Breaking Out of the Salaryman Mindset
Issue #11
Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about the kind of life I’m building.
On paper, everything looks fine. I’ve been working in finance for a few years now — decent job, decent pay, steady growth. I should feel satisfied.
But deep down, I keep asking myself:
“Is this all there is?”
That question has been on my mind more and more. And I think I’ve started to understand why.
The Books That Made Me Pause
Recently, I picked up two books:
‘Behold the Leviathan’ and ‘Against the Grain’.
These books made me stop and think — not just about my career, but about how India is changing and how people like me are still stuck playing by old rules.
They talk about how our system is designed — who it benefits, what it encourages, and how it shapes the way we think. And suddenly, I could see my own life clearly:
I’ve been working hard, but mostly following a script.
I’ve been thinking like a salaryman — not a creator, not a builder.
The Problem with the Script We’re Given
Growing up, the advice was simple:
Study hard → Get a degree → Land a job → Earn a stable income → Get promoted over time.
And that’s exactly what I did:
Studied commerce, did my BBA, then an MBA.
Worked at big companies in finance and strategy.
Now I’m doing equity research.
But here’s the thing: I was climbing the ladder — just not one I built myself.
That "safe path" trains you to:
Follow instructions
Aim for small, predictable wins
Avoid risk
Wait for someone else to say “you’re doing well”
After a while, it starts to feel like you’re just surviving — not building something truly yours.
What I’m Trying to Shift Towards
I’ve realized I don’t want to just keep chasing promotions or bigger salaries. I want to build something real. Something that gives me freedom, ownership, and long-term impact.
Here’s the shift I’m working on:
From: “How can I earn a bit more?”
To: “How can I create something valuable?”From: “Who should I work for?”
To: “What problem can I solve on my own?”From: “What’s expected of me?”
To: “What do I want to build?”
It’s not easy. This mindset shift doesn’t happen overnight. But I’ve started making small changes.
Rewiring My Thinking — One Week at a Time
Here’s what I’ve started doing:
1. Ask Different Questions
Every week, I ask myself:
Did I act like a builder or just a task-doer?
Did I take any bold bets?
Did I learn or try something new?
Am I creating something that can outlive my time?
2. Try Mini-Experiments
Instead of waiting to build something big, I’m starting small:
Sharing ideas more often
Creating tools or insights that others find useful
Testing small problems I can solve that people care about
3. Look at Success Differently
Earlier, I measured success with salary hikes or promotions.
Now, I look at:
How fast I’m learning
How strong my network is
What kind of leverage I’m building
Whether I’m moving toward financial freedom
India is Changing. So Should We.
The India we grew up in — the one where job security was everything — is fading.
We’re in a new India now. One where:
People are building D2C brands from small towns
Creators are making lakhs per month from content
SaaS startups are going global
Capital, tools, and information are more accessible than ever
The old playbook won’t work here. We need a new one.
And for me, that means thinking like a builder — not a cog.
Final Thought
This blog isn’t about quitting your job.
It’s about quitting the mindset that keeps you small, safe, and stuck.
It’s about asking better questions and taking ownership of your future.
I’m still learning, still figuring things out. But one thing is clear:
If I want to build wealth, freedom, and real impact —
I have to stop being a salaryman and start thinking like a sovereign.
And maybe, this is just the beginning.