The lens you use to look at a problem impacts your net worth.

1. How I lost $8 billion?
Hitesh Porwal, Certified Executive Coach, www.wealthpal.in

2. My first loss: $7 billion
When I first moved to Mumbai in 1998, I wasn’t particularly happy commuting via
cabs. That's because:
a. The taxis looked banal (Premier Padminis, of course)
b. The use of diesel cased excessive pollution (remember it was the pre-CNG era)
c. And most importantly, the majority of them were non-AC, and the heat would
be excruciating during summers (AC cabs only plied between fixed destinations)
Did I do anything to save myself the pain?
You bet. I complained, I grumbled, and then complained a little more. And while I
was at it, two 20-year-olds sniffed out a real opportunity and came up with OLA.
As of today, the app-cab company's valuation is $7 billion.
My second loss: $1 billion
My wife is big on movies. So whenever I had to go to watch one in the first week
of its release, I would always be anxious about the availability of tickets. And as
fate was to have it, 8 times out of 10, I had to purchase tickets in black. I hated
that.
Did I do anything to save myself the pain?
You bet again. I complained, I grumbled, and then complained a little more. And
while I was at it, three long-time friends went holidaying to South Africa and
planned a company, roots to fruits. No prizes for guessing, it is BookMyShow that
I am talking about, a company that is worth $1 billion today.
It was after I lost my $8 billion that I learnt my lesson. The lens you use to look
at a problem impacts your net worth.