Nikhil Kamath’s Advice For The Graduating Class Of 2025

Summary

In this reflective speech, the speaker shares insights from their 21-year journey, from early entrepreneurial ventures to a career in trading. They discuss the importance of relationships, the value of adapting to life's contradictions, and the role of anxiety in motivating action. Emphasizing that hard work alone is not the key to success, they encourage the audience to embrace change, take risks, and prioritize gratitude over societal expectations of success. The speaker advocates for finding joy in the pursuit of life, not just in winning the capitalist game, while maintaining a grounded perspective.

Takeaways

• 😀 Money was a key aspiration for the speaker during their youth, but their perspective evolved over time as they navigated life and work.
• 😀 Early entrepreneurial experiences, such as selling cell phones, laid the foundation for a career in business and trading.
• 😀 The speaker's first job at a call center in Bangalore in 2004 introduced them to the world of trading and stock markets.
• 😀 Trading, like relationships, has ups and downs, and patience is key to long-term success.
• 😀 Success in trading and life is about staying calm and being stable during chaotic times, both in markets and real-life situations.
• 😀 The people you surround yourself with—your peers and mentors—will have a disproportionate impact on your success and well-being.
• 😀 Hard work is not as important as often believed. Time spent working should be balanced with time spent thinking about what to do and why.
• 😀 There is no clear-cut 'right' or 'wrong' in life. Society often dictates what is right, but personal experiences shape our own moral compass.
• 😀 Life is filled with contradictions, and learning to live with and accept them is crucial for peace of mind.
• 😀 Anxiety can be a tool for growth and productivity if it leads to positive action, such as reading, exercising, or focusing on a goal.
• 😀 Changing your mind with new information is not a weakness but a strength. Embrace change and adapt quickly to new insights.
• 😀 The pursuit of success in capitalism should not be the sole measure of one's life. Enjoy the game and find fulfillment beyond just winning.

Q & A

What motivated the speaker to initially pursue money at a young age?

The speaker attributes his desire for money to various factors, including his childhood environment and what he saw growing up, though he admits he's unsure of the exact reason for this drive.

How did the speaker's first job at a call center shape his career?

The speaker's first job at a call center in Bangalore exposed him to the world of trading and stock markets, which played a crucial role in shaping his career in trading and investment over the next 21 years.

What lesson did the speaker learn from his early experiences in the stock market?

The speaker learned that trading, much like relationships in real life, has ups and downs. The key to success in both is persistence and staying the course despite challenges.

Why does the speaker emphasize the importance of the people you surround yourself with?

The speaker believes that the people you surround yourself with—especially those with strong moral values—have the most disproportionate impact on your life, more than any other decision you might make.

What is the speaker's view on hard work?

The speaker suggests that hard work is not as important as commonly believed. He reflects on his own experience where a significant amount of time spent at work was pretending to work, rather than being truly productive.

What does the speaker say about the concept of right and wrong?

The speaker challenges the traditional view of right and wrong, stating that life is full of contradictions. Rather than trying to resolve these contradictions, the key is to accept and live with them.

How has the speaker's view of anxiety changed over time?

Initially, the speaker viewed anxiety as a negative force. However, over time, he learned to see it as a useful tool if it leads to action, such as reading or going to the gym, which can help in managing anxiety in a productive way.

What does the speaker say about hypocrisy?

The speaker embraces hypocrisy, arguing that it is not inherently bad to change one's mind when presented with new information. He believes that adapting and evolving with new insights is a strength.

What is the speaker's perspective on the capitalist pursuit of success?

The speaker expresses that while the capitalist pursuit of success is a part of life, it should not be the sole measure of one's life. He advises against viewing life only through the lens of capitalism, as there will always be someone with more, and the goal should be to enjoy the journey rather than solely focus on winning.

How does the speaker express gratitude in his life?

The speaker demonstrates gratitude for the simple and meaningful aspects of life, such as his family's well-being, his dogs, and his ability to live with a sense of peace. He highlights that gratitude brings contentment, which contrasts with the insecurity driven by comparison to others.