th October 2020. The first speaker of the AFAA Inspiration Series was none other than the most popular Sri Gaur Gopal Das, an International Life Coach, who has spoken before the leaders of a number of blue-chip companies with a huge fan following in social media.>span >

Referring to him fondly as “the urbane online monk” Ramesh Narayan mentioned how Sri Gaur Gopal Das has the ability to distill timeless wisdom and convey to us in his wonderful humorous manner.

Drawing from mathematics, Sri Gaur Gopal Das said problems equal to constants plus variables. Constants are constants that cannot be changed (some at least for the moment). Identify them and accept them.  Variables are things you can change, things that can empower you. A simple humorous example he quoted was “Height is a constant but weight is a variable. We must move from constant to variable, from hopelessness to being hopeful, from negativity to positivity, from can’t to can”.

Sharing some wonderful anecdotes he explained three important principles of life one must live by Be Hopeful. Be Grateful. Be Careful.

To handle business in stressful times he mentioned one must know what to let go. Discard old ways of working, old patterns and be open to the new, and  be “Future-ready”

Quoting self as an example, he mentioned how he has worked at redefining himself, his principles are from the old but conveyed in a contemporary manner for the current generation to understand, digest and accept.

When questioned on

• how he is responding to the current pandemic.
• his opinion on media and fake news he said
• how do start a right day

Sri Gaur Gopal Das – “I use this time to rebuild relationships, read more and meditate more and online discourse”.

Today we are politically absorbed and socially reckless whereas we must be ‘politically updated, socially sensitive and spiritually absorbed’. “Intelligent people carefully choose the content they want to consume. You don’t have to take in everything that comes your way. It’s like how we choose not to eat food that’s toxic for our bodies. In the same way, a diet for the mind is important too.”

A good day begins with a good night. It is advisable to keep the smartphones, laptops and televisions away an hour before you go to bed. Begin the day with gratitude.

 Srinivasan Swamy, AFAA Vice-Chairman moderated the questions and proposed a vote of thanks. 

Raymond So ended the meet with an invitation to the great advertising digital festival DigiAsia2020 to be LIVE on November 3, 2020.

DigiAsia is a digital marketing congress organized by AFAA. Taipei Association of Advertising Agencies (TAAA) is the host for this outstanding event which takes place in Taiwan every two years (every even year) starting in 2014. DigiAsia aims at creating the biggest digital innovation platform in the world, serving as a forum in connecting talents around the world. The congress encourages digital professionals to learn, share, and experience under the common goal of creating a better future.