Striving towards Excellence

-Karthik Gurumurthy

From a young age, I've harbored a deep desire to become a valuable member of society. I believe that each of us has a unique purpose and the potential to make a positive impact on the world around us. As I look ahead to this new chapter, I encourage all of you to consider how you too can become valuable members of society. It's not about fame or fortune, but rather about the lasting impact we leave on the lives of others.

As I step into my 50s, I am filled with gratitude for the journey thus far and excitement for the adventures that lie ahead. My wish is that each of you embarks on your own journey of becoming a valuable member of society, leaving a legacy that shines brightly for generations to come.

Thank you for being a part of my journey, and let's continue to inspire and uplift one another.

For my birthday, I have shared a list of lessons to document on the lessons I have learned over the years.

• Stop talking and start doing. NOW!
• Get over yourself. Anything worth doing is worth sucking at it…at first.
• Be your own boss—no matter who you work for.
• Please make sure your wife is well taken care of. Marriage is a garden that requires consistent attention to flourish.
• Give your kids the gift of working through their own struggles.
• Assume any text, email, or anything in writing will become public.
• Embrace change before it’s forced on you.
• Stop arguing and start listening. You don’t win people over with logic. You win them over by listening.
• Be generous with your time, ideas, attention, smiles, compliments, and money.
• Remember the Caterpillar and the Butterfly. In your struggle to break out of your darkest moments, you transform into something new and build the strength in your wings to soar.
• Persist until you succeed, but also know when it’s wise to quit.
• Earn respect by respecting yourself first.
• Demand more of yourself than anyone else could ever imagine expecting of you.
• Pursue excellence in the 5 F’s of your life—Faith, Family, Finances, Fitness, and Friendships. Weakness in any area puts your entire life out of balance.
• Stretch your comfort zone daily. Life’s best opportunities lie on the other side of fear.
• Embrace failure, but don’t repeat it.
• Celebrate success, but don’t rest on it.
• Live each day with urgency—and patience.
• Don’t worry about the failure that could be. Worry about the regret that’s guaranteed if you don’t try.
• Stay grounded by deepening your faith.
• Accomplish big goals with small steps.
• Thank those who doubted you.
• Inspire others to break through their barriers to success by breaking through your own.
• Reject rejection. People don’t reject you as a person. They reject your words, ideas, offer, or product. Don’t take it personally.
• Always Be Serving
• Solve people’s problems, and you’ll never be unemployed.
• Treat everyone with dignity and respect—especially your enemies and critics.
• Dress to show respect.
• Surround yourself with people who raise your game.
• Find joy in the journey-especially your struggles.
• Fear mediocrity, not failure.
• Learn how- and when-to say no.