Bandan Preet Mahajan Talks About Her Book “How To Swim With Sharks”

About the Author:

An educator by profession, a skill mentor by passion, an environment crusader by choice, the author holds a Master’s Degree in Economics & has several awards to her credit. Through this book, she hopes to help people reclaim their lives by overcoming despondence and despair. Drawing from lessons she learned by navigating unchartered territories in her life, she is on a mission to help people tread the difficult path of confusion to conclusion & disorientation to destination through this book.

Exclusive interview with the author

Q: What Inspired You To Write This Book?

A: This book started with conversations, raw & messy ones where I would open up about the challenges I faced, the mistakes I made, my breakdowns & my ways (some strange & some not so strange) of surviving them. A lot of people told me that I need to write a book about my life. I laughed it off at first. After all, who would want to read about the chaos I lived through? But then, overtime, I noticed something: every time I shared a piece of my story, someone felt seen, encouraged, more equipped, happier & less alone. That’s when it hit me – if my experiences & my learnings could help even one more person through tough times, then writing it all down was well worth the time & effort.

Q: What Does The Title Mean?

A: The title – “How to swim with sharks: A semi-stable human’s guide to life” is all about every challenge that life throws at us, challenges that are fast, abrupt, scary & always sniffing for weaknesses. Play smart & you not just survive but thrive. Bleed fear & you’re done for! You can’t calm the ocean but you can definitely become a better swimmer. You may not be able to outswim every challenge but you can definitely outwit it if you are better equipped (with faith, confidence, resilience). This book is your dive map. Moving onto the second part of the title, I call it a semi-stable human’s guide implying that I may have written this book but I am not perfect. I too am learning with each passing day & each thrown challenge. We all are in this together. Take it this way – the book isn’t a guru’s guide, it is a fellow floater’s field notes.

Q: How Long Does It Take You To Write A Book?

A: It took me about a year’s time to encapsulate the trials & tribulations of my life along with strategies & solutions that I put into practice for making my life better, if not perfect.

Q: Where Do You Get Your Information Or Ideas For Your Books?

A: The book is perfect example of “Inspiration from anywhere & everywhere”. The information in this book comes straight from real life-mine and the world around me. It’s built from personal experiences, life lessons, stories I’ve lived, mistakes I’ve made & the little victories along the way. I’ve also drawn inspiration from books I’ve read, people I’ve observed & conversations that left a mark. It’s not textbook wisdom-it’s lived wisdom!

Q: Do You Have Any Suggestions To Help Others To Become A Better Writer? If So, What Are They?

A: I am no writing expert myself but if I had to boil it down, I’d say: be brief, be real, and be human. Brevity keeps your writing sharp, authenticity keeps it honest & relatability makes it stick. Don’t write to impress-write to connect. The truth in your voice & writing will always stand taller than trying to sound literary or polished.

Q: What Does Success Mean To You? What Is The Definition Of Success?

A: Success, for me, isn’t a one-time achievement, it’s a daily state of being. It’s about waking up with purpose, fulfilling small goals that move me closer to my best self, and ending the day with a sense of peace. It’s also about creating opportunity even in tough times, staying emotionally grounded & having mental, financial & emotional freedom to live on my terms. It’s in the little things: a good laugh, a quiet moment or the ability to help someone.

This book is published by OrangeBooks Publication. All rights are reserved with the author & the publisher.