top of page

By:

Asha Tripathi

14 April 2025 at 1:35:28 pm

Stop Comparing, Start Growing

Success does not grow in comparison; it grows in focus. Over the years, women have made significant strides in every sphere of life. From managing homes to leading organisations, from nurturing families to building successful careers, women have proved that strength and resilience are deeply rooted in their nature. Financial independence has become a significant milestone for many women today, bringing with it confidence, dignity, and the freedom to shape one’s own destiny. However, along...

Stop Comparing, Start Growing

Success does not grow in comparison; it grows in focus. Over the years, women have made significant strides in every sphere of life. From managing homes to leading organisations, from nurturing families to building successful careers, women have proved that strength and resilience are deeply rooted in their nature. Financial independence has become a significant milestone for many women today, bringing with it confidence, dignity, and the freedom to shape one’s own destiny. However, along with growth has come another silent challenge — the tendency to constantly observe, compare, and sometimes even compete with the journeys of others. But a crucial question arises: Is it necessary to track the growth of others in order to grow ourselves? From my personal experience of more than two decades as an entrepreneur, I have realised something very powerful — true growth begins the moment we stop looking sideways and start looking within. A Small Beginning I had a flourishing career of teaching abroad, but when I restarted my career after moving back to India, my beginning was extremely small. My very first assignment was a simple home tuition for a single student, and the amount I earned was meagre. There was nothing glamorous about it. No recognition, no large batches, no big earnings. Just one student and one opportunity. But instead of worrying about how others were doing, how many students they had, or how much they were earning, I made a conscious decision—my only focus would be on improving myself. I focused on teaching better, preparing better, and becoming more disciplined and consistent. And slowly, without even realising it, things began to grow. One student became two, two became a small group, and gradually, over the years, the work expanded beyond what I had initially imagined. Looking back today, I can confidently say that the growth did not happen because I competed with others. It happened because I competed with myself yesterday. Comparison Creates Noise When we keep watching others' journeys too closely, we unknowingly divert our own energy. Comparison creates unnecessary noise in our minds. It brings doubts, insecurities, and sometimes even negativity. Instead of walking our own path with clarity, we start questioning our speed, our direction, and our worth. True success grows through focus, not comparison. Every woman has her own story, her own pace, and her own struggles that others may never see. The path of one person can never be identical to another's. So comparing journeys is like comparing two different rivers flowing towards the same ocean — each with its own route, its own curves, and its own rhythm. As women, we already carry many responsibilities. We balance emotions, relationships, work, and society's expectations. In such a life, the last thing we need is the burden of comparison with one another. Instead, what we truly need is support for each other. When women encourage women, something extraordinary happens. Confidence grows. Opportunities multiply. Strength becomes collective rather than individual. There is enough space in the world for every woman to create her own identity. Each of us can build our own niche without stepping on someone else's path. Choose Encouragement Envy weakens us, but encouragement empowers us. Rather than questioning how someone else is progressing, we can ask a more meaningful question: "How can I grow a little better than I was yesterday?" Lift As You Rise Today, after twenty years of experience, the most valuable lesson I have learned is simple yet profound — focus on your own work with honesty and dedication, and success will quietly follow you. We, women, are capable, resilient, and creative. We do not need to pull each other down or compete in unhealthy ways. Instead, we can lift each other up while building our own dreams. Because when one woman rises, she does not rise alone. She inspires many others to believe that they can rise, too. And perhaps that is the most beautiful form of success. (The writer is a tutor based in Thane. Views personal.)

Dividends: The Santa Claus

Every year, investors eagerly anticipate dividends, much like children waiting for Santa Claus. These distributions of corporate profits, paid to shareholders, are one of the most rewarding aspects of owning stocks. While stock price appreciation is a major driver of returns, dividends often act as a reliable and consistent gift that keeps on giving.


A Seasonal Surprise

Just as Santa delivers presents annually, many companies reward their shareholders with periodic dividends. This predictable payout can be especially comforting during periods of market volatility, making regular dividend payments feel like receiving a holiday bonus throughout the year.


The Gift That Keeps Giving

What makes dividends truly special is their ability to compound over time. As profitability of companies grows, the dividends steadily increase. This creates a snowball effect, where our income grows year after year. Like Santa’s seemingly endless sack of presents, a well-chosen dividend-paying stock can continue rewarding investors far into the future.


In many ways, dividends are similar to rental income from real estate. They provide a steady cash flow that helps investors stay committed, even when market conditions fluctuate. Dividends add stability to a portfolio.


For example, companies in sectors such as consumer-facing industries, information technology, pharmaceuticals, government-owned enterprises, and multinational corporations are known for their steady and generous dividend payments. 


A Sign of Financial Health

Dividends also serve as an important indicator of a company’s financial health. A regular dividend payout suggests that a company is generating sufficient profits and is confident about its future. Strong dividend payouts reflect not just accounting profits, but healthy cash flows, which indicate robust business operations. Investors often view dividends as a sign of sound management and fiscal discipline.


That said, dividends should never be evaluated in isolation. It is equally important to assess other fundamentals such as growth rates, return ratios, cash flow generation, and the debt-to-equity ratio. These metrics help determine whether a company is genuinely growing, efficiently converting profits into cash, and capable of sustaining dividend payments over the long term.


Growth and Dividends Both Matter

Broadly speaking, there are three types of companies investors can choose from. First are companies that offer strong growth but pay little or no dividends. Second are companies that offer high dividends but limited growth prospects. Third are companies that strike a healthy balance between growth and dividends.


Many investors make the common mistake of focusing only on growth stocks or only on dividend stocks. The real opportunity lies in identifying companies that offer a thoughtful combination of both, using sound fundamental analysis and multiple formulae.


Not Every Stock Is Santa

However, not every company can play Santa Claus. This is why research is critical. A well-educated, full-time entrepreneur acting as your advisor brings the education, experience, expertise, and wisdom required to identify quality stocks.


In short, dividends are the stock market’s Santa Claus, bringing joy, discipline, and long-term wealth to investors who remain patient, informed, and wise.


(The author is a Chartered Accountant and CFA (USA). Financial Advisor.  Views personal. He could be reached on 9833133605.)


Comments

bottom of page