True Success Lies Beyond Career and Possessions

It’s crucial for parents to raise children to develop effective communication, emotional resilience, mental well-being, and the skills to manage relationships—whether personal, professional, or corporate. Teaching children how to connect with others, build rapport, and, fundamentally, how to be a good human being is indispensable. These interpersonal skills are essential for navigating life’s challenges, especially in professional settings, where relationship management goes beyond transactions to build trust, respect, and reliability.

We often teach children about the material world but neglect the importance of their inner world. Meditation and yoga, especially meditation, play a vital role in nurturing this inner balance and should be given the same importance, if not more.

Reflecting on my own journey, I see how my overthinking and internal conflicts have shaped my career trajectory in unexpected ways. Despite my skill level, professional success, and the high regard from my colleagues, I’ve rarely stayed at any job for more than a couple of years. In fact, most of my roles have lasted around a year, with only a couple of exceptions in a 13-year span. It wasn’t that my skills were lacking; rather, it was my internal narratives that often led me to leave.

For instance, when I left India, it was abrupt. I had secured a tempting job offer in Dubai, and while I had built great rapport and trust with my boss in India, with many dependencies on me, I didn’t know how to exit the company gracefully or manage the relationship aspect. There was a fear of jeopardizing my Dubai job offer and of spoiling my relationship with my boss in India. So, without formally resigning, I left the company under the pretense of being unwell and dealing with family issues, saying I wouldn’t return—but in reality, I flew straight to Dubai.

Two years later, when I left Dubai, it was once again abrupt. Professionally, we were doing exceptionally well—I had even started my own agency there with the support of an investor. However, my departure was due to misunderstandings and arguments with the investors, largely driven by my overthinking, and I failed to manage those relationships effectively. In Malaysia, at Zalora, my exit was marked by a clash with the CFO—a heated argument where I lost my temper and behaved poorly. Then, in Australia, I left Temple & Webster in an unsettled state, partly due to family tensions and partly due to a confrontation with the senior leader and strategy manager, triggered by issues that were more mental than actual.

These issues weren’t about capability or fit. In fact, I earned considerable respect for the quality of my work, and they never wanted me to leave because I was highly effective in my role. Financially, I did well, often earning more than many colleagues and peers of my age and qualifications, and I enjoyed both financial success and respect for my skills and contributions. I’ve maintained a fairly luxurious lifestyle for a long period, something only possible with strong core professional skills—which, in my case, I have, and everyone agrees on. However, I’ve struggled to sustain this success due to a lack of personal skills.

While my professional skills, including team management and mentoring, are very strong, my personal skill set—especially in managing relationships with senior leaders and personal connections—is very weak. The real issues have always been rooted in my thought patterns and overthinking. Looking back, I realize that decisions made in moments of emotional turmoil have left me without strong references or long-term professional allies.

This pattern has, in many ways, impacted my confidence. Despite being respected and valued in each role, I haven’t cultivated the kind of lasting professional support network that comes with longer tenures and smooth transitions. Now, more than ever, I see the importance of instilling resilience, emotional intelligence, and relationship management in children—so they learn to handle complex emotions, work through conflicts constructively, and understand that thriving in any environment isn’t just about skills but about sustaining positive relationships. This is a lesson I’m committed to passing on and applying to my own future.

I’m now at a stage where I’ve not only got my own life to shape but also the responsibility of raising my child. One of the most important realizations I’ve had as a parent is that we need to teach our kids how to handle complex emotions. We don’t often address this as a society, and I honestly don’t think most of us, as adults, have the skill to do so effectively. Our generation wasn’t raised with a focus on emotional well-being or mental resilience. In the culture I come from, success has traditionally been defined by earning power, achieving a high position, or reaching specific milestones. But happiness, emotional management, and healthy relationships? Those were rarely discussed, let alone taught.

As I reflect on this, I’m not even sure I’m fully capable of imparting these skills. But my focus has shifted—I want to raise a human who is genuinely happy, mentally healthy, and resilient. For me, mental strength and emotional stability are paramount. If my son can grow up mentally strong, able to navigate his feelings and manage relationships well, I’m confident he’ll find his way in the world. The reality of today’s rapidly changing world, with technology and AI reshaping industries and opportunities, means that specific career paths are uncertain. But I believe that if he’s grounded, emotionally resilient, and has strong interpersonal skills, he’ll thrive, no matter what.

I’ve come to realize that no matter how much you earn, where you live, or the lifestyle you create, these things only offer short-term happiness. They might give satisfaction or a sense of accomplishment, but it’s always fleeting. Real, lasting happiness comes from within—it’s a product of mental strength, inner peace, and contentment that no job, house, car, or material achievement can sustain for long. These things are merely the tools we use to navigate life; they’re not life itself.

True happiness lies within us, yet this is something most of us don’t learn early on. As a parent, I want to instill this understanding in my child from a young age. I want him to grow up knowing that while he’ll certainly need to make a living, his true well-being will never come solely from external successes. It’s the inner strength, the inner happiness, that forms the foundation of a fulfilling life. My focus as a parent will be to create an environment that nurtures this mindset, to help him understand that happiness is an internal journey. This, I believe, is the greatest gift I can give him: a compass that guides him toward genuine contentment and resilience, no matter what challenges life throws his way.

Also, in my personal life, I’ve struggled with building and maintaining long-term relationships. I don’t have any “best friends” or people I feel deeply connected to for the long haul. I’ve made many friends along the way—in India, Dubai, Malaysia, and now Sydney—but when we lose regular contact, the connections fade away. Currently, I’m not in touch with any of my friends, not even those in Sydney. This isn’t because I don’t care or value these relationships, but because managing emotions and relationships has been a challenge. Insecurities, dependencies, and a need for unwavering loyalty sometimes cloud my approach to friendships, which is not the healthiest way to sustain them.

Long-distance friendships have been especially hard for me. I had a close friend in India and Malaysia, but I rarely reach out to them now. It’s not about being self-centered; it’s that staying connected doesn’t come naturally to me. I get so caught up in my daily life that I forget the importance of nurturing these bonds. I know I should be calling, checking in, giving my time and energy, but I don’t. And it’s not just friends—I’m also out of touch with cousins and relatives. This isn’t a matter of intention; it’s a reflection of my inability to manage relationships over the long run, partly due to my own emotional patterns and mental blocks.

Hence, it’s crucial to learn the art of relationship management—how to genuinely connect, be gentle, gracious, and kind. Grace, in particular, is essential. Alongside it, maintaining mental clarity and well-being is equally vital. Avoiding overthinking, unnecessary emotional dramas, and self-imposed mental burdens helps keep life lighter and more fulfilling. I’ve realized the importance of low expectations, generosity, and grace toward others, as well as the need for a resilient, uncomplicated mind. But I often complicate things, overthink situations, and create challenges in my own head.

Recognizing these tendencies has made me more committed to improving from here on, to embrace a healthier mindset and a simpler, more generous outlook. I now know these patterns are areas I need to work on. And with a new human in the house—my child—it’s even more important to break these cycles. I want to be the example of a balanced, grounded person for him, ensuring he learns the values of simplicity, strength, and grace in life. He shouldn’t carry these patterns forward, but instead, grow up with mental clarity, kindness, and the ability to navigate life with true inner peace.

My second focus now, given my own professional journey, is to build my own business. This decision comes from the need to regain control and independence after years of short-lived roles that left me without strong professional references or a reliable support network. Creating a business allows me to avoid depending on a track record that lacks long-term stability, freeing me from the need for someone else’s endorsement or permission to succeed. Through this, I aim to achieve true freedom—both in terms of time and finances. This isn’t a short-term endeavor; it’s a commitment. I’ll keep pushing forward, learning, and growing until I make it work because, ultimately, I believe this path will not only give me independence but also set a powerful example for my son.