In an interview with ETMarkets, Shah said: “A mentally fit leader can think clearly, manage stress better, and make more rational decisions, which are all necessary for the success of their team or the portfolios they manage” Edited excerpts:
Q) Tell us how you keep yourself mentally and physically fit and why it is important, especially now or post-pandemic?
Staying physically fit has always been important, now as I have grown older, I have realized the importance of mental fitness as well.
Staying physically fit gives you a chance to maximize your potential by reducing the chances of regular or unexpected illnesses.
Mental fitness, on the other hand, helps you stay content and calm in the midst of all the pressures one faces in today’s life.
I exercise regularly to stay physically fit. This is in two forms, either by playing a sport (which I personally prefer!) like tennis or football or the other is going to a gym to exercise.
I have recently started group workouts, which are more fun than going to the gym. For mental fitness, I do 15 minutes of meditation every day in the morning.The key is to meditate before checking your phone, or else it becomes difficult to switch off the brain chatter.
Tell us about your daily and weekly regime.
Daily routine
I am a morning person, so I like to begin my day early. Exercise and meditation are the two main things in the morning.
Both help clear my mind and prepare me for the day ahead. As a family, we also spend some time together in the morning before we get started with the day.
The workday always begins with a quick survey of our key metrics and user feedback. These metrics could range from user engagement rates to financial indicators.
Reviewing user emails and chat messages helps me understand if there are any high-priority issues we need to deal with or just generally get feedback on what our customers are thinking.
The rest of my day usually involves meetings and planning. These could be strategic planning meetings, team briefings, or one-on-ones with my team members.
Despite the packed schedule, I ensure that I take short breaks to rejuvenate and maintain productivity throughout the day.
Evenings are usually again spent with family or reading or watching some television to wind down and get some good rest. I ensure that I get at least 7-8 hours of sleep every day. I cannot function efficiently without enough sleep!
Weekly routine
My weekly routine involves a more strategic and planning-oriented approach. I usually dedicate some time at the start of every Monday to plan for the week ahead.
This involves analyzing the business performance of the previous week, setting goals for the upcoming week, and identifying key areas of focus. In terms of work, we have quarterly OKRs that we are working towards and each week we work backwards from those goals and plan out next steps of action.
Since we have a US team as well, some days of the week I have meetings at night as well and so those days tend to be extra long!
Finally, while work is important, I believe in maintaining a balance. I make sure to spend quality time with my spouse, family and friends throughout the week and during the weekend.
This helps me relax, rejuvenate, and get ready for the week ahead.
Is there a specific diet you are taking?
Yes, diet plays a crucial role in maintaining my physical and mental health. I try to keep it light and balanced. I focus on incorporating a lot of fruits and vegetables into my diet.
I believe that consuming fruits is important as they are packed with essential vitamins and minerals, and they also provide the body with much-needed hydration.
Why is it important for people in leadership or money manager positions to keep themselves mentally fit?
Being in a leadership position, one is often faced with high-pressure situations and has to make crucial decisions. Mental fitness plays a vital role here.
A mentally fit leader can think clearly, manage stress better, and make more rational decisions, which are all necessary for the success of their team or the portfolios they manage.
Are you also an avid reader? Any recent books which you would like to recommend to reader
I love reading. Reading allows me to escape into a different world, broaden my horizons, learn new things, and gain insights into different perspectives.
Some recent books that I would recommend include “Measure What Matters” by John Doerr, which provides insights into how to implement and use OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) effectively. Another one is “No Limits” by Mukesh Bansal — it’s an excellent book on how to achieve maximum efficiency as an individual.
I would also recommend “Mindset: The New Psychology of Success” by Carol S. Dweck for those who want to understand how a growth mindset can lead to success. It’s one of my favorite books.
(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views, and opinions given by experts are their own. These do not represent the views of the Economic Times)
