Winning Stroke: Interview with Manas Mehrotra, Chairman, 315Work Avenue
If not in the current profession, you would be?
I would be a financial advisor, a CA who would handle corporate taxing and investing.
One tune you always hum?
The choice of music I have depends on the mood or the task I have in hand, hence the song that I hum is not a constant. Sometimes my ear bug could also be the latest number from a favorite artist or a Bollywood movie.
One book to read when you want to motivate yourself?
To put a finger on one book that motivates me is tough… there are many and sometimes I reread some parts or the entire book for motivation. Some if my favourites are The Power of Positive thinking by Dr. Norman Vincent Peale, The Biology of Belief by Bruce H. Lipton, The 5 second rule by Mel Robbins, Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer, Wings of Fire by A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
One dialogue of a movie that motivates you or you like the most?
"I Have To Remind Myself That Some Birds Aren't Meant To Be Caged." – Shawshank Redemption
"You're Not Perfect, Sport, And Let Me Save You The Suspense: This Girl You've Met, She's Not Perfect Either. But The Question Is Whether Or Not You're Perfect For Each Other." Good Will Hunting
And of course….
With great powers comes great responsibilities.
The place you have never been to and always want to go?
I have travelled quite a bit and in the coming few years I would like to explore more places…. So travel to places may not be as much…. But I would definitely like to travel back in time when I was a child and enjoy those innocent days and carefree attitude for a while.
An animal that signifies you & why?
I think a tiger… because it resonates confidence, determination, trust, is active and a leader.
A Movie Character you most resemble or resonate with?
This is a tricky one… I would like to say that I resonate with “Sid” from Dil Chahata hai or Sunny from Dil Dhakak ne Do
If your life were to be turned into a movie, whom would you like to play your part?
Abhay Deol as I think he is a fantastic actor or Farhan Akhtar as he emulates emotions effortlessly or Matt Damon as some of his characters are very relatable to my life.
Luck or Hard Work, what do you think weighs more in defining a successful person?
They say “luck favours the hard working” I’d like to believe that and also add that positive mind set also defines success.
One best decision you ever made?
To turn an entrepreneur, I would not have liked it any other way.
A strategy that you always use to take your decisions in Personal or Professional life?
I think through my heart and make decisions through my mind.
Whose advice do you seek when in a dilemma?
My family. My family is my backbone and the reason behind all my decisions in life or profession.
What has been your biggest achievement?
Being able to strike a balance between my professional and personal life.
One thing that you want to change in yourself?
I would like to be more organized with my timings.
A line said by your closed one that you never forget?
Not a line, but my father introduced me to this poem by William Wordsworth and some of it lines just has stuck in my heart… it reads…
The world is too much with us; late and soon,
Getting and spending, we lay waste our powers;—
Little we see in Nature that is ours;
We have given our hearts away, a sordid boon!
