As entrepreneur Rohit Sakunia prepares to turn 43, he has shared valuable insights from his 30s, reflecting on lessons he wishes he had learned earlier. Sakunia, who quit Google over a decade ago to start his entrepreneurial journey, posted a personal reflection on Instagram, describing it not as advice but as 'thodi clarity'—a bit of clarity that could have helped him earlier.
Work Should Not Define Your Identity
One of the biggest lessons Sakunia highlighted was not allowing work to become his entire identity. He wrote, 'Work was good, mood was good. Work was off, everything felt off.' Over time, he realized that professional success and personal well-being are not the same thing.
Set Boundaries and Be Selective
Sakunia emphasized the importance of being careful about where time and energy are invested. He noted that not every friendly person becomes a true friend, and learning to set boundaries took longer than it should have.
Busy vs. Clear Direction
Another lesson was about the difference between being busy and having clear direction. 'Calendar full tha… but direction har baar clear nahi thi,' he wrote, meaning the calendar was full but the direction wasn't always clear. He added that staying busy is easy, while finding clarity takes effort.
Neglecting Fitness Has Consequences
Sakunia admitted that he neglected fitness for years, often putting it off while dealing with long workdays and unhealthy eating habits. Looking back, he believes low energy levels eventually affect every part of life.
Proving Yourself vs. Expressing Yourself
He also spent too much time trying to prove himself and too little time expressing himself. Confidence was another challenge; for years, he felt conscious about his English and spoke less than he wanted. 'Most of that hesitation… sirf dimaag mein hi tha,' he wrote, meaning most of that hesitation was in the mind.
Leaving Google: Uncertainty and Growth
In an earlier post, Sakunia shared details of the uncertainty he faced when he left Google at age 33. At the time, he had a three-month-old baby and was stepping away from a stable job to build something of his own. He recalled worrying about finding clients, earning enough money, supporting his family, and losing the identity built around his role at Google. The first few months were difficult, with slow business and financial pressure adding to the stress.
However, some of his biggest fears never came true. He did not have to return to his old job, his business gradually found its footing, and a new identity eventually took shape. Looking back, Sakunia said he does not believe he got everything wrong; he simply feels some lessons would have been easier to learn earlier. 'If you’re between 30–39… maybe this helps,' he wrote.
