Gautam Ganglani puts his high regard for self-help books down to how they boosted his self-confidence following a challenging childhood in the United Kingdom. When his family moved to Dubai 20 years ago, Mr Ganglani’s father opened a self-help bookstore in Bur Dubai. His son joined the business in 1995, and the father-son team, known as Right Selection, invited authors to visit the Arabian Gulf region to deliver motivational talks and private sessions. Mr Ganglani Jr, 39, is now the company’s managing director.
6.30am
I get up and spend time with my eight year-old daughter. My other daughter, who is one, is still asleep then.
7.30am
I do a one-hour workout with a fitness instructor. In every area of your life it’s important to have a coach, because then there’s some accountability. On other days I do yoga with my dad, or walk with him at Jumeirah Beach or Safa Park – always out in the open, regardless of the weather. When you’re surrounded by greenery or water, it stimulates the brain to produce ideas.
8.30am
I love boiled eggs with vegetables for breakfast – minimal carbs. Or cereal, but no milk. I learnt from life coach Tony Robbins to minimise dairy. On my 15-minute drive to work and back, I listen to self-help audio CDs. Brian Tracy is one of my all-time favourites. He helps me become a better leader.
9.30am
I arrive at work. Every day as a team, we greet each other and end our days with a hug. This came from Jack Canfield, who says you don’t take home any grievances that way, because you’re not going to feel comfortable giving a hug to someone unless you’ve cleared the air with them. We all regard each other as extended family. And we’ve got to walk the talk in our line of business. We have colourful balloons around the office because they create the subliminal message of “celebration”. And we all have a bell on our desks, which we ring when there’s good news.
9.45am
I catch up with my four core team members, spending 15 minutes with each. Then, if a speaker is in town I’ll join them for their press interviews. We bring about 20 speakers a year into the region. Ron Kaufman has come to Dubai for speaking engagements over 100 times, and has inspired me every time. It’s his humour and high-energy delivery style.
1.30pm
Most days, the eight of us in the team have lunch together. We’re mostly from different regions of India so everyone brings something different to eat. One of our team members is Indonesian and brings Indonesian food to share. After lunch, we often watch a stand-up comedian or a motivational speaker video together.
3pm
Now it’s meetings or Skype calls with speakers for a catch-up on the latest trends, new books and when they’re next visiting. We have different business partners, such as Dubai Quality Group and Dubai Women’s Business Council, so I normally make courtesy calls to them and our sponsors. Before I leave work, I write down what needs to be done the next day
6.30pm
I head home for quality time with my daughters. Children bring out the child within me. Sometimes I help my older daughter with her homework and test her. We eat dinner as a family, no TV. My favourite meal is grilled salmon, vegetables and potatoes.
7pm
I network in the evenings; at the CEO’s club and the Rotary Club. There are about 50 members of the Rotary Club in Dubai, and we’re always sharing ideas of how to give back to the community
9.30pm
I love watching cricket and football. I was supporting England in the World Cup, but now it’s any of the underdog teams. Or I might go to a coffee shop with my wife.
11pm
I always have a good solid night’s sleep, which I attribute to eating healthily and exercising. Through life’s ups and downs I’m always upbeat, that’s what my team tells me.
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