Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited (RJIL) Chairman Akash Ambani, the elder son of Mukesh and Nita Ambani, recently attended Mumbai Tech Week, where he shared insights on the future of technology and AI in India. In conversation with Dream Sports CEO Harsh Jain, he spoke about maintaining work-life balance and the crucial role of family support.
Ambani expressed gratitude for growing up in a close-knit family that instilled strong values, where work was never seen as something to be balanced but rather as an integral part of life.
“Growing up, we saw our parents—not just my father but also my mother—not only balancing family and work but making both the biggest priorities of our lives,” he said.
This philosophy has guided him through his decade-long journey at Reliance. To him, the question of balancing work and family doesn’t arise since both remain the biggest priorities of his life.
He goes by a simple funda: “As you grow older, your priorities change, but you want to make sure that your priorities are something that is meaningful to make your life what you imagine it to be,” he said as the camera panned to his wife Shloka Mehta giving him a thumbs-up in support.
During the rapid fire round, Ambani also expressed gratitude towards his wife for being understanding of his demanding work schedule, which often keeps him working beyond 12 hours.
Rima Bhandekar, senior psychologist at Mpower Helpline, Aditya Birla Education Trust, told indianexpress.com that continuous hustle without adequate breaks is unsustainable. “Rest is just as important as work. Taking meaningful breaks, engaging in activities outside of work, and seeking personal fulfilment can enhance productivity and overall life satisfaction,” she said.
According to her, making time for self-care, exercise, hobbies, and quality moments with loved ones can significantly contribute to emotional wellbeing and overall life satisfaction.
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Counselling psychologist Priyamvada Tendulkar added that priorities in life are extremely important and healthy because they acknowledge the reality that time is a precious and a finite commodity for all of us, even if to varying degrees. Thus, reflecting on and evaluating priorities can help us immensely psychologically to come to terms with the fundamental nature of existence. She shared that being aware of the limited nature of time can help us all focus on what’s important in life – not just work but also quality relationships and good health.
