Atharvmani

As a teenager starting this journey, I’ve got a few questions I want to work through: Where do I start? What’s the actual starting point? What’s the process of becoming a better version of yourself? And how does financial literacy fit into all of this?

Let’s try to figure it out. Welcome to Journey of Mani, Episode 2.

Growing up, I was confused about what I could become. What should I become? A doctor? An astronaut? A businessman? An employee? No one in my family has ever been an employee, so the idea of becoming a businessman sounded cool — but it wasn’t easy to understand where to even begin.

Here’s the thing though — there is never a perfect starting point. Trust me. I waited for a perfect moment, a perfect plan, and eventually all that waiting just turned into scrolling reels, because my mind was overwhelmed by the need for everything to be perfect.

Now I just started. I read a book. I started consuming knowledge — even when it’s boring — and I just do one basic, simple thing every day. Don’t wait for the right process or the right plan. Start, and you’ll figure it out along the way.

Now the process part. It’s simple and complicated at the same time. What I’ve figured out is that everyone has their own way of processing things, but the basic line is common: show up every day. Once you’ve figured out your goal, pick a single habit or thing that will eventually lead you there, and work on it. Not too many things at once.

I’m trying to do the same. I fail some days. I feel lazy and waste the entire day. But the moment I realize the mistake, I get back on track.

Now the real question — financial literacy. I already mentioned in my intro post that I’m learning, and I still am. I’ve started learning about the stock market, mutual funds, and basic investing knowledge. I just finished Rich Dad Poor Dad and I’m starting another book. So yeah, I’m in a learning phase right now, and it’s helping me think wider in investing and financial terms.

To conclude — understand that doing everything at once (being financially literate, being disciplined, following the process) can feel exhausting. That’s exactly why you don’t have to do everything at once. Just try to do a single task every day. Don’t rush, because one day of being perfect won’t make you successful — but many days of being slightly better eventually will.

That’s what I’m doing. Let’s see if it really works. I’ll definitely keep you posted.

Just stick with me like a koala — and I’ll be your favorite tree.