These days, I am living life by serendipity, embracing unexpected and delightful experiences. As I recover from recent life events, I have met many gracious people, especially mentors shaping me on the way.

Interestingly, I have also been influenced by people I have never met through their writing or work. One example is the book ‘Play to Potential’ by Deepak Jayaram, recommended by one of the mentors (Sunil Goyal)- a suggestion I truly needed. Thanks to Amazon, I had the book in my hands within hours. I started reading and got hooked. The ‘Play to Potential’ podcast quickly became a favorite as well. His journey resonated deeply with me, as it felt like parts of my own story were unfolding in his words.

Why? Because the best moments often come when we least expect them but need them the most. I am a firm believer in learning from experiences, reading, and observing. As a someone always seeking new adventures, I find joy in these serendipitous discoveries.

The book ‘Play to Potential’ is like embarking on an adventurous trek, guiding you to discover and unleash your true potential through play. Deepak’s framework, FLAVOUR, helps navigate life’s pulls and pressures; ups and downs; searching and seeking.

Here’s why this book is a must-have for anyone transitioning in their career or on a break to find next steps:

1. Trek your career with playfulness: Think of play as your trekking gear. It is essential for navigating the rugged terrains of life. Deepak emphasises embracing playfulness in your daily life to unlock one’s potential. This stood out to me the most – when passion meets work, it transforms into play, making the journey both fun and enriching.
2. Reflect on what you are climbing vs what you want to climb: Much like plotting waypoints on a trekking map, defining our aspirations and values keeps us on the right path. This ensures we remain focused and motivated throughout our journey. So important it is to engage in exercises or activities regularly to navigate ahead through anchors in values and life goals.
3. Creating equilibrium: Just as we trekkers balance the load for an efficient climb, Deepak teaches the importance of integrating family, aspirations, value creation, and deep relationships. Striking this balance is key to a fulfilling journey. We often put most eggs in one basket and create imbalance or lost opportunities. This part of the book was beautiful read and reflect on.
4. Continuous Growth: The trek does not end at one summit. He advocates for ongoing personal growth and fulfillment. Like on an adventure climb we adapt to changing weather, staying updated and resilient ensures continuous progress. I have read parts of the book twice to plunge into exercises to draw what I want to do next. So much so that my time off is becoming a shifting landscape for my next challenge.

‘Play with Potential‘ is not just career advice book – it is a trek guide for personal growth and fulfillment. While Deepak is a coach and sounding board, I absorbed his wisdom like lessons from a seasoned trek leader- someone who helps navigate the climb with clarity and joy. Through powerful storytelling and many anecdotes, he is not just guiding me to a summit but helping me define what my next trek should be.

Like a trek, life is full of ups and downs, challenges, and breakthroughs. Deepak’s work equips me with tools to navigate my soul-searching career journey, reminding me that success isn’t about reaching a peak – it is about finding joy in the climb. And the summit? It’s within me.