The Job
My work is not something I switch on and off; it’s part of who I am. I’ve never fully embraced the traditional concept of work-life balance, as I believe the boundaries between the two naturally blend when you’re passionate about your mission. This requires agility and clarity in all aspects of life. At Excitel, we’re on a mission to connect Bharat with a high-speed wireline. While I don’t get into the daily operations, I shape the company’s trajectory, strategy, and perception across customers, investors, and colleagues.
The Weekdays
My day starts off early at around 6:30 AM. And the first thing I do is check and respond to my email. That’s the perfect time for me to read, reflect, and refresh myself. That’s the time when I actually prepare myself fully for the day ahead. Then I hit the gym and get my daily dose of a 7 km run and other activities. It’s not just the body but also the mind that needs recharge. So, I also spend an hour or so at a nearby Ashram for meditationMeditation.
By 11 or 11:30, I’m ready for the office which might seem unconventional, since we are so used to the 9-to-5 loop. But honestly, I believe that we need to shun this mindset as it is a legacy of the factory age, when you needed everyone at the same time to run an assembly line. If your value is determined by the pattern of your punching in and out of the office, then you are putting yourself and the office in jeopardy. Usually when I come to the office, my meetings start. To get an overview and handle the intricacies, my meetings are scheduled with the managers, stakeholders, and respective teams. Now meetings are meant for planning. It structures everything, like how Monday to Friday will look like.
The Weekends
That time is fully reserved for my family, especially my daughter. On Saturdays, we head out and spend quality time together. There’s no rush. But yes, I never skip my runs. In fact, I normally increase my usual 7 kilometers to about 10-12 kilometers over the weekend. There’s always time to come back and enjoy a good nap.
Weekends are also for books. Right now, I’m deep into Nexus by Yuval Noah Harari. And when I’m not reading, I’m listening to podcasts like Making Sense by Sam Harris, Jordan Peterson, and Picking Nuggets, even while driving. It’s my way of staying curious, grounded, and mentally sharp. These routines keep me alive, kicking, and mentally agile.
The Toys
I’m not big on gadgets, but right now I’m liking my new AirPods with active noise control and honestly, it’s a blessing in disguise. It helps me to be with myself and what’s playing. It’s a game changer. Just pop them in, and everything fades out.
The Logos
Ever since I got into running, my attention has been to treat myself to good quality shoes. Therefore, Skechers and On Cloud are my current favorite brands I dabble with. Coming back to running, I’m also intrigued with the Gabit smart ring. It is a very interesting concept and very precise.
When it comes to my work desk, the Apple ecosystem is something that I swear to. From your iPods, iPhone, iPad, to Mac, the ecosystem is everywhere. So, I think Apple is a brand which is everywhere, for me, all the time.