Create experiences

Dear Aditya,

It was my 40th birthday. Our family decided to celebrate it at our farmhouse in Mulshi. My 2 kids, 2 nephews, and 4 nieces, ranging in age from 8 to 18 decided to get me a gift. I was super excited. I love gifts as much as anyone else.

The eve of my birthday came. The cake was cut. I asked about my gift.

"Where is it?"
"Your gift is beginning now!"
Came the response.
"Beginning now? Just give it to me," I said. "What is there to begin?"

But then it began. My gift was a 2-hour production, starting with a quiz about my childhood habits, a game where people had to mimic me and finally a 30-minute play that had been scripted, directed and acted by the gang.

Wow, isn't it. They gifted me an experience, one that I shall never forget.

I recently stumbled across this powerful idea in Michael Gerber's "The E-Myth Revisited." He talks about a business owner, Sarah, who had lost the joy in her work because she was overwhelmed by the endless tasks of running her pie shop. But Gerber helped her realize that she could create a system so that her daily work could become an enjoyable experience again. She wasn't just selling pies; she was delivering joy.

At Let's Enterprise we witnessed the magic of experiences during #Karo, a phone-free event curated by our student-partners. It was a Sunday completely dedicated to hands-on, real-world experiences. Imagine putting your phone away for an entire day to dive into workshops like resin art, solving clues with strangers, and riding across town in a chauffeur-driven car, all while rediscovering creativity through simple, tactile means.

Studies from Cornell University show that while material gifts provide a temporary high, experiential gifts have lasting effects. Why?

"Because experiences grow in value over time."

Unlike material possessions, which we adapt to quickly and grow tired of, the stories and moments we create with others continue to bring happiness long after they've passed.

So, I leave you with this question: What experience could you gift someone that would mean more than any object?

Whatever your answer is, I promise it will be one they'll never forget.

In fratitude,
adi