Avnika Gupta, a Consultant at the Centre for People and Culture at Vantage Circle, has shared a powerful reflection on her personal and professional growth. Her journey, as described in a recent LinkedIn post, offers valuable insights for anyone navigating the fast-paced world of work. Avnika Gupta’s words resonate deeply as they offer a shift in perspective that can transform how we approach both work and life.
For a long time, Avnika Gupta’s approach to work was rooted in a simple question: “What’s in it for me?” Like many of us, she relentlessly chased results, constantly measuring her efforts against what she could gain from them. It was an approach that sought tangible rewards and outcomes, but, over time, this pursuit became draining. The work started to feel like a burden, and the sense of achievement never seemed to be enough. This is a sentiment that many professionals can relate to—a cycle where success seems elusive no matter how hard we work.
One day, however, Avnika Gupta encountered a verse from the Bhagavad Gita that would change her perspective entirely. The verse states: “You have a right to your actions, but not to the fruits of your actions.” At first, these words puzzled her. How could she not focus on the outcome? Wasn’t the end goal what truly mattered? But as Avnika Gupta continued to reflect on these words, their meaning gradually became clearer. This wasn’t a call to abandon ambition; rather, it was an invitation to find freedom.
The Bhagavad Gita’s wisdom resonated with Avnika Gupta, guiding her to shift from a mindset focused solely on results to one that embraced the freedom of the journey itself. She began to understand that success wasn’t just about reaching the finish line but also about showing up with integrity, giving your best, and growing along the way. By freeing herself from the constant pressure to achieve and the fear of failure, Avnika Gupta found a new way to approach her work.
Taking this lesson to heart, Avnika Gupta made a conscious decision to let go of the obsessive need for outcomes. She stopped focusing on where her work would lead and instead started savoring the process itself. Whether it was writing, learning, or creating, she engaged in her tasks not because of deadlines or the need to impress others, but because she loved the act itself.
The transformation was nothing short of remarkable. As Avnika Gupta continued to embrace this new mindset, the anxiety that had once weighed her down began to dissipate. The pressure to perform vanished, replaced by a sense of lightness and joy. As she started enjoying the process, her work improved in ways she hadn’t expected. Ironically, by caring less about the results, the quality of her work began to thrive.
Avnika Gupta’s experience offers an important lesson that many of us need to hear: the true value of work isn’t solely in the outcome. The journey itself—filled with integrity, dedication, and growth—is where the real reward lies. By redefining what success means, we can begin to find fulfillment not only in the outcomes but in the moments of doing.
Today, Avnika Gupta no longer measures her days by what she achieves but by how fully she lives them. This shift in perspective allows her to embrace each moment with purpose and joy, no longer defined by the pursuit of external rewards. In moments of doubt, she reminds herself of the wisdom from the Gita: the true reward isn’t the result—it’s the journey.
Avnika Gupta’s story serves as a powerful reminder for all of us who are caught in the race for results. The relentless pursuit of outcomes can often leave us feeling unfulfilled, no matter how much we achieve. By learning to savor the process, to find joy in the work itself, we can experience a deeper sense of satisfaction and freedom. Avnika Gupta’s message encourages us to focus not just on where we’re going, but on how we’re growing along the way.
As we navigate our own careers and personal lives, let us ask ourselves the same question Avnika Gupta poses: What would our work feel like if we stopped chasing results and started savoring the process? Perhaps it’s time for all of us to take a step back and embrace the journey with the same enthusiasm and passion that Avnika Gupta now carries with her every day.
