The Journey So Far
Introduction
I'd like to take a moment to congratulate myself – and here's why. This article marks the 100th publication on the site, a milestone that I’m really proud of. Over the past two years, the unwavering support of my readers has been a constant source of encouragement. Thank you for being by my side throughout this journey!
My journey into writing began with mixed emotions. After resigning from a teaching position at a private university in Mumbai, I felt a deep sense of guilt. Those students were my first, and our bond was strong. My departure was driven by disagreements with the management's philosophies. It would be an understatement to say I left with a heavy heart. Creating this site became a way to alleviate my guilt and stay connected with my students. It’s heartening to share that my former students have now successfully ventured into corporate India after completing their MBAs.
The period following my resignation was a time of exploration. I remember a friend jokingly saying, “khaali dimag shaitan ka ghar” (an idle mind is the devil's workshop). Inspired by Ali Abdaal, a renowned YouTuber, and by virtue of having an idle mind at the time, I saw writing as a means to express my thoughts and engage with a broader audience. In the competitive realm of academia, a platform for feedback and growth seemed essential.
Moreover, writing has been therapeutic. Knowing that friends and students eagerly await my newsletters has spurred me to maintain a disciplined writing routine. While there are intangible benefits to this practice (which I’ll delve into later), the joy of connecting through words has been a significant reward.
The Evolution of the Site
Initially, the website was just a means of communicating with my students. However, it evolved into an unofficial channel for sharing my reflections on various topics. As I pen down this 100th article, I wish to reflect on the journey and the insights gained (much like an editor’s note in an academic journal that comes out every once in a while).
Persistence and Discipline
Regular writing is an exercise in discipline. The effort has helped me hone my time management skills, allowing me to prioritize tasks more effectively. An analysis of my writing patterns (found below) reveals an average of two articles per month, with a surge in productivity in the last year. The chart also shows clearly that I did slack off in terms of my writing during the summer holidays when the students were away.
The Treasure Trove of Content
The content on the site has become a valuable resource. It serves as a reference for speeches and discussions, and has seen increased readership, especially during exam seasons. It also resonates with quieter students who may not participate actively in class but engage with the material online. An encouraging moment was when a senior faculty member from IIM Bangalore appreciated my experiment with this platform.
While the focus so far has been on marketing, sales, consumer behavior, ethics, and research, I plan to expand into more technical areas. Acknowledging the trend towards video and audio content, I'm considering diversifying into these formats, though time constraints are a current challenge. Found below is a chart that showcases the number of website opens made by the subscribers to the newsletter - a reflection of which article found the maximum reach (note: many of the articles were also shared on social media, and the overall readership runs into the thousands at this point).
Deep Work Momentum
The concept of Deep Work – intense focus on complex tasks without interruptions– has been a significant benefit of my writing journey. As an academic, the process of sitting down to write in once every week has helped me articulate thoughts clearly and efficiently. This is something that I find invaluable. In fact, I believe a momentum has built up and I am now able to apply this skill beyond the website to other writings like academic papers, cases for question papers, and course notes as well. As recipients of some of this material, I’m sure you would agree that the turnaround time to churn a high quality article has been slowly reducing.
Using (and not using) Technology
My relationship with technology has evolved. Instead of constantly switching between apps, I've settled on Google Docs for its simplicity and cross-device accessibility. Learning to minimize distractions, like keeping my phone on silent and archiving messages, has been part of this journey. Simultaneously, I’ve embraced technology for organization and error-checking, often consulting tools like ChatGPT and Bard for structuring ideas logically. I’ve also used quite a bit of R in getting the visualizations done.
Conclusion
As I reflect on this journey of a hundred articles, I'm reminded of a powerful sentiment expressed by the renowned poet Bharathiyar: He says,
“தனி ஒரு மனிதனுக்கு உணவில்லை எனில் இந்த ஜகத்தினை அழித்திடுவோம்,” which translates to, "If a single person goes hungry, we shall burn the world."
This dramatic phrase, while not meant literally, captures the essence of zero tolerance towards societal issues like hunger and poverty. In a similar spirit, my website is an endeavor to combat the scarcity in learning and knowledge sharing.
Through this platform, I've sought to bridge gaps, in my own way, not just in my students' education, but in my own understanding of what it means to teach, learn, and grow as well. The process of writing, sharing, and engaging has been more than just a method of imparting knowledge; it's been a journey of self-discovery, of understanding the power of words and the impact they can have. I feel the two years of effort has helped me evolve into a better person who is calmer, more confident, and organized.
Looking forward, I am excited to continue this journey, possibly branching out into new formats like podcasts or videos. But the core will remain the same – a commitment to sharing knowledge, fostering learning, and building a community that values growth and understanding. I also look forward to your comments and feedback to improve myself and the work that I have been doing.
In the end, it's not just about the articles written or the topics covered; it's about the connections made, the minds inspired, and the hearts touched. Here's to many more articles, conversations, and learning moments. Here's to a journey that, I hope, will continue to enrich us all.