Latest news with #MindOverMoney
Economic Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Economic Times
Mind Over Money – From Badminton to Boho Meditations: How CoinDCX's Sumit Gupta Recharges
Sumit Gupta, Co-Founder of CoinDCX, prioritizes mental clarity through mindfulness and physical activity to navigate the volatile crypto world. In the high-stakes world of crypto entrepreneurship, mental clarity is just as critical as business strategy. For Sumit Gupta, Co-Founder of CoinDCX, staying grounded amidst volatility is a conscious, daily practice. Whether it's through morning meditations guided by Boho Beautiful, an energizing game of badminton, or late-night walks with his wife, Sumit blends mindfulness with movement to recharge both mind and body. In this candid conversation for 'Mind Over Money' series, he shares how he structures his day for focus, the values that shape CoinDCX's culture, and why laughter, integrity, and intentional living are key to navigating the pressures of leadership. Edited Excerpts – Q) How do you keep yourself mentally fit? A) I genuinely believe that physical and mental fitness go hand-in-hand, especially if one wants to perform consistently at a high level. That said, mental fitness is even more critical in the unpredictable and often lonely journey of entrepreneurship. You're constantly making decisions with limited data, managing uncertainty, and balancing pressure, all of which takes a toll on your mental health if not managed me, regular workout sessions with my trainer, playing badminton, or even going for a night walk with my wife helps keep me physically and mentally active. And when it comes to mental clarity, I've found morning meditations to be really helpful -- Just 15 minutes a day before I start my day in the morning is good enough to reset and refocus.I feel mental fitness begins with awareness and we all as professionals spend a large part of our day with colleagues. So, at CoinDCX, we thought, why not find ways to drive discussions around fitness and motivate each other? That's how we started a few Slack channels around fitness, travel, and music. It's great to see how these channels have evolved. People share music playlists, meditation tips, healthy food recipes, weekend getaway plans, and even travel ideas. People across teams engage with each other for things other than work. This adds a human touch to work, and that really helps with mental well-being too. Q) What does your morning routine look like, and how does it set the tone for your day as a founder? A) My mornings are intentionally slow and mindful. It's the only part of the day I try to keep truly for myself.I begin by praying to God with a few mantras and folded hands. That short moment of gratitude and grounding sets the tone for everything that follows. Then I drink a glass of hot water with lemon, followed by a quick call with my parents and a 10-minute walk inside the house—just to get moving and freshening up, I spend 15 minutes in meditation, usually guided sessions from the BOHO Beautiful series. It's incredibly calming and helps me reset my focus before the day's noise kicks I shower, have a healthy heavy breakfast with lots of fluids, and catch up with what's happening around the world—whether it's global news, crypto markets, or trends on Twitter and LinkedIn. That blend of inner stillness and outer awareness helps me step into a day full of decisions, meetings, and movement with clarity and intention. Q) Any mindfulness practices or productivity hacks you swear by during high-stress moments? A) Yes. Two, actually. First, during high-stress moments, I turn to guided breathing, specifically the Wim Hof Method. There's a brilliant session on YouTube with over 100 million views that I keep going back to. Just a few minutes of focused breathing resets your nervous system and brings instant clarity. Second, I take a short break and talk to my family. Just being around them or having a quick call is a reminder of what really matters. It brings perspective and joy and helps me return to work with a lighter head and a fuller heart. As for productivity hacks, I never rely on memory alone. I maintain all my tasks digitally using the Microsoft To Do app, which syncs across all my devices. It's my second brain—where I dump everything on my mind in a written, structured format that drives me to take action. Once it's out of my head and into that list, I can move on with clarity. And I practice time-boxing: dividing my day into clear slots aligned with my top priorities—work, health, family. It ensures I stay focused and intentional with how I spend my time. Q) We hear you enjoy stand-up comedy! Has humour helped you navigate tough times as an entrepreneur A) Absolutely. I love watching stand-up comedy, whether it's live shows or during dinner with friends and family. Indian comedians are brilliant at creating content that's so relatable, and their ability to make people laugh through everyday struggles is truly underrated. It's one of my favorite ways to unwind and lighten the mood. As an entrepreneur, I've learned that uncertainty is the only constant. Things rarely go exactly as planned, and life throws curveballs more often than we'd like. In that kind of environment, humor becomes a powerful tool. You need intensity to build and lead but you also need the ability to laugh things off. That balance helps me stay grounded and resilient. A) For me, it's 'Do the Right Thing'. It's also one of our core values at operating in an industry that's so complex and still evolving. There are no playbooks, and that means the responsibility on us as builders is even higher. We're here to build for the long term, and that starts with earning trust from users, regulators, and our own it's staying compliant, being transparent, or putting the user first, integrity can't be optional. It has to be in the DNA of how we operate every single day. As entrepreneurs, we don't just build products, we build culture. And culture is built one decision at a time. A) Yes, big fan of chai! And also poha, thanks to my Indore roots. If I could sit down for a long 'chai pe charcha,' I think it would be with Satoshi Nakamoto. Imagine chatting with the person or a group of people who created Bitcoin. It's arguably one of the most disruptive innovations of our time, and yet what was going on in the founder's mind while creating it remains a complete mystery. I'd love to understand what inspired Satoshi, what they envisioned for the world when they wrote that whitepaper, and most intriguingly did they ever imagine that Bitcoin would reach this level of global adoption, influencing people, organizations, and even entire nations? (Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views, and opinions given by experts are their own. These do not represent the views of the Economic Times)
Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Mind Over Money – From Badminton to Boho Meditations: How CoinDCX's Sumit Gupta Recharges
In the high-stakes world of crypto entrepreneurship, mental clarity is just as critical as business strategy. For Sumit Gupta , Co-Founder of CoinDCX , staying grounded amidst volatility is a conscious, daily practice. Whether it's through morning meditations guided by Boho Beautiful, an energizing game of badminton , or late-night walks with his wife, Sumit blends mindfulness with movement to recharge both mind and body. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo In this candid conversation for ' Mind Over Money ' series, he shares how he structures his day for focus, the values that shape CoinDCX's culture, and why laughter, integrity, and intentional living are key to navigating the pressures of leadership . Edited Excerpts – Q) How do you keep yourself mentally fit? A) I genuinely believe that physical and mental fitness go hand-in-hand, especially if one wants to perform consistently at a high level. That said, mental fitness is even more critical in the unpredictable and often lonely journey of entrepreneurship. Live Events You're constantly making decisions with limited data, managing uncertainty, and balancing pressure, all of which takes a toll on your mental health if not managed well. For me, regular workout sessions with my trainer, playing badminton, or even going for a night walk with my wife helps keep me physically and mentally active. And when it comes to mental clarity, I've found morning meditations to be really helpful -- Just 15 minutes a day before I start my day in the morning is good enough to reset and refocus. I feel mental fitness begins with awareness and we all as professionals spend a large part of our day with colleagues. So, at CoinDCX, we thought, why not find ways to drive discussions around fitness and motivate each other? That's how we started a few Slack channels around fitness, travel, and music. It's great to see how these channels have evolved. People share music playlists, meditation tips, healthy food recipes, weekend getaway plans, and even travel ideas. People across teams engage with each other for things other than work. This adds a human touch to work, and that really helps with mental well-being too. Q) What does your morning routine look like, and how does it set the tone for your day as a founder? A) My mornings are intentionally slow and mindful. It's the only part of the day I try to keep truly for myself. I begin by praying to God with a few mantras and folded hands. That short moment of gratitude and grounding sets the tone for everything that follows. Then I drink a glass of hot water with lemon, followed by a quick call with my parents and a 10-minute walk inside the house—just to get moving and centered. After freshening up, I spend 15 minutes in meditation, usually guided sessions from the BOHO Beautiful series. It's incredibly calming and helps me reset my focus before the day's noise kicks in. Then I shower, have a healthy heavy breakfast with lots of fluids, and catch up with what's happening around the world—whether it's global news, crypto markets, or trends on Twitter and LinkedIn. That blend of inner stillness and outer awareness helps me step into a day full of decisions, meetings, and movement with clarity and intention. Q) Any mindfulness practices or productivity hacks you swear by during high-stress moments? A) Yes. Two, actually. First, during high-stress moments, I turn to guided breathing, specifically the Wim Hof Method . There's a brilliant session on YouTube with over 100 million views that I keep going back to. Just a few minutes of focused breathing resets your nervous system and brings instant clarity. Second, I take a short break and talk to my family. Just being around them or having a quick call is a reminder of what really matters. It brings perspective and joy and helps me return to work with a lighter head and a fuller heart. As for productivity hacks, I never rely on memory alone. I maintain all my tasks digitally using the Microsoft To Do app, which syncs across all my devices. It's my second brain—where I dump everything on my mind in a written, structured format that drives me to take action. Once it's out of my head and into that list, I can move on with clarity. And I practice time-boxing: dividing my day into clear slots aligned with my top priorities—work, health, family. It ensures I stay focused and intentional with how I spend my time. Q) We hear you enjoy stand-up comedy! Has humour helped you navigate tough times as an entrepreneur A) Absolutely. I love watching stand-up comedy, whether it's live shows or during dinner with friends and family. Indian comedians are brilliant at creating content that's so relatable, and their ability to make people laugh through everyday struggles is truly underrated. It's one of my favorite ways to unwind and lighten the mood. As an entrepreneur, I've learned that uncertainty is the only constant. Things rarely go exactly as planned, and life throws curveballs more often than we'd like. In that kind of environment, humor becomes a powerful tool. You need intensity to build and lead but you also need the ability to laugh things off. That balance helps me stay grounded and resilient. Q) You talk a lot about building a people-first culture. What's one value that's non-negotiable at CoinDCX? A) For me, it's 'Do the Right Thing'. It's also one of our core values at CoinDCX. We're operating in an industry that's so complex and still evolving. There are no playbooks, and that means the responsibility on us as builders is even higher. We're here to build for the long term, and that starts with earning trust from users, regulators, and our own teams. Whether it's staying compliant, being transparent, or putting the user first, integrity can't be optional. It has to be in the DNA of how we operate every single day. As entrepreneurs, we don't just build products, we build culture. And culture is built one decision at a time. Q) We've heard you love chai. If you could share a cup with any thinker — dead or alive — who would it be and why? A) Yes, big fan of chai! And also poha, thanks to my Indore roots. If I could sit down for a long 'chai pe charcha,' I think it would be with Satoshi Nakamoto. Imagine chatting with the person or a group of people who created Bitcoin. It's arguably one of the most disruptive innovations of our time, and yet what was going on in the founder's mind while creating it remains a complete mystery. I'd love to understand what inspired Satoshi, what they envisioned for the world when they wrote that whitepaper, and most intriguingly did they ever imagine that Bitcoin would reach this level of global adoption, influencing people, organizations, and even entire nations? ( Disclaimer : Recommendations, suggestions, views, and opinions given by experts are their own. These do not represent the views of the Economic Times )
Economic Times
21-06-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
Mind Over Money: Why cricket and music keep PNB Housing CEO mentally fit and emotionally grounded
In this edition of Mind Over Money, we step off the trading floor and onto the cricket pitch—and even into a musical interlude—with Girish Kousgi, MD & CEO of PNB Housing Finance. ADVERTISEMENT A firm believer that leadership is as much about mental clarity as it is about strategic decision-making, Kousgi shares how his lifelong passion for cricket instills discipline, resilience, and team spirit in his leadership style. Just as crucial to his personal equilibrium is music, which he credits for sharpening his emotional intelligence and deepening human connections in both personal and professional settings. From reading the market like a pitch to leading with empathy and rhythm, Kousgi reveals how sport and melody keep him grounded amid the pressures of the corporate world. Edited Excerpts - A) Cricket has always been more than just a sport for me – it's a way of life. It teaches you discipline, focus, teamwork, and above all, resilience. ADVERTISEMENT These values have deeply shaped my leadership style. Just like in cricket, where every player has a unique role but the team wins together, I believe in empowering individuals while driving collective it's dealing with pressure situations, taking strategic calls, or celebrating wins and learning from losses, the game has taught me the importance of staying grounded and agile – qualities which I strive to bring into the boardroom every day. ADVERTISEMENT On the personal front, cricket is my way of staying mentally and physically fit. It helps me disconnect from the rigors of daily responsibilities and rejuvenate.I firmly believe that physical activity, in any form, isn't a luxury but a necessity. It fuels clarity, focus, and emotional balance. For me, cricket is that outlet. ADVERTISEMENT A) Much like a cricket captain who must read the pitch, assess the opposition, and adjust the game plan in real time, navigating a dynamic business environment requires constant vigilance, strategic foresight, and PNB Housing Finance, we operate in a sector that's highly sensitive to economic trends, policy changes, and evolving customer expectations.I believe in staying closely connected to ground realities whether through data analytics, customer feedback, or internal team insights. ADVERTISEMENT I encourage a culture where we stay proactive rather than reactive anticipating shifts and preparing for various includes fostering cross-functional collaboration, building contingency plans, and staying aligned with our long-term vision while being nimble in as a captain leads from the front in adverse situations, I try to lead with clarity and composure during uncertain times, ensuring that my team feels confident and it's about trusting your preparation, backing your team, and staying focused on the larger goal just like in cricket. A) Patience and resilience are at the heart of both cricket and leadership especially during challenging phases or turnarounds. In cricket, you don't always win every session, but staying focused, trusting the process, and bouncing back is what counts.I've applied the same mindset throughout my leadership journey, particularly during times when the business needed strategic recalibration or faced external PNB Housing Finance, we've undergone significant transformation over the past few years – from recalibrating our portfolio mix to focusing more on retail, especially on affordable housing and emerging wasn't an overnight shift. It required consistent efforts, stakeholder alignment, and the patience to see our long-term strategy come to were moments when quick results were elusive, but I've always believed in steady, sustainable progress over short-term wins. Resilience helped us stay the course, remain customer-focused, and deliver strong like in a long innings, you need to absorb the pressure, pick your moments, and keep moving forward with conviction. That's what drives real, lasting success. A) In cricket, every player has a distinct role – be it an opener, a fast bowler, or a finisher and the team performs best when each one plays to their strengths. I apply the same principle when leading my team.I strongly believe in identifying individual capabilities and aligning responsibilities where people can thrive and deliver their than expecting everyone to do everything, I focus on building a complementary team where strengths are amplified, and gaps are addressed through creates a culture of trust and empowerment where leaders have the autonomy to lead in their areas of expertise while working towards shared PNB Housing Finance, this approach has helped us drive high ownership and sharper execution across functions. Much like a winning cricket team, our success is rooted in knowing our strengths and playing to them with clarity, conviction and confidence. A) Music has a unique ability to connect us with our emotions, helping us pause, reflect, and understand perspectives beyond our own. I find that this emotional depth directly enhances emotional intelligence something that's incredibly valuable in my leadership approach, this translates into being more empathetic, a better listener, and more attuned to the unspoken dynamics within the intelligence is not just about managing your own feelings but also about recognizing and respecting the emotions of others, especially in high-pressure or uncertain like a well-composed piece of music, leadership requires harmony between strategy and empathy, direction and its resolving conflicts, motivating teams, or driving cultural change, the ability to connect on a human level makes all the difference. Music keeps me grounded in that space. A) Music has an incredible way of bringing people together. It transcends hierarchy, backgrounds, and even stress. I've often used my love for music as a bridge to build rapport, both within my team and with external sparks conversations, adds a human touch to interactions, and creates a shared space of comfort and relatability. I've realized that shared interests like music help move conversations beyond numbers and deals. It allows for deeper, more authentic relationships. At the end of the day, leadership isn't just about driving outcomes – it's about connecting with people. And music has been a powerful enabler of that connection. (Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views, and opinions given by experts are their own. These do not represent the views of the Economic Times) (You can now subscribe to our ETMarkets WhatsApp channel)
Time of India
21-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Mind Over Money: Why cricket and music keep PNB Housing CEO mentally fit and emotionally grounded
In this edition of Mind Over Money, we step off the trading floor and onto the cricket pitch—and even into a musical interlude—with Girish Kousgi , MD & CEO of PNB Housing Finance. A firm believer that leadership is as much about mental clarity as it is about strategic decision-making, Kousgi shares how his lifelong passion for cricket instills discipline, resilience, and team spirit in his leadership style. Just as crucial to his personal equilibrium is music, which he credits for sharpening his emotional intelligence and deepening human connections in both personal and professional settings. From reading the market like a pitch to leading with empathy and rhythm, Kousgi reveals how sport and melody keep him grounded amid the pressures of the corporate world. Edited Excerpts - Q) Thanks for taking the time out Girish. You're known for your passion for cricket. How has the game influenced your leadership style in the corporate world? Is this one-off your ways to keep yourself mentally fit? A) Cricket has always been more than just a sport for me – it's a way of life. It teaches you discipline, focus, teamwork, and above all, resilience. These values have deeply shaped my leadership style. Just like in cricket, where every player has a unique role but the team wins together, I believe in empowering individuals while driving collective success. Whether it's dealing with pressure situations, taking strategic calls, or celebrating wins and learning from losses, the game has taught me the importance of staying grounded and agile – qualities which I strive to bring into the boardroom every day. On the personal front, cricket is my way of staying mentally and physically fit. It helps me disconnect from the rigors of daily responsibilities and rejuvenate. I firmly believe that physical activity, in any form, isn't a luxury but a necessity. It fuels clarity, focus, and emotional balance. For me, cricket is that outlet. Q) Like a cricket captain, how do you assess and adapt to rapidly changing business conditions? A) Much like a cricket captain who must read the pitch, assess the opposition, and adjust the game plan in real time, navigating a dynamic business environment requires constant vigilance, strategic foresight, and agility. At PNB Housing Finance, we operate in a sector that's highly sensitive to economic trends, policy changes, and evolving customer expectations. I believe in staying closely connected to ground realities whether through data analytics, customer feedback, or internal team insights. I encourage a culture where we stay proactive rather than reactive anticipating shifts and preparing for various scenarios. This includes fostering cross-functional collaboration, building contingency plans, and staying aligned with our long-term vision while being nimble in execution. Just as a captain leads from the front in adverse situations, I try to lead with clarity and composure during uncertain times, ensuring that my team feels confident and supported. Ultimately, it's about trusting your preparation, backing your team, and staying focused on the larger goal just like in cricket. Q) Cricket requires patience and resilience, how have you drawn on these traits during business turnarounds or challenging phases? A) Patience and resilience are at the heart of both cricket and leadership especially during challenging phases or turnarounds. In cricket, you don't always win every session, but staying focused, trusting the process, and bouncing back is what counts. I've applied the same mindset throughout my leadership journey, particularly during times when the business needed strategic recalibration or faced external headwinds. At PNB Housing Finance, we've undergone significant transformation over the past few years – from recalibrating our portfolio mix to focusing more on retail, especially on affordable housing and emerging markets. It wasn't an overnight shift. It required consistent efforts, stakeholder alignment, and the patience to see our long-term strategy come to fruition. There were moments when quick results were elusive, but I've always believed in steady, sustainable progress over short-term wins. Resilience helped us stay the course, remain customer-focused, and deliver strong fundamentals. Just like in a long innings, you need to absorb the pressure, pick your moments, and keep moving forward with conviction. That's what drives real, lasting success. Q) How do you apply the concept of 'playing to one's strengths' from cricket when managing your leadership team? A) In cricket, every player has a distinct role – be it an opener, a fast bowler, or a finisher and the team performs best when each one plays to their strengths. I apply the same principle when leading my team. I strongly believe in identifying individual capabilities and aligning responsibilities where people can thrive and deliver their best. Rather than expecting everyone to do everything, I focus on building a complementary team where strengths are amplified, and gaps are addressed through collaboration. This creates a culture of trust and empowerment where leaders have the autonomy to lead in their areas of expertise while working towards shared goals. At PNB Housing Finance, this approach has helped us drive high ownership and sharper execution across functions. Much like a winning cricket team, our success is rooted in knowing our strengths and playing to them with clarity, conviction and confidence. Q) You've spoken about how music helps enhance emotional intelligence. How does that translate into your leadership approach? A) Music has a unique ability to connect us with our emotions, helping us pause, reflect, and understand perspectives beyond our own. I find that this emotional depth directly enhances emotional intelligence something that's incredibly valuable in leadership. In my leadership approach, this translates into being more empathetic, a better listener, and more attuned to the unspoken dynamics within the team. Emotional intelligence is not just about managing your own feelings but also about recognizing and respecting the emotions of others, especially in high-pressure or uncertain situations. Much like a well-composed piece of music, leadership requires harmony between strategy and empathy, direction and understanding. Whether its resolving conflicts, motivating teams, or driving cultural change, the ability to connect on a human level makes all the difference. Music keeps me grounded in that space. Q) In what ways has your connection to music improved team engagement and stakeholder relationships? A) Music has an incredible way of bringing people together. It transcends hierarchy, backgrounds, and even stress. I've often used my love for music as a bridge to build rapport, both within my team and with external stakeholders. It sparks conversations, adds a human touch to interactions, and creates a shared space of comfort and relatability. I've realized that shared interests like music help move conversations beyond numbers and deals. It allows for deeper, more authentic relationships. At the end of the day, leadership isn't just about driving outcomes – it's about connecting with people. And music has been a powerful enabler of that connection. ( Disclaimer : Recommendations, suggestions, views, and opinions given by experts are their own. These do not represent the views of the Economic Times)
Economic Times
14-06-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
Mind Over Money: A Walk at Sunrise, Yoga, and Bhagavad Gita: The Routine That Grounds Bonanza's Shiv Goel
Q) Thanks for taking the time out. Could you tell us about how you begin your day? Live Events Q) You've spoken about being spiritually aligned. How has spirituality shaped your leadership style and decision-making at Bonanza Group? Q) 'Giving' is a beautiful theme in your life. Could you expand more about how it brings peace in your life? Q) How do you stay grounded amid the pressures of the corporate world? Q) How do you prioritise your work, personal life and other commitments? Q) What final advice would you give to young working professionals? (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our ETMarkets WhatsApp channel In this edition of Mind Over Money, we explore the deeply reflective world of Shiv K. Goel , Director at Bonanza Group , whose day begins not with spreadsheets or strategy calls, but with a sunrise walk, yoga , and spiritual readings from the Srimad Bhagavad Gita For Goel, success isn't defined solely by business milestones but by the ability to remain grounded, composed, and purpose-driven amidst the chaos of corporate this conversation, he shares how his morning rituals and spiritual alignment shape his leadership style, instill resilience, and inspire a life rooted in empathy, balance, and inner clarity. Edited Excerpts –Starting my day with a sunrise walk followed by yoga helps create a space of inner stillness and presence. The walk offers mental clarity and solitude, while yoga brings physical balance and routine sets the tone for the day, allowing me to approach decisions with a calm, focused, and composed spiritual alignment offers twofold benefits. Firstly, it helps me handle successes and failures in both personal and business life with balance, recognizing God's it reinforces the karma principle, guiding Bonanza Group to operate with deep integrity, treating all stakeholders with fairness, respect, and transparency.I see 'giving' as a natural part of life that aligns with the universe's greater order. Daily acts like feeding birds, cows, and the less privileged remind me that life is about brings peace by restoring balance amidst the pursuit of success. Selfless giving humbles the ego and fosters and listening to spiritual texts, especially Srimad Bhagwat Ji, reminds me that while we're responsible for our actions, the outcomes are in divine helps me stay centered, optimistic, happy and resilient during challenges. It's a reminder to lead with purpose, not Giriraj Ji Parikrama in Govardhan acts as a spiritual reset for me. Walking 21 km in silence, immersed in devotional music, allows for deep inner reflection and removes helps me realign priorities, discern what's important, and cultivate gratitude. This periodic withdrawal builds resilience, clarity, and spiritual no substitute for hard work; success is built on consistent effort. Truly listening to mentors, your team, and your inner voice is also life is about balance. A professional life driven by purpose, ethics, and spiritual values is more fulfilling and sustainable. Work hard, stay humble, remain spiritually anchored, and meaningful success will follow.
