We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Shehzad Batliwala a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Shehzad, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
Resilience, for me, comes from the crucible of early life challenges. At a young age, I faced the kind of pressures that could either break you or forge you into something stronger. It was a situation where failure simply wasn’t on the table — survival was the only option. These pressures included growing up undocumented and leading the charge for my family to ensure we were allowed to remain in the country, being a caregiver for my mentally ill mother (thankfully she is better now), and growing up with immense financial pressures, all while trying to manage my own medical studies.
Like a diamond formed under immense pressure, my resilience is a product of those formative experiences. They taught me that when the stakes are life-defining, you discover an inner strength that’s capable of weathering any storm. This resilience has become a silent companion, guiding me through every trial with the understanding that what doesn’t break us truly makes us stronger.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
As an ophthalmologist, I have the profound privilege of restoring and improving people’s vision, allowing them to see the beauty of the world around them. But beyond the physical, my passion extends to illuminating the internal magic of the human spirit. Using AI, particularly advanced language models like ChatGPT, I aim to help individuals uncover the deeper truths about themselves, their motivations, and aspirations. My approach blends vulnerability with humor, a therapeutic method that keeps me grounded. Through motivational speaking, I share these insights, encouraging others to explore their own inner landscapes, fostering self-awareness and resilience with levity and depth. My brand is a testament to the power of sight, both external and internal, and the liberating clarity that comes with truly seeing oneself.
I use the art of storytelling to describe my own personal journey and narrative, hoping to inspire others to own their unique paths as well. We are the stories we tell ourselves, and my goal is to make sure I tell myself a good one, and hopefully inspire others to do the same.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
The cornerstone of my journey has been a resilient mindset, distilled into three core elements: self-awareness, gratitude, and forgiveness. Self-awareness is the map that guides you to your true self, leading to understanding and acceptance. Gratitude is the light that reveals the richness of life, even in the darkest times, fostering positivity and resilience. Forgiveness is the key that unlocks the chains of the past, allowing love to flow freely. For those at the start of their path, cultivating these qualities can transform obstacles into stepping stones towards success.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
Collaboration is at the heart of progress, and I’m always open to joining forces with others. I believe that when we come together, our collective impact is greater than what we can achieve alone. I’m keen to connect with those who recognize that life is transient and that it’s the relationships we nurture and the love we share that truly matter. I’m looking for individuals who see beyond competition to the true value of cooperation, understanding that at life’s end, we leave behind only the love we’ve spread and the connections we’ve made. If you resonate with this, I welcome you to reach out. Let’s make a meaningful difference together.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.visionarydoc.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/visionary.doc/
- Facebook: www,facebook.com/drshehz
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/drbatliwala
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/visionary_doc
