Life Lessons from Consistency, Value, and Change
Why the Process Matters More Than the Result, and How Value Often Beats Price—If You Know Where to Look.
Life is awesome, irrespective of the cards you’ve been dealt by circumstances. I build businesses with people I like to pursue a rich emotional and financial life. I share lessons I learn along the way.
Here are this weeks insights:
The Game of Life: How Consistency Beats Talent
Value Over Price: The Invisible Currency in Business and Life
Adapt or Stagnate: Thriving in a World That Won't Stand Still
You can access previous editions of my weekly emails here. Let’s dive in!
(1) The Game of Life: How Consistency Beats Talent
I play chess daily. And I lose daily. But that’s not the point.
After each game, I analyze what happened. Win or lose, I ask:
What did I learn?
How can I get 1% better?
Am I focusing on the 20% that truly matters?
Life and work are no different. ✅ The goal isn’t to win every day; it’s to learn every day. Consistent, boring effort compounds into extraordinary results. When you fall in love with the process, the score takes care of itself.
This mirrors a broader principle: ✅ focus on inputs, not outcomes. Outcomes are beyond our control, but inputs—our daily actions, decisions, and mindset—are within our grasp. The 80/20 principle guides me here: ✅ identify the 20% of activities that drive 80% of the results, and then commit to them relentlessly.
The extraordinary is often hidden in the mundane. Whether it's chess, business, or personal growth, remember: the climb must never stop. ✅ Every day you show up, you're building momentum, even if it doesn’t feel like it in the moment.
(2) Value Over Price: The Invisible Currency in Business and Life
A very famous Indian company was considering working with us at Ideals. I use their products every day, which made this even more interesting.
The prospect said, "We have cheaper quotes, but my colleague has worked with you before and wants to work with you again. You're beyond our budget, though."
I responded: "I understand. Here’s why working with us makes sense (reason 1, reason 2, reason 3). And here’s what I can do for you (point 1, point 2, point 3)."
They replied "You're still beyond my budget. But let's close this today."
They started working with us by the end of the day!
✅ I realized that value trumps price more often than not. But not always—and that’s okay. We aim to work with clients who appreciate what we bring to the table.
This lesson extends beyond sales. In life, the most valuable connections aren’t the easiest or most convenient. They require effort and authenticity. Value comes from depth, not superficial perks.
So, the next time you're faced with a decision—whether to choose the cheaper option or the one that feels right—ask yourself: am I valuing the right things?
(3) Adapt or Stagnate: Thriving in a World That Won't Stand Still
Michael Zuber makes over $100,000 a year reading financial news daily at 7:30 AM on YouTube.
He used to read the news anyway. Then one day, he switched on a camera and shared his thoughts. People found value in his insights. Over time, he refined his craft, driven not by money but by a genuine desire to teach.
✅ His consistency was key: three hours a day, five days a week, for years. It never felt like work because he enjoyed it. The money was just a byproduct.
This story aligns with how I view change and adaptation. Whether it's technology like AI or shifts in market trends, ✅ those who embrace change early often find opportunities hidden beneath uncertainty. I recently reflected on the rise of DeepSeek compared to ChatGPT—how an open-source model can disrupt giants by simply doing things differently, more efficiently.
Change isn't just technological. It's personal. No two days are the same. Some days you're energized; others, drained. But having a consistent routine helps anchor you amidst the chaos. ✅ It's not about resisting change but dancing with it.
When faced with change, you have two choices: resist and risk stagnation or adapt and grow. The world rewards those who choose the latter.
Thank you for reading. If you’re curious about the businesses I build, here they are:
Ideals VDR - We help professionals to collaborate over sensitive data and run critical business transactions, such as M&A, smoothly.
Happy Ratio - Delicious, nutritious foods and drinks designed for busy lives. No fuss, just health made simple.
Marcellus Investment Managers - Where my personal investments grow. Their philosophy of investing in clean, honest, cash flow-positive businesses aligns with my approach. (Do your due diligence before investing!)
Harsh Batra (LinkedIn)