Problem Solving Marathon Ep 5: Sandeep Maheshwari’s Practical Life Lessons

In this powerful session, young people asked Sandeep Maheshwari about career confusion, business vs job, judiciary preparation stress, and marriage decisions. His answers were brutally honest, deeply practical, and rooted in real-life wisdom.

Let's dive into each question and answer with detailed explanations to transform your mindset today.

Question 1. Job vs Business – What Should You Choose?

The Question: "Sir, I'm 22. I graduated last year and currently doing a job. My father wants me to join his wholesale shoe business, but I want to do something of my own. I feel confused – job or business, which is better for me?"

Sandeep Sir's Detailed Answer:

1. Don't choose business just because it looks glamorous.
Today, startups, Shark Tank, and social media make business look shiny.
Truth: Business is "full-time tension". Job is "part-time work" with mental peace.

Example: In business, your mind works 24x7, even while sleeping. In jobs, work ends after 8-9 hours, giving time for yourself.

2. Business = Solving problems with accountability.
In a job, you're responsible only for your tasks.
In business, "you're responsible for everything":
- Product issues
- Employee problems
- Money issues
- Market changes
- Unexpected challenges

Lesson: Business is not for escaping jobs. It is to "solve real customer problems passionately".

3. Remove illusions of money and freedom before deciding.
Write on paper:
Left side: Job pros and cons
Right side: Business pros and cons
Don't be influenced by friends or society's views on business.

Key Truth: Many think, "I need more money, so I'll start a business." But customers don't care about your problems. They only pay if you solve their problems better than anyone else.

4. Ask yourself:
- Is there a "real problem" you're passionate to solve?
- Do you understand the problem deeply enough to create a solution?
- Will customers pay for it repeatedly?
If not, business is not for you yet.

5. Final Realistic Comparison:

Job	Business
Stability & fixed income	Income highly unpredictable
Less responsibility	Complete responsibility
More personal time	Work never ends
Boring after some time	Stressful but challenging
Less growth ceiling	High growth if successful

Key Takeaway: Both are good if you choose "based on your nature, passion, and understanding of problems", not social influence.

Question 2. Is Marriage Necessary for Old Age Support?

The Question: "Sir, I'm female, from a middle-class family. Everyone says marriage is necessary for old age support. Is it really so? What if I remain unmarried?"

Sandeep Sir's Detailed Answer:

1. Marriage is not only about love – it is a life transaction.
Real life is "give and take". In marriage, if both partners feel their needs are met, it continues. If only one gives and the other takes, the relationship breaks.

2. Marriage creates a social & legal bond that is difficult to break.
This legal difficulty keeps many marriages going despite problems.
Truth: If divorce was as easy as UPI payment, divorce rates would increase 1000 times.

3. Benefits of marriage:
- You get a companion for good and bad times.
- Over time, you get used to each other, and separation becomes emotionally difficult.

But remember: Many people end up in toxic marriages. Staying unmarried is better than being in a wrong marriage just for old age support.

4. Old age reality:
Even if you're married, "your spouse may not care for you like you imagine".
In hospitals, real care comes from "nurses and doctors", not just family.
For old age security, "financial independence is more important".

5. Final powerful truth:
Don't marry just for old age care.
Marry if you find "compatible companionship" where you feel comfortable being your true self without acting.
"Otherwise, staying single is better than living with the wrong person."

Question 3. Judiciary Preparation Stress – Continue or Change Path?

The Question: "Sir, I'm an advocate preparing for judiciary. I reached the interview stage but missed selection by few marks. I feel motivated but also fear missing out on life. Am I sacrificing too much?"

Sandeep Sir's Detailed Answer:

1. Bigger goals require bigger sacrifices.
Judiciary is not just a job; it brings 'huge respect and stability".
Anything that gives "more than money" requires "greater dedication".

2. Understand the probability and your time frame.
Competitive exams like judiciary have "uncertain results".
Selection is not fully in your control – it depends on examiners, interviewers, and limited seats.

Example: You may perform well, but if the examiner has biases, your efforts may not yield results.

3. Fix your maximum time frame.
Decide: "I'll try for 2-3 years. If not, I'll move to business or practice law independently."
This protects your mental health and self-esteem.

4. Never tie your self-worth to results outside your control.
Preparation is in your control.
Selection is not.

Key Lesson: If you fail in something outside your control, "you are not a failure". You simply explored an option with low probability.

5. Have backup options for peace of mind.
Since business is in your family background, it is a practical backup.
Multiple options reduce stress and fear of future.

6. Final Mindset Shift:
"I went for the gold rush knowing it's uncertain. If I win, great. If not, I have other options."
This keeps your confidence strong and life balanced.

Final Powerful Life Lessons from Episode 5

• Business is about solving real customer problems with full accountability.
• Job gives stability and personal time, not boredom if you choose consciously.
• Marriage is meaningful only with compatibility and true companionship.
• Bigger goals demand bigger sacrifices. Accept it with clarity.
• Never let results outside your control decide your self-worth.
• Keep backup plans ready without guilt. It is wise, not cowardly.

Your Action Steps Today

1. Write down your key career confusion (job vs business) with pros and cons.
2. Note down what kind of companionship you want in marriage.
3. List your bigger goals and their sacrifices. Ask yourself: "Am I ready to pay the price?"
4. Create at least one backup plan for every important life decision.

Final Reflection: This session reminds us that "clarity comes from facing truths, not running away from them". Choose your path consciously, knowing "every choice has a price". When you are ready to pay that price, success, peace, and freedom will become your natural state.

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---------WISH YOU ALL THE BEST--------

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you buy through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!

Credits: This post is inspired by "Problem Solving Marathon Ep 5" by Sandeep Maheshwari. The learnings are explained in my own words for educational and motivational purposes.

Problem Solving Marathon Ep 4 - Sandeep Maheswari's Life-Changing Answers

In this powerful session, people asked deep life questions about anxiety, relationships, purpose, karma, self-thinking, and idols. Sandeep Maheshwari gave practical, direct, and eye-opening answers.

Let’s understand each question with simplified explanations and real-life examples.

Question 1.
I get sudden death anxiety. How do I deal with it?
The Question:

“Sir, I’m a practicing advocate. For the past 2-3 months, I’ve been getting strong anxiety about sudden death – like heart attack anxiety. Even while talking to you, my heart beats fast. How do I deal with it?”

Sandeep Sir’s Answer (Explained):

1. You are not creating this anxiety; the algorithm is. Social media shows too many sudden death news. This is called recency bias – your mind keeps thinking about what it recently saw repeatedly.
Example:
Earlier too, young deaths happened, but now every such news reaches you instantly on Instagram, YouTube, etc.

2. First step – out of sight, out of mind. Stop consuming such content. Skip it so that social media algorithms stop showing them.

3. Check the reality medically. If you fear heart attack, do all necessary tests. If tests are normal, your fear is psychological, not physical.

4. The real solution:
Stop giving attention to such thoughts and content. The moment you ignore them, they stop controlling you.

Question 2.
I give my 100% to relationships but people don’t value it. Should I stay alone?
The Question:

“Sir, I build meaningful relationships and friendships but people don’t give back equally. I end up stepping back and becoming lonely. Is it better to stay alone than be with such people?”

Sandeep Sir’s Answer (Explained):

1. The root problem is expectations. You expect too much in return.

Example:
If you smile at someone, don’t expect them to say “thank you so much for smiling.”

2. Divide people in life compartments.
Core Circle (inner circle): Only 2-5 people – close friends, family.

Outer Circles: Office colleagues, neighbours, casual friends.

Lesson:
Don’t force anyone into your inner circle if they don’t naturally belong there.

3. Maintain people at their correct place.
E.g., an office colleague is just a colleague – don’t treat them like childhood friends.

 

Question 3.
Where do we stop in life? Is ‘finding your why’ an illusion?
The Question:
“Sir, I set goals, achieve them, feel happy for a while, but then that feeling fades. Is finding our purpose an illusion created by mind just to stay directed?”

Sandeep Sir’s Answer (Explained):

1. ‘Why’ is just a thought created by mind.
No child is born with a ‘why’. They just have basic needs – food, safety, love.

2. Life’s purpose is life itself. All goals and purposes are illusions (mirage).
Like water seen in desert mirage – it looks real from far, but disappears when you reach.

3. How to live meaningfully then?
Do what you enjoy doing without attachment or identity.
Play life’s roles like an actor plays different characters, but doesn’t become them.
Example:
An actor plays a beggar’s role, then goes home in his car. He doesn’t cry thinking he’s a beggar in real life.

4. Mature living means…
You switch roles easily.
You do your karmas (actions) without worrying about fruits. Keep moving forward without getting stuck.

Question 4.
If purpose is an illusion, where does karma fit in?
Follow-up Question:
“If there’s no real purpose, where does karma (action) come in when the Gita says do karma without worrying about fruits?”

Sandeep Sir’s Answer (Explained):

1. Karma is the roles you play in life. Just keep doing your roles well.
Set goals, act on them, but don’t get stuck anywhere.

Question 5.
How much should I think about myself vs family vs others?
The Question:

“Sir, my mind is always thinking – about myself, husband, kids, work, life. How much should we think about ourselves?”

Sandeep Sir’s Answer (Explained):

1. Ideal scenario – think zero about yourself.
True happiness is when you are not thinking about yourself at all.

Example:
In deep sleep, you’re happiest, because you don’t exist there as a ‘thinking self’.

2. While awake, engage fully in tasks.
When you’re fully involved in an activity (work, sport, talking, learning), you forget yourself. That is a blissful state.

3. Fill your day with such activities.
Divide your day into chunks:
Something new to learn.

Work to do deeply.
Light gossip or playful time.
Exercise or yoga.

Lesson:
The more you remain busy in meaningful or light-hearted activities, the less your mind overthinks.

Question 6.

Who is your inspiration or idol?
The Question:

“Sir, you are an inspiration for so many, but who is your idol?”

Sandeep Sir’s Answer (Explained):

1. I have no idol, nor do I want to be anyone’s idol.
Don’t idolise people. Learn different qualities from everyone instead.

2. Why?
Every person is a mix of good and bad.
If you idolise someone, their flaws will shock you.
If you hate someone, you ignore their good qualities.
Example:
Your parents are humans with strengths and weaknesses. Respect them, but don’t make them idols.

Lesson:
Focus on learning traits rather than idolising people.

Final Powerful Lessons:

• Don’t let social media control your fears.
• Understand expectations and place people correctly in life.
• Purpose is an illusion, living is the purpose.
• Do your karmas without worrying about results.
• Engage deeply in work, hobbies, learning to avoid overthinking.
• Learn qualities, don’t make idols.

Your Action Steps Today:

• Identify 3 content types to stop consuming to reduce anxiety.
• List 5 people and their correct ‘circle’ in your life.
• Do one thing today that fully involves you and makes you forget yourself.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you buy through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!

-------------WISH YOU ALL THE BEST-----------

Credits:

This post is inspired by “Problem Solving Marathon Ep 4” by Sandeep Maheshwari. The learnings are explained in my own words for educational and motivational purposes.

Problem Solving Marathon Ep 1 – Sandeep Maheshwari’s Life-Changing Answers

In this impactful session, people asked real-life questions to Sandeep Maheshwari about career, income growth, business expansion, and overcoming fear. His answers were practical, deeply honest, and filled with clarity.

Let’s understand each question with simplified explanations and actionable lessons.

Question 1. 

Sir, I am preparing for government exams for 4 years, teaching students, but earning very less. What should I do?

The Question:

“Sir, I am teaching competitive exam students while preparing myself for government jobs. Family pressure is increasing due to less income and marriage expectations. What should I do now?”

Sandeep Sir’s Answer (Explained):

1. Focus on your teaching skill as a business.

Millions of students prepare for government exams, but few teach them effectively.

You have expertise. Instead of only trying for exams, use your teaching to earn well.

2. Income from a job has limits, teaching doesn’t.

Example:

If you crack an exam, you get a fixed salary. But if you teach students, build your brand, and grow batches, your income has no upper limit.

Lesson:

Start seeing yourself as an education entrepreneur. Market your teaching, expand classes, and build your brand to solve income problems permanently.

Question 2. 

How can I remove mental blocks in earning and starting my business?

The Question:

“Sir, I am an IIT Maths master, teaching IB students for ₹1500/hour. I want to launch courses for IB students abroad but feel blocked mentally. How can I overcome this?”

Sandeep Sir’s Answer (Explained):

1. Your problem is not maths knowledge, it’s marketing.

You know how to teach but don’t know how to sell your teaching to global students.

2. Start small and build confidence step by step.

Action plan example:

• Find IB students data worldwide.
• Offer free trial classes as a hook.
• Create a website with testimonials and sample videos.
• Hire freelancers for lead generation.
• Reinvent earnings into paid ads to expand reach.
• Long-term: train teachers under you to scale business.

Lesson:

Start with one student abroad, gain confidence, reinvest income, and keep scaling. Focus on practical marketing steps, not just teaching.

Question 3. 

My income is increasing but loans and EMI keep me stuck. How to break this cycle?

The Question:

“Sir, my income has increased but cash flow never improves due to many loans and EMIs. I feel stuck. What should I do?”

Sandeep Sir’s Answer (Explained):

1. Problem is not income, it’s spending habits and loans.

You keep taking new loans, so income increase doesn’t solve your stress.

2. Steps to break the cycle:

• Stop taking new loans till current ones finish.
• Reduce unnecessary expenses wisely.
• Invest in skills to increase income exponentially, not just small savings.
• After income increases significantly, start investing in assets.

Example:

Saving ₹10,000 with 10% return won’t change life if income remains stagnant. But doubling your income by upskilling will change everything.

Lesson:

Upgrade skills before investments. Income growth is the real wealth creator, not minor savings alone.

Question 4. 

I am doing PGDM and started a food cart earning ₹60,000 profit monthly. Should I start a new business like vegetarian pet food?

The Question:

“Sir, I recently started a food cart that earns me 60k profit monthly. I am planning to start a vegetarian pet food business next. Is it a good idea?”

Sandeep Sir’s Answer (Explained):

1. Focus on scaling what is already working.

You have no experience in pet food, its manufacturing, or marketing. Starting it will be risky and slow.

2. Food cart business is proven and profitable.

Example:

₹30,000 investment giving ₹60,000 monthly profit = Golden opportunity. Multiply it by opening more carts instead of diverting energy elsewhere.

Lesson:

Before diversifying, scale your existing business to maximum potential.

Question 5. 

Sir, if I open a food cart like momos, what will people think? Will my social image suffer?

The Question:

“Sir, if I open a street food cart, people will laugh or question my status. Should I still do it?”

Sandeep Sir’s Answer (Explained):

1. Problem is ego, not business.

No work is small if done with honesty and dedication.

Outsourcing too early without learning ground realities increases failure chances.

Example:

All big food brands started from carts or small stalls before becoming chains.

Lesson:

Success comes when you work without worrying about “log kya kahenge (what will people say).”

Final Powerful Lessons from This Session

• Income from skills has no limit if you market yourself smartly.
• Start small, scale step by step, and reinvest earnings.
• Clear loans before taking new financial burdens.
• Don’t copy business ideas blindly; know your expertise.
• Social fear kills growth – pride in honest work creates real success.

Your Action Steps Today

• Write down your top skill that can become a business.
• List practical steps to market this skill today.
• Note 2 spending habits to reduce and 1 skill to upgrade this week for future income growth.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you buy through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!

-------------WISH YOU ALL THE BEST-----------

Credits:

This post is inspired by “Problem Solving Marathon Episode 1” by Sandeep Maheshwari. The learnings are explained in my own words for educational and motivational purposes.

Problem Solving Marathon Ep 3 – Sandeep Maheshwari’s Practical Life Lessons

In this powerful session, people asked real-life questions to Sandeep Maheshwari about career, AI, spirituality, inner child, and business struggles. His answers were practical, eye-opening, and deeply inspiring.

Let’s understand each question with simplified explanations and examples.

 

Question 1. My job is easily replaceable by AI. What should I do?

The Question:

“Sir, I work as a Conference Technology Admin (IT support). My job can be easily replaced by AI in future. I know I need to do something but I don’t know what exactly. What should I focus on?”

Sandeep Sir’s Answer (Explained):

1. Start learning everything about AI.

• AI is changing at lightning speed.
• Earlier, big inventions came every 10-20 years.
• Now, every week new inventions come that make last week’s innovations look small.

Example:
ChatGPT launched just 2 years ago, and now the entire world is using AI for daily tasks.

2. Think like an entrepreneur.

• Don’t just learn AI tools randomly.
• Ask AI itself:
• “These are my skills, these are my tasks – tell me 10-20 daily problems people like me face that have no good solution yet.”
• Find problems you connect with and create solutions for them.

3. Learn multiple AI models and their strengths.

• Gemini, Grok, ChatGPT, Perplexity – all have different strengths.
• Stay updated every week, as today’s best tool may not be tomorrow’s best.

 

Question 2. I feel confused between logic and intuition in career decisions. Should I leave corporate and follow spiritual life?

The Question:

“Sir, my intuition says I should go into spirituality, but logically I think I should continue my corporate career. How do I resolve this inner child vs adult conflict?”

Sandeep Sir’s Answer (Explained):

1. Spirituality is not about running away from life.

• Real spirituality is about knowing your true self (spirit).
• You don’t need to leave your job or go to an ashram to be spiritual.
• “Understand yourself where you are right now.”

2. Life in spiritual fields is not glamorous.

• Spirituality is about accepting tough truths and living simply.
• If you leave corporate life thinking spirituality will solve problems, you are escaping reality.
• First, understand what spirituality truly means before making big decisions.

Example:
A monk lives without money, luxuries, or career growth. Are you ready for that life?

Question 3. How can I keep my inner child alive as an adult?

The Question:

“Sir, as we grow, we become too logical and lose our inner child. How to keep it alive?”

Sandeep Sir’s Answer (Explained):

1. Stay around playful, young-at-heart people.

• If you stay around only serious, mentally old people, you become the same.
• Even a 25-year-old can have an ‘old’ mind if they lose curiosity and playfulness.

2. Adopt a pet or volunteer with kids.

• Spending time with pets or children naturally keeps your inner child alive.

Question 4. My dropshipping business keeps failing despite using new tools. Why?

The Question:

“Sir, I do dropshipping. Whenever I try to streamline it into systems and processes, a new tool or trend comes up. I feel frustrated and leave it midway. Why can’t I succeed?”

Sandeep Sir’s Answer (Explained):

1. Most people do business only to solve their own problem: money.

• Real business is solving customers’ problems, not your own financial problem.

2. Dropshipping often has no real value addition.

Example:
If you buy a product for ₹50 and sell it for ₹500 without any value addition, why will people buy from you when it’s available for ₹100 elsewhere?

3. Business is either ‘Chicken Business’ or ‘Egg Business’.

• Chicken Business: Needs new customers daily to survive.
• Egg Business: Has repeat customers and grows stably.

Lesson:
Build a business where customers return again and again, not just one-time buyers.

 

Question 5. I run an AI agency but big companies solve problems faster. When should I drop an idea?

The Question:

“Sir, my AI agency builds AI agents for small companies, but big tech giants solve problems before we do. When should we stop working on an idea and move on?”

Sandeep Sir’s Answer (Explained):

1. Don’t aim for success; aim for quick failures.

• Test ideas fast.
• If it fails, move on quickly.
• This is how Silicon Valley works.

2. Identify one big goal and stick to it.

Example:
If your big goal is AI, keep experimenting with ideas in that field. Fail fast, learn, and grow within AI.

3. Your agency earns 90-95% revenue from web design and marketing, but spends maximum on AI agents.

• Rebalance your investments.
• Focus on projects that solve real problems and generate stable income.

Question 6. How do I implement AI in business to grow fast?

The Question:

“Sir, clients hesitate to spend money on ads. How can we implement AI to scale their business and ours too?”

Sandeep Sir’s Answer (Explained):

1. Understand the biggest problem of all businesses: Sales.

• Customers don’t care if you use AI or humans.
• They care about results – more sales, higher profit.

2. Offer performance-based services.

Example:
Tell a client, “I will increase your sales. Pay me only a percentage of the profit.”

3. Use AI to automate lead generation, calling, and marketing.

• AI tools today can handle calls in local languages, generate websites, and run ads automatically.
• Your knowledge of combining these tools is your real business value.

 

Final Powerful Lessons

• Learn AI deeply – not just tools, but their problem-solving capabilities.
• Be solution-oriented, not tool-focused.
• Understand real spirituality before thinking of leaving your career.
• Keep your inner child alive by staying with playful, young-hearted people.
• Fail fast, learn fast, and move forward within your chosen field.
• Focus your business on solving real customer problems to grow infinitely.

Your Action Steps Today

• Write down 3 AI tools to learn deeply this week.
• List 5 problems customers face in your industry and think about how to solve them.
• Spend 10 minutes today doing something playful to connect with your inner child.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you buy through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!

---------WISH YOU ALL THE BEST---------

Credits:
This post is inspired by “Problem Solving Marathon Episode 3” by Sandeep Maheshwari. The learnings are explained in my own words for educational and motivational purposes.