Reflections in the 40s - Part 3 - Audacious Goals, Patient Execution

In my earlier posts, I wrote about how entering the 40s changed the way I think — shifting from chasing linear paths to embracing non-linearity and the power of moments. Today's reflection continues that journey.

In my 20s and 30s, I believed that big goals needed fast execution. The harder you pushed, the quicker you’d arrive. Life felt like a race — against peers, timelines, and even myself. But somewhere along the way, I realized that while ambition sets the direction, patience determines the outcome.

Audacious goals are essential. They keep us hungry, curious, and alive. But the secret to reaching them lies in patient, deliberate execution — in showing up each day with quiet consistency. The dream may be bold, but the work is often unglamorous: planning, practicing, repeating, refining.

Over time, I’ve begun to see patience as a strength, not a compromise. It’s the ability to stay steady when progress is invisible, to keep faith when results are still forming beneath the surface.

The most meaningful successes I’ve seen — in work, relationships, or personal growth — didn’t come from frantic energy, but from steady, long-term intent. 

So today, I still dream audaciously — sometimes even wildly. But I pair that ambition with patience, trusting that good things compound quietly.

Because in the end, it’s not the speed of achievement that defines us, but the persistence that sustains it.

Reflections in the 40s - Part 2 - The Power of Moments: Life’s Non-Linear Truth

Most of us love plans. We map our careers, finances, and even personal milestones with neat timelines — as if life were a straight line. Linear thinking comforts us. It promises steadiness, predictability, control.

But the truth is — life rarely moves in straight lines.

A chance conversation can open a new career door. A delayed flight can lead to meeting someone who changes how you see the world. A single bold decision — taken on instinct — can alter the direction of decades ahead. These aren’t linear outcomes. They are inflection points — sudden moments when everything changes trajectory.

Over time, I have begun to appreciate this non-linearity. Growth doesn’t always come in planned steps. Sometimes it arrives in leaps — unexpected, messy, magical. The power lies not in predicting these moments but in being perceptive enough to notice them when they appear.

Because moments rarely announce themselves. They hide inside discomfort, risk, or even failure. The real question is — are we too busy chasing the linear plan to recognize a turning point when it quietly knocks on our door?

Non-linearity teaches humility. It reminds us that progress isn’t always incremental; sometimes it’s exponential. That a single “yes” or “no” can rewrite our story.

So maybe the goal isn’t to design a perfect, predictable path — but to stay awake to the power of moments that can take us into a completely different orbit.

Because in the grand story of life, a moment can do what years of planning sometimes cannot.

Turning 42: What Changed in My 40s

 A birthday is always a moment of pause. This week, as I turned 42, I found myself reflecting on what has really shifted in me over the last few years. The changes aren’t about the grey strands of hair or the slightly slower recovery from a late night. They are deeper, quieter shifts that shape how I now approach life and work.

1. Audacious Goals, Patient Execution

In my 30s, I believed in speed. Big goals meant bigger hustle and faster sprints. But in my 40s, I’ve realized that the bolder the goal, the more patience it demands. It’s not about slowing down ambition—it’s about pairing it with endurance. Whether in career milestones, financial goals, or personal fitness, I now see that consistency often wins bigger than intensity.

2. Being Intentional

Time, energy, and attention are the true currencies of life. In my 20s and 30s, I said yes far too often—to projects, meetings, and even social obligations. Today, I choose more carefully. If something doesn’t align with what I deeply value, I’m okay letting it go. This shift has brought more clarity, better relationships, and a sense of focus I didn’t have earlier.

3. Daily Discipline Over Inspiration

Inspiration feels good, but it is unreliable. Some days you wake up motivated, many days you don’t. Discipline, however, doesn’t ask for moods. It simply asks for action. Whether it’s exercising, writing, or professional work, I lean far more on habits now than on waiting for the “perfect moment.”

4. Steady Over Quick

There’s a quiet confidence that comes with choosing steady progress over quick wins. Earlier, I celebrated the rush of fast achievements. Now, I take pride in building things that last—relationships, financial security, skills. The slow, compounding effect has started to feel far more rewarding than the thrill of shortcuts.

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At 42, I don’t think I’ve figured it all out, but I do know this: life feels less about racing and more about pacing. And in that shift lies both peace and progress.

🚀 Guiding vs Mentoring vs Coaching — Ravi’s Journey as a Software Engineer

 When Ravi, a young software engineer in Bengaluru, started his career, he often found himself confused about what help he needed. He heard terms like guidance or mentoring or coaching and to him all of it seemed alien. Honestly, he wasn't even sure what each of these meant. Over the years, he experienced all three — and that changed how he grew at work.

👉 Guidance came first. His team lead would tell him, “Follow this coding framework” or “Use this tool for debugging.” It was direct, task-focused, and helped him avoid mistakes. Guidance solved today’s problem.

👉 Mentoring happened when he met Shreya, a senior manager in Pune. She didn’t just tell him what to do, she shared why and how. She spoke about handling client expectations, building resilience, and planning his career. Mentoring lit up the future path.

👉 Coaching came later, when Ravi wanted to become a tech lead. His company arranged professional coaching sessions. The coach never gave him answers. Instead, they asked questions like, “What strengths do you bring as a leader?” or “How would you handle conflict differently?” Coaching empowered him to discover his own solutions.

That’s when Ravi realized the difference:

• Guidance is about direction.

• Mentoring is about wisdom.

• Coaching is about unlocking potential.

In India’s fast-paced tech world, professionals like Ravi need a mix of all three. Guidance to get started, mentoring to grow, and coaching to lead.

💡 If you’re leading teams today, ask yourself — are you guiding, mentoring, or coaching your people? Or a bit of all three?