Me – an author?

It’s 23:56 on a Tuesday night, and I’m scrolling through my Instagram Reels. An activity I’ve radically reduced to improve my input/output ratio. A fancy way of saying I prioritize creation over consumption – be it material or spiritual.

This is precisely why I stopped consuming the news half a decade ago – not out of a lack of empathy, but out of a perceived powerlessness to change them: I only want to consume input I can use to improve my environment. How does this relate to me becoming an author, though?

Well, in the midst of my mindless scrolling, an advertisement popped up that changed my life and will have the same effect on you.
It was an ad encouraging me to become a writer and enter the Young Storyteller Award 2023. But am I an author? Let’s reflect on the labels I’ve been given during my first quarter of a century on this majestic marine marble:

Immigrant, Expat, German, Iranian, Colombian, Chinese, musician, flight-attendant, consultant, coach, trader, entrepreneur, polyglot, globe-trotter, karateka, footballer, FPV drone pilot, electric unicycle rider and many more.

Now, does the label of an author seem like a natural extension to this list? Is there any underlying logic or common denominator at all? What resonated with me to embark on this literary adventure? As all good Persians do I pondered over this on a cup of Chai. My reflective Chai concluded: Storytelling has been the serpent seducing me to continuously bite chunks off the knowledge tree.

The 40 countries I’ve traveled, studied and worked in have broadened my horizons and my ability to connect with the beautiful diversity of our human race. The ten languages I’ve learned so far have expanded my vocabulary to distill and crystallize my thoughts into these very words you’re reading. My entrepreneurial journey has taught me to condense a grand vision into small memorable slogans and that if you aren’t a little ashamed of what you publish, you launched too late!

My academic career has prepared me to appreciate that everything that flows from my brain to your heart stands on the shoulders of giants: Most of my positive outlook on life is based on the teachings of great authors like Dan Ariely, Jay Shetty, Tim Ferris, Stephen Covey, Napoleon Hill, Simon Sinek and many more. If you know any of them, you’ll probably enjoy this book. If you don’t, it’s even more likely that you’ll learn some paradigm-shifting perspectives on how to manifest your life’s vision.

So, I’d say it’s settled then … I am writing this book! In fact, you’ve already just read the first chapter of it. How am I going to make sure I finish it? The answer lies on Instagram – where else? I wouldn’t be a young storyteller without harnessing the positive power of social media that got me here in the first place. As soon as I’ve finished this first chapter, I’ll share it with my 10,000+ favorite humans over there to hold me accountable. Tauntingly living the “Insta, or it didn’t happen”- credo, I’ll be my most vulnerable self, inviting you to tag along on every step of the way. Are you ready to take-off, my dearest co-pilot?