Founder @WebVeda, Content creator @wariCrew, Speaker, Author. Eternal Optimist.

My overarching mission is to empower people to make choices in life from a point of awareness, not ignorance.

Over the past 15 years in the internet and technology space, I’ve had the privilege of working on several ventures - founding some, investing in others, and learning from all. 

Over 15 million people follow my work across social platforms, where I share my experiences and insights on career, mindset, startups, personal finance, and relationships.

Today, my main focus is building WebVeda, an online school helping young professionals develop practical life skills across entrepreneurship, personal growth, and career management.
We have over 450,000 paid students worldwide with an average completion rate of 72%.

I’ve also written five bestselling books that have sold 1Mn+ copies worldwide across 63 countries:
- Do Epic Shit (2022)
- Get Epic Shit Done (2023)
- Make Epic Money (2024)
- Build An Epic Career (2025)
- Beyond The Syllabus (2025): for teenagers only

It’s been a journey shaped more by reflection and exploration than certainty, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Ankur Warikoo

No one is thinking about you as much as you are. 
Try this 👇

When was the last time you remembered someone else's awkward moment or small mistake?

Tough to recall (at least for me).

Now flip it:

When was the last time you replayed one of your own awkward moments over and over?

That's the Spotlight Effect.

The tendency to overestimate how much people think about what we do, say, or feel.

Most people are too focused on themselves to be focusing on us.

The next time you're overthinking something you said or did, ask yourself:
"If someone else did this, would I even remember it tomorrow?"

You likely won't.

Not everything has to mean something.
Protect your peace.

Helping you build a life you love • Founder @WebVeda • Speaker • 5X Bestselling Author • 16M+ community

Daily reminder:

Not everyone will reciprocate your kindness.

Some won't care.

Some might even manipulate it.

And yet…

Being kind, empathetic, and optimistic even when the world gets you down is not foolishness.

It's an act of bravery.

It's an act of believing in something bigger than yourself.

Because who would you be, if you are not kind?

Someone isn’t respecting your work.
Someone took your important project lightly. 
Someone made fun of you.

All this makes you question yourself:
“Maybe they’re right. Maybe I’m not good enough. Maybe I do not belong here.”

Here is what I have realised:

People project their own insecurities.
They see your effort through the lens of their own ego.

So don’t chase their validation.

You can do everything “right” and still be misunderstood.
Still be dismissed.
Still be disrespected.

But that says more about them than you.
It doesn’t make you any less.

Respect isn’t earned.
It’s what everyone deserves — simply because we exist.

Image via Dora Vanourek.

40% of Execs Fail Their First Year - My Clients Don’t | I Help Newly Appointed Execs Build Credibility, Navigate Politics & Avoid Costly Missteps | xIBM | xPwC | Fortune 100 Coach | CPCC | Certified Executive Coach

Procrastination isn’t a failure of willpower.
You’re stuck because you’re trying to figure out the entire journey.

Here’s a simple framework that removes the overwhelm:

The ABZ framework.

I was introduced to this framework in a conversation with the author of Atomic Habits, James Clear. 

A - Where you are right now.
B - Your next step after A.
Z - Where you want to be.

To reach where we want, we think we must know all the steps; from A to Z. 
Which can be overwhelming and naturally, lead to procrastination. 

James says otherwise. 

We only need to focus on B — the next step — and try to achieve it.

Once we have achieved B, it becomes our new A.
And we work towards the new B.

In the larger scheme of things, we are going from A to Z.

One step at a time.
With laser focus.
Minus the “what if’s” and pressure.

What other hacks help you deal with procrastination?

The one thing that gives you disproportionate returns for life?
Investing in yourself.

Not just with money — through books or courses.
But everything around you!

Every conversation.
Every mistake.
Even your psychological patterns.

This is the learning framework I use:

1. Absorb what others know or did differently.

2. Apply it to my own context.

3. Adjust when things turn out differently — by asking what worked, what didn't, and what I could do differently next time.

The third step is where growth happens.

With how fast the world is progressing, it's no longer just knowledge that makes you stand out.
It's how you connect insights and turn understanding into action.

The smartest people I've met never say, "I know enough."
They stay curious and keep evolving.

That's the only edge that compounds for life:
Being a student of everything.

For years, a friend of mine was stuck in a rut.
They'd say: I'm too tired to start a new project. The market is too tough right now, why bother?

They called it realism.
But I could sense there was a deeper problem.

Their vocabulary wasn't reflecting their life — it was increasing the stagnation.

Your mind is like Google.

If you search "Is coffee good for me?" — you'll find thousands of articles.
But you'll also find thousands of articles for "Is coffee bad for me?"

Similarly, every time you say, "I'm stuck," your brain will find reasons to prove you right. 

The solution isn't motivation.
It's to ask the right questions and understand yourself better.

Stop saying: "I'm exhausted." 
Ask: "What is this showing me about my energy?"

Stop saying: "I'm confused." 
Ask: "Which step am I most afraid to take next?"

Stop saying: "I can't."
Say: "I am learning how."

This is the hardest kind of work. 
It feels uncomfortable starting out.

But your mind is brilliant at one thing: Proving you right.

Give it the right challenge. 
Give it a new story. 
Watch how fast it finds the evidence to support your growth.

Don't wait for your reality to change your words.

Change your words to change your reality.

There's one non-negotiable condition for success:

The ability to work well with other people.

No one wins alone. 
We all stand on the shoulders of those who've helped us along the way.

But this is what most people miss:

It's not just any person who helps you win.
It's the right kind of person.

Someone who is smart, hardworking, committed, driven, and has high integrity.

People like this are rare, but they do exist.
And when you find them, they change everything.

They help you grow, scale, think clearly, and become a better version of yourself.

That's why successful people do something most people don't:
They are extremely generous towards such people.

Generous with their time.
Generous with their money.
Generous with their advice and support.

Because they know that when the right people win, everyone around them wins too.

So instead of asking, "Who will help me get ahead?"
Ask, "Who can I help today whom I truly want to see win?"

PS: Every week, I share such thoughts in my newsletter. You can receive that email for free by subscribing here: bit.ly/4b4HMqk

li_at

JSESSIONID

I got my first job at 24, earning Rs. 14,746 per month.
At 26, I was earning 12L per annum.
At 29, 33L per annum.

Here's how it happened:

At 24, I dropped out of my PhD in the US and came back to India.

With no visibility over my future, I had to get a job.

After 45 days of walk-in interviews and applying through newspaper ads, I appeared for the final round of NIS Sparta.

They asked me what my salary expectations were.
I had no idea how to answer.
But I thought 10K PM would suffice.

They offered me ~15K PM in hand.
Way more money than I expected.

The role was to design training programs for large companies.
Something I knew nothing about.

But the company took a bet on me because I was willing to learn.
So I worked hard to prove them right.

I also saw my colleagues, who had an MBA, with a much sharper understanding of the same concepts.

I thought an MBA could be a good way to pivot from Physics to Management.

As luck would have it, I came across ISB.
A 1 year MBA.

But I would have to take a mega loan.
The EMI would be 20K (over 10 years).

I asked myself, "Would I be able to get a job out of ISB that would pay 35K per month: 
20K for the loan and 15K I was already earning?"

The data suggested yes.

This was the first loan of our family.
Before this, no one would have agreed to give us one!

While at ISB, I got to know about consulting.

The top 10% of the batch would typically be the consulting shortlists.
I was in the top 15%.

In this case, I thought it's best to be a generalist.
I maintained my rank + did a lot more of everything else.

I got shortlisted for 2 consulting firms: BCG and ATKearney.

I bombed the BCG interview in the first round.
Cleared ATK's first round.
In the second round, I fumbled.

But maybe they took a bet on me.
I got another shot with the MD.
Gave it my best.

Landed one of the best jobs on campus with 12 LPA!

Within 1.5 yrs I was promoted — fastest ever in the firm.
My salary doubled.

When I left ATK in 2009, I was earning 33L.

I started with 3L 5 years ago. Wild!

As I reflect upon this, I realised that this only happened because people bet on me.

The only thing I did was be grateful for the opportunity and work hard once I got it.

If people take a bet on you, bet on the same thing.
Yourself!

The right time is always in hindsight.
In the moment, there is only action and hope.

I randomly met my batchmate from ISB one day.

He spoke about a new venture he had started.
I asked him if I could help, along with my day job.
He graciously agreed.

If I hadn't met him that evening, I would have continued to wait for the "right moment" to become an entrepreneur. 

In the beginning, every step feels uncertain or premature.
But that's also the start of everything worthwhile.

Clarity comes from movement, not before it.
Confidence is built through doing, not thinking.

We wait for signs, when the only real sign is the discomfort of not starting.

You act → you learn → you adapt → and that action, in hindsight, becomes perfect timing.

What does true respect really mean?

Is it saying the right words, keeping the right tone, and making sure we come across as polite?

Or is that just social behaviour?

Here's what I think:

True respect is built in the moments when the other person is not around.
It's in how you speak about them when they can't hear you.
When they're not present to defend themselves.

Because respect isn't about being nice in person.
It's about being fair in spirit.

You don't earn respect by smiling at someone in a meeting and then mocking them later.
You earn it by choosing empathy and silence over unnecessary opinions.

True respect is when your words stay kind, even in someone's absence.
That's the kind of respect that builds character.
The kind that truly lasts.

PS: I share more of what I learn and observe on my WhatsApp channel, as a daily video reminder. 

Join from the link in comments.

"I've been taking it slow lately. Trying to figure what I really want."

During a 1:1, one of my team members said this with guilt, like she owed me an apology.
But I wish she knew what I knew in that moment.

This year, almost every 1:1 with my team sounded like that.

My team (wariCrew) works remotely.
Some meet once every few months, some once a year, some none at all.

And that's the funny thing about remote work.
You think you're the only one feeling what you're feeling.

But this year, every single person on my team downsized their life.

In their 20s, when the world screams hustle, they chose pause.

They stopped chasing clients that didn't inspire them.
They took up hobbies they'd forgotten.
Some moved back home to be near their parents.
Some started therapy.
Some began sleeping early.
Some quit drinking.

Their incomes dropped a little.
But their nerves calmed.
Their lives came back.

No one called it a plan.
No one announced it on social media.
Almost everyone felt guilty and unsure, in that moment.

But I couldn't be prouder.

Because slowing down in your 20s isn't laziness.
It's courage.
It's realizing that life's not a race, it's a rhythm - and you get to set the beat.

It's also a privilege which not too many people have.
If you do have that option, it is a pity not to make the most of it.

When I told that to the team member, she smiled - surprised and relieved.
She said, "I thought I was the only one."

That's what growing up really is.
Realizing that slowing down isn't falling behind.
It's just finding your own pace.

PS: This is a reproduction of my weekly newsletter which I send every Friday to 118,000+ subscribers. In this newsletter I share pics, books, quotes, fun facts and a thought of the week. 

Join from the link in comments.

wariCrew

What do you do if you find yourself in a toxic workplace? 
The simplest answer would be to leave.

But that’s not a realistic answer.
You have bills to pay.

So you have a battle to fight.
And it is not an easy battle.

Here’s what I’d suggest:

1. Work nights and weekends to find another job. 
Send cold emails, apply to job openings, upskill, etc.

2. Seek support. Your friends’ and family’s support will help make this tough time easier.

3. Set boundaries. Stick to your working hours and your current responsibilities.

4. Leave peacefully. If you didn't say it earlier, don't say it during your exit interview!

No job is worth sacrificing your mental health.

Do not ignore the signs.
Do not ignore your relationships.
Do not ignore yourself.

Image via Dora Vanourek.

Helping Newly Appointed Executives Succeed in Complex, High-Stakes Environments | First-Year Executive Transitions | ex-IBM | ex-PwC| F100 Advisor | CPCC

Bishal Roy

October 2003 — I was a PhD student in the US.
I was good at what I was doing. But I was not happy.

Something was missing. I didn't know what.

I was confused. Directionless.

One day, I went for a walk around the campus with my camera. 
I clicked a photo of a fence with barbed wires. 

While clicking, I had tears in my eyes. 
It reminded me of my life: 

Open fields, yet caged. 
Could see far out, but couldn't cross.

Cut to 2016, I got a chance to go back to campus.
I wondered if this spot still existed after 13 years.

Vaguely remembering the route, I got to the parking lot.
And there it was, as if nothing had changed.

I was instantly transported to that day in 2003.
Clueless at the age of 23.

And there was only one wish I had at that moment.

Go back to the 23 year old Ankur and tell him, "You are going to be okay!"

I know what it is to be confused in life.
To be doing what you had worked towards, and yet not be happy.
To not have any goal, any target, any direction.

And if you are going through the same, I can imagine how it must feel.

The only thing I can tell you, that I wish for you to hear right now, is that "You are going to be okay."

3 things we do at WebVeda.com that most founders would call risky.
(But we call empowering.)

1. Working for another company (even 'competitors').

It's not just allowed. It's encouraged!

Better yet, I have introduced them to roles that my acquaintances had openings for. 
Because I know through this, 
- They will grow in their skills
- They will understand their time-money relationship
- They will always want to return 10X of that trust (provided you spent time picking people with the right value system)

Win-win-win!

2. No working hours. No working days.

Whether a team member works 9-5, after 10pm, or takes a day off, I don't mind.

As long as the work is completed as per their deadlines (mutually decided in advance), they can work however they wish to.

Love hearing adventurous stories during our catchup calls :)) 

3. 100% transparency.
The company's financials, team's compensation and the basis of it — nothing is hidden.

I want people to focus on their work and growth.
Not in uncovering secrets!

Here is our entire compensation and benchmarking sheet: https://lnkd.in/e-XspdUe

How can anything gain value after getting spoiled?

When milk goes bad, it becomes paneer, which is more expensive than milk.
When grapes are spoiled and fermented, they become wine, which is more expensive than grapes.

In most areas of life, when something goes bad, it loses worth.

But humans don’t work that way.

The most capable and successful people didn’t get there by avoiding mistakes.
They got there by reflecting on them.
They got there by moving through them.

To have meaningful growth, this is the one mindset you must embrace.

Making mistakes is not the mistake.
Not learning from them is!

A setback can be a TRANSFORMATION in disguise!

“I’ve wasted 11 years of my life.”

I was speaking to a 29-year-old singer.

On paper, she’s doing everything “right”: pursuing CA, working at a respected MNC, building a stable future.


But in her heart, she feels she took a wrong turn at 18.
Choosing Commerce instead of music.

Her music career was picking up, until the pandemic broke her momentum.

She wants to move on, but thinks she needs to correct what has already happened. 
And that’s more common than we admit.

We replay the past, hoping it will somehow give us a different answer.

It feels uncomfortable to move forward when we don’t feel done with what came before.

But in doing so, we pay a heavy price.
We give up the life that’s still possible.

If you’re worried about how the future will unfold, think about the cost of staying exactly where you are.

Is it worth it?

If not, you still have a choice.
To choose a different path.
And it can start today.

Before your goals can take off, your mindset has to.

Here are 7 visual metaphors that’ll rewire the way you think about growth, confidence, and motivation.

Thanks to Pejman Milani for these lovely illustrations.

They’ll help you:

- Live life with curiosity, not fear
- Recognise invisible success
- Understand fear vs. reality, helping you stay grounded

Mindset is the engine behind every goal you’ll achieve.
Strengthen it, and everything else follows.

@milanicreative | Visual teacher simplifying complexity with visual metaphors | +20 years high school teacher

7 Visuals That Will Change The Way You Think!

I write every day.

Not type.
Write!

Why?

Writing is the slowest form of expression.

When you have scattered thoughts and information from multiple sources, this is a necessity.

To select the most important thought from all other thoughts.

And this guide by Colby Kultgen is a great way to instantly feel lighter.

The mind's energy should be spent on processing and analysing information.
Not remembering!

How to Declutter Your Mind

”Tell me how rich you are without actually telling me.”
Someone asked this on Twitter. Here is my response:

1. As a family, we travel for 100+ days a year.
2. At 45, my metabolic age is 36.
3. I work from home and so does my entire team.
4. Our kids love spending time with us.
5. I love spending time with myself — reading, writing, learning, and thinking.
I am my best friend.

In my 20s, I chased money as a goal.
When I did not have any of it, no matter how hard I tried, I began to hate it.

Now when I have a lot of it, I realise that money was never the goal.

It was simply the means.
To the eventual goal.

The eventual goal of living life the way you want.
Having the freedom to make your choices.

The choice of whether to build a unicorn, bootstrap, or not work at all.
The choice of whether to travel or buy a car instead.
The choice of whether to have lots of kids or none at all.
The choice of whether to stay in a city or move to a farm.

The role of money is not to buy you things.
The role of money is to give you freedom.
To make whichever choices you want to make in life.

PS: This is a reproduction of my weekly newsletter which I send every Friday to 118,000+ subscribers. In this newsletter I share pics, books, quotes, fun facts and a thought of the week. 

Sign up here: bit.ly/4b4HMqk

“I wasted 6 months on that project.”
“It didn’t work out; it was the wrong decision.”
“I went off-track.”

When something doesn’t go the way we imagined, we label it a mistake.

Not something to be reflected upon.
Not something that paves the way for better decisions.

But nature is a reminder that transition often looks unappealing while it’s happening.

Some phases look confusing or disappointing only because we’re seeing them from the middle, not the end.

So many of my high points were preceded by low ones.

Because they pushed me to change my circumstances.
Because they reminded me that I need to write a better story for myself.

Success = Failure + Reflection.

taplio