India’s population in 2024 stands at a staggering 1,450,935,791—the highest in the world, according to Worldometers.info.
Over half of this massive population is under 30 years old, brimming with potential.
But here’s the shocking reality: most of them are either jobless or not earning money.
This isn’t just a population problem; it’s a mindset problem deeply rooted in our system.
We don’t take courses to learn; we take them to earn degrees—degrees that are supposed to guarantee jobs, particularly in the government sector.
The harsh truth? Colleges don’t prioritize teaching practical skills or preparing students for real-world jobs. Instead, they churn out graduates like factories producing goods—quantity over quality.
When these degree holders struggle to find employment or earn money using their education, they rush to fill every job application they can find. Many aim for government jobs, lured by the promise of stability and perks. Unfortunately, for some, these jobs also become opportunities for side earnings through corruption.
While many may deny this reality, it’s a truth we can no longer afford to ignore.
The Employment Myth: What Millions Are Overlooking in the Race for Jobs.
In a single year, around 300 entrance exams are held, with 50 conducted by the government.
In a country where population numbers are at their peak, everyone dreams of securing a stable job for a better life.
But here’s the harsh truth: only a few hundred positions are available, which is nowhere near enough for such a massive population.
Logically, it’s impossible to provide employment to everyone through jobs alone.
So, what can we do when most people believe the only way to earn money is by landing a job?
This mindset leads to:
- Millions applying for the same job, creating extreme competition.
- Exams failing to determine who’s truly capable or deserving of the role.
And with every young person holding a degree, the competition gets even tougher.
But can we simply blame the system?
The answer is no.
With such a large population, we must take responsibility into our own hands. The solution doesn’t lie in just blaming the government or waiting for jobs—it’s in rethinking how we create value and earn.
Yes, there’s a significant gap in the education system.
But we can’t solely point fingers at the government. We must step up and choose action over complaints.
The Root of Our Struggles
Have you heard of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs? If you’ve been following me for some time, you might already be familiar. Let’s revisit it briefly to connect it to our current reality.
This model helps us understand human behavior and motivation by breaking down needs into levels:
- Physiological Needs – The foundation of the pyramid. These are basic biological requirements for survival.
- Examples: food, water, shelter, and clothing (kapda, pani, makan).
- Safety Needs – Protecting what we already have and ensuring future security.
- Examples: financial stability, job security, and safety for our basic needs.
- Love and Belonging – Emotional needs like interpersonal relationships and community.
- Examples: friendships, intimacy, trust, and acceptance.
- Interesting fact: This need is especially strong in childhood and it can override the need for safety.
- Esteem Needs – The desire for self-respect, recognition, and accomplishment.
- Examples: achieving goals, feeling valued, and building confidence.
- Self-Actualization Needs – The pinnacle of human motivation.
- This is where we pursue personal growth, self-fulfillment, and peak experiences.
Typically, we move from the bottom of the pyramid upwards, fulfilling foundational needs before seeking higher ones. Most of us feel safety in our early years, thanks to our parents acting as invisible safety nets, which is why we naturally aspire to self-esteem later in life.
Key Insight: Maslow’s hierarchy isn’t always a strict linear process. People can experience overlapping needs or jump between levels depending on their circumstances.
Now, here’s the harsh truth: The majority of us are still struggling at the base of the pyramid. Our nation’s mass population is caught in a cycle of fulfilling basic needs, unable to focus on higher aspirations.
We talk about “quality life,” but how can we even dream of that when most people don’t understand or achieve the quality of life at the foundational level?
This is the crux of the problem. As a society, we need to recognize where we stand and what it will take to move beyond just surviving to truly thriving.
Matching Skills with Jobs: The Missing Puzzle Piece
When I first understood how Maslow’s hierarchy of needs works, it got me thinking:
If education and degrees are meant to be pathways to better jobs and financial stability, then why do parents, teachers, schools, and colleges ignore the realities of the job market or the skills needed to earn?
The conventional way to get a job looks like this:
- Go to school
- Get good marks
- Write entrance exams
- Get into college
- Then try to land a job to earn money
But here’s what I asked myself:
Why don’t we flip this process?
What if we did everything with the aim of earning money first? Instead of blindly following this linear path, why not learn the skills needed to make money, and follow the route that suits us?
Ask yourself:
- What do I need to do to earn money?
- How can I be valuable to the job market or in any field I choose?
These questions came into sharper focus for me when I noticed a glaring gap:
- Big companies are pausing recruitment despite having thousands of open positions.
- CEOs openly admit they’re struggling to find skilled talent.
Do you see the problem?
On one side, we complain about a lack of jobs. On the other, companies can’t find skilled people.
Let me share my story.
In 2022, I landed a job in a multinational company (MNC). At first, it seemed like a big achievement. But within a year, I resigned. Here’s why:
- The work was easy and repetitive—nothing challenged me.
- The high pressure environment are encouraged , but not growth (personal or professional).
- I finished my tasks in 2–3 hours but spent the entire day doing nothing meaningful.
I spoke with colleagues who had decades of experience, including my boss, who was 55+. Their insights painted a bleak picture: staying in this system for 10 years wouldn’t significantly grow my skills or income.
That’s when I realized the real issue:
The problem isn’t just about having a job. It’s about matching your skills with the right job.
It’s like solving a puzzle. When your skills and aspirations don’t align with your work, it feels like running on a treadmill—going nowhere.
For me, coming from a middle-class family, I had a safety net because of my parents, family and friends. Like many others, this meant my basic needs—food, shelter, and emotional support—were covered.
But this safety net also masked the deeper issue: esteem needs.
I was stuck in a cycle of working on someone else’s dream, repeating the same tasks daily. My potential for growth was stifled, leaving me unfulfilled.
This story resonates with so many because it’s a reality for the majority. We survive, but we don’t thrive.
The key takeaway?
Build skills that bring financial freedom and create a life aligned with your dreams, not just one designed for survival.
Maslow’s hierarchy of needs helps us understand this. Once you break free from the lower levels—survival and safety—you can focus on higher pursuits like growth, self-esteem, and self-actualization.
The choice is yours: continue surviving or start thriving.
Start with the End in Mind: Building Skills for a Fulfilling Life
When I realized the gap between education, the job market, and the skills needed to thrive, I decided to approach things differently. Instead of asking questions like “Which college should I go to?” or “What subject should I study?” I flipped the script.
I started by asking:
What valuable skills can I learn right now to earn money and solve real problems?
The Tools You Need to Start
The good news is you already have most of what you need:
- An internet connection: If you’re reading this, you’ve got it.
- A laptop, PC, or tablet: Any device capable of basic tasks will do.
With these tools, you’re equipped to make yourself valuable to the market.
The Key Ingredient: Skills
As we know, money is earned in exchange for the value you provide. So, the next big question is:
How do you provide value?
The answer lies in your skills.
But here’s the catch: Don’t just chase any skill in demand. Yes, you can learn almost any skill online with a good internet connection and a laptop. But it’s not just about learning—it’s about aligning your skills with what you enjoy and what the market needs.
Find Your IKIGAI
Have you seen the IKIGAI diagram?
It’s a Japanese concept representing the intersection of:
- What you love
- What the world needs
- What you’re good at
- What you can be paid for
While many people find this profound, here’s my take after learning multiple skills and building various projects:
Passion alone is overrated.
Instead, start by following your curiosity. Curiosity often evolves into passion, which in turn can become a skill that produces tangible outcomes.
Experimentation: The Path to Clarity
If you already know what you’re good at, great! If not, don’t worry—try different things. Explore, experiment, and allow yourself to fail.
- Start with what you’re curious about.
- Learn the basics.
- Stick with it until you gain some mastery.
And if it doesn’t feel right, don’t hesitate to pivot and try something else. This process takes time, but it’s the key to finding what truly resonates with you.
Treat Life Like a Business
Here’s the mindset shift: Treat your life as a business. Your skills are your product, and your goal is to create value in exchange for money.
You love baking, designing, crafting, developing, cooking, editing, photography—whatever you love, just do it for yourself first. And when you do, share it on your social media.
Don’t overthink it. Don’t ask me why. Just upload it. Show the world what you’re good at.
At this stage, don’t worry about starting a business. Focus on becoming exceptional at what you truly enjoy. When you get good at it, opportunities will naturally arise.
Sometimes, people who need your skills will come to you. Other times, you’ll need to reach out to those who might benefit from your skills. Either way, you’ll be doing something you love, and it won’t feel like “work” in the traditional sense.
Don’t learn skills you may never need. Learn the skills necessary to solve problems and earn money.
This is how businesses work:
- Understand the market’s needs and demands.
- Learn the skills to meet those needs.
- Provide value, and earn money in return.
When you combine this approach with technology, the sky’s the limit.
What Comes Next?
Once you start earning money, you unlock endless possibilities:
- Launch a business.
- Pursue a new hobby.
- Learn new skills to grow further.
This cycle of learning and applying is what makes life interesting and fulfilling.
My Journey
If you’re wondering what I’m doing, here’s my story:
I’ve explored and learned multiple skills like photography, editing, web development, and design. These experiences led me to start my own digital marketing agency, where I offer a range of services.
As a late ’90s kid, I grew up immersed in technology. I’ve seen its growth, and I understand its potential. By aligning my curiosity with the market’s needs, I’ve built a path that’s both fulfilling and financially rewarding.
The Bottom Line
Success starts with identifying the skills that align with your interests and the market’s needs. From there, it’s all about continuous learning and adapting.
When you treat life as a business, you don’t just survive—you thrive.
Inspiration and Closing Thoughts
This is your life.
Don’t blindly follow what everyone else is doing. Pause and ask yourself:
Is this really for me? Is this truly what I want from life?
If your answer is NO, then it’s time to take control.
Stop waiting for permission or direction from others. Instead, follow your curiosity. Learn what excites you, and identify the needs and demands in the market.
Find where your interests and the market intersect. If you don’t yet have the skills to fill that gap, start learning. Build those skills. Keep improving.
Because the truth is:
Life is a continuous process of learning and growing.
As long as you’re alive, there’s room to evolve.
The journey is yours—make it meaningful.
Call to Action (CTA)
If this resonated with you and you’re ready to take charge of your journey, here’s what’s next:
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Who is this for?
This is designed for creators, freelancers, or anyone unsure of how to turn skills into a reliable income. If you’re:
- Uncertain which skills to develop.
- Curious about the creator economy but don’t know where to start.
- Struggling with marketing or selling yourself because you’re used to assigned work.
- Unsure which products or services could yield the best revenue.
This primer on solo entrepreneurship covers everything you need to build your foundation, including:
- The Digital Economy: Understand how to thrive in today’s digital world.
- The Creator Mindset: Learn how to become independent and create your own income streams.
- Skills & Passions: Discover how to merge your interests and stand out.
- Evergreen Markets: Strategically position your content for long-term success.
- Products & Services: Start with offerings that deliver quick and meaningful returns.
- Distribution Channels: Build an audience and attract customers effectively.
- Capturing Attention: Keep your audience engaged, no matter the platform.
- The Power of Persuasion: Use ethical influence to connect deeply with your audience.
- Keys to Success: Embrace transparency and build in public for sustainable growth.
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This is your moment to take the first step toward creating the life you want.
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