The journey of excellence! An interview with Ajinkya Deshmukh, author and TEDx speaker

Ajinkya Deshmukh, award winning communication specialist, author and TEDx speaker has redefined success on his own terms , literally. With a remarkable resume that includes specialties ranging from event management,  literature to public speaking, he is surely set to redefine work and life in many more ways. 

What has been your journey to becoming an author like?

Ajinkya: Exciting. My unending curiosity about things around me and life as I see it has been the guide of mine. It is my humble effort to bring about a substantial transformation in the form of thought and action which has motivated me constantly. I have been reasonably well versed in stringing sentences together since I was a kid, thanks to my parents and teachers. Furthermore, I have represented my alma mater in numerous literary and management events such as debate and elocution at various levels successfully. That exposure only helped strengthen my tryst with literature. My work profile has always been inclined towards creating quality content extensively which empowered my literary skills a lot. 

You have also made some remarkable strides in the field of public speaking. Tell us something about it. 

That is too kind of you. But I would use the word satisfactory while describing my journey as a public speaker so far. Becoming a TEDx speaker was indeed a milestone in my life. Having delivered talks ranging from the art of conversation with celebs to exploring the world of opportunities for management students, I have come to realise that simplicity, while carving out your own niche, helps a lot when one prepares a topic for a talk. It is all about passing on a message of your choice in the simplest way so that it is passed further with good results. 

What are the other fields of work that you are currently exploring?

I have made some satisfactory progress as an authorpreneur which stands for an author who is also an entrepreneur. An array of projects that I have been working on have opened many doors for me personally and professionally. This is something that has been enhancing my literary repertoire a great deal. 

Your TEDx talk is titled ‘Art of Conversation with a celebrity’. Please shed some light on it. 

 We all are celebrities in our lives. We have our pursuits. We have our achievements. We have our limelight. My idea deals with the concepts such as interpersonal skills, communication tactics and much more with an aim of creating and nurturing long lasting relationships. 

In this age of competition, how does one make a distinct mark in the spheres of life and work?

It is all a matter of perception. Your only competitor should be your own self and nothing else. Once you are committed to improving yourself, there is no limit to what you can accomplish. 

How do you react to the success you have got thus far?

It is a great feeling, of course. But it has taught me to always be on the lookout of excellence and innovation. The curiosity quotient has to grow infinitely if one has to truly explore their true potential. 

What are your future plans?

More innovation and variety of work. I have been working on various public speaking modules that I shall be presenting. Moreover, I intend to explore my literary space a bit more widely and deeply. 

What is your success mantra for the aspiring authors?

I can only share whatever I have learnt thus far. Write what you love. Write what you love to read. Stay true to your writing.