Mindset to Follow the Process: The Key to Success in Life | Sanjay Kapoor COO & Head HR | Interra Information Technologies

We all spend nine months developing in our mothers’ wombs, sharing the same flesh and blood as every other human being on this planet. When we depart from this world, we all meet the same fate—we either become ash or are buried six feet under. This biological process applies to all of us, regardless of who we are or what we become in life.

This brings up a question that often crosses my mind, and perhaps yours as well: Why do some people achieve remarkable success while others don’t?

 Some fly planes, while others drive rickshaws.
 Some hire employees, while others work for someone else.
 Some are entry-level staff, while others rise to become VPs, Directors, or even CEOs.
 Some take donations, while others give generously.
 Some people constantly complain, while others radiate positivity.
 Some wealthy individuals dress and act humbly, while others flaunt their status.
 Some score top marks and crack prestigious exams, while others struggle to graduate.
 Some rise to positions of power—leaders, PMs, governors, judges, or defence chiefs—while others don’t even vote.

Every person evolves differently, and we all approach our work and businesses in unique ways. But why is that?

Some might point to external factors such as the country we live in, government policies, family background, the environment in which we grew up, our education, or the influence of friends and colleagues. While these factors do play a role, I believe there are two fundamental elements that truly define our success:

1. Our Mentality
2. Our Process (and the mentality to follow it)

No matter what we aspire to be—whether it’s a doctor, engineer, pilot, entrepreneur, musician, athlete, politician, or anything else—there is a proven, laid-out process for success in each field. What we need is the mentality to follow that process.

For example, to become a top student, we know what we must do: study hard, repeat the syllabus, attend classes, ask questions, avoid distractions like TV and social media, and surround ourselves with friends who push us to excel. But here’s the catch—how many of us follow that process 100%?

The ones who do are the ones who succeed. The difference between first place and second place often comes down to consistently following the process without cutting corners.

Every goal in life has a process. If we don’t know what it is, we can always find out. There are countless resources—books, mentors, and guides—that can help us understand the steps to success in any profession. But the one thing you can’t find in a book is the mentality to follow that process.

Consider the lion, the king of the jungle. The lion is neither the biggest—that’s the elephant, nor the fastest—that’s the cheetah, nor the smartest—that’s probably the chimpanzee. So, how does the lion become the king of the jungle? It’s all about mentality. When a lion sees an elephant, it thinks “lunch,” while the elephant thinks “run.” It’s the lion’s mindset that makes it king.

Even when outnumbered by a pack of hyenas, a lion remains confident in its reign because of its mentality. The lion’s goal is to hunt, and it follows the process of hunting with perfect precision and single-minded focus.

That’s the mentality we need to achieve our goals in life: the mentality of the lion. Whether you want to quit smoking, lose weight, earn a promotion, start a business, or build better relationships, the key is to follow the process.

It’s this combination of a strong mentality and the discipline to follow the process that makes a tea seller the Prime Minister of a country. Conversely, it’s the lack of these qualities that leads to the downfall of individuals, organizations, and even nations.

If you set a goal, all you need is the mentality to follow the process. With that mindset, nothing can stop you from achieving success.

What is Success, Really?

Many people equate success with money, power, or social status. While those things are often seen as byproducts of success, true success is much deeper. Let me share what real success looks like to me:

 Success is having friends and family who would drop everything to help you, even in the middle of the night.
 Success is being the person people seek out at social gatherings, rather than avoiding you.
 Success is having relatives who beg you to stay longer when you visit.
 Success is visiting friends and family without needing an appointment, simply because they enjoy your company.
 Success is traveling, dining, and helping others—without feeling the need to post every good deed on social media.
 Success is maintaining a positive attitude, even during tough times—whether health-related or financial.
 Success is being healthy enough to enjoy life and eat what you want.
 Success is when your customers, colleagues, and even your bosses turn to you for advice and guidance.
 Success is not comparing your salary to others, but focusing on doing your work with excellence.
 Success is when people speak highly of you when you’re not around.
 Success is listening more than you speak, and taking ownership of your mistakes without repeating them.
 Success is reading regularly and feeding your mind, rather than constantly indulging in physical pleasures.
 Success is thinking rich, regardless of your current financial situation.

To me, success is about the richness of life, relationships, and personal growth. If I were to continue writing, this article would turn into a book!

But here’s the truth: the real success of this article will be when just one person changes their mentality and begins to follow the process to achieve their goals.