See, I’ve met them before. Admired them, even. Last December, backstage at an LPU event, I saw Saheli quietly share her tax statement with just one person.
Not the crowd. Not me. Just…Pranay in the corner. I shrugged it off then. But now, I’m asking myself:
Why so secretive if it’s legit? Why not show everyone and silence every doubt?
This is not about attacking them. It’s about confronting something bigger. Because that one video didn’t just make me question Saheli or Ishan - it made me question me.
I’ve talked about going viral.
I’ve shared my so-called “frameworks.”
I’ve tried to simplify the path for others.
And yes, sometimes that can slip into a flashy highlight reel.
So I asked: Have I ever twisted my numbers? Have I ever sold an empty promise? Have I ever glossed over the messy middle?
I want to believe my answer is no.
But even if I didn’t “sell,” I’ve felt the guilt.
Because the pressure is real - especially in a system where everyone’s screaming for attention.
Think about this:
In 2022, India celebrated 21 unicorns - but 2404 startups died quietly in the background.
In 2023, just 2 new unicorns. Meanwhile, 35000 startups shutdown.
In 2024, we got 6 more unicorns. But 5063 others vanished.
That’s under 0.1% who hit the so-called “dream.”
Yet, online gurus brand 9-5 as a trap. The media worships 3 dropout founders - but nobody mentions the 208 graduates who built equally massive unicorns.
The loudest voice wins, even if it’s not the truest.
So if you’ve been feeling left behind, or if that viral video has you doubting everyone, I get it.
It actually brought me a weird sense of peace.
Because it reminded me I don’t need to hack the algorithm.
I don’t need to sprint my way to “influencer” status.
Influence isn’t built in 30 days. It’s built over 30 years.
And every post we make lives forever, somewhere on the internet.
So maybe we stop chasing reach. Maybe we start chasing responsibility.
We are all our own gatekeepers, our own “online deciders.” No one else’s highlight reel should hijack your journey. Question everything you see - and everything you post.
Because real influence isn’t about stacking followers.
It’s about being remembered for the right reasons.
So be honest, even if it’s slower, even if it’s quieter.
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