Anytime I meet a stranger or an acquaintance, I introduce myself using my professional identity. "Hello, I work as a PM at a startup."And that's it. It's as if there's nothing more to me than being a product manager at an early-stage startup. Hence, my conversations revolve only around tech, SaaS, etc. Though this is a … Continue reading Going beyond our work identity
Author: Akkshaya Varkhedi
Product manager, aesthete, daydreamer. I try to write.ॐ
Well, unconditional love is a myth
I find the concept of "unconditional love" funny. The truth is that no relationship is unconditional. Some of you might find this thought hard to digest because it could hurt your ego or collapse your firmly held worldview. Well, take a deep breath and listen to me. Be it a parent, spouse, or child, no … Continue reading Well, unconditional love is a myth
This is why product differentiation is tricky
When a company starts to make consistent revenue and earn a handful of customers, the most obvious next step is to beat the competition and lead the category. And they try to do it by building a differentiated product. What happens behind the scenes? Everyone in the room, right from the founder, PMs, sales lead, … Continue reading This is why product differentiation is tricky
The trap of wanting to be right
All of us have had difficult conversations in our life. A conversation turns bitter when we don't allow the other person to express their views because it could hurt our beliefs. When this happens, the other person will simply unhook themselves from the conversation because they feel exhausted that we don't get it. The devil … Continue reading The trap of wanting to be right
Social media, politics, and drawing boundaries
So many people, including science experts, have spoken about the harmful effects of social media. And most of their viewpoints emphasize the 'addiction' part more than anything. I agree that social media apps have the intelligence to know what to show on our timelines to make us stick to the app. However, one aspect of … Continue reading Social media, politics, and drawing boundaries
On turning inspiration into action
Let's say you read an interesting article. The title is catchy, the content is actionable, and it contains examples you could relate to. It helps you with a new perspective, a new idea. As you read that gripping article, your pupils dilate. You feel inspired and believe this is something you want to do. Once … Continue reading On turning inspiration into action
It’s OK to be a slow-thinker
Credit: Pintrest How many of you have been in a meeting where your boss explains an idea to you and ends it with a 'Do you think this is a good idea?' How often have you said a mindless 'yes?.' Well, we all have been here, and we can't blame ourselves much. It's because most … Continue reading It’s OK to be a slow-thinker
Boredom could become your best friend
Boredom is the state of being weary, tired, and restless. It does not emerge from lacking things to do. Sometimes we feel bored despite knowing there's more work left. We all have experienced boredom at different points in our lives, and it's not something we enjoy. The most common way we fight boredom is through … Continue reading Boredom could become your best friend
Cognitive reframing – an antidote to overthinking
Overthinking has been my second nature for the most part of my life. I believe it results from shame, guilt, fear, and insecurities I experienced as a child. For many years, I allowed my anxious brain to dictate my reactions to situations. It only made me feel worse about myself. I'm not sure if there's … Continue reading Cognitive reframing – an antidote to overthinking
What constitutes a good day?
I don't have the habit of actively journaling my thoughts at the end of each day. I wish I were sincere, but it's just not something I've trained myself to do consistently. However, I do contemplate my day. Some days I feel tired, bored, and exhausted. Other days, I feel inspired, content, and tired, but … Continue reading What constitutes a good day?
Akkshaya Varkhedi 