Daniyal Vadsaria is the Head of Marketing at Anideos, an innovative video production house functioning from three primary locations—New York, Dubai, and Karachi.
Let’s start with your background! Can you share with us your career journey and what you’re currently up to?
When does one’s career start? In my view, it begins when you truly understand the value of putting in a hard day’s work. For me, this realisation came around the age of 18. Although my initial aspiration was to become a pilot, my career path led me to the role of Business Unit Head. Throughout my journey, I have always been driven by a passion for creativity and the desire to make a lasting impact.
Currently, I am proud to be a part of Anideos, where I serve as a Business Unit Head. Here, I have the opportunity to share the wealth of experience I have accumulated, and it not only brings me profound fulfilment but also allows me to contribute meaningfully to the growth and success of the organisation.
We’d love to know what a typical day is like for you. Could you describe a recent workday?
My role encompasses overseeing and managing the operations of our business unit, with a primary focus on marketing. A typical day starts with ensuring the smooth functioning of the team and addressing any challenges they may encounter. Additionally, I engage in client meetings to ensure our projects are well-organised and progressing smoothly.
Beyond work, I place immense importance on dedicating quality time to my beloved family. By consciously nurturing a harmonious work-life balance, I am fully present in both aspects of my life. This not only allows me to foster my relationships but also serves as a wellspring of inspiration and fulfilment in every endeavour I undertake.
Can you define work-life balance for yourself and share with us your approach in maintaining it?
For me, work-life balance means finding a state of equilibrium where I genuinely look forward to every aspect of my life, whether it’s work or personal pursuits. It’s about showing up as the best version of myself in different situations, whether it’s performing on a grand stage or simply enjoying dinner with my family after a long day. Fortunately, I feel incredibly fortunate to love what I do and be passionate about building our business, so it often doesn’t feel like ‘work’ to me.
In addition to enjoying my work, I believe it’s important to have a sense of direction in both my career and personal life. Regularly reviewing my progress, both in terms of career growth and the things that matter to me outside of work, helps me stay on track. When I see progress or experience personal growth in these areas, I feel a sense of balance and fulfilment.
Change is constant, and it’s essential for growth. Have you made any lifestyle changes in the past year to improve your work-life balance?
Absolutely! As I embraced my role in executive leadership, I quickly realised the significance of fulfilling my responsibilities. To achieve this, I designed a more flexible schedule for myself, allowing for better time management and prioritisation of tasks.
When I’m deeply invested in solving a challenge, I’m willing to put in the effort regardless of the time of day, as I’m driven by the desire to find solutions. Working from home sometimes with a bit of sport has helped me maintain my sanity and enhance productivity.
I have also adopted the practice of focusing on one task at a time and taking incremental steps each day, both mentally and physically. By doing this, I feel a sense of accomplishment and reduce the overall workload. To wind down, I enjoy ending the day with a feel-good show resulting in a better sleep.
We’re always on the lookout for new resources! Can you recommend any books, podcasts, or newsletters that have helped you in your journey towards balance?
I enjoy reading, although sometimes I can be a bit lazy when it comes to finding books that truly capture my interest. However, one book that I found particularly inspiring is It Always Seems Impossible Until It’s Done: Motivation for Dreamers & Doers by Kathryn Petras and Ross Petras. This book is filled with quotes that instil resilience, determination, and the belief that even the most challenging goals can be achieved.
Before we wrap up, do you have any final words of wisdom or insights on work, life, or balance that you’d like to share with our readers?
As I approach my thirties, here are a few insights I’ve gained that I believe can positively impact others:
- Every day can be a good day if you make up your mind for it.
- Continuous learning is essential for growth.
- Embrace calculated risks to achieve greater rewards.
- Nothing works without practice.
- Being around positive people is worth a thousand words.
- Measure success by how closely you align with your goals.
- Trust your gut instinct—it’s often right.
