Are you an aspiring entrepreneur, a life-long learner, or someone seeking personal growth? Have you ever wondered how failures can shape your success, why financial literacy is crucial, or how relationships can be your most significant challenge and growth catalyst? How does self-awareness and respect for money shape your life choices? Dive into this captivating narrative to find your answers and more!

Do Epic Shit

Ankur Warikoo's journey with success is deeply intertwined with his relationship with failure. The countless mistakes he's made have been his greatest teachers, guiding him towards success in unexpected ways. This isn't a guide on how to be successful; it's about defining success for oneself and using failures as stepping stones.

Imagine the thrill of accomplishing more in a day than planned. Ankur aimed to complete five tasks but ended up doing seven, with more energy and productivity. That feeling of surpassing his own expectations is a true measure of success.

A year from now, one might regret not starting today. Begin now, even if doubts and fear are faced. Time leaves us with regret or results, and the choice is ours. Commit to promises without needing follow-ups. Actions, not words, define us and shape our luck.

Persistence is not a one-day miracle but a habit. Like sticking with a slow-starting Netflix series because a friend promised it would get better, we should treat our goals the same way. Keep at them, and they will eventually become interesting and rewarding.

Why limit ourselves to one identity? We can be entrepreneurs who create content, professionals with side hustles, or athletes pursuing further education. Ankur embraces multiple roles in life. Consistency and authenticity are key in the content game and life. If one is true to oneself, consistency becomes effortless.

The world constantly defines success and failure for us. Ankur rewrites those definitions for himself. Success is a relationship with one's own self. If you're unhappy, start exploring new opportunities without quitting what you have. The journey to success is often filled with failures, but it's the process and who you become that matter most.

In his 20s, Ankur made many mistakes, from pursuing an education he didn't love to blaming himself for others' unhappiness. He assumed money would solve all problems and judged others harshly. But these mistakes taught him valuable lessons about happiness, self-worth, and the true nature of success.

In his 30s, Ankur repeated some mistakes, like hiring based on pedigree and ignoring personal relationships. He learned that success isn't just about knowledge but also about dealing with people. Time is precious, and leadership should adapt to individuals. Financial decisions and lifestyle standards should reflect true values, not societal expectations.

Reflecting on his journey, Ankur sees that his failures shaped who he is today. From being rejected by prestigious institutions to struggling financially, each experience taught him resilience and self-awareness. He wouldn't change a thing because these failures made him who he is.

Embrace your scars; they tell your story. Success and failure are merely outcomes, while the journey and transformation are what truly define us.

Can Failure Be the Secret Ingredient to Your Success?

For years, Ankur has been a student of habits. Instead of setting goals, which often lead to a continuous chase for new destinations, Ankur focuses on habits that shape who he becomes. Whether it's the habit of sleeping on time, recording videos for years with no audience, or maintaining a blog since 2005, habits have opened multiple doors for him.

The secret to waking up early isn’t just setting an alarm; it’s about going to bed on time to wake up energized. Documenting your journey and sharing your story can inspire others. Curiosity creates more opportunities than hard work ever will. Targets can be the enemy of habits, making us forget the process that shapes us.

Struggles are inevitable, but their meaning can be chosen. Instead of making assumptions, ask questions. This improves communication and understanding. Essential skills often overlooked include humor, storytelling, managing money, and human psychology.

Ankur's daily routine includes waking up at 4:30 a.m., meditating, singing, reading, and playing tennis, driven by passion. Writing for self-expression and reading books that you enjoy can be transformative. The first and last hours of his day are dedicated to personal and family time, reflecting what’s most important to him.

Consistency in small, easy-to-ignore tasks can lead to significant life changes. True progress is a mindset, not just an action. Reading, writing, and watching motivational videos are not the answers; the stories we tell ourselves and the actions we take are.

Listening genuinely, being present, and understanding the stories we hear and tell ourselves shape who we are. Optimize for learning, progress, and facing fears, not just stability and comfort. The easiest tasks, if done with consistency, can change your life.

Don't let others dictate your sleep time. Prioritize sleep and self-love over social media and streaming. Comfort is a destination, but continuous effort is the path to true happiness.

In a society obsessed with hard work, seeking boredom and free time can be rebellious but essential for success. Saying no, choosing the right influences, and creating opportunities through curiosity are vital.

Here’s a peek into Ankur's habits:
1. Carry a notebook for ideas, tasks, and meeting notes.
2. Document everything.
3. Use a calendar for all important tasks.
4. Schedule future emails.
5. Utilize technology for efficiency.
6. Share your calendar with your spouse for better coordination.
7. Use WhatsApp self-groups for storing important documents and thoughts.
8. Take a daily afternoon nap.
9. Set the right environment for work and relaxation.
10. Create sensory hooks for important tasks.

As the world evolves, it's easier to fall into laziness or rise above it. Intent matters more than capability. The human mind thrives on progress, so set your life to measure and achieve it.

Harness Habits like Tim Ferriss for Life-Changing Success

Make decisions from awareness, not ignorance. Awareness drives better decisions, just like fitness, journaling, and leadership need consistent effort.

Decisions guide our path, not just our destinations. Living true to yourself, despite societal pressures, is challenging but crucial.

Emotional debt—unspoken love, unoffered apologies—outweighs financial debt. It’s important to prioritize actions that align with your true self. When making decisions, don’t aim for both options; choose one and learn from it. Calmness in adversity is a powerful skill, and everyone carries a heavy burden, so be kind.

Procrastination stems from fear, not laziness. Achieving true satisfaction and security in your journey is vital. Embrace calmness as a sign of inner fire and strength. Your self-talk shapes your self-worth, so choose empowering narratives.

Movement creates momentum; stagnation breeds sadness. Take risks, understand your worst-case scenario, and seek reassurance from loved ones. Authentic happiness in your work shows through, and unfinished tasks signal misplaced priorities.

Most decisions are reversible, and embracing this can open new opportunities. Authenticity means no competition; no one can beat you at being yourself. Awareness is the first step; execution is crucial. Find joy in the pursuit of your passion, not in comparison with others.

Choose hard but right actions over easy ones. We’re addicted to emotions, not things. College should help you find yourself, not just a job. Choices are always available; fear of failure often holds us back.

Regret teaches valuable lessons. Learn from everyone, not just the chosen few. Control your reactions to the world's opinions. Focus on the future, not past investments. Be specific when seeking help and avoid complaints.

Fitness teaches discipline. Embrace change and reject entitlement. Gratitude over entitlement, and how you treat those with nothing to offer defines you. Seek what you truly desire, not just what you dream.

Could Tony Robbins’ Wisdom Transform Your Life Decisions?

As a founder, you must show up every single day, no matter what. People prefer working for a competent jerk over an incompetent nice guy. Entrepreneurship is hard, and the initial excitement fades quickly. When it does, the stories you tell yourself about why you started will keep you going. Capability is rarely the issue; intent is. People lack intent when they don't like their leader, aren't driven, or feel unacknowledged. 

Building a team is 90% understanding and 10% execution, with 100% patience. Trust is crucial. Ankur's first manager taught him that delivering error-free work builds trust, which is vital in any role. Entrepreneurship is a mindset, not a profession. You can be entrepreneurial in any job by treating it like your own business and solving problems beyond your job description.

Compounding is a powerful concept, both in investment and founder dilution. Founder dilution feels minor initially but becomes significant as your company grows. Remember, no one cares about your credentials; they care about how well you solve their problems. Raising funds is just the beginning, not a victory. It's an obligation to deliver returns to investors.

Trust is the foundation of a strong team. Ankur trusts his team members to find solutions, even if they don't know the answers initially. Attitude trumps experience and education. An optimistic, driven individual will grow and learn more effectively than a skilled pessimist.

Leadership means admitting your mistakes, trusting your team, and empowering them. Strong teams make it hard to identify the boss from the outside. Entrepreneurship reveals your true self, especially during tough times. The ability to stay calm and lead effectively during challenging moments is a valuable skill.

Show people their potential rather than telling them what not to do. Entrepreneurship is not about quitting your job to start a business; it's about testing your ideas while maintaining your stability. Build a culture that supports and uplifts each other, even in failure.

When you raise money, you're accountable to investors, not just customers. Understand that someone else is likely working on the same idea you have. Focus on your unique approach to solving problems. Regular, candid feedback is essential for team growth and company success. 

Asshole founders can start companies but fail to build lasting institutions. Great leaders make themselves replaceable in tasks but irreplaceable in vision. Trust is a competitive advantage. Ankur pays his team on time and trusts them from day one, fostering accountability and surprising results.

The worst reasons to become an entrepreneur are to make money, escape a job you hate, or follow a trend. True entrepreneurs are driven by internal motivations and a genuine desire to solve problems, prepared for both success and failure. Great leaders are dispensable in execution but indispensable in vision. Trust, courage, and the right intentions are the foundations of successful entrepreneurship.

From Comic-Renting Kid to Entrepreneur: Lessons in Leadership and Trust

When Ankur was young, his father explained that growing up without money would lead him to either chase it or rise above it. While Ankur acknowledged money's importance, he believed that constantly pursuing it was a poor use of time. 

He understood that money buys freedom, a privilege that enables wise choices. However, Ankur made many mistakes with money due to his early disdain for it. Here are some errors he hopes you can avoid:

1. Real Estate Loans: Ankur took loans for real estate, expecting price appreciation to cover interest, but he failed to consider taxes and inflation.

2. Startup Investments: Instead of paying off loans, Ankur invested in startups, hoping for quick returns, akin to gambling.

3. Illiquid Assets: Ankur invested in startups and real estate, neglecting liquid assets like stocks and gold, which left him cash-poor during tough times.

4. Equity Over Salary: Ankur took lower-than-market salaries, overvaluing equity, which left him with little wealth when things didn't pan out.

5. Future Overpresent: Ankur maintained a high lifestyle on credit, hoping for a future windfall to resolve his debts.

6. Market Timing: Ankur bought high and sold low, driven by panic and greed.

7. Breaking Investments: Ankur broke mutual funds for quick cash, disrupting compounding growth.

8. Disparaging His Wife's Investments: Ankur mocked his wife’s mutual fund and gold investments, which ultimately saved them multiple times.

Through these mistakes, Ankur learned valuable lessons about taxes, inflation, compounding, liquidity, and patience. 

Here are ten common money mistakes to avoid:
1. Not Valuing Time: Understand the monetary value of your time.
2. Easy Money: Don’t waste time for small savings; prioritize high-impact activities.
3. Excessive Loans: Loans can trap you in debt and limit risk-taking.

4. Capped Income Belief: Focus on increasing income, not just cutting expenses.
5. Timing the Market: Regular, long-term investments are more effective.
6. FOMO Investing: Invest based on personal research, not trends.

7. Renting Time: Own assets that generate income passively.
8. Late Investing: Start investing as early as possible.
9. Comparing Wealth: Focus on your financial decisions, not others’ outcomes.
10. Chasing Money: Use money to gain freedom, but don’t let it consume you.

Bonus: Risk-Taking: Take financial risks when young, as recovery time is ample.

The biggest lie Ankur believed was that money is the root of all evil. Instead, it’s the undue importance we place on it that can be harmful. Understanding and respecting money is crucial for financial freedom and making informed decisions.

Books like "Rich Dad Poor Dad," "Psychology of Money," and "Intelligent Investor," along with insights from his wife, Ruchi, and thinkers like Naval Ravikant and Morgan Housel, have profoundly shaped Ankur's financial perspective. Remember, if you don't respect money, it won't respect you either.

Can Naval Ravikant and 'Rich Dad Poor Dad' Influence Your Financial Wisdom?

Relationships are crucial for our growth but often present the biggest challenges. As "The Courage to be Disliked" suggests, many of our problems stem from interpersonal relationships. The journey begins with the relationship we have with ourselves. Would you befriend yourself? Marry yourself? Be your own boss?

We often tolerate flaws in ourselves that we wouldn't accept in others. True change starts within. We cannot choose our family, but we can choose to heal from past wounds. Healing is essential, not optional. Holding grudges only hurts us more than the initial wrong.

Communication is key to resolving issues. Whether with others or ourselves, talking can transform problems into actionable steps. Genuine gratitude and kindness, even if not reciprocated, are foundations for healthy relationships.

Empathy is innate; it can't be taught. Understanding others comes naturally to some, while others may struggle. Respect, however, is a higher form of empathy. It acknowledges someone's journey and their handling of it with grace.

Everyone has something to teach us. Approaching people with an open mind can reveal new knowledge and insights. Encouraging truth and vulnerability fosters trust and discourages dishonesty.

True respect means admiring someone even after knowing their flaws. It's easy to respect from a distance, but genuine respect comes from understanding and accepting someone as they are.

Avoid relationships that drain your energy. Surround yourself with positive influences and maintain a healthy inner dialogue. How we treat others reflects how we feel about ourselves.

We are influenced by the thoughts we entertain, not just the people we spend time with. Choose your sources of inspiration wisely.

As you embark on your journey, remember that the most powerful tools lie within you. Embrace them, and you will never be defeated.

The Courage to Be Disliked: Transforming Relationships and Embracing Inner Strength

Success is a deeply personal journey marked by learning from failures. Defining success for oneself involves using mistakes as stepping stones. Surpassing personal expectations and committing to one's goals without needing follow-ups are true measures of success. Persistence, consistency, and authenticity play crucial roles in achieving goals. Embracing multiple roles and staying true to oneself can lead to a fulfilling life.

The journey to success involves constant reflection and learning from mistakes. In his 20s and 30s, Ankur made many errors, but each taught him valuable lessons about happiness, self-worth, leadership, and financial decisions. Embracing failures and understanding their role in shaping resilience and self-awareness is essential. Consistent habits rather than chasing goals can lead to significant life changes.

True progress comes from the stories we tell ourselves and the actions we take. Prioritizing sleep, personal well-being, and authentic happiness over societal pressures is crucial. Entrepreneurship is about intent and solving problems, not just following trends. Building trust and fostering a supportive culture are keys to successful leadership.

Financial literacy and avoiding common money mistakes can lead to financial freedom. Understanding the importance of liquidity, compounding, and making informed decisions about investments is vital. Relationships are central to personal growth, and genuine communication, empathy, and respect are foundational for healthy interactions.

Lessons from parents and life experiences highlight the importance of risk-taking, perseverance, and showing up every day. Respect is earned through actions and conduct, not titles. Time management and discovering one’s unique strengths are powerful tools for navigating life's challenges. Embrace inner tools and resilience to lead a fulfilling and successful life.

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Do Epic Shit

Ankur Warikoo

7 Key ideas

18 MINS

4.4 (892)

Are you an aspiring entrepreneur, a life-long learner, or someone seeking personal growth?

Have you ever wondered how failures can shape your success, why financial literacy is crucial, or how relationships can be your most significant challenge and growth catalyst?

How does self-awareness and respect for money shape your life choices?

Dive into this captivating narrative to find your answers and more!