Exploring how to get better at the game of life and sharing my learnings so you can do the same. | 650k+ audience

Personal website: alexbrogan.com.
Assorted writings: alexbrogan.substack.com.
My thoughts on AI: thelastinvention.ai.

Alex Brogan

Niharikaa Kaur Sodhi

DM me with GROW to build your personal brand.

A writer with over 3 million views/ month. :) An educator who has taught live over 150 people from 30+ countries, and has 12,000+ customers.

✉️ hi [at] niharikasodhi [dot] com

Coming to the 'story'...

I'm a writer. And with that, I also became an educator and entrepreneur.

I side hustled for 10 months in 2020 because something was missing. 

I refuse to believe you shouldn't be kicked to go to work when you wake up. I refuse to believe that you need to reach a certain 'level' to do high-impact work. Labels and designations aren’t exciting either. 

And I strongly believe that there's enough wealth we can all create if we play by the mindset of abundance and not scarcity.

We have a duty to be of service to other people. And we only have one chance at life to tap into our potential and unleash it.

So I quit my job in 2021 to write full time.

That led to:

• becoming a 22x top writer on Medium
• creating digital products 
• having a cohort-based course that's educated 100+ people across 30+ countries 
• getting accepted to LinkedIn Creator Accelerator Program 

As a writer, my purpose is to leave everyone healthier and happier. 

As an educator and entrepreneur, I want to help other creators level up their game and solve their problems.

I'm passionate about healthy living, reading, and mindfulness. I've also travelled to 24 countries and still have fear of flying.

I run two newsletters. Join thousands of people ⬇️
• On my life and self-improvement: https://niharikasodhi.substack.com/
• Side Hustle Saturdays: https://niharikaasodhi96.kit.com/profile


➡️ Collaborations:
Transparent pricing on https://www.passionfroot.me/nks

Twitter: @NiharikaSodhi

🚨PS: I have 25,000+ connection requests. If it's urgent, please send me an inmail. :)

Founder

I help writers become more consistent with my cohort-based programme that takes place 4 times a year.

I’ve come to realise that taking care of a little human is incredibly hard…. And now I know why women choose to do this full time and quit working. 

I’m pausing the next cohort of Authentic Influence. 

I’m pausing ‘making money’ 💰 with trading my time in any way… for a while. 

Ever since my pregnancy, my respect for women who’ve gone through this increased. 

Because it’s SO HARD. 

And now - even more. 

Because taking care of a baby is a 24/7 job that doesn’t end. 

And while I’m lucky to have lots of family and help around me, I’ve decided to use my free time for 

✅ working out
✅ doing writing
✅ going out with friends  
🤷🏻‍♀️ maybe record videos because I want to

I want to work because it makes me feel happy, but not be in sales + teaching mode. 

This decision was hard to make. 

But with Rabnoor, my baby girl, turning 8 weeks today - watching her grow SO much already feels harder. 

She’s already not-so-small again 😭😭😭

After lots of overthinking, this message from my student Rajaraman (Raja) Ramchandran, CA made me think straight:

“The moments you will loose being a mother for the next 3 months (Day 45 to Day 135) will never come back. The time you loose being a Creator is only temporary. You are investing your time in something which will compound miraculously both as a mother and as creator.”

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8 years ago this day, I traveled solo for the first time. 

As a disclaimer, 
- I’m introverted, and 
- I don’t make friends easily

Honestly, I was SO anxious.

I zipped my passport and phone in my jacket at night and hugged them under the blanket before I slept. 

The first night, I didn’t sleep at all and imagined the worst possible scenarios that could happen to me. My hostel dorm had 32 people and my bed was right next to the door, so there was that noise too. 

The next day, I stepped out of my comfort zone to have some small talks over breakfast. 

In the evening, I hung out with hostel mates from around the world. 

I realised I enjoy sightseeing alone, especially in museums. I didn’t even imagine I’d be somebody who enjoys museums!

But I also enjoyed hanging out with people and listen to their stories. There’s something different about being in a room full of people from around the world, and that ‘different’ is what makes it amazing. 

This was the first time I spent time with myself and my thoughts in a place I don’t know at all.

The next two nights, I slept like a baby. 

Who knew, it’d lead me to travel solo nine more times. But that’s a story for another time. :) 

Stepping out of your comfort zone can unleash a whole new path for you. Try it?

#travel #summit21 #sprinterstribe

For 4.5 years, I’ve helped parents from 37+ countries to write online consistently. 
All this without being a parent myself. 

The good part? That stuff worked for them because the systems of writing and consistency I teach were tailored well around them. 

The challenge?

I’m in their boat now. 

So here’s how I’m writing with a newborn 👶🏻 - most of the time, when she’s on my tummy sleeping 🤣

Turns out, it’s not just me 😅

Another mum of a newborn DMed me saying she’s doing her client work during tummy time too. 

(I feel less alone and weird lol) 

➡️ One thing that stays constant is that it’s MUCH easier to show up for ANYTHING, when you enjoy it. 

Without any outcome attached. 

For the sheer joy of the process alone. 

It’s why I’m able to workout. 
It’s why I’m eating healthy food. 
It’s why I write even though I don’t have to. 

And it’s why I continue chickening out of social gatherings 😁

Last year on this day, I had my TEDx talk. It’s got over 550,000+ views 😳 

Surprising, I know!

That’s all. 

That’s the post. 

Because the talk is preachy enough, the LinkedIn post doesn’t need to be 😂

Watch here: https://lnkd.in/gvmvRysP

This one experience challenged me on an emotional, physical, and mental level, even though I’ve done plenty of ‘inner work’.

Pregnancy!

💪🏼Physical level:

- My body was changing drastically, and I had days when I’d cry because I couldn’t recognise it.
- Tiredness has a whole different meaning.
- My acne reappeared after years and didn’t go for months.

🧠Mental:

I felt depths of sadness I never thought an optimistic and aware person like me had the ability to feel.

💫Spiritual

- I was negative, hopeless, and upset. 
- I became pessimistic instead of my naturally optimistic self


I guess life has a way of putting you through things so you can come back stronger. 
So during my time off during my maternity leave, I hope I do too. 

With newer realisations, goals, and more.

Honestly, being pregnant was worse than the time I got surgery on both my knees and was in bed for 4 weeks. 

Between weeks 8-14, I fell sick, and my days were all about

- Being unable to eat
- Unable to even see food
- Nausea morning to night
- Weakness due to not eating
- Negative thinking because… hormones
- Crying to myself on most nights because I felt miserable

As an overly positive and grateful person, I found it hard to be positive or grateful.

As a mostly happy person, I felt depths of sadness that I didn’t know I had in me to feel.

My only saving grace was my work - typing on my phone made me feel better, and not having to ‘go to work’ eased some mental load.

This time made me feel forever grateful to have chosen solopreneurship.

PS: Here’s a photo when I was 6 weeks pregnant and 2 weeks away from the rollercoaster of hormones.

Side Hustle Saturdays just turned 200 weeks old 🎉 And I’m celebrating:

 💫 5 years of side-hustling
 💫 4 years of solopreneurship
 💫 zero planning, just a whole lot of showing up

In case you don’t already know, it’s my weekly newsletter.

People marvel at the end result:

- the 3-hour workdays
- the time/location freedom 
- the “wow, you’re so lucky” comments

But I know what it actually took was:

- Being questioned, misunderstood… constantly
- Making sacrifices no one claps for
- Doing the inner work most people avoid

Side hustling isn't cute 🙄 

It teaches you who you are, what you can handle, and what you’re capable of becoming… 

In ways a job, a degree, or a networking group never could.

It’s growth in its rawest form.

This week’s issue is special to me.

I’m sharing 20 hard truths about side hustling 💪🏼

What I wish someone had told me when I was starting out. These will make your journey easier if you accept them.

Join 14,000+ readers here 👉🏻 https://lnkd.in/gy6UnjRQ

🥂 Here’s to the next 100 issues… and to you building something that’s 100% yours.

Back in 2020, my dream was to make $1,300/month.

I was publishing a few articles a month, making $100–$300 from random gigs.

It wasn’t a lot, but enough to stay excited. 

But one day I asked myself: 

What if I actually go all in?

5 months later, my side hustle income crossed $3,000/month 🤯

That was 5x my monthly corporate salary!!!

That number changed my mindset about money and how the world + creator economy works.

- It gave me options
- It gave me confidence
- It gave me the freedom to quit my job

Many people underestimate how life-changing your first $1,000 outside your 9–5 really is.

Tomorrow, I’m sending out the 199th issue of Side Hustle Saturdays – a free newsletter where I share the cheat codes I wish I had when I started building my side hustle. 

💥 This one’s got the top 5 steps to making your first $1000 outside your full-time job. 

Sounds like something you’d love? 

Join 14,000+ readers 👉🏻 https://lnkd.in/gy6UnjRQ

As a woman, being a solopreneur is the most empowering move I’ve made for myself. I’ll show you how, and I’m certain you’ll be able to resonate:

💍Being married as a financially independent woman in the South Asian society is a power move.

🤝🏼As a couple, things get a lot easier when you’re both earning well. We travelled ~15 countries in the first 2 years.

🙈I’m one of those people whose partner is their favourite human. Because I work fewer hours and WFH, I prioritise my time with him when he’s home. No meeting can come between us having chai and gossiping.

👩‍👧‍👧I hang out with my mom on weekdays over lunch most of the time. Because who wants to deal with weekend parking and rush.

🥰 I’ve realised that unlimited family time adds a lot of value to my life - nothing I can buy can make me feel the way I feel with my loved ones.

🧘🏻‍♀️Most importantly - I have time for myself. 

_

As women, we juggle multiple responsibilities. And solopreneurship makes it easier for me to do it all and stay sane.

It’s also because as a person, I prefer a life that isn’t rushed.

You could be different, and that’s okay.

The entire point of life is to discover your inner weird streak and create a life nourish it.

Your personal brand stands out by doing the easy stuff, but you're probably too busy trying way too hard!

Okay, here's what I do:

• 98% YouTube videos are made without make-up
• No professional lighting or camera for videos
• All photos are unedited

With my LinkedIn and newsletter writing,

• I don't stress about the likes
• I write about what I think adds value
• I don't shy away from my quirks/ weirdness

I've realised that it's easier to be me and say: "I'm lazy, so I can only work for 3-4 hours. I dislike networking events and social stuff."

Than to portray myself as someone who wakes up at 5am and is crazy productive.

My journey of solopreneurship is a consequence of self-awareness.

And while the internet lures you with vanity metrics to chase, I recommend you start and lead by looking within :)


PS: Here's a YT thumbnail photo from the front camera!

We have more people playing the victim mindset. They lose out on all opportunities, and might never know it.

There’s too much of:
- The world is unfair
- One is meant to struggle
- Blaming environment and circumstances
- Money is evil (while they secretly desire money)

A mind like this will…

Stay where it is.

What makes it worse is social media. It’s constantly making you feel ‘less’.

It’s so hard to feel good about anything when it ultimately isn’t ‘good enough’ because what someone else has is better.

The good thing about your beautiful mind? 
You can require it just as well.

So more of:
- There’s enough for everyone to succeed
- Money is GOOD, you deserve it
- Action towards ideas
- Taking responsibility

Rewire your mind to change your inner universe, and you’ll see your other universe flourish.

One of my friends is 26 and is working hard to climb up the ladders in one of the best firms in the world. 
 
If you know about the top consulting firms that pay a bomb and make you slog for it, you know the place I'm talking about. 
 
He sleeps 5-6 hours a day so he can squeeze in a workout. 
 
He says most of his leaders look older than they are because of receding hairlines and a belly. They don't have the time to work out and the long hours screw up healthy eating habits too. 
 
So he sleeps less, squeezes in a workout, has quit alcohol and eats healthily because he doesn't want to be unfit. 
 
My conversation with him reminded me of my ex-boss. 
 
She worked 14 hours a day and all weekends. She also had kids. And her boss worked 12-16 hours + weekends. 
 
Motivation for me to get a promotion? Looking at them, zero. 
 
"It's also our collective delusion that overwork and burnout are the prices we must pay in order to succeed." — Arianna Huffington

Most people don’t post on LinkedIn because they think it’s cringe. But no one ever admits why. So I will say it:

Most content on here is fluff.

Preachy, stale secondhand dopamine. 
Zero real value to the reader.

And when people see that, they assume that’s what they have to do to grow.

So they hold back because they don’t want to sound like… that person.

But, since when did preaching become a strategy?

I’ve been writing on LinkedIn for years.

- You don’t need to preach to build a solid personal brand
- You don’t need to spew platitudes 
- You don’t need to pretend to be wise

In 2 hours, I’m busting this myth inside my free newsletter, Side Hustle Saturdays, along with:

➡️ the 3 rules of writing anti-cringe content
➡️ how to build an audience that actually loves your voice
➡️ how to never run out of content ideas

The platform is not the problem.

Avoiding it because of the fear of “looking cringe” is.

Join 14,000+ readers here 👉🏻 https://lnkd.in/gy6UnjRQ

As a new mom, I can’t imagine my ex-boss’ lifestyle that involved working 14 hours a day + weekends sometimes.

When I was in a corporate, I saw my leaders working 12-14 hour shifts frequently. Their lives were hectic and stressful.

As a 24-year-old, I wanted to grow to
• get a promotion
• get a 'managing' role
• get paid super well (duh)

But I also saw that this would come with
• lots of responsibility
• increase in workload + stress
• working weekends is becoming normal

It's one reason I wanted to get away from this black hole.

As a 29yo new mum, I’m glad I side-hustled at 24 and quit my job at 25.

This quote fits in beautifully with what I witnessed:

"By working faithfully 8 hours a day, you may eventually get to be the boss and work 12 hours a day." - Robert Frost

The point isn't whether to work for 4h or 12h, it's doing what works the best for you, your health, your family, and sanity. 

One template doesn't fit all - some people thrive with 10-hour days, I personally don’t and have accepted it + created a life around my being instead of the other way round.

In the age of social media, contentment needs to be the new cool.

Seven things you do casually that are scientifically proven to damage your health:

1. Anger: it only affects you, the person you're mad at doesn't give a flying burrito. Say hello to high BP and the root cause of many ailments.

2. Overthinking: the story in your mind only exists in your mind. The worst-case scenarios either don't happen or aren't as bad.

3. Negative self-chatter: the narrative you tell yourself is the unfolding reality. Nothing good comes from a negative mind.

4. Mindless scrolling: firing 8383664 neurons kills your attention span and the ability to focus and be creative. And of course, you're feeling how inadequate your life is.

5. Sleep deprivation: we're the only ones who willingly delay our sleep, which doesn't have a single benefit.

6. Alcohol: so far, studies have claimed zero benefits to drinking (yes, even your one glass of wine). 

7. Smoking: I'm still in awe of how ruining your lungs and attracting a spectrum of diseases is normalised.

Think about it. This is the stuff you have control over. The question is - are you willing to change?

What is your biggest challenge around growing on LinkedIn? 
(Your vote is anonymous, don't worry!)

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The Battle

Alex Brogan

Niharikaa Kaur Sodhi

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Performance ScoreNiharikaa Kaur Sodhi's LinkedIn Performance

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taplio

The Battle

Alex Brogan

Niharikaa Kaur Sodhi

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Niharikaa Kaur Sodhi's LinkedIn Performance

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Performance ScoreNiharikaa Kaur Sodhi's LinkedIn Performance