Why Copying Others Is the Fastest Way to Lose Yourself

The Trigger

There was a phase where I saw what influencers were doing on social media. Of course, to stay in touch with students, social media becomes important.

But I cannot say things people want to hear. I will always say things people SHOULD hear.

We also have video editors. We edit content for YouTube and Instagram to educate students. But I focus on educating in the right direction.

I thought: Am I being outdated? Is this how Gen Z works? But I will not change who I am. I will not say things people ask me to say.

I did not try trending topics because it's all a fad. I believe in long-term, not short-term.

It's important that I behave like a teacher and my students behave like students.

When I take lectures connecting different subjects and real-world examples, when I connect quant concepts to Shane Parrish's Mental Models to the Gita, I see that excitement in students' eyes. That connection, that understanding from within, that's when I know I'm on the right track and don't need to look at what the industry wants.

Templates Create Copies, Not Originals

Society has a template. Follow it, and you'll fit in. Deviate, you'll face questions.

But that's not how it works. You need to bring out your own personality.

Templates create copies, not originals.

Even when I started teaching at my dining table in 2012, there was no template. Even today I don't follow templates. I teach the way students need to understand and the way that gets them through exams and careers.

Similarly, you don't have to become an influencer. You need to be an expert in your field, in your domain, in your job. And you need to communicate that to the world.

Don't go with the intent of becoming an influencer. Go with the intent of becoming the best in your field and showcasing that. Of course, it's important to present yourself, but not fake it.

Teacher, Not Influencer

I've always owned the identity: I'm a teacher, not an influencer. That keeps me on the right track. I don't take money to endorse crap.

I will not say both are valid. Each to its own, but they're definitely not the same thing.

That requires depth, not virality. Consistency, not trends. Authenticity, not performance.

I focus on improving lectures, my consistent learning and teaching, and building in ed-tech.

I've never chased collaborations. I invest time in my learning and my students; my learning translates into their learning.

I track: How many hours did I read? How many books? How much was applied? How are students faring in mock tests? How are they progressing, becoming CXOs? How many still reach out years later for guidance?

Everybody's Got Their Own Journey

When you see people on LinkedIn posting about their career journey, don't just copy their journey. Get inspired.

Don't get jealous of the outcome. Get inspired by the hard work. Try to copy the hard work and everything that went into it.

See what's suitable for you and your long-term goals. Try to align with that.

Someone starts with equity research, then gets into the industry. Someone starts with treasury, then equity research. Someone gets into investment banking first, then private equity.

Everybody's got their own journey. Someone starts in college. Someone is a working professional. I've got students who started as retired professionals.

Learning is constant. Growth is constant. Evolution is constant. You can study and move forward at any stage of life.

People choose roles based on what suits their personality best. Even if something isn't part of your personality, like writing or talking better, or communicating more effectively, you'll still need to learn and level up.

You always learn from people doing their best and imbibe that into your pattern.

What Authenticity Gives You

• Genuine respect. People follow trends. They respect authenticity.
• Actual fulfillment. Living your life, not performing someone else's.
• Lasting impact. Authentic work transforms. Performative work gets temporary likes.

You should work very hard. Focus on Karma without attachment to results, that's what people should focus on.

Bottom Line

I'm a teacher who continues to study rigorously, despite holding 13+ degrees, and teach in Hinglish because it comes naturally to me.

I teach the way I want, most conceptually, and value substance over style.

And I'm at peace with that.

Everybody is unique. Everybody's got a different path. Stand out by being yourself. Don't try to copy social media trends. Think logically.

Use social media to your advantage, but be authentic. Don't pretend to be someone else.

So here's my question: Who are you actually trying to be? Not who you think you should be. Not who'd get more likes. Who are you GENUINELY? Answer that, and you'll stop comparing.

Until next week,

Aswini Bajaj

Mentor (not influencer)