Tell us about the ‘author’ Shahzad Malik and how was he inspired to write Dare to Be You?
Even as a very privileged child, growing up, I found myself stuck in a loop of constant bad decisions. Eventually it came to a point where I wanted to break free from it all and made a conscious effort to learn about individuals who everyone aspires to be like. I started reading their autobiographies, from Steve Jobs to Warren Buffet to Jack Welsh and with that I started finding common aspects in their lives. I realised that there are basic factors similar between them all with specific patterns of thought and process to overcome any obstacle in life. This is when I also started reading self-help books by various authors and really understood the concepts of self-development. I realised each author was focused on a particular aspect of self-development whether it was The Power of Now which talks about being present and mindful or the power of positivity and law of attraction in The Secret, there wasn’t any one book that comprised of everything as a starter for someone who wants to pick a self-help book and really understand the very basics of developing the self. That was the concept behind it. I wanted people to have a basic platform from where they can take their first step towards self-development.
If you are to summarise the message of the book in a few lines how would you do that?
The book requires you to think in an assertive and progressive manner that is not limited to any region. The very mind set the book looks to develop is not restricted by cultural or societal norms and hence that is where the self develops from. Anyone looking to discover how to make the best of the life they have, to live a life that fulfils them or simply become the best version of themselves.
How and why did you come up with the name ‘Dare to Be You?’
Initially, the book was called ‘Life is Simple’ and then one day, sitting at a restaurant on the wall I read this motivational quote about just being you. So from there I thought that all we do and learn is just for you, for the self and when the self is enriched at the core, everything around develops and so what better than it being titled ‘Dare to be You’.
You’re introducing a new genre in itself in Pakistan, do you think there is a market for this?
I feel there is a lot of self awareness today as compared to the past, people are playing an active role in getting to know mental health issues or more readily seeking help or talking about taboos. The examples I’ve given in the book are very general, regardless of where you are in life, you have to face and deal with certain issues, so the whole point of the book is to give you references so that you may be able to apply these concepts to your life. Dare to Be You is just the little push you need. It’s a great way to take your first step to self development.
‘I feel there is a lot of self awareness today as compared to the past, people are playing an active role in getting to know mental health issues or more readily seeking help or talking about taboos’
Which authors are your inspirations growing up for this book?
Some of the works that have greatly inspired me all through my life have been Robin Sharma. Almost all of the books by Echart Tolle, Mark Manson, the 40 Rules of Power by Robert Greene, Rick Warren’s The Purpose Driven Life, The Secret and The Law of Attraction, essentially all books written for self development, I have read and learnt from.
What are your ambitions for your maiden authorial venture and how do you see it play a part in the local literary scene?
The book requires you to think in an assertive and progressive manner that is not limited to any region. The very mind set the book looks to develop is not restricted by cultural or societal norms and hence that is where the self develops from.
What’s in store for the readers in future from you?
I’ve been involved with motivational speaking and talks with a recent one that took place in Washington about how to work in Pakistan and be an agent of change and so I enjoy doing this as for writing another book, not right now. I want to first focus on this and work on an Urdu version of Dare to Be You.