Motivation Matters, organized by Nikita Kaur Chopra from Big Eventz Australia on the 15th of October 2023 at the Crown Promenade, Melbourne, brought a wave of inspiration to its attendees. The event featured renowned author Chetan Bhagat, who left the Melbourne audience enamored with practical tips on making the most out of life.

For someone who has earned a spot-on Time's list of the 100 most influential people, you might expect a restless pursuit of the next big milestone. However, Chetan Bhagat welcomes the world with a warm smile, a hallmark of someone who has reached the self-actualization stage in Maslow's hierarchy of needs.

When asked about his next conquest, he ponders, "It is to give away this desire for another conquest." 

Approaching fifty, he now seeks balance in life, a tripod of career, health, and relationships. He's achieved significant success in his career and is now rekindling old relationships that took a back seat during his hustle. His health, exemplified by his toned new avatar, is another focus. Even with a hectic schedule that includes media interactions and a motivational seminar, he finds time to run a 10K at the Melbourne Marathon on a chilly morning. Jet lag, it seems, is not an obstacle.

He reflects on his college reunions, where early on, the conversations centered on competitive achievements, fancy titles, cars, and estate investments. Now, at his twenty-fifth alumni meet, discussions revolve around diabetes and blood pressure. It's a point in life when you realize that contentment on your chosen path is the path to inner peace.

However, Bhagat cautions against mistaking contentment for satiety. Satiety leads to a lack of desire to improve oneself, whereas contentment is about being at peace with your chosen path. "With a sense of satiety or 'feeling settled,' you will be left far behind if you are unwilling to adapt to this changing world," he emphasizes.

He encourages adopting the mindset of the infamous cockroach, which thrives no matter the circumstances. Just like a cockroach, which survives being scooped out of a home, flushed down the toilet, or witnessing a holocaust, adaptability is the key to thriving in an evolving world.

This mentality has led Bhagat to diversify into social media, Audible originals, a YouTube channel, and even a web series. His creative career, which began with writing novels, has seamlessly permeated the consciousness of a diverse audience through ever-evolving means of consuming information and entertainment.

At the end of his Motivation Matters session, Bhagat fulfilled his promise to leave the audience with ample food for thought. His dry humor in English, Hinglish, and Punjabi left the crowd in peals of laughter and showcased what makes his stories resonate with people. As he emphasizes, the "Chetan Bhagat" brand of English is as effective as the "Shashi Tharoor" brand, as long as there is clarity of thought and an ability to connect with people.

In Melbourne, we couldn't agree more.

By Nishant Kaushik