The answer lies in refusing to give up

In 2016, Abhimanyu Jakhar ventured into the F&B space with Interurban Hospitality, in Rohtak, Haryana, his hometown. Despite his success in various industries, for Abhimanyu Jakhar, founder of Jakhar Hospitality Pvt. Ltd., hospitality remains close to his heart. In 2020, amidst the pandemic, he launched Diablo, a venture born out of his enduring passion for the hospitality industry. Jakhar's passion for hospitality continues to drive growth. Shipping provides Jakhar with an adrenaline rush and hospitality continues to remain his true passion. As a leader, Jakhar remains committed to innovation, collaboration, and driving positive outcomes to collectively realise the organisational objectives. In an exclusive interview with Corporate Citizen, he talks about his work philosophy and how he maintains work-life balance

Corporate Citizen: How do you set out your priorities to keep your work and personal life balanced?

Abhimanyu Jakhar: Balancing work and personal life can be really challenging, especially given the kind of work I'm in and the demanding schedule I have. But looking at it from a broader perspective, maintaining this balance is incredibly important.

Despite my busy schedule, I make it a priority to carve out time for myself and my loved ones. This means going on vacations or taking short breaks with my family, making sure to have at least one meal with my mom, and meeting up with friends whenever I can. These moments help me maintain balance and ensure that I don't lose touch with what's important.

Every day, I try to set aside at least a couple of hours just for myself. It might be just an hour or two, but it's crucial for my overall well-being. I know the work schedule can be intense, making it easy to forget how important it is to also focus on personal life. It's tempting to think that work should always take priority, especially since we're in it for the long haul. But we shouldn't overlook the small and big moments in life. To keep this balance, I push myself to stay focused on personal time and give it the importance it deserves. By taking deliberate steps to prioritise both work and personal life, I can keep things in perspective and maintain a healthy balance.

CC: While on the move, what helps you the most in maintaining calm and peace?

When I'm on the move, it's tough to focus on anything else because I'm so locked in on my goals. I’ve got my eye on the prize and I’m just running towards it. But, when hurdles come up, what helps me stay calm and at peace is valuing what I already have. Gratitude plays a huge role in this. Recognising the blessings from the universe and God keeps me grounded and thankful.

Another thing that helps is knowing I have people around me who love me, like my family and my mom. That support system brings a lot of calmness. Keeping a positive mindset is crucial too. The journey can get intense and stressful, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But maintaining a strong, positive mindset helps me stay calm. It's something I’ve trained my mind to do over the years.

I've been in my business for nine years now, and I’ve learned that positivity is key to staying calm. Without inner peace and stability, it’s hard to achieve your targets. You end up losing focus. So, I make sure to stay in that positive zone. My loved ones, my focus, my goals, and my past achievements all help me stay grounded.

CC: What keeps you fit and healthy?

For me, the biggest source of calm and strength is my family. Whenever I feel overwhelmed, I sit with them and talk. Their positive energy rejuvenates me and gives me the strength to keep going.

When things get too intense, I like to travel. Travelling refreshes me and gets me back on track. It’s my way of taking a break and recharging. Daily, I find small ways to de-stress. I might watch something, go out for a movie or dinner, play my PlayStation, or just take a bit of time off. These small activities help keep me recharged and ready to tackle whatever comes next. The gym has been a huge help in keeping me fit. I never skip a session, no matter how busy I am. It not only helps me stay in shape but also rejuvenates me and helps me stay focused.

Everyone must find their own tricks and tracks to stay balanced and motivated. For me, it’s my family, my reasons for starting, and those little breaks and activities that keep me going.

"The simplest game I play is with myself: trying to beat my own best. The idea is to grow and outgrow myself first. It’s my own lane, my own pace, and my own race. I push myself to make today better than yesterday, in both my personal and professional life and professional life."

- Abhimanyu Jakhar

CC: What works the best for you as relaxation therapy?

For me, the best relaxation therapy varies. There's no one-size-fits-all solution; it’s about finding what works for you. Sometimes, I just need to be alone, spending quality time with myself. Other times, I want to be around my family, enjoying their company and the comfort that brings. For me, it’s always a mix of three things: spending time alone, being with family, and hanging out with friends. These are my go-to methods for relaxation, and they help keep me balanced.

CC: Do you indulge in any games which help you in your work?

The simplest game I play is with myself: trying to beat my own best. The idea is to grow and outgrow myself first. It's my own lane, my own pace, and my own race. I push myself to make today better than yesterday, in both my personal and professional life. I take the things I'm struggling with, whether personal or workrelated, and turn them into challenges to improve in every aspect. This helps me grow as a person overall. To be honest, this is my favourite game.

CC: What's the secret to your success?

Honestly, it’s not a big secret. For me and for anyone else who has made it even slightly, whether it's Steve Jobs or anyone else, the common thread is refusing to give up. No matter how tough life or situations get, I absolutely refuse to give up. Another key factor for me is the motivation and support I get from my family. This, combined with my determination, ambitions, and a burning desire to make a difference, drives me forward.

CC: One message for youngsters on Time Management, Hobby Management and Profession Management?

Something I notice every day, both in my office and outside, is that a lot of people undervalue time management. We often think we can just go with the flow, but I’m of old school and firmly believe in managing time properly. Time is the one thing you can’t earn, but you can lose very easily. It's precious and irreplaceable. You can't buy time or trust, but you can lose both very quickly.

As for hobby and profession management, the biggest message I can give is to make your hobby your profession. If you can do that, you've cracked the code. You can only put your heart and soul into things you enjoy; you can't force it. That's how we’re wired. If you want to excel, turn your hobby into your profession and watch the magic happen.

CC: Your vision ahead and where you see yourself in 10 years?

In the next 10 years, I want to follow my heart and do what brings me happiness. I want to look back and see that the world is a bit better because of my efforts. I want to make significant changes in the industries I work in. Excelling is important, but creating a meaningful impact is crucial for me as an entrepreneur.

TIPS TO MAINTAIN WORK-LIFE BALANCE

• I define strict work hours and personal time to prevent overlap.
• I focus on the most important tasks first to manage my workload effectively.
• I schedule short breaks to recharge and maintain productivity.
• I dedicate time to activities that enhance my physical and mental well-being.
• I delegate tasks to avoid overburdening myself and ensure a balanced workload.