Fast forward!

Where do I see myself in 20 years?

Not that I am giving job interviews, but let's just suppose I am asked the most frequent interview question ever - Where do I see myself in 20 years? In all honesty, it is pretty difficult to give a hard and fast answer to this question, but I guess I will share my thought process with you. Before I tell you my plans, why don't you pause and think for a few seconds, where do you see yourself in 20 years?

The 4-Hour Workweek

Back in 2019, I had finally started thinking about taking up teaching seriously either part-time or as a side business. A lot of people around me suggested this book, the 4-Hour Workweek, by Tim Ferriss. I was told that anyone who wants to explore or build a side venture should read this book and hence, I picked it up. This book talks about the generation of "New Rich", people who work very few hours, earn a decent amount of money and already lead a retired lifestyle. At the very beginning of the book itself, the author asks you a question - If you did not have any job or current engagements, what would you do with your time? And I did not have an answer to it. Usually, people think of traveling, learning music, or checking things off their bucket list after retirement. I do not have a bucket list. When I think about it, I am actually living my retirement already. I am already doing what I love to do and have absolutely no motivation to stop working anytime soon or late. This is why the book did not resonate with me.

Plans do not always work.

I read this book by Swami Vivekananda - Karma-Yoga. It talks about developing a mental discipline that allows one to carry out one's duties as a service to the entire world, as a path to enlightenment. It does sound spiritual but it is an extremely pragmatic book that aligned with my personal beliefs a lot.

I remember when I had planned to start NeoG, it was meant to be a camp for 30 students only, something like the Super30 of Anand Kumar. In 2021, we took in 300 students, and in 2022, it's going to be close to 1000. That is why I can't tell my plans because I know that God will change them for the better. All I need to do is to continue doing my job to the best of my abilities.

So do I have any idea?

Somewhat. I do not know where exactly I would be, but I am pretty sure I would be DOING something. I can be into politics or business. I may still be teaching 20 years down the line. I even hope to architect the best startups in the world or become a VC. I enjoy having an impact on society, that is where I derive my fun from. So I am absolutely certain I would be at the place where I can make the most impact on the lives of people around me.

Turning the tables

So where do you see yourself in 20 years? Tell me what you thought about some minutes ago when I turned the question on you. You can write your answers in the comments below or share them on any social media platform. Excited to hear your side of the story!

P.S. Do you know that tanaypratap's letters has been nominated in the Noonies 2021, presented by Hackernoon, under the category of Best Technology Email Newsletter? If you have ever found the newsletters helpful, please go ahead and vote for me. I will be absolutely grateful!