Success has a different meaning for every individual, and every successful person has a different value system that has helped them reach where they are. While some believe in their own will power to plough through any challenge others stress on having a positive outlook in life and learning from mistakes. Check out these established executives share their life?s mantra with Exec Life.

There's a great hustle bustle of activity at the Times Now office. It looks like, it's been a day of hectic meetings and amazing news breaks for Editor-in-Chief, Arnab Goswami. As I enter his cabin, his cell phone keeps beeping incessantly and the sms' keep pouring in; yet Arnab looks all charged and raring to go.

For the first time ever, Goswami gets candid on his exciting journey as an editor-in-chief.

My initial years ?
Since my father was in the army, I changed various schools around the country. Also, I grew up in a family of lawyers and politicians. After doing my BA from the Hindu college in Delhi, I went through a period of uncertainity in my life. I was not too sure what I wanted to do in life. But somewhere along with the way, I figured out that I had a very strong connection with England. I had a strong desire to study law at Oxford. Though, I didn't get a chance to do law but I went on to do Social Anthropology at Oxford.

My Oxford days
I didn't really enjoy studying Social Anthropology or didn't quite like the `Oxonion' circuit so-to-speak. Later, I had an opportunity to do a PH D, but somehow I came back to India and joined the Telegraph in Calcutta. For about an year, I worked on the Edit pages of the newspaper. Later, I had an offer to join Outlook magazine, but somehow as luck would have it I went on to join NDTV.

My days with NDTV
At NDTV, I started off with doing some small stories, but being a quick learner I soon graduated to important stories. I was fortunate enough to cover three general elections, the Jain Hawala case and many other important stories. Working with Prannoy Roy was an excellent opportunity. I also owe a lot to my News Editor Appan Menon (who is unfortunately nomore).

After spending a good nine and a half years at NDTV, I had made up my mind to move on in life. I was scared of getting too comfortable at my job and was itching to take on a risk. I wanted to take on something that would challenge me. There were offers to head existing news channels but the offer to launch a new channel from scratch was a great opportunity.

Launching Times Now
My initial meetings with Mr Arun Arora and later with Mr Vineet Jain convinced me that this was the biggest risk and challenge that I was waiting for. On a personal level, launching the channel has been a great learning curve in terms hiring people, handling production, programming and deciding the overall look and feel of the channel.

Restless and raring to go
I always want to try out new things in life. After the launch of the channel, we are now in the process of experimenting with newer formats and forms. Now, our aim is to take the channel to the top.

I try to remain level headed
This profession can sometimes give you an exaggerated sense of self importance. My aim is to try and remain level headed all the time. I've seen people change a lot after getting into this profession. I try to keep a low profile and be one amongst the team.

My mind is always at work
Sometimes there are abnormal levels of stress in our profession. Also, the news business can really get a bit obsessive as one can't afford to miss out on a single news break. Somehow, my mind is always at work and it's part of my nature. I find it difficult to cut off. Also, it's hugely competitive. Initially, I didn't want to be in the rat race but now somehow being in the race, now I want to be the fastest rat.

Relaxing Mantra
I keep shuffling between Delhi and Mumbai. Whenever, possible we take off on a holiday, or go for long drives. I don't really like to party much or network. I try to spend a lot of quality time with my five year old son, who loves to watch me on television and imitate me all the time.

Life has not exactly been a roller coaster ride for producer Ajai Sinha. In fact, as he narrates us the story of his life, it sounds like it's really been a struggle in search of his real astitva so-to-speak.

One sees a rather childlike simplicity in him, as he reveals, "I came from Uttar Pradesh to Mumbai not knowing what I really wanted to do. I did my Civil Engineering and spent a few years trying to construct canals, which was rather frustrating.
So, how did a civil engineer later venture out into television? On a rather candid note, he reveals, "Later, I tried films and acting but nothing could really fulfill the creative urge in me. Along the way, I figured out that only directing would fulfill the creative urge in me. And the first break in life came with Zee's Hasratein. After which it's been television all the way."

But as they say life always comes a full circle. Now what next after Astitva- Ek Prem Kahani? On a rather lighter note, Sinha chuckles, "Now, I am again out of work and sort of just rediscovering life. Apart from working on a few scripts, I am planning a long holiday with wife Sangita to Australia and New Zealand."

As we continue chatting over some chilled juice, we slowly discover that Sinha plays a constellation of roles in life. A multi-faceted personality who feels strongly for social issues, writes, travels, parties and can pick up any musical instrument in just a few days.

I feel strongly for ...
My serials always attempt to convey a social or a political message realistically. And even in real life, I feel strongly for issues concerning the country. It's ridiculous that on the one hand we talk about the country being on the global map, the economy growing but on the other hand, we don't have some basic infrastructure in the country. I think, we need to seriously form a consensus and sort out the real issues which concern the common man.

Musically yours...
As a child I had this unusual knack to pick up any musical instrument. I learned to play the Banjo, Guitar, Mouth organ and flute. But, somehow now, time doesn't permit me to pursue my hobby.

I've written a book
I grew up reading folk tales which always left a deep impression on me. I still love to read folk tales which always have a social or a personal message. Apart from reading, I've also written a book called Akheri Bus, which was adapted from a Russian play.

I am crazy about cars
I have a weakness for cars. The first vehicle, I ever had was a Lambretta scooter, then a Rajdoot bike. I sold that and bought a Bajaj scooter. After a long time, I managed to acquire a second hand Fiat. Finally, after Hasratein happened, I bought my first new car which was Esteem then Zen. Later, I sold the Esteem and bought a Lancer, sold my Zen and bought an Accent. Later in life, I purchased a Scorpio. and now I own a Mercedes.

Work rejuvenates me
Work is never stressful but it'ss always a challenge for me. There were times during the early years of my life when I felt like giving it all up. But then, where would I go? I've realised that life is a challenge and one has to face it. So,I don't really believe in any kind of a relaxing mantra.

I love parties
I love going to parties, meeting up with people you've worked with and chatting up with friends. And apart from this, of course I love dreaming of the stars.

Future plans
I've done enough of television. Now my main focus is films. I am currently working on a few good scripts.

I love to shop for Shoes
I have a fetish for shoes. I have a collection of more than 80 to 90 shoes. I've a wonderful collection of shoes from across the world.