The Struggles of Ritesh in Mumbai
It was a humid July evening in Mumbai. The rain poured down the tin roof of the cramped one-room chawl where Ritesh lived with his parents. He was 27, working at a call center during the day, hustling food delivery jobs at night, and still barely able to cover bills.
Every day felt like survival. His friends were moving abroad, buying cars, or getting married, while Ritesh was stuck, weighed down by debt and self-doubt.
He often lay awake at night, staring at the ceiling fan, asking himself:
“Is this it? Is my life meant to be just earning, paying, and surviving?”
Like Santiago the shepherd in The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, Ritesh had a recurring dream too—not of treasure in pyramids, but of owning his own business, creating financial freedom, and taking care of his family. Yet, like many, he silenced that dream, thinking it was impossible for “someone like him.”
✨ Turning Point: A Book That Changed Everything
One Sunday, tired of scrolling social media, Ritesh visited a small second-hand bookstore near Churchgate station. While browsing, his eyes landed on a white cover with bold black letters: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho.
The shopkeeper smiled, “This book has changed many lives, bhai. Maybe it’s waiting for you too.”
Ritesh bought it reluctantly, but that night, he couldn’t stop reading. Santiago’s story mirrored his own—ordinary beginnings, big dreams, and the call to chase a destiny despite fear.
A particular line pierced through his heart:
“When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.”
For the first time in years, Ritesh felt a spark. Maybe his life wasn’t doomed to mediocrity. Maybe his dream of business success was his “Personal Legend.”
🧭 Implementation Phase: Applying Lessons from The Alchemist
With renewed energy, Ritesh began to apply the book’s wisdom step by step.
1. Following the Personal Legend (True Calling)
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Santiago sold his sheep to follow his dream. Ritesh didn’t have sheep, but he had his stable call-center job.
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He asked himself: “What would I do if money wasn’t the issue?”
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The answer was clear: start an online business. He had always been fascinated by e-commerce and digital marketing.
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Action: Ritesh started saving 20% of his salary, cutting down chai breaks and bike rides, to build his business fund.
2. Reading the Omens (Watching for Signs)
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Just like Santiago learned to read omens, Ritesh began paying attention.
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One day while delivering food, he noticed how small businesses were thriving on apps but lacked proper branding.
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That was his omen. He decided to create a digital marketing agency to help local businesses grow online.
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Action: He took free online courses on social media ads, built skills at night, and reached out to two shop owners he delivered food to—offering free help in exchange for testimonials.
3. Turning Setbacks into Growth
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Early on, one client ghosted him after months of work. Another criticized his amateur logo designs.
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Ritesh almost quit, but then remembered Santiago working at the crystal shop after being robbed. That chapter taught him: setbacks are part of the path.
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Action: Instead of quitting, Ritesh invested in Canva and Photoshop training, and soon his designs started standing out.
4. The Role of Love and Support
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Santiago met Fatima in the desert. For Ritesh, it was his mother. She didn’t understand digital marketing, but she supported his long hours.
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“Beta, follow your dream. Even if you fail, at least you’ll know you tried,” she would say.
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That emotional backing became his desert oasis.
5. Becoming the Alchemist: Transformation Through Persistence
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The Alchemist taught Santiago that struggles transform us like lead turning into gold.
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For Ritesh, this meant developing the discipline to wake up at 5 AM, run ads for clients, and then head to his day job.
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Every small success—an ad that doubled a client’s sales, a café owner recommending him to friends—was gold born from effort.
⚡ The Breakthrough: Crossing the Desert
The turning point came six months later. One of his early café clients referred him to a chain of restaurants. They loved his work and offered him a retainer contract worth more than his monthly call-center salary.
For the first time, Ritesh saw proof that his dream was real. He quit his job, registered his company, and dedicated himself full-time to building his agency.
The boy who once feared rent deadlines was now negotiating contracts, hiring freelancers, and growing steadily.
🌟 Life After Change: The Treasure Revealed
Three years later, Ritesh wasn’t just surviving—he was thriving. His agency serviced over 40 clients across Mumbai, from fitness studios to retail brands. He had:
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Paid off his parents’ debts.
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Moved into a 2BHK flat.
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Built a small team of 6 employees.
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Taken his parents on their first vacation to Goa.
The treasure he sought—financial freedom—was real. But the greater treasure was his transformation. Like Santiago, he realized:
“The real treasure is not gold, but who you become in pursuit of it.”
💡 Reflections: Ritesh’s Advice for You
When asked what he learned from The Alchemist, Ritesh said:
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Dreams are not foolish – They are your personal legends. Ignore those who laugh.
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The journey is the reward – Failures are not dead ends; they are teachers.
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Trust your heart and the omens – The universe speaks when you are ready to listen.
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Persistence is alchemy – Small consistent actions turn ordinary lives into extraordinary ones.
📖 Lessons You Can Apply Today
If you want to transform your life like Ritesh, here’s a practical roadmap:
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Identify your treasure: Write down your dream without judgment.
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Take the first step: Save, learn, or commit to one small action today.
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Notice opportunities: Be alert to patterns, chances, and coincidences.
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Turn setbacks into skills: Fail forward, improve, and keep moving.
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Stay grounded in love: Lean on those who believe in you.
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Transform daily: Build habits that shape your future self.
🚀 Call to Action
Inspired by Ritesh’s journey? This is just one story in our Book to Life series. Pick up The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho today and take the first step toward your own transformation.
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Disclaimer:
This story is hypothetical, created only to demonstrate how the concepts of The Alchemist can be applied in real life in story form
