, even if it’s sometimes uncomfortable to hear.

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I also believe this process drives Amazon’s success as a company. When employees grow, the organization thrives. If employees feel stagnant in their careers, innovation slows down.

Amazon has been leveraging this performance review system for years, and I believe it's a key factor behind the company's relentless innovation and leadership in the tech industry.

In a fast-paced environment like Amazon, staying stagnant is not an option. Forte ensures that every employee gets the insights they need to keep evolving.

Final Thoughts: Make the Most of It

When I first joined Amazon mid-year, I had worked with only a handful of colleagues. So, when November arrived, my pool of potential feedback providers was fairly limited.

Now, however, I seek feedback from a much broader group. This allows me to gain a 360-degree perspective on my performance.

Since each person has a unique role and background, they provide feedback from diverse viewpoints and career experiences. This variety of insights helps me grow beyond just software development, pushing me to improve in leadership, communication, and collaboration.

If you ever find yourself in a performance review process like Forte, embrace it! It’s not just about evaluation—it’s an opportunity to level up your skills, gain valuable insights, and accelerate your career growth.

Let’s hear from you. What do you think about performance review process at your company? —do you see it as a challenge, an opportunity, or just another checkbox in the review process?

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Your heart pounds. Your mind races. Every instinct screams at you to sit back down, to blend into the background where it’s safe.

Would you still choose to stay on stage, or would you make a quick exit?

If you had asked me a few weeks ago, my immediate answer would have been, “Don’t even go near that place.”

But in reality, I actually stepped onto the stage last week and performed. It was a mix of terrifying and exhilarating—but surprisingly, it felt a bit easier because it was improv.

What is Improv?

Let me tell you what improv is.

Improv, short for improvisational theater, is a live performance where actors spontaneously create scenes, dialogue, and characters in the moment—often inspired by audience suggestions. While it’s commonly associated with comedy, it can also explore other tones and themes.

Improv isn’t about playing it safe—it’s about jumping in headfirst, trusting that somehow, you’ll land on your feet. And in that terrifying yet thrilling moment, you realize: this is where the magic begins.

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How I Found Improv

I discovered improv through Meetup when I came across an Improv Jam event in my area. Curious, I did a bit of research on Google and Reddit and found that improv has a ton of benefits.

But instead of listing those benefits here, let me say this—reading about it won’t do it justice. The best way to understand improv is to experience it for yourself.

After realizing how fun and rewarding improv can be, I registered for the event and showed up. They had a “Play or Pass” policy, meaning I could just watch if I didn’t feel comfortable participating.

My First Improv Experience

At first, that’s exactly what I did—I sat back and observed. But then, I decided to step in and play a few games. Let me tell you, improv games are ridiculously fun.

The event lasted two hours, and I stayed until the very end. I enjoyed it so much that I started attending more Improv Jam sessions after that.

Every time I go, I find that my mind becomes fully present. All my other worries fade away.

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Taking It a Step Further

After a while, I learned that they offered beginner and advanced improv classes. I was instantly intrigued and signed up.

Let me be honest—attending my first class was extremely uncomfortable. The second class wasn’t any easier.

Unlike the Improv Jam events, which were open to anyone, the classes were structured for students like me, meaning participation wasn’t optional.

Actually, it was optional, but I wanted to actually learn, so I pushed myself outside my comfort zone and forced myself to try unfamiliar games.

Standing in front of 20 people and performing in real-time was nerve-wracking. The games required instant reactions, where my scene partner or the audience would throw in prompts, and I had to build on them.

But after a few classes, I started to feel a little more comfortable. My classmates and instructors were incredibly supportive. The course was an eight-week program, and by the seventh session, something unexpected happened.

The Big Challenge: Performing on Stage

Our instructor announced that after the final session, we would have a student showcase—a live improv performance in front of an audience.

At first, I immediately wanted to say no. The thought of performing in front of strangers made me panic. But then I told myself,

“Nobody in the audience knows me. Even if I mess up, no one will remember it forever.”

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Plus, I already knew the games we’d be playing—although there would still be some spontaneous elements, since improv isn’t rehearsed.

Still, I had second thoughts. What if I went completely blank on stage? What if I froze while the audience stared at me? Performing in front of a large crowd felt impossible.

But I did it. I performed in front of 80 people.

Yes, I went blank for a few seconds, but guess what? The world didn’t end.

My stage fear actually started to fade. Now, I feel like I can let loose and embrace the craziness more than ever before.

Lessons (Re)Learned

1. You’re not as bad as you think.

   We’re our own worst critics. But my classmates appreciated my facial expressions and comedic timing during Improv games.

2. Mistakes are part of the process.
   I’ve made tons of mistakes in my improv classes. But instead of getting frustrated, I’ve learned to laugh them off and move on.

This mindset has spilled over into other areas of my life—even in performance reviews at work. I used to overprepare for them, taking them way too seriously. This year, I walked in without stressing, and I barely remember what was discussed. (Not ideal, but hey, at least I didn’t overthink it!)

If something goes wrong, I don’t beat myself up anymore. Instead, I think, “How can I improv this?”

Final Thoughts

Improv has taught me to be present, embrace the unexpected, and stop fearing mistakes. If you’ve ever been curious about trying it, I highly recommend jumping in.

Who knows? You might just surprise yourself. 🎭

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Now, have you heard of the eighth? It’s not an ancient monument.

It’s compounding—and it changes everything.

Do you believe that? You should, because I’m not the first to say it. The great Albert Einstein once said:

Perhaps you get the idea now. Everyone loves the thought of earning interest on interest, and over time, it often generates more wealth than the principal amount itself.

Most people think this only applies to money. It doesn’t.

It applies to everything—your skills, your career, your relationships, your entire life.

I believe we should take the word interest out of Einstein’s quote and reframe it as:

The success I have today isn’t because of a single moment of genius.

It’s because:

• I got decent grades in school.

• I improved my communication skills.

• I learned from my failures instead of blaming bad luck.

• I built relationships instead of burning bridges.

• I became a fast learner—because the world doesn’t wait for slow movers.

None of these things happened overnight. They stacked up over years.

That’s how compounding works. Years of effort. Years of growth. Years of small wins accumulating into something greater.

Since I kept investing in myself—through practice, learning, and self-improvement—those efforts are now paying off in both my professional and personal life.

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The Hidden Formula for Long-Term Growth

Most people screw this up. They think success comes from one big breakthrough.

Nope.

It comes from showing up every day, stacking small wins, and letting them multiply over time.

Let’s say I had never worked on improving my communication skills. Even if I were great at my job, I would likely be unemployed within three months. Right?

Because technical skills alone don’t cut it—you need to sell yourself, influence people, and stand out.

The same applies to someone who lands a job but lacks the necessary skills. People love shortcuts, but do you think that person has what it takes to succeed? Of course not—so the ending won’t be good.

So, understand this: every skill you learn today will reward you in the future.

School: The Safest Place to Learn

Lately, I’ve realized that school is the safest place to learn.

Why?

Because everyone there is trying to learn something.

I wish someone had told me this sooner.

Back in school, I didn’t pay much attention to extracurricular activities. I thought they were a waste of time and energy.

But recently, I started engaging in those activities, and I realized how much harder it is to learn new things as an adult.

Why?

Because of the curse of knowledge—or, in simpler terms, the maturity tag.

Society expects adults to behave a certain way, while children are free to explore and learn without judgment. That’s why kids are naturally fast learners.

Once you reach a certain age, learning becomes harder—not impossible, just harder—because you often need to unlearn old habits before you can make room for new ones.

Once you step out of school, the real world expects you to do everything.

Interns are often assigned research and development projects, and nowadays, even beginners are expected to contribute from day one.

Wherever there is learning, there will be failures. And without failures, there is no real learning.

I believe:

Failure teaches you, and success tests you.

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So embrace failure in your life and start asking yourself:

• "What is this phase trying to teach me?"

• "What lesson should I take from this experience?"

Because the sooner you understand the power of compounding—whether in knowledge, skills, or personal growth—the sooner you’ll unlock your full potential.

Lastly, compounding works in both directions.

Ignore growth, and life compounds in reverse.

Keep stacking skills, and soon, you’ll have a life most people only dream of.

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Here’s the Life-Changing Story:

The Never-Ending Staircase

A 20-year-old girl named Arian had a big dream—to climb a mystical mountain where a wise sage at the top was said to know life’s greatest secret.

She trained for years, facing relentless storms, steep paths, and exhausting days. But she never gave up. She kept climbing.

One day, she reached the top. She felt proud and strong. The sage smiled at her—then pointed beyond the mountain.

Arian turned and saw another peak. It was taller, grander, and more breathtaking.

“The dream brought you here,” the sage said. “But dreams are not the end. They are steps. When you reach one, another appears.”

Arian understood. Life isn’t about achieving just one goal. It’s a journey. Every dream leads to the next. And that makes life an endless adventure.

Inspired by The Alchemist

The Reality of Chasing Dreams

Everyone in the world has a dream. Many of us shape our aspirations early in childhood.

Some achieve their goals later in life—only to find themselves chasing another one, like a dog chasing its own tail.

I believe 99% of people live FOR the dream, unaware that their current life is someone else’s dream currently. Only 1% truly live theirs own dream.

The problem? People take their current life for granted.

Even though Arian reached the top of a mystical mountain and dreaming the next one, she should have paused to acknowledge something important—she had already achieved one of the greatest and toughest goals of her life.

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How Many More Steps Do You Want to Climb?

Let’s say you’ve climbed hundreds, maybe even thousands of steps in your life—your career, ambitions, goals.

The real question is: How many more do you actually want to climb?

Most people don’t have a clear answer. They follow the crowd. They mumble vague responses like, “Maybe three more steps.” Others say, “Five more and I’m retired.”

But the truth? They just keep climbing. Even after they’ve reached the so-called “destination.”

Only a handful of people in this world have a plan for the final step—retirement.

I’ve asked people about retirement. Every single one of them has a fantasy about what it looks like. They’re dreaming about it.

The irony? Many could retire today. They have enough. The only trade-off? Maybe they save a little less for the future—not enough to affect their basic needs, though.

So why don’t they do it?

Because they don’t actually want to retire. They’d rather keep the dream alive in their head than live it in reality.

Wild, right?

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The Harsh Truth About Dreams

I asked people who have actually retired about their experience.

The biggest lesson I learned?

Dreams are great… but only in dreams.

Reality never feels the same as the fantasy.

They spent years chasing this goal, picturing the perfect life once they got there. But when they finally did? Something still felt missing. Fulfillment didn’t arrive the way they had imagined.

Turns out, achieving the dream isn’t the hard part.

Finding joy in it is.

Agree?

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Enjoy the Step You’re On

If there’s one thing to remember, especially you (yes, the one reading this newsletter), it’s this:

The life you’re living right now is someone (actually many people’s) else’s dream.

If you ever feel stuck on a step, pause for a moment. Look back at the steps you’ve already climbed.

Take a break. Fully enjoy the step you’re on.

I really mean that. You can never go back to this step. Never!

Then, when you’re ready—focus on climbing the next step.

But also, have a final step in mind. Otherwise, you’re just climbing a never-ending staircase.

Learn to enjoy where you are before chasing where you want to be.