Keep Your Energy Levels Intact

Armed with sales, marketing, and operations experience, Manas Ranjan Hota, Co-founder and COO at DrinkPrime, has played a pivotal role in building the 180+ strong team from scratch. Under his leadership, DrinkPrime has been recognised as a part of Fast Company’s ‘The 10 most innovative Asia-Pacific companies of 2021’, Forbes Asia 100 To Watch list and YourStory and Trell’s 500 Challenger Brands. He considers himself fortunate to be a part of making a positive impact on the drinking water situation in India and thus forging ahead with the right vigour and energy. Manas Ranjan Hota talks to Corporate Citizen, about his work philosophy and how he maintains work-life balance.

"Coping up with challenges is something I am learning as I progress in my entrepreneurial journey. Every challenge needs to be dealt with a unique approach"

- Manas Ranjan Hota

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

Manas Ranjan Hota: To be honest, I don’t believe in the concept of work-life balance. For me, my work and life are both journeys that I should enjoy and excel in. I try to achieve my goals on both fronts. I feel we can take our interests outside of work as seriously as our work itself. On the flip side, you should turn your work into something you are passionate about and look forward to doing it as you would do with hobbies.

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

In terms of work, what I am doing is very important to me. However, if it starts to affect my mental health or bothers my peace, I take a step back. I believe that you should never take anything or even yourself so seriously that it disrupts your calm and peace!

CC: What keeps you fit and healthy?

I have a long way to go before I can consider myself fit. For now, I squeeze in a little light jogging and yoga into my schedule to keep myself active.

CC: How do you like to rejuvenate, recharge and de-stress?

I think meditation and traveling helps me for the most part.

CC: Give 5 tips that work the best for you to maintain a work-life balance.

• Always meet and surround yourself with people who are more successful than you. No better way to keep yourself grounded. Let them inspire you to reach greater heights.
• Develop interests outside of work!
• Don’t frown on your work. You should enjoy it! This will only happen if you follow the fourth tip.
• Think of a higher purpose. What/who are you doing it for? What/who depends on you to do your work?
• And finally, take breaks! The world is so much bigger than your perception. Go out there, derail from your track sometimes and come back with a fresh perspective and energy!

CC: Do you play any game which helps you in your work?

I was never a hardcore sportsman. I do enjoy running as mentioned before. But something that has taught me a lot in life is traveling! I think it helps me understand the world beyond myself.

CC: What is the secret of your success?

Honestly, I am yet to achieve the success I’ve dreamt of. So I guess I ask myself that question as well! You can call me a ‘Work in Progress’. But overall, having the bigger picture in mind, giving my best and surrounding myself with compassionate and motivated people is what I believe will help me achieve true success!

CC: How has your journey been? How did you cope up with challenges?

The journey of every entrepreneur is an exciting one. Mine was no different. Coping up with challenges is something I am learning as I progress in my entrepreneurial journey. Every challenge needs to be dealt with a unique approach.

What eventually helps me cope with them is the fact that I need to move forward, and there will never be a time when I will not be faced with challenges. And if there’s ever a time without challenges, it just means I am not moving forward.

CC: What is your philosophy of work?

Keep the bigger picture in mind and love what you are doing. Some days are harder than others but your end goal should be inspiring enough for you to always keep going.

CC: What message would you like to give to youngsters on Time Management?

For youngsters, their energy is so much more valuable than their time. I think they should identify the parts of the day they feel more energetic and quickly get things done during it. Hobbies, on the other hand, aren’t to be managed! You shouldn’t have to schedule the part of the day where you unwind. Just enjoy it and go with the flow!

CC: What dreams remain to be fulfilled?

The major one will always be to provide my country and its people with clean, safe and healthy drinking water. I have done, I am doing and will do whatever it takes on my part to make a positive impact on the drinking water situation in India.

CC: Where do we see you 10 years from now?

10 years! That’s a long time. Hopefully, I will be a part of running a highly impactful and meaningful venture. That too, with people who truly believe in the mission. The end goal is to do my bit in making the world a better place in whichever way possible, to the best of my abilities.