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Life

Warren Buffett’s Timeless Wisdom: Notes from Berkshire’s 2025 AGM

Special Discount on My Books! (Until 10th May 2025)

  • Click here to buy Boundless (₹1999 ₹1599)
  • Click here to buy Sketchbook (₹1999 ₹1799)
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Each year, Berkshire Hathaway’s Annual General Meeting in Omaha draws tens of thousands of shareholders, investors, and admirers from around the world, to hear the thoughts of Warren Buffett, whose calm, rational voice continues to cut through the noise of the financial world.

I attended the meeting last year, but this year I followed from afar. And I must admit, I missed being there in person. There’s something grounding about sitting in that arena, surrounded by people from every corner of the globe, all gathered to learn from a man whose clarity and humility have remain unmatched.

Anyways, the 2025 meeting carried a historical weight. Buffett, now 94, formally announced that he will step down as Berkshire’s CEO by the end of the year. While the transition of leadership to Greg Abel has been long anticipated, the announcement was like a passing of the torch. Buffett handled it with the humility and wit that has long characterised his approach.

[Read more…] about Warren Buffett’s Timeless Wisdom: Notes from Berkshire’s 2025 AGM

On Santosha and the Good Life

A quick announcement before I begin today’s post – My new book, Boundless, is now available for ordering!

After a wonderful response during the pre-order phase, I finally have the book in my hands and am shipping it out quickly. If you’d like to get your copy, click here to order now. You can also enjoy lower prices on multiple-copy orders.

Plus, I’m offering a special combo discount if you order Boundless along with my first book, The Sketchbook of Wisdom. Click here to order your set.


I grew up in the India of the 1990s, when life was simple and contentment wasn’t something you had to search for. It was built into our days.

Our house was small, our possessions few, but our lives felt full in a way that’s hard to explain today.

[Read more…] about On Santosha and the Good Life

The True Measure of a Life

A quick announcement before I begin today’s post – 

Special Discount on Boundless and The Sketchbook of Wisdom (available till 25th March)!

After a wonderful response during the pre-order phase, I finally have my new book Boundless in my hands and am shipping it out quickly. If you’d like to get your copy, click here to order now at a special discount that’s available till 25th March.

I am also offering a discount on my first book, The Sketchbook of Wisdom, which is also available till 25th March. Click here to buy now.

Plus, I’m offering a special combo discount if you order Boundless along with my first book, The Sketchbook of Wisdom. Click here to order your set.


The True Measure of a Life

I was in Mussoorie a few days ago. The town holds a special corner in my heart. I had spent a good part of my early childhood there, during my schooling years in Dehradun. This visit was partly about revisiting those memories, the winding roads, the crisp mountain air, and the corners that still remembered me.

But there was another reason I was there.

I wanted to meet the beloved author Ruskin Bond and gift him a copy of my book, Boundless, which carries a chapter inspired by his timeless lesson on love.

[Read more…] about The True Measure of a Life

Life Begins at 40

A quick announcement before I begin today’s post – 

My new book, Boundless, is now available for ordering!

After a wonderful response during the pre-order phase, I finally have the book in my hands and am shipping it out quickly. If you’d like to get your copy, click here to order now. You can also enjoy lower prices on multiple-copy orders.

Plus, I’m offering a special combo discount if you order Boundless along with my first book, The Sketchbook of Wisdom. Click here to order your set.


A Gentle Disclaimer: Not everyone will agree with what you’ll read below, and that’s completely fine. There are many ways to look at life, and this is just how I see it. If you’re someone who feels a little lost after 40, questioning where life is headed or wondering what comes next, then this post is for you. If you don’t relate to it, that’s okay too. We are all on our own unique journeys.


Life Begins at 40

I’m 46 myself.

And if there’s one big thing I’ve realised over the last 4-5 years, it’s that I finally understand what the Swiss psychologist Carl Jung (pronounced as “Yoong” or “Young”) meant when he said:

Life really begins at forty. Up until then, you are just doing research.

I had first read about this in my early thirties but this idea didn’t make much sense then. After all, aren’t your 20s and 30s supposed to be the prime years of your life? The time when you build your career, chase your dreams, and prove yourself to the world? And isn’t 40 when things actually start slowing down?

[Read more…] about Life Begins at 40

A Life Review

How we seek to spend our time may depend on how much time we perceive ourselves to have.

― Atul Gawande, Being Mortal

Earlier this month, on my birthday, I announced the publication of my second book, Boundless. I received a lot of congratulatory messages, but a few people also asked about the two other books I’d announced previously—The Worldly Wisdom of Charlie Munger and Shut Up and Wait. Neither has made it to bookshelves yet.

I knew this question was coming. Honestly, I’ve been asking myself the same thing. Why start a new project when there’s unfinished work on the table?

[Read more…] about A Life Review

A Birthday Note: Announcing My New Book—Boundless

It’s my birthday today—I’ve completed 46 laps around the sun. And as I start my 47th year, here’s a fun fact I discovered: 47 is the atomic number of silver. So, I guess this will be my “Silver Year.” Not sure if that makes me more valuable—though at 46, I was a “Palladium”, which is more precious than silver and gold—or just a little tarnished, but it doesn’t matter!

But enough about silver (and aging). Today, I’m celebrating something much bigger than a birthday.

I’m excited to announce my new book, Boundless: Timeless Wisdom for a Life Without Limits (464-page hardcover book, illustrated, and written in English).


What Boundless Means to Me

This book started as a deeply personal project—just a collection of notes and thoughts I wanted to leave for my children, Kavya and Chaitanya. I wanted them to have something to hold onto as they walk on their own journeys of life, something that shares what I’ve learned (and unlearned) along the way.

But as I wrote, somewhere these notes took on a life of their own. They became lessons for anyone who has ever felt stuck, limited, or unsure of what comes next. They were for anyone looking to reconnect with the vast possibilities within themselves.

That’s why I called it Boundless.

This book is my attempt to explore what it means to live without limits—not in the sense of chasing endless ambition but in embracing curiosity, courage, and the freedom to be your truest self.


A Glimpse into Boundless

The book is organised into five sections:

  1. Self-Discovery: Finding who you are and the path you’re meant to walk.
  2. Overcoming Adversity: How to navigate life’s storms with grace (or at least try to).
  3. Mindful Living: Slowing down and noticing the small, beautiful things in life.
  4. Personal Growth: Growing not for the sake of achievement but for the joy of learning.
  5. Societal Virtues: How we can contribute to something bigger than ourselves.

These sections are made up of 52 chapters—as the number of weeks in a year—where I’ve drawn from thinkers who’ve deeply influenced me—Steve Jobs, Kahlil Gibran, Ramana Maharshi, Leo Tolstoy, Viktor Frankl, Lao Tzu, and many others—and added stories from my own life and other such reflections. Each chapter also has questions to guide your own thinking.

Boundless isn’t just about the words. It’s filled with illustrations I’ve drawn myself. Simple and imperfect as they may be, they are my way of bringing the ideas in the book to life, adding a little extra warmth and meaning to the pages. I hope these sketches make the journey through the book feel a bit more personal, like a conversation between us.

Overall, creating this book has been a labour of love. Like my first book—The Sketchbook of Wisdom—I chose to self-publish because it allows me to pour my heart into every detail. All I had as company along the way was the quiet satisfaction of crafting something meaningful.

My hope is that Boundless will be more than a book to you. I hope it feels like a friend—someone who’s there for you when things get tough and a reminder of why you keep going.


How Boundless is Different from The Sketchbook of Wisdom

Many of you have read my first book, The Sketchbook of Wisdom, and have shared how its timeless lessons resonated with you. It’s deeply humbling to know that it’s found a place in so many of your lives. As I now introduce Boundless, I want to quickly share how this new book is both a continuation of that journey and a departure into something deeper.

When I wrote The Sketchbook of Wisdom, I wanted to create something timeless—a collection of timeless ideas that anyone could pick up, flip through, and feel inspired.

Boundless, though, is a very different kind of book. It’s more personal, more reflective. It’s not just about what others have said but about what I’ve learned—through my own experiences, failures, and moments of clarity.

If The Sketchbook of Wisdom was a map of timeless truths, Boundless is the journey itself. It’s deeply personal, but I’ve written it for anyone who’s looking to embrace their unique path and live a life that feels limitless.

It’s not a replacement for The Sketchbook of Wisdom—it’s a companion, and I hope it finds a place in your life, too.


Early Praise for Boundless

I sent a reviewer’s copy of the book to a few people I admire, and here are some nice things they had to say:

Vishal blends philosophy, personal stories, and practical insights to help you transcend limitations and discover the extraordinary within yourself.

—Manish Chokhani, Director, Enam Holdings

A philosophical journey into our lives, our choices and their consequences.

—Monika Halan, Author, Let’s Talk Money

Boundless is a thought-provoking exploration that reshapes how we see the life we live. Prepare to be inspired, challenged, and utterly transformed by this literary masterpiece.

—Bogumil Baranowski, Founder, Blue Infinitas Capital

Joy to read, thought-provoking, and full of worldly wisdom.

—Barry Ritholtz, Chairman & CIO, Ritholtz Wealth Mgt.

Vishal distils timeless wisdom into a profound guide for living a meaningful life.

—Sankaran Naren, CIO, ICICI Prudential AMC

Boundless is a wonderful guide on how to live a more intentional life. If you want to make tangible changes and go on a journey of self-discovery, then Boundless is the book for you.

—Nick Maggiulli, Author, Just Keep Buying

Boundless is a call to break self-imposed limits and embrace life as an unfolding story.

—Radhika Gupta, MD & CEO, Edelweiss Mutual Fund


A Birthday Gift

Since it’s my birthday, I’d like to turn the tradition around and give you a gift—an invitation to pre-order Boundless. By pre-ordering, you’ll be among the first to receive the book when it starts shipping in January 2025.

Click here to pre-order Boundless now!

And because I want to make this special for those of you who’ve supported me all along, I’m offering a pre-order price of ₹1799 (base price: ₹1999). Pricing for international orders is $51 (base price: $55)

Also, as a token of my gratitude, all pre-orders will include a couple of special bonuses:

  • Free Workbook: A companion guide with reflection prompts and additional insights to help you live the ideas in Boundless.
  • Author Q&A: An invite to an online session where I’ll share behind-the-scenes stories and answer your questions (sometime in early January 2025).

Click here to pre-order Boundless now!

The pre-order bonuses are my way of saying thank you—because honestly, I wouldn’t be here without you.


Final Thoughts

Completing 46 has been humbling. There’s a lot I still don’t know. But one thing I’ve learned is this: Life isn’t about perfection or having all the answers, but is about finding the courage to keep growing—even when the silver starts showing.

Thank you for letting me share this journey with you. Whether you’ve read my words, shared your thoughts, or simply followed along, you’ve been an important part of my story.

Here’s to another year of learning, reflecting, and (hopefully) shining just a little brighter.

With gratitude,
—Vishal

P.S. They say silver tarnishes if you don’t take care of it. So here’s to polishing the best parts of ourselves and letting the rest fade with grace. Let’s live boundlessly together.

Click here to pre-order Boundless now!

Being Vulnerable

The Sketchbook of Wisdom: A Hand-Crafted Manual on the Pursuit of Wealth and Good Life

Buy your copy of the book Morgan Housel calls “a masterpiece.” It contains 50 timeless ideas – from Lord Krishna to Charlie Munger, Socrates to Warren Buffett, and Steve Jobs to Naval Ravikant – as they apply to our lives today. Click here to buy now.


The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek. ~ Joseph Campbell

I was 23, straight out of college, when I came to Mumbai in 2001. I had come from a small town in Rajasthan with a population of under 2 lac, or 0.02 crore. Mumbai was 80 times more crowded, and I was scared.

I had just accepted a seat at an MBA college in this city, and my father had paid the fee. So, there was no looking back. Now when I think back about those times, it was quite possibly the most intimidating situation I had ever gotten myself into thus far.

But I did not want to be a quitter, so I stayed, struggled to get along with the city and its people, and still stayed.

In the first few weeks at college, I flunked more than half of my classes as I was too shy and scared to be out of my accommodation and onto the crowded roads and public transport and then into my class of ‘city’ students.

I never felt as vulnerable in my life as then.

[Read more…] about Being Vulnerable

A Philosophy for a Long, Happy, Rich Life

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Sign up below to receive The Almanack of Good Life in your inbox. You also get access to my free investing newsletter The Journal of Investing Wisdom, and all the bonus e-books and special reports that come alongwith it. All for FREE!

No charge. Unsubscribe anytime.


As Warren Buffett turned 94 the day before yesterday, I found myself reflecting on his extraordinary life and that of his late partner, Charlie Munger, who passed away at 99 last year.

Their longevity is impressive enough, but what truly stands out is the quality of those years – the clarity of thought, the continued passion for their work, and the seemingly unshakeable contentment they exuded.

So, what’s their secret?

[Read more…] about A Philosophy for a Long, Happy, Rich Life

Leander Paes on How to Deal with Triumphs and Disasters in Tennis and Life

Get The Almanack of Good Life in your inbox

Sign up below to receive The Almanack of Good Life in your inbox. You also get access to my free investing newsletter The Journal of Investing Wisdom, and all the bonus e-books and special reports that come alongwith it. All for FREE!

No charge. Unsubscribe anytime.


In the 34th episode of The One Percent Show, I talked with Leander Paes, the Indian tennis legend widely regarded as one of the greatest doubles players in tennis history. We explored Leander’s remarkable journey over four decades to become a tennis legend, his philosophy on hard work, patience, and dealing with losses and failures, and his advice to the young generation on playing the long game, in tennis and life.

[Read more…] about Leander Paes on How to Deal with Triumphs and Disasters in Tennis and Life

The Trappings of Wealth

Get The Almanack of Good Life in your inbox

Sign up below to receive The Almanack of Good Life in your inbox. You also get access to my free investing newsletter The Journal of Investing Wisdom, and all the bonus e-books and special reports that come alongwith it. All for FREE!

No charge. Unsubscribe anytime.


When I look around, I see so many people constantly racing against time. Parents, in their drive to climb the career ladder, often miss out on the precious moments of their children’s childhood. I also see relationships faltering because people are so focused on chasing something elusive in the future — something that never seems to be enough. In the process, they miss out on living and loving the people around them in the present.

[Read more…] about The Trappings of Wealth
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