In my recent TEDx Talk, I addressed a question that many students, professionals, and entrepreneurs grapple with: Does success come from holding a degree, or from the direction we choose in life?The truth lies beyond this binary.
A degree offers structure, discipline, and a foundation of knowledge - but it does not guarantee success. At the same time, dropping out is not a formula for greatness either.Data shows that nearly 96% of unicorn founders are graduates. What separates people is not their certificate, but their mindset and ability to keep learning.
In today’s world of rapid change - with AI disrupting industries at a scale comparable to electricity or the internet - our ability to adapt, unlearn, and upgrade ourselves becomes the true differentiator.
Success, therefore, cannot be defined by a title, a designation, or even a valuation. It is deeply personal. For some, it could be building a billion-dollar business; for others, it could be living a simple life aligned with their values.The key is to:
1) Introspect on your nature, risk appetite, and circumstances
2) Avoid blindly following societal definitions of success
3) Keep investing in yourself to stay relevant and resilientUltimately, the debate is not about degree vs direction.
It is about how committed we are to growth, adaptability, and defining success on our own terms. Education: B.Com, CA, CS, CFA, FRM, CAIA, CFP, CIPM, CCRA, CIRA, CIIB, AIM, RVCEO | Leveraged Growth: Advisory | Consulting | Training | L&D
(Consulting over 150+ Startups to MNCs in Research, Valuations, and Management Consulting across 50+ new and traditional sectors)Guest Lecturer: Lectured at 180+ B-Schools, Stock Exchanges, and Colleges, including 30+ IITs and IIMsFinance Trainer: Trained over 50k professionals in 100+ countries to succeed in CFA, FRM, CA, and Financial Modeling.Corporate Coach: Finance-based training at companies like Tata, Grasim, BarclaysAchievements:
- Name entered in "International Books of Records" for training the maximum number of people in Personal Finance.
- Awarded one of the Best Finance Trainers in India in 2021
- TEDx Speaker at IMT Hyderabad
- Committee Member at AIC BIMTECH
- Crossed 120k+ subscribers on YouTube This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
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