Friday Coffee and the Golden Circle

People drinking coffee

Every Friday, a few of us gather at a small café in Redmond called Cypress. It’s nothing fancy—just coffee, conversation, and a bit of routine—but over time, it’s become one of the highlights of my week.

There’s something about that first sip of coffee with friends that slows everything down. No deadlines, no meetings, no rush. Just space to talk, laugh, argue a little, and drift into topics we wouldn’t normally cover in the busyness of the week. Sometimes it’s about the job market or investments, sometimes about faith or family, and sometimes it’s just plain banter. But I’ve realized those Fridays give me something rare: the freedom to just be, to listen, and to share openly.

A few months ago, the conversation took a turn toward Simon Sinek’s Golden Circle. The idea is simple but powerful—most of us know what we do, and many of us can explain how we do it. But the real question, the one we often skip, is why we do it.

That stayed with me. Because if I’m honest, in day-to-day life it’s so easy to get caught up in the what and how—the meetings, the tasks, the next thing on the list. But when you step back, it’s the “why” that gives everything meaning.

It reminded me of a quote by Mark Twain: “The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.” I’ve always loved that line, but on that Friday morning, it hit a little differently.

When I look back at my own journey, my “why” has quietly shaped the path I’ve taken. From being a curious student in India, to building a career in Australia, and now taking on new challenges in the U.S., I can see how it’s always been there, nudging me forward. For me, it comes down to three things: collaboration, passion, and resilience.

• Collaboration, because I’ve never believed growth is something you do alone.

• Passion, because when you love what you’re doing, even the hard days have meaning.

• Resilience, because life and work will test you, and the bounce-back is where the real growth happens.

  
  

That morning at Cypress, it struck me how grounding it feels to know your “why.” It doesn’t solve everything, but it gives you a compass when things get messy.

So maybe that’s the gift of these Friday coffees. They look ordinary from the outside—just friends, just coffee—but they remind me to pause, reflect, and ask myself the deeper questions. And sometimes, that’s exactly what you need.

If you haven’t watched Simon Sinek’s talk on the Golden Circle, I’d highly recommend it—it’s a simple but powerful framework that can change how you think about work and life: Watch here

Next time you’re sitting with your morning coffee, maybe ask yourself too: What’s my why?

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