Name: Do Cool Sh*t
Rating: 3 (92 reviews)
Author: Miki Agrawal

What’s in it for me? Escape the mundane and craft a vibrant existence tailored to your passions.

In a world where many of us clock in and clock out of a corporate grind, where life seems more like a checklist of societal expectations than an adventure, the desire to break free often simmers beneath the surface. But for many, the thought of shaking off the shackles of convention and truly owning life seems like a distant dream.

Miki Agrawal refused to be one of the many. She thirsted for something more: the chance to live life on her terms, to challenge the status quo, and to immerse herself in experiences that truly matter. She yearned for an existence shaped not by societal norms, but by her passions, values, and aspirations. The idea of “doing cool shit” became her rallying cry – a mantra for a life that’s as audacious as it is empowering.

In this Blink, you’ll embark on an exciting journey of self-discovery and explore what it truly means to do cool shit. You’ll learn to redefine the pursuit of your dreams – aligning them not just with external success, but with a deeply personal sense of fulfillment and meaning. You’ll discover how to dream better, how to devise an existence that echoes your authentic self, and how to manifest your best life.

Your life isn't just meant to be lived – it's meant to be savored, shaped, and celebrated. Your journey toward doing cool shit starts now.

Embracing change and deviation: The path to personal growth and new opportunities

When she was in college, Miki Agrawal seized an opportunity to study abroad – and embarked on an enlightening journey. To sell the idea to her parents, she treated it like a business proposal. And this was her first lesson: presenting ideas in a manner that highlights mutual benefits is key to earning approval. Soon, she was headed to London, driven by academic pursuits and a desire to immerse herself in a different culture.

In London, Miki made an unconventional choice. Instead of sticking to her tour group during a bike ride, she joined some local Brits playing soccer. This experience emphasized another lesson: step away from the crowd and embrace the unknown when the opportunity presents itself. From her adventures, Miki crafted a simple yet effective three-step approach to connect with strangers. First, dress to impress – a unique outfit can be a conversation starter. Second, smile genuinely and generously. Finally, be armed with conversation ice-breakers like a funny joke or a thought-provoking question.

But Miki's experience in London wasn't all sunshine and roses. She found herself in a degrading internship at a PR firm, stuck with tasks that added no value to her personal growth. This experience echoed something she’d already learned with her parents: all aspects of life – relationships, work, even purchases – should be mutually beneficial. When she noticed she wasn't gaining anything from the PR internship, she decided to leave. This move eventually led her to a rewarding stint at the House of Lords.

Miki's journey taught her to trust her gut, cut ties with toxic situations, and seek out those who inspire and uplift. There are some steps you can follow to facilitate these same changes in your own life.

First, grab a piece of paper and draw a line down the middle, so you have two columns. On one side, list the people, relationships, and activities that inspire you. On the other, list those that drain your energy. For instance, if a certain friendship leaves you feeling stressed or if a hobby no longer brings joy, they belong in the “drain” column.

After that, actively work on eliminating or reducing the energy drainers from your life. This might mean having difficult conversations or making tough decisions – but remember, it's for your overall well-being.

Finally, prioritize and engage more with the positive elements. If painting uplifts you, devote more time to it. If a certain person always leaves you feeling positive, spend more time with them.

These actions show the immense potential of deviating from the norm. It's a path that can open up fresh opportunities, and create meaningful relationships and networks. So, step out, embrace the uncertainties, and get ready for a life-changing journey. Your next chapter is waiting!

Daring to dream: Navigating hurdles and pursuing passions against all odds

The aftermath of September 11 was a life-altering period for Miki. A profound realization dawned upon her: life is ephemeral, and she needed to live hers on her own terms. Fueled by this newfound clarity, she wrote down her dreams – to play soccer professionally, create films, and launch her own business. Her first stop was exploring opportunities in women's soccer leagues.

Even though Miki lacked the requisite experience, she didn't let that deter her. Her nine-to-five banking job was another hurdle, as minor league tryouts required her to leave work early. But for Miki, that just meant getting her employers on board. She confronted her managing director with a heartfelt plea about following her dreams – and ended up making a convincing case.

Discovering your calling: The intersection of passion and skill

After a foray into professional soccer and an exit from her banking job, Miki found herself at a crossroads. It was a moment to pause, reflect, and consider what direction her life should take next. She described this as the “I-EX” – Internal Examination. Instead of rushing into any opportunity that knocked on the door, a method that could lead to burnout, Miki emphasized the importance of introspection to discover a path more in tune with her aspirations.

Her self-exploration began with two pivotal questions. The first was, “What am I genuinely good at?” This query went beyond professional abilities and delved into personal strengths as well. For Miki, her list of competencies extended from sports and fitness to marketing, business, writing, languages, and building connections. These were the areas she could potentially leverage in her future endeavors.

Turning passion into action: Four steps to bring a business idea to life

After her adventures in the film industry, Miki Agrawal was ready for a new challenge. Her journey took an unexpected turn when she discovered the alarming practices in America's dairy industry: hormones are pumped into cows to increase milk production. As a pizza lover, this discovery was unsettling – it made her stomach turn with each slice she consumed.

Her predicament sparked an entrepreneurial fire within her. There were hardly any decent alternatives in the market, and it was time to change that! She envisaged a different kind of pizzeria, one that aligned with her values. And to go from her vision to a tangible, successful business, Miki devised a four-step approach.

Embracing community: How to build and nurture your tribe

Miki remembers the many birthdays, games, and moments shared with her family and friends throughout her childhood. These formative experiences laid the foundation of her “tribe,” highlighting the fact that achieving remarkable endeavors is tightly knit with cultivating a robust community.

As an analogy, Miki cites the example of the Burning Man festival. This annual event, which began in 1986 with just a few attendees, has expanded into a thriving community of hundreds of thousands – affirming people’s inherent tendency to seek togetherness. Larry Harvey, the cofounder of this festival, laid out ten principles that embody the spirit of a strong community.

Key ideas in Do Cool Sh*t