Ankur Warikoo On Why Success Shouldn’t Come At The Cost Of Yourself Ankur Warikoo’s new book, Winning People Without Losing Yourself, redefines success by urging readers to prioritize self-truth over external validation. Published by Penguin Random House, the work is a deeply personal reflection on relationships, influence, and boundaries in a hyper-connected world. Warikoo challenges the notion that winning requires sacrificing one’s values, arguing instead that true influence stems from staying authentic. The book’s central message is that success, love, and respect do not have to come at the cost of self-respect, a belief Warikoo once internalized but later reevaluated. Warikoo’s journey began in his teenage years, when he described himself as a chronic people-pleaser, driven by the need for approval. “I went above and beyond to be seen a certain way,” he explains, often neglecting his own needs. This pattern persisted until his mid-thirties, when the toll of constant compromise became impossible to ignore. A pivotal moment came as he reexamined his relationships, realizing that being a good friend, colleague, or parent does not inherently require sacrificing self-worth. “Being good to yourself is not a selfish act,” he says, framing this realization as the emotional core of the book. The book critiques a cultural conditioning that equates success with sacrifice, a mindset Warikoo once embraced. “I thought you had to lose in order to win,” he recalls, noting how this belief shaped his early career. Over time, he experimented with a different approach, discovering that meaningful influence and relationships could thrive without eroding self-respect.#penguin_random_house #ankur_warikoo #winning_people_without_losing_yourself #self_respect #self_truth
Is 40 too late to start again? Ankur Warikoo says no At 40, Ankur Warikoo made a bold career decision that defies conventional wisdom about age and ambition. After leaving a fully funded PhD program, abandoning a high-paying job worth Rs 33 lakh, and stepping down from a Rs 600-crore startup, he chose to start over entirely. His journey reflects a pattern of calculated risks and relentless reinvention, with his latest move marking the most significant leap in his career. Warikoo’s decision to walk away from a successful startup to pursue an uncharted path has sparked conversations about the limits of professional ambition. While many might view 40 as a threshold for stability, Warikoo sees it as an opportunity for transformation. His story challenges the notion that career milestones are tied to traditional timelines, instead emphasizing the value of personal agency and adaptability. The move came after years of navigating complex professional landscapes. From academic pursuits to corporate roles, Warikoo’s career has been defined by a willingness to pivot. His latest chapter, however, is particularly striking. By leaving behind a lucrative position and a thriving business, he has embraced uncertainty, choosing to redefine his purpose on his own terms. The decision has been framed as a testament to the power of self-belief. Warikoo’s journey highlights how career motivation can transcend conventional metrics, offering a blueprint for those seeking to break free from societal expectations. His story is not just about risk-taking but about redefining success in a rapidly evolving world. India Today’s coverage of his reset underscores the growing interest in narratives that challenge traditional career trajectories.#india_today #ankur_warikoo #rs_33_lakh #rs_600_crore_startup #career_reinvention
Ankur Warikoo, an entrepreneur known for his unconventional career path, recently shared insights into his bold decisions that reshaped his life. The 40-year-old first abandoned a fully funded PhD program in the United States, choosing to return to India without a clear plan. This move, initially seen as reckless, marked the start of a journey aligned with his personal instincts. Warikoo then left a high-paying consulting job offering Rs 33 lakh annually to pursue the unpredictable world of startups. At a time when many professionals seek stability, he opted for uncertainty, a choice that later proved pivotal. After building a successful startup valued at Rs 600 crore, he made another unexpected decision: stepping away from the venture to launch a new business from scratch at the age of 40. This move challenged traditional notions of success and stability. Warikoo emphasized that self-belief was the constant that sustained him through these risks. He acknowledged that none of his decisions felt certain at the time, with no safety net to fall back on. Yet, his conviction that resilience would allow him to try again if things didn’t work out kept him moving forward. He also highlighted how self-belief has a ripple effect, inspiring others to trust in their own potential. The entrepreneur’s journey resonated with many, sparking discussions about the courage required to defy societal expectations. Online reactions praised his story as a masterclass in trusting oneself, noting that real growth often comes from taking bold risks rather than playing it safe. Some users reflected on how fear is often shaped by uncertainty rather than reality, suggesting that the worst-case scenarios people imagine are frequently based on a lack of information.#startup #india #self_belief #ankur_warikoo #rs_600_crore
