Viraj Bahl, the founder of Veeba and a well-known Shark Tank India judge, has changed what it means to have a successful day-to-day life. Rather than the hustle culture most of us are accustomed to, Viraj follows a structured yet reflective routine while prioritising personal wellness, leadership and clarity of thought. In an interview with NDTV, he stated about the 70-hour workweek work ethic. The way he lives his life exemplifies this mantra.
A Day with Viraj Bahl
Viraj Bahl begins his day with meditation to ground his thoughts and promote clarity. He appreciates that this daily practice helps him start each day subdued and focused. This is especially important for someone consistently hyper-focused on leading a business that includes multiple shareholders. Rather than rushing to engage in emails, meetings, etc., Bahl centres his thoughts and takes the appropriate time before entering his workday.
Viraj Bahl usually follows this by going for a walk, which allows him to engage in some light exercise while having a moment of reflection. Walking outside gives him time to unplug from any devices and reconnect with his own thoughts, a vital practice he believes every entrepreneur should do much more often. One question arises: What do the world’s top performers have in common? Beyond their resumes and accomplishments lies a shared secret — their morning rituals of successful people.
Balanced Work Hours and Team Wellness
Viraj Bahl designs his workday so that he is productive but not wiped out. He follows a philosophy of deep work—working full steam ahead on one thing at a time. He typically operates during a standard 8-hour office time slot and has ensured his team does as well. As the Veeba founder, he established a workweek of 40 hours and pushed back against the romanticism of working long hours.
This philosophy is not just talk; Bahl peppered his organisation with messages encouraging them to log off at a reasonable hour, spend time with families, and pursue their interests. He states that a well-rested team is a productive team.
Leadership and Execution with Clarity
During his day, Viraj Bahl focuses on operational clarity and execution. He is involved in product development but doesn’t micromanage. He trusts that he can call upon them when necessary, while not worrying about daily activities. His afternoons are set aside for strategy and strategic updates/meetings.
He describes his leadership style as empathy and empowerment, so that the hours in the workplace are fuelled with meaning rather than filled with stress. Viraj Bahl noted that without thoughtful execution, great ideas never become great because of their impact.
As a Veeba founder of a food innovation brand, Bahl is conscientious about the food he consumes. He hasn’t shared the specifics of his diet, but advocating for quality ingredients and conscious consumption should give you a good idea about his food choices. Viraj Bahl purposeful decisions about food consumption align with Veeba’s products: clean, delicious, and made with good intentions for health.
It’s safe to say that he eats healthily, and he keeps his meals relatively simple, healthy, and good. He likes to eat good food without overindulging; however, his lifestyle selections suggest an emphasis on wellness, potentially avoiding baskets of food and processed foods, modulating hydration, and consuming light meals.
Evening Routine and Wind Down
For Viraj Bahl, evenings feel less like work and more like peeling the petals of a daisy to decompress. He takes time to wind down after work, and after dinner, he usually puts away his phone and laptop. During time, like a nice evening “meal” dedicated to meditative reflection or slow reading, Bahl has a chance to transition from work to leisure, mindful of his sleep and mental reset, as the time he takes for himself.
He strongly believes that how you end your day often dictates how you will start your next day. In this way, evening routines are not for rest and relaxation but an effective opportunity to optimise long-term productivity!
What Emerging Entrepreneurs Can Take Away
For those aspiring to a similar path, Bahl has been a source of more than just business insights; he has shown that one can engage in a successful venture without experiencing burnout. His day-to-day work has demonstrated that productivity fuels productivity and that purpose, rest, and reflection herald productivity.
His recommendations? Know your space, learn continuously, and respect your time and your team’s time. Viraj Bahl represents better in an unprecedented obsession with ‘more’.
Conclusion
Viraj Bahl’s day-to-day lifestyle provides an interesting alternative view of the modern entrepreneur. He demonstrates that meditation, mindful movement, healthy work hours, and empathetic leadership are not necessarily rarefied and exclusive practices—success in life can come alongside mindfulness filled with intention and clarity of purpose. For anyone striving for a lifestyle that seeks to balance ambition and well-being, Bahl’s routine provides a forward-thinking framework.
