Weekends are all about downtime. After a week full of work to meet deadlines, everybody needs some breather to relax and recuperate. From watching a favourite web series to planning a vacation, weekends are designated as family and me time. Ankit Aggarwal, founder and CEO, Unstop, talks to BrandWagon Online about his weekends, favourite vacation destination and more.
1. What is the one thing you like to do when not working?
For the past few months my travel schedule has been crazy so days when I’m not working aren’t common. But in between, whenever I get time, I read articles about the HRTech industry and reports that help me better understand the future of talent. I’ve also been focusing on creating LinkedIn content that can be engaging for my followers. This does take time because sometimes I run out of topics and need time to think of something interesting that will capture the attention of my readers.
2. How do you spend your weekends?
When I am not travelling or in meetings, I like to start my weekends with a quick jog that helps me feel fresh. I also take out time to be with my family and since both my kids go to school, I like to help them with their academics and extracurricular activities. Plus, this is when I experiment with cooking and try to make something healthy and tasty. Sometimes I also go out with friends and colleagues to try different sports like golf!
3. What are your favourite gadgets?
Technology and gadgets are a super important part of my day. My favourite gadgets are my iPhone and laptop, mainly because my day is incomplete without both. But what I love about my phone is that it is so easy to do multiple tasks on it seamlessly. And it is just the right gadget to take great pictures when I’m travelling. I need to collect pictures that can be used in my LinkedIn posts so an iPhone always captures great pictures and this way I don’t have to rely on anyone else. Another gadget I got recently was my Kindle. It got me into the habit of reading often, even when I’m travelling.
4. Given an option to choose another career, what would it be?
As a kid, I had never thought of becoming an entrepreneur. I always wanted to be a pilot, and I did work towards it. But because of a few reasons, this idea didn’t fly. But, if I had another chance, I would try my best to become a pilot because of how much this field fascinated me. Right from the training to flying through the clouds, it was a dream to captain a flight.
5. Which is your favourite vacation spot?
One of my favourite vacation spots is Goa! In fact, a couple of years back, that’s where the whole Unstop team had also gone for the offsite. It just has the right vibes and allows you to relax and enjoy. I love the cafés and the beaches there and when you go with a bunch of people it becomes even better. Whenever I’ve gone to Goa, I feel relaxed and like to take time to walk on the beach and just enjoy the serenity. In this hustle of life, these little moments go a long way.
6. A TV show, a movie, and an ad campaign you highly recommend watching
Though I’ve not been in touch with the latest movies and shows, one show I would recommend is The Night Manager starring Hugh Laurie & Tom Hiddleston. It is a great thriller, and you’re always at the edge of your seat, waiting for the next thing to happen. One movie that I recommend is Bahubali. It feels like a cinematic masterpiece with such a good story. Lastly, one ad campaign that’s on the top of my mind – The Phone Pe campaign around the World Cup. It beautifully portrays the story of one girl who has shifted to a new place and the way PhonePe seamlessly finds a place in her life.