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Memos by Sooraj

Thoughts on startups, career and life

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Category: Microessays

Hard work vs luck

A lot of success in life is pure luck. But that doesn't mean hard work has no role. If I look back at my life, I have been a fortunate guy. Most of my career success came out of luck. No, I'm not being humble here. I'm trying to prove a point. My journey When … Continue reading Hard work vs luck →

Sooraj Chandran Life lessons, Microessays 2 Comments September 16, 2022September 17, 2022 4 Minutes

Improving communication

As a non-native English speaker, I've struggled with my communication a lot over the years. This is especially true if you are working in a global team. I realised this when I moved to the US for the first time in my life. Communicating was a struggle. Instead of working on it, I'd try and … Continue reading Improving communication →

Sooraj Chandran Career advice, Life lessons, Microessays Leave a comment December 29, 2021December 29, 2021 2 Minutes

Saying No

There are primarily three themes in life - Work, relationships and you. Saying no is a mechanism to prioritise yourself.

Sooraj Chandran Life lessons, Microessays Leave a comment December 27, 2021December 31, 2021 1 Minute

Luck

The world tells you how hard work and mindset makes you successful. But honestly, 80% of it is luck. Successful people don't like to admit it - but it's often true. Right place, right time, right people. Hard work is necessary for success but doesn't guarantee it. The difference is called luck. For every hard-working … Continue reading Luck →

Sooraj Chandran Life lessons, Microessays Leave a comment December 3, 2021December 30, 2021 1 Minute

Idea evaluation framework

New ideas are always exciting. We get hands-on and start building too early, only to lose interest later. Here is a list of questions I currently use to reflect on ideas before I build them. Who am I building for? Where can I find them?Do I have easy access to where they are?Can I describe … Continue reading Idea evaluation framework →

Sooraj Chandran Microessays, Productivity, startup 1 Comment November 27, 2020December 31, 2021 1 Minute

Recent posts

  • People. All that matters.
  • IC (Individual contributor) vs Manager
  • Hard work vs luck
  • PM role vs Developer role:
  • Getting off the treadmill

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  • Learning (3)
  • Life lessons (15)
  • Microessays (5)
  • Productivity (8)
  • Relationship (1)
  • SaaS (1)
  • startup (6)

I write about startups, productivity and career on a weekly basis. Get notified about news posts.

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agile ahdh career Career advice communication decisionmaking developer failure Feynman Fitness frameworks goals idea learningnotes life lessons lifelessons Lifestyle luck Marriage mentalmodels Microessays Nutrition obsidian okrs pricing Productivity productmanagement Relationship relationships routine SaaS sayingno slowlife speaking startup Travel Writing

Top posts

  • People. All that matters.
  • Fail often: An honest account of my failures

agile ahdh career Career advice communication decisionmaking developer failure Feynman Fitness frameworks goals idea learningnotes life lessons lifelessons Lifestyle luck Marriage mentalmodels Microessays Nutrition obsidian okrs pricing Productivity productmanagement Relationship relationships routine SaaS sayingno slowlife speaking startup Travel Writing

  • People. All that matters.
  • IC (Individual contributor) vs Manager
  • Hard work vs luck
  • PM role vs Developer role:
  • Getting off the treadmill
  • Career advice
  • Fitness
  • Learning
  • Life lessons
  • Microessays
  • Productivity
  • Relationship
  • SaaS
  • startup
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