Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am the author of Infinite Possibilities – Unlock your real potential with the secret recipes of superachievers and a lead author of Breakthrough – Secrets of growth, happiness and bouncebacks from women around the world. I have also published an ebook titled 77 Thoughts to Kickstart Your Day When You are Feeling Down (you can download that at www.asmanyminds.com/kickstart-your-day).
I am passionate about innovation and growth mindset. I am the CEO of As Many Minds, Chairperson of International Youth Leadership and Innovation Forum (IYLIF) and the Co-founder of Her Own Voice. I provide consulting service on Design Thinking, helping organisations find the next wave in innovation. I speak internationally on innovation, mindset and education. Also, I coach people to develop their innovative mindset to reach out for their dreams, goals and next big things in their lives. I hold a degree in Computer Science and Engineering and MBAs from NUS Business School and UCLA Anderson School of Management.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is Infinite Possibilities: Unlock your real potential with the secret recipes of superachievers.
Throughout my professional life, I have been helping organisations (corporates and educational institutions) to innovate themselves with technology, processes and solutions.
In some organisations innovations work exceptionally well, in some it does not at all. The fundamental reason for failures in innovation has less to do with budget. And, it had everything to do with people’s mindset. The ability to take risk, learn from failures, ability to find the process behind success, motivating people for the right reason and so on. If people knows about, it would make huge difference in their professional and personal lives.
What prompted me to study, practice, speak, coach and write about mindset and its impact on our performance was my strong desire to help myself and the people around me with the formula to unleash our innate potential.
What prompted me to write this book was a desire to present you with real-life examples as proof and inspiration so that you too can achieve massive success in your pursuits. Moreover, I wanted to provide you with the “how-to” to help you develop a growth mindset in your life. For this book, I focused on writing in simple language so that even a child can read it with the same excitement as an adult reader.
Innovation does not start with an invention, it starts with a mindset. It is impossible to cultivate an innovative mindset without a growth mindset. My involvement in education reform, I have learned that having the right mindset is something that every adult and child should focus on in the present business climate of change being the only constant.
Whether you are a professional, educator, student or a parent, I am sure you will find something for you in this book. I hope this book will help you to discover your infinite possibilities and leap towards your dreams and goals.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Until I come across something really passionate to write about, my hands refuse to write anything. I go through my share of imposter syndrome from time to time. But, I have accepted it as part of the process. During those times of self-doubt, I tell myself that “You are not writing to get the label of a ‘writer’. You are writing to share your message. That message could make a difference in some people’s lives.”
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Malcom Gladwell has inspired me tremendously. His ability to tell stories to make any dry subject entertaining and easy to follow is something that draws me to his books.
What are you working on now?
International Youth Leadership and Innovation Forum (IYLIF 2018), which is on 23rd and 24th Sep 2018. We will have students, educators and experts from all over the world coming over to Singapore to attend that conference. As the Chairperson of IYLIF, I am busy preparing for that.
I am also working on two other book projects now.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am active on LinkedIn and Facebook, where I share topics related to my books.
I also reach out to my followers through emails.
I have found www.awesomegang.com to be a great platform to promote books.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
1. If you have learned something new about a topic, it is possible that there are people yet to learn about it. Never doubt yourself, have confidence to write about it.
2. Your ultimate aim for writing should be to share your message, not to become a writer.
3. Writing is a skill. Like every other skill, you can learn it. The more you do it, the better you get at it.
4. Speak about the topic of your book. If needed, learn pubic speaking to speak effectively.
5. Just start writing. Don’t wait for the perfect time, perfect language or the perfect opening lines.
You will do great.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I never had an ambition to become a writer. One day, someone told me, you have got many books lying inside your speeches, case studies, consulting life, coaching life and blogs. That helped me to look at my life with a different set of glasses.
What are you reading now?
Mastering Leadership The Mousetrap Way by Manoj Vasudevan
What’s next for you as a writer?
I started working on a book on innovation four years back. I worked on it for two years. Along the way, other books, Breakthrough and Infinite Possibilities, took precedence. Now, it is the time to restart it.
I am also in discussion with another author about another book on innovation.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
A brief history of time by Stephen Hawking
The greatest salesman by Og Mandino
Mastering Leadership The Mousetrap Way by Manoj Vasudevan
Author Websites and Profiles
Sindu Sreebhavan Website
Sindu Sreebhavan Amazon Profile
Sindu Sreebhavan’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile