TLT: Your first book focused on preparing young professionals for their careers, while this title, “Mindful Momentum” explores procrastination and overthinking. What inspired this shift in focus?

Sushant Rajput:  The shift wasn’t intentional—it was personal. After publishing my first book, I found myself caught in a paradox: achieving success but still struggling with moments of mental fatigue, hesitation, and second-guessing. I realized that while many young professionals were looking for guidance on external career strategies, what often holds us back is the internal narrative—the overthinking, the self-doubt, the procrastination. Mindful Momentum was born out of this introspection. It’s a book I wish I had during some of my most mentally taxing years.

TLT: With over two decades in the IT/ITES industry, how have you seen procrastination and overthinking affect professionals at different stages of their careers?

Sushant Rajput:  Interestingly, these challenges don’t discriminate by designation. A fresher might procrastinate out of fear of failure, while a mid-level manager could be stuck overthinking strategic decisions. Senior leaders, too, face analysis paralysis—often because the stakes are higher. The common thread is that success alone doesn’t eliminate these patterns. If left unchecked, they evolve with us. That’s why building awareness and mental frameworks becomes so essential.

TLT: You mention mindfulness as a key tool in this book. How did you personally discover mindfulness, and how has it influenced your own work-life balance?

Sushant Rajput:  I stumbled upon mindfulness during a very turbulent phase of life—when I lost both my parents within eight months. That grief forced me to pause and reflect. I began exploring mindfulness not as a spiritual tool but as a survival one. Over time, it became my anchor. Today, whether I’m working on high-pressure projects or mentoring students, mindfulness helps me stay present, cut through noise, and maintain clarity—without burning out.

TLT: What was the biggest challenge you faced while writing Mindful Momentum—did procrastination ever get in the way?

Sushant Rajput:  Absolutely—and that’s what makes the book real. Writing about procrastination while battling it myself was both ironic and humbling. There were days when I questioned whether the book was good enough or whether the world even needed it. But I applied the same frameworks I wrote about—micro-habits, momentum building, and mindful observation—and slowly chipped away. The book is as much a result of practicing the methods as it is of writing about them.

TLT: The book encourages the readers to approach their mental habits with compassion. Why is non-judgmental awareness so important in overcoming these patterns?

Sushant Rajput:  Because judgment breeds shame, and shame paralyzes. When we label ourselves as lazy or unproductive, we trap ourselves in a cycle of guilt. Non-judgmental awareness, on the other hand, creates space. It allows us to observe our behaviour without being consumed by it. That’s when change becomes possible—when you stop fighting yourself and start working with yourself.

TLT: As a visiting faculty and a corporate mentor, how have your interactions with the MBA students shaped the strategies that you’ve shared in this book?

Sushant Rajput:  They’ve shaped it immensely. Today’s students are juggling more distractions, expectations, and uncertainties than ever before. Their struggles gave me firsthand insight into how modern procrastination isn’t just about laziness—it’s about fear, comparison, digital overload, and perfectionism. Many of the strategies in Mindful Momentum—like focus anchors, emotional inventory, and decision simplifiers—were refined based on workshops and conversations with these bright, but overwhelmed, minds.

TLT: You started your writing journey as a blogger. How has blogging helped refine your voice and connect with readers on a personal level?

Sushant Rajput:  Blogging taught me two things: empathy and economy of words. When you write for readers who give you 2 minutes of their attention amidst a sea of content, you learn to speak directly, honestly, and with heart. That discipline shaped my authorial voice—relatable, conversational, and grounded in real-life contexts. Blogging also helped me build a quiet but deeply engaged community that eventually became my first readers, critics, and supporters.

TLT: Procrastination and overthinking are often rooted in fear or uncertainty. How does your book help readers uncover the deeper causes behind these behaviours?

Sushant Rajput:  The book doesn’t treat procrastination as a time management issue—it explores it as an emotional response. It nudges the reader to ask: “What am I avoiding?” Is it the fear of failure, or maybe the fear of success? Through reflective exercises, psychological insights, and real-world examples, the book becomes more of a mirror than a manual. Because when you understand the ‘why’ behind your delay, the ‘how’ to overcome it becomes clearer.

TLT: With so many self-help books in the market, how does Mindful Momentum stand out in its approach to mental wellness?

Sushant Rajput:  Most self-help books either feel too preachy or too fluffy. Mindful Momentum is different because it’s honest, practical, and rooted in lived experience. It doesn’t offer magical morning routines or overnight fixes. It offers a roadmap—crafted with humility—for building inner momentum in a world that constantly pulls you in every direction. It’s relatable, research-backed, and more importantly, real.

TLT: Now that Mindful Momentum — Navigating Procrastination And Overthinking is out, what’s next for you as an author? Can the readers expect more such incredible works in the future?

Sushant Rajput:  Yes, definitely. My journey with writing is far from over. I’m currently working on a very special book titled Courage Within: Indian Tales of Grit and Values. It’s a collection of deeply inspiring moral stories rooted in Indian culture, aimed at children and teenagers. Each story highlights a core value, whether it’s perseverance, integrity, empathy, or resilience, brought to life through relatable characters and regional backdrops. I wanted to create something timeless yet contemporary, that not only entertains but also shapes young minds. After that, I’ll be turning to more reflective and personal narratives as well, because writing, for me, is how I connect — both with the world and with myself.