“Happiness is different from success, but a lot of people confuse the two.”
This simple yet profound realisation marks the beginning of a transformative journey for many, including myself.
As a young professional, I rose on the ranks of the corporate ladder at jet speed. My journey from a junior software engineer to the MD of a global tech firm could be anyone’s dream.
As I was running the corporate race, I started to notice that for me, and most people around me, it was difficult to make distinctions between how to make a living vs. how to live.
“I started to realise that success, in its traditional sense, often came at the cost of happiness and fulfilment. This dichotomy set the stage for a pivotal shift in my perspective.”
For me, material success wasn’t a part of my Life, but it was my life. Whilst I was successful, I wasn’t happy – there was an inexplicable void.
I started to realise that success, in its traditional sense, often came at the cost of happiness and fulfilment. This dichotomy set the stage for a pivotal shift in my perspective.
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It propelled me to read numerous management books, which were predominantly focusing upon ‘What to do’ instead of addressing ‘Why’ behind the problems. This gap inspired me to research, read and reflect upon ancient wisdom for nearly two decades to gain that profound clarity.
That in turn, inspired me to write my first book ‘New York To NEW YOU’, aiming to clarify the ‘Why’ to simplify the ‘How’.
I came up with an ABCD approach, where:
- A = Awareness
- B = Breathing
- C = Choices
- D = Discipline
The awakening
Whilst my first book was focused on Self-Help, I wanted my second book, “The Consciouspreneur,” to be focused on Self-Realisation because the world is undergoing a seismic shift with the advent of the fourth industrial revolution, where digital, physical, and biological realms converge.
“Consciouspreneurs are the vanguards of this era, navigating the future with a compass of inner truth and outer innovation.”
This revolution is not just changing how we do things; it’s changing us. It became increasingly clear that the traditional linear progression of success was no longer sufficient. The need for a new kind of leadership, one that harmonises success with happiness, became evident. This realisation was the birthplace of “The Consciouspreneur.”
Who are the consciouspreneurs?
Consciouspreneurs are the vanguards of this era, navigating the future with a compass of inner truth and outer innovation. These visionaries, rich in both mind and money, are productive and dynamic in their outer world, and peaceful and joyful in their inner world (see figure 1). They bring alignment to human evolution and digital revolution.
Embracing the consciouspreneur path
The narrative of the consciouspreneur is not just about achieving success; it’s about redefining it. It’s a testament to the power of leading with purpose, where profitability is a natural outcome of passion and perseverance. This journey invites us to live a life of balance, purpose, and profound fulfilment, which we can achieve through the guiding principles of the ABCD framework.
Now I realise, happiness is inside-out, whereas success is outside-in…
About the author
Manoj Gupta is an accomplished leader across the corporate world and has held leadership roles in building strategy, leading large businesses, customer relationships, and M&A. He strongly believes in empowering people and helps businesses to realise their true potential. His passion to innovate has helped to turn around several businesses across the world. He has previously authored the best-selling book New York to New YOU, focused on Leadership and business. His new book The Consciouspreneur is about creating a breed of leaders who are rich with mind, and rich with money.