For years, getting into IIT or IIM has often been seen as the ultimate sign of success in India. Many students grow up believing that a top college, a high-paying job abroad, or building a massive startup is the only path to a successful life. Entrepreneur and content creator Ankur Warikoo has now shared why he no longer agrees with that idea. In a recent LinkedIn post, Warikoo opened up about chasing these goals for years and later realising that they did not give him the sense of fulfilment he expected.
In his post, Warikoo spoke about the mindset he had while growing up. He wrote that he once believed “Getting into IIT/IIM is the ONLY way to be successful. Settling out of India is the ONLY way to be successful. Working 16-20 hrs a day is the ONLY way to be successful. Building a unicorn startup is the ONLY way to be successful.”
According to him, these ideas shaped many of his decisions and pushed him into constantly chasing bigger achievements. But after accomplishing several of those goals, he realised something still felt missing. Warikoo admitted that despite reaching milestones many people dream of, he often felt “empty and directionless.”
He added that these questions changed the way he now looks at ambition and achievement. Instead of following what society defines as success, he believes people should spend more time understanding what genuinely matters to them.
The entrepreneur further shared that his understanding of success today is much more personal than before. He wrote, “I know none of these are mandatory for success, and certainly not the only ways one can be successful.”
Warikoo said that helping people through his work is now one of the biggest markers of success in his life. He also mentioned that being able to spend his days the way he wants and growing at a steady pace alongside people he cares about gives him a greater sense of purpose than external achievements alone.
“The people I've had the privilege to help - that is my success,” he wrote. He further added, “Spending my days the way I wish to - that is my success. Growing slowly, sustainably, while empowering those who are on this journey with me - that is my success.”
“Your life is happening now. Not someday. Now,” he wrote.
He also warned against attaching too many conditions to happiness and fulfilment. According to him, the more conditions people create for themselves, the harder it becomes to enjoy life as it is.
Ending his message on a reflective note, Warikoo wrote, “Happiness is not a destination. It's a choice!”
In his post, Warikoo spoke about the mindset he had while growing up. He wrote that he once believed “Getting into IIT/IIM is the ONLY way to be successful. Settling out of India is the ONLY way to be successful. Working 16-20 hrs a day is the ONLY way to be successful. Building a unicorn startup is the ONLY way to be successful.”
According to him, these ideas shaped many of his decisions and pushed him into constantly chasing bigger achievements. But after accomplishing several of those goals, he realised something still felt missing. Warikoo admitted that despite reaching milestones many people dream of, he often felt “empty and directionless.”
The 3 questions people should ask themselves
Warikoo explained that the biggest mistake was not taking the time to question whether those goals were truly meaningful to him personally. He said that if he had paused earlier, he would have asked himself three important questions: “Is this what my life needs? Is it worth losing my life in its pursuit? What if there's something better I'm not aware of yet?”He added that these questions changed the way he now looks at ambition and achievement. Instead of following what society defines as success, he believes people should spend more time understanding what genuinely matters to them.
The entrepreneur further shared that his understanding of success today is much more personal than before. He wrote, “I know none of these are mandatory for success, and certainly not the only ways one can be successful.”
Warikoo said that helping people through his work is now one of the biggest markers of success in his life. He also mentioned that being able to spend his days the way he wants and growing at a steady pace alongside people he cares about gives him a greater sense of purpose than external achievements alone.
“The people I've had the privilege to help - that is my success,” he wrote. He further added, “Spending my days the way I wish to - that is my success. Growing slowly, sustainably, while empowering those who are on this journey with me - that is my success.”
Happiness should not be delayed
Toward the end of the post, Warikoo spoke about how people often postpone happiness while waiting for a certain achievement or stage in life. He reminded readers that life is already happening in the present and not sometime in the future.“Your life is happening now. Not someday. Now,” he wrote.
He also warned against attaching too many conditions to happiness and fulfilment. According to him, the more conditions people create for themselves, the harder it becomes to enjoy life as it is.
Ending his message on a reflective note, Warikoo wrote, “Happiness is not a destination. It's a choice!”
