Mohit Rau 📚 🚢's Linkedin Analytics

The migrant experience is both empowering and exhausting. Ask yourself one question: “Do I like myself?” All those years of struggle can be brutal if you don’t like yourself. Focus on what you feel about yourself. When you focus on impressing people, you will always remain unsatisfied. Sometimes: → Your talent won’t be recognized → Your work won’t be rewarded → Your achievements won’t be applauded Your spiritual growth depends on how you respond in these moments. Do you change yourself to fit in? Or do you stay persistent and continue growing personally? Don’t neglect your spiritual growth for external goals. Being kind to yourself is powerful. Not liking yourself leads to insecurities. Those insecurities affect your health, confidence, attitude, and well-being. People tend to enjoy being around people who are kind and accept themselves. Self-love is a vital element in your journey in a foreign land. — “Good Vibes, Good Life” by Vex King helped me understand the power of self-love. P.S. You don’t need to impress anyone. You need to love who you are becoming.

I have read 100+ books between 2020 and 2025. The toughest phase? The first 3 books. It took me more than 4 months to read those 3 books. → I could not focus → I could not retain the information → I hated note-taking → I struggled to make it a daily habit → I did not take action → I focused on finishing a book rather than learning from it → I read non-fiction like a novel → I felt burnt out  → My environment was not right → I would be distracted by my phone and laptop No wonder it took me 4 months to read 3 books. Just like reading, everything is hard before it is easy. Even your job search and interviews. Don’t quit, do it for one more application. Along the way, you will find a method that will work for you. How much time will it take? I don’t know. Luck is when preparation means opportunity. Before asking how much time, ask how much have you prepared. Reading books was great. It was the journey that helped me find a job. P.S. Tried the Ghibli image transformation - safe to say, it didn’t disappoint!

Ram Topella MBA is someone who can put his thoughts into words beautifully. That is what you would expect from a reader. He has an MBA in Finance from Deakin University. One challenge he has faced in his job search is getting the first opportunity. He believes that “a genius leaves clues”. He addresses this challenge by reflecting, adapting, and learning from others who’ve succeeded. He uses the power of consistency and self-belief as tools to overcome job search hurdles. His career goal is to transition into a role where he can solve complex business challenges He is driven by enhancing sustainability and profitability for clients. Self-reflection is a key part of his being. He poses questions to himself and others such as: → “What drives you to engage with someone you don’t know, especially on a tiring Thursday? → “How did your initial expectations compare to the actual outcome?” The ability to reflect on and answer those questions is a quality he considers one of his core strengths. He believes that creating impactful change requires patience, adaptability, and continuous learning. He is actively developing global leadership qualities, learning from people around him and understanding the nuances between global and local leadership. Above all, his father remains his greatest source of inspiration and motivation. — Ram is eager to connect with professionals in M&A and corporate finance. Especially at firms like KPMG, PwC, Deloitte and EY.

Knowing yourself makes interviews 10x easier. Because a job search is all about one thing. AUTHENTICITY. For years, I underestimated the impact of reading regularly. Life as an international student is tough. Life as a fresh graduate can be tougher. Getting rejected even after doing everything is the toughest. There is no ‘one size fits all’ solution. Because how you respond is more important than what happens to you. I researched and tried to memorise answers for questions like: - “Tell me something about yourself” - “Where do you see yourself in X years” - “Why do you think you fit this role well?” There was only one problem. My answers were neither original nor authentic. Hence I never got a job. To be authentic you have to “Know Yourself”. To learn about yourself, read. To articulate and share your thoughts, write. No one can steal your authenticity from you. — I have created a list of 15 books that will help you with your job search. You can choose any book from the list and start reading today. P.S. Have you read any of the books from the list? Let me know in the comments.

Before I started reading, I wanted to change others. When I started reading, I wanted to change my circumstances. As I continued reading, I changed myself. You cannot control what happens to you. You cannot convince people to do anything. You can only control how you respond to people and circumstances. You first have to find your vision and dreams within yourself. Only then can you inspire, guide and direct other people. Personal excellence is the answer to changing the world. The key is to start now. Every great act starts with that one small step. And the first step always looks more challenging than it is. For me, the first step was reading. For you, it might be something different - but take that step. Because the world changes when you do. P.S. What book has had the biggest impact on your mindset? Let me know in the comments.

I have spoken to 300+ migrants about their journey in Australia. One important lesson I learned: “Initiative and hard work are more important than talent and intellectual ability” 3 traits successful migrants possess: 1/ LIMITS They are always testing their limits. They are never good enough for themselves. Chasing an unattainable goal is what they do. They find happiness in this chase. They need to keep going after failure. This is not easy for everyone. They find energy by pushing themselves to the maximum. 2/ HABITS They understand the importance of habits and of being accountable to themselves. They know it is their responsibility to live their lives, so they stay resilient. They know that some tasks may be boring, frustrating, or even painful. They show up despite how they feel, endure every day and don’t give up. 3/ BELIEF They deeply know who they are and what they want. They visualise themselves as being successful. They compete against themselves and attract similar people into their lives. They know no one else will if they don’t believe in themselves. — Talent and intellectual ability are rarely indicators of success. Results generated by effort determine your future. 📚 Two great books to read: “Grit” by Angela Duckworth "Good Vibes Good Life" by Vex King P.S. What’s one trait that has helped you succeed in a new country? Share in the comments.

Counselling or any form of therapy can be expensive as an international student. I found books and writing to be my favourite form of therapy. But not everyone has found what works for them yet. 1 in 3 international students have experienced anxiety or depression in the past year. Even more concerning is that 53% report severe psychological distress. I was made aware of a non-profit and social impact project by Sai Gowthimi Kaluguru. As part of the Study Melbourne 4Impact initiative, a team called LAZE was created. The project focuses on understanding the mental health challenges faced by international students in Melbourne. To better support this community, LAZE is collecting insights through a short, anonymous survey. The goal? To co-create accessible and meaningful support based on what students need. With the results, LAZE plans to design: →Nature-based events like forest walks, park cooking sessions, and cosy picnics. →Helpful online resources shared through Instagram and other platforms. →Safe, supportive spaces where students can connect and feel heard. Your voice matters, and it could genuinely help someone else feel a little less alone. Survey link:

I started writing on LinkedIn almost 3 years ago. I have been reading for 5 years. I never really understood the term “personal brand”. I assumed it was some marketing term. I thought you could have a personal brand only if you provided a service. I slowly learned you just need to have expertise in any one area or skill, or occupation. Reading books taught me 3 simple lessons on personal branding: 1/ CREATE RECIPROCITY Give information away for free and be generous with what you know. Keep adding value while you figure out what to do. 2/ BE A GUIDE Help people solve their problems and use your story to do it. Share consistently, and people will look up to you for help in that area. 3/ CLAIM YOUR TERRITORY Be known as a leader in what you share. You will develop confidence and establish authority in your area. — 📚 3 books that taught me the most about writing and branding: Building a Story Brand by Donald Miller  Influence by Robert Cialdini The Art and Business of Online Writing by Nicolas Cole P.S. What’s one lesson you’ve learned about personal branding? Let me know in the comments.

The best books make you reflect. They make you look within. They remind you of how far you have come. They help you understand that the future represents the unknown. And that is why you are so afraid of it. In any given situation, a circumstance is external. How do you respond? That is internal. You will always fear the future if you don’t understand yourself. Successful people are always in the pursuit of big dreams and goals. Once you start reading, your mind will expand. You will realise that the best is still to be achieved. --- Last week I shared 15 books that help you better know yourself. Here is a list of 10 more books that will make you self-reflect. Have you read any of these books? Let me know in the comments. P.S. Last week’s post is in the comments.

Last week, I sat down with Arjun Bhugra to talk about all things books and personal growth. I first spoke to him a couple of years ago about our shared love for books. Born in Bahrain, he has lived across the Middle East, North Africa, the South Pacific, and Australia, gaining exposure to a diverse range of cultures and educational systems. These experiences have shaped his global outlook, enhanced his adaptability, and provided him with a wealth of perspectives. He is an avid reader, with a strong interest in books that expand his knowledge—particularly in areas like motivation, business success, and biographies. He has read more than 180 books. 📚 Three books he recommends are: Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl A Promised Land by Barack Obama The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle He is currently reading Peace from Within by Ajahn Kalyāṇo. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in Marketing and Management, from The University of Western Australia. He has also completed a Master of Social Work from Monash University. A few months ago, he launched a passion project on his YouTube channel—a chat series designed to give people a platform to speak about their passion. Each episode runs for 15 to 20 minutes, keeping the conversations short and sweet, yet rich with insight and inspiration. You can catch our conversation in the link below: https://lnkd.in/grMC-5tk

The comment section can be an interesting place. Often, people say generic things like: “Awesome” “Well done” “Nice” “Congratulations” “Great post” Once in a while, someone asks a question that makes you pause and reflect. One such question by Mohamed Nihal recently caught my attention: “How do you think people should motivate themselves to continue learning after graduation?” Two things immediately came to mind: 1/ How long does motivation last? 2/ Why do we use the word "motivation" so often? Here is my truth: I don’t chase motivation anymore. Motivation is emotional. Your emotions want you to stay comfortable. Instead, I work on building habits. I try to show up regardless of how I feel, and it’s not easy. Purpose and discipline will make you a lifelong learner. Not a burst of energy or a motivational quote. Can I tell you how you should motivate yourself? Honestly, I can’t. That’s something you need to discover for yourself. But here’s what helps me: → Reading books that challenge my thinking → Listening to uplifting podcasts → Surrounding myself with people who push me to grow In the end, motivation isn’t something you wait for. It’s something you create. P.S. Got a book or podcast that keeps you sharp? Let me know in the comments.

Reading for 20 minutes a day will make you a great thinker. You have 168 hours in a week and 8,760 hours in a year. That adds up to ~2 hours per week and ~122 hours per year. That’s just 1.39% of your time! Would you get better at something if you practised it for 122 hours a year? Read consistently and you will begin to see amazing results. How much time will this take? I don’t know. Here is the truth: → You won’t have 1000 fans cheering for you. → The results will be invisible - maybe something you can only feel. → No one is going to notice a difference in you soon. → There will be no congratulatory card or trophy. There will be something far greater - The Compound Effect. Reading for 20 minutes every day has an exceptional payoff. Especially if you can do it for a year. It takes a little discipline but this small habit will transform your life. P.S. What is one book you are committed to reading this year? Let me know in the comments.

Only 1% to 3% of users post content regularly. Writing on LinkedIn will make your job search 10x easier. The first few posts are the toughest. There will be a fear of judgement, lack of belief and self-doubt. You will have to hit the post button despite of those feelings. 10 lessons I learned through sharing my 150-book journey on LinkedIn: 1/ You cannot start by finding an audience, your audience finds you. 2/ Contributing online helps you collaborate with great minds. 3/ Learning in the open allows others to learn from your successes and failures. 4/ Be generous and give away what you know for free. 5/ Your voice is important and authentic. Don’t waste it. 6/ Articulating your thoughts makes you a great thinker. 7/ The word “busy” is an excuse. Everyone has 24 hours in a day. 8/ If you want to write, read books to generate ideas. 9/ Worry is just in your imagination. 10/ If you avoid being vulnerable, you will never truly connect with people. — Austin Kleon’s book ‘Show Your Work’ is a great starting point for sharing content. P.S. Which of these lessons do you relate to? Let me know in the comments.

The human spirit is capable of extraordinary things. As a migrant, you must learn the importance of resilience, identity and connection. If you have it tough, there is always someone who has it tougher. Eddie Jaku survived the holocaust and lived his life with hope, purpose and joy. He was sent to engineering school under a false name in Nazi Germany. Later, he was captured and deported to a concentration camp in Poland. After liberation, he migrated to Australia to move away from the trauma of Europe. At age 100, he published his memoir which became a bestseller. 7 lessons I learned from the book “The Happiest Man on Earth” by Eddie Jaku: 1/ Focus on what you have and not on what you have lost. 2/ “A man can take everything from you but not your mind.” 3/ You get to choose who you are and who you are becoming. 4/ Happiness comes before success. It is a choice. 5/ There is a thin line between surviving and thriving - that line is HOPE. 6/ There are no self-made people - relationships mean everything. 7/ You cannot control your circumstances but you can always find meaning in it. — Eddie Jaku’s journey from Leipzig to Auschwitz to Sydney is one of unbelievable resilience. His book and life is a reminder that hope and kindness stand the test of even the darkest of times. P.S. Which of these lessons speaks to you the most? Let me know in the comments.

I am on book 116 of my 150-book journey. There are 5 books I have read more than 10 times in the last 5 years. These books define my identity. I am emotionally attached to these books. Once you fall in love with a book, don’t let go. Treat it as an ancient scroll. Think of it as your employment contract. Read it cover to cover, again and again. Take notes in the book or in a notepad. Create your own index. Let the book consume you. Become one with the book. It sounds extreme and it is extreme. 5 books I go back to again and again: The Law of Success by Napoleon Hill Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill 12 Rules for Life by Jordan Peterson Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert Meditations by Marcus Aurelius — These are not just books. They are lifelong companions, mentors, teachers and frameworks for life. P.S. Which book changed your life? Share your “must re-read” book in the comments.

Your education does not stop once you graduate. It does not stop even after you have landed a full-time job. Learning is lifelong. I get my education from the books that I read. 2025 is all about reading books that challenge my thinking. Fiction and non-fiction. I decided to challenge myself to read books that expose my weaknesses. It is easy to say you have an open mind. Difficult to act on it. Because your thoughts are shaped by: → Your upbringing → Your cultural programming → Your formal education → Your values and beliefs The best part about reading books is that they show you what you don’t want to see. They will bring about a stillness and quiet that make you face reality. Reading is easy, and developing the habit is real work. And the work is never done. Reading will: → Make you examine what makes your life challenging → Teach you to give yourself time and space to reflect → Bring about a calmness in how you carry yourself → Help you find your purpose The process is as joyous as the results. Reading is meditation. P.S. What book challenged your thinking the most? Share in the comments

Your life in a new country is not about skills or luck. Time and patience are your greatest assets. 7 lessons I learned about turning a dream into reality in Australia: 1/ Your talent is not your destiny. Even if you do not get the results, focus on the effort you put into a task. 2/ The things you have to do to be successful are mostly boring, frustrating, and sometimes painful. You have to endure and not give up. 3/ Greatness can be achieved. You have to decide what greatness means to you and consistently do the tasks repeatedly. 4/ Talent and effort will help you develop a skill. Continued effort makes your skills productive. 5/ You will tend to abandon tasks when life gets challenging. Staying disciplined and showing up in the face of these challenges determines your success. 6/ Routines are your best friend. Tons of research shows that when something is practised in the same place at the same time, initiating the task becomes easier and more automatic. 7/ Learn not to overreact to setbacks and failure. Instead, take a step back, analyze them and learn from them. — A growth mindset, being optimistic during adversity and staying determined will help you stay patient in your quest for success. 📚 Two books that helped me understand the importance of time and patience: The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari by Robin Sharma Think Like a Monk by Jay Shetty