March 2025

Will you keep living in the past or make the most of today? Most of the time, we live in the past without even realizing it. We replay old conversations, regrets, and missed opportunities like a movie stuck on repeat. But here’s the truth—the past is already gone, and the only reality that exists is this moment. I recently came across an incredible lesson from Brianna Wiest’s book The Pivot Year, and it struck me deeply: “Will you continue to replay the memories of yesterday, or will you meet the moment and make the most of what is in front of you now?” This question isn’t just about moving on—it’s about waking up. Are You Living in Yesterday? Think about it. How often do we let past failures define what we believe is possible today? How many times do we hold ourselves back because of what went wrong before? A business deal that didn’t work out makes us hesitant to try again. A personal setback convinces us we’re not good enough. A past mistake keeps us from taking bold action. We cling to yesterday, hoping to find answers, but in reality, it’s already written. The only thing we have control over is what we do now. The Shift: Meeting the Moment Living in the present doesn’t mean ignoring the past—it means learning from it and choosing to act now, despite it. It’s about shifting our focus from “What happened?” to “What can I do right now?” Instead of regretting lost time, we can start now. Instead of overanalyzing past failures, we can take a new step forward. Instead of waiting for the “right time,” we can make this the right time. The Only Reality is Now The past can’t be changed. The future isn’t promised. But this moment? It’s real. And what you do with it now will define your tomorrow. So ask yourself: Are you replaying yesterday, or are you creating today? Are you carrying the weight of the past, or are you stepping into the present? What would change if you stopped looking back and fully embraced this moment? Because in the end, the only thing that truly matters is what you do right now.

Raising Children Who Think Beyond Themselves What do you think about taking revenge? This was the question my son asked me today. Without thinking much, I replied, “It’s just a waste of time.” Then I turned the question back to him “What do you think?” His answer surprised me. “I believe the same,” he said. Curious, I asked him why. His response made me feel a deep sense of pride as a parent: “Life is meant to be lived happily without troubling others. If I think of revenge and operate with the mindset of troubling someone, one day it will come back to me. And moreover, when I think of revenge, it’s not me who is driving myself it’s the other person who is controlling me.” At that moment, I realized parenting isn’t just about raising children, it’s about raising responsible human beings. Long ago, I learned an important lesson from Sadhguru about parenting: “If you don’t nurture your child to be at least 1% better than you, then you have done great damage to humankind and the universe.” This thought hit me hard, and ever since, my partner and I have been intentional in helping our boys grow into individuals who respect others unconditionally, think deeply, and live with kindness. Hearing my son’s words today reassured me we are on the right path. Parenting isn’t about controlling our children it’s about guiding them, shaping their perspectives, and creating a world where they can be better humans than us. As parents, what are you doing today to ensure your child is growing into a responsible and kind human being?

The World is a Reflection of Who You Are “The way we experience life is a reflection of who we are inside. Our thoughts, mindset, and emotions shape the reality we see around us.” This belief has been a guiding principle in my journey—both in business and life. I’ve learned that the world is not acting against us; rather, it mirrors what we hold within ourselves. A Personal Story of Reflection There was a time when I felt stuck. No matter how much effort I put in, things didn’t seem to align. I questioned why challenges kept appearing, why opportunities seemed scarce, and why success felt distant. Then, during a conversation with a mentor, I was asked a simple but powerful question: “How are you seeing the world right now?” Without thinking much, I responded, “It feels uncertain, frustrating, and full of obstacles.” To that, my mentor smiled and said, “Maybe that’s because you’re looking at it through a lens of uncertainty and frustration.” That moment changed my perspective. It made me realize that my internal state was shaping my external experiences. The Shift in Perspective I started noticing a pattern: When I felt confident and open, opportunities seemed to flow naturally. When I carried doubt, everything felt difficult. When I focused on what was missing, I saw only limitations. When I focused on gratitude and possibilities, solutions appeared effortlessly. This realization led me to one key insight—if I wanted to change my world, I had to start with myself. Applying This in Business and Leadership Over the years, I’ve seen this principle play out in entrepreneurship as well. Founders who believe opportunities are scarce often struggle to grow because they operate from a place of fear. Leaders who trust their vision and act with confidence build organizations that attract talent, customers, and innovation. Teams that focus on solutions instead of problems create a culture of resilience and success. This applies not just in business but in all areas of life. We don’t experience the world as it is—we experience it as we are. Final Thought: Change Begins Within If you’re feeling stuck or uncertain, take a moment to ask yourself: What is my world reflecting about me right now? Am I focusing on problems or possibilities? Is my mindset shaping my reality in a way that serves me? The world will always be a mirror. If we want to see a different reflection, we must start with the person standing in front of it. Have you ever had a shift in perspective that changed how you saw the world? Share your thoughts at venkat@venkatgudipati.com

Are You Attached or Committed? The Mindset Shift That Changes Everything Yesterday, I had a deep and eye-opening conversation with one of my mentees. She was struggling with two things—craving sugar and being inconsistent with her daily walks. Even though she knew both habits were not good for her health, she couldn’t break the cycle. She expressed frustration over her inability to reduce sugar intake and stay committed to her walks. Instead of jumping into solutions, I encouraged her to first acknowledge her struggle. I told her, “Go easy on yourself. Don’t fight the craving or the inconsistency. Instead, observe it.” Then, I asked her a simple but powerful question: “Are you attached to being healthy, or are you committed to being healthy?” This question changed the entire direction of our conversation. Attachment vs. Commitment: Understanding the Difference Many of us say we want something—whether it’s better health, a successful business, or personal growth. But are we truly committed, or are we just attached to the idea of it? 1. Attachment: Wanting Without Action Attachment means you like the idea of something but remain controlled by emotions, habits, and external circumstances. You may say, “I want to be healthy,” but when cravings hit, or motivation fades, you struggle to take action. You feel guilty when you don’t meet your expectations, leading to self-blame or frustration 2. Commitment: Taking Ownership Commitment means you make a conscious decision to follow through, regardless of obstacles. Even when cravings come, or you don’t feel like walking, you still take action because you’ve made a promise to yourself. Commitment is about doing what is necessary, not just what is convenient. When my mentee reflected on this, she realized that she had been attached to the idea of being healthy but had never truly committed to it. The Turning Point: Moving from Attachment to Commitment After gaining this clarity, she made a shift. Instead of saying, “I want to be healthy,” she started saying, “I am committed to my health.” With this new mindset, she: Accepted her sugar cravings without guilt but started reducing them intentionally. Stopped waiting for motivation and became consistent with her walks. Understood that commitment is a practice, not a feeling. This small but powerful shift changed her approach from struggle to empowerment. A Lesson for All of Us This conversation reminded me that we all face this dilemma in different areas of life—whether it’s fitness, business, relationships, or personal growth. We often say we want success, health, or happiness, but unless we commit to the daily actions required, we remain stuck. How to Move from Attachment to Commitment Acknowledge where you are – Accept your struggles without judgment. Make a clear decision – Decide to commit, regardless of challenges. Take small, consistent actions – Progress is built on daily habits, not just motivation. Detach from perfect results – Focus on showing up, not being perfect. Final Thought Attachment keeps us in wishful thinking. Commitment pushes us into action. So, ask yourself today: Am I attached to my goals, or am I truly committed? That answer might just change everything for you. What is one area of your life where you need to shift from attachment to commitment? Share your thoughts in the comments!