The Archer and The Prize

Amar Pandit , CFA , CFP

Amar Pandit

A respected entrepreneur with 25+ years of Experience, Amar Pandit is the Founder of several companies that are making a Happy difference in the lives of people. He is currently the Founder of Happyness Factory, a world-class online investment & goal-based financial planning platform through which he aims to help every Indian family save and invest wisely. He is very passionate about spreading financial literacy and is the author of 4 bestselling books (+ 2 more to release in 2020), 8 Sketch Books, Board Game and 700 + columns.

May 9, 2025 | 3 Minute Read

Atul, a Mutual Fund Distributor from Delhi,  asked me, “Recently, I was with a client who has a portfolio of ₹25 Crore. In the meeting, I was focused on how to close him. I want to know how you would handle this situation (and he explained the situation to me).”

Honestly, the situation itself was not important. And if I had written it here, you would have digressed from the core message I wanted to convey.

Because it was not about the client. It was about Atul’s mindset.

And it is about the mindset of so many financial professionals when they chase a “big client.”

There is a powerful story about an archer.

When the archer shoots for no prize, he hits with ease.

His focus is clear.
His movement is fluid.
His aim is perfect.

There is no pressure. Just presence.

But when the prize is a brass buckle, he begins to get nervous.
He tightens up.

His hand trembles.
He begins to think.

And that thought interrupts the flow.

When the prize is gold, he goes blind.
He sees two targets.
He forgets his form.
He loses his power.

And he misses.

Nothing has changed—except his mind.

The bow is the same.
The target is the same.
The distance is the same.

But the prize—the outcome—has taken over.

And so he loses his edge.

This is true for many financial professionals.

Especially when they chase big clients.
Or large deals.
Or major transitions.

When there’s no “prize,” you are yourself.
Confident. Authentic. Curious.
You listen. You ask. You serve.

But when you sense a “high-value” client, something changes.

You start selling.
You stop listening.
You try too hard.
You become someone else.

And just like the archer, you miss.

The real lesson is this:
Detach from the outcome.
Be fully present in the process.

Don’t shoot for gold.
Show up for the truth.

Trust your preparation.
Trust your principles.
Trust the work you’ve put in.

Because when you show up with no prize in mind—
you bring your full self.

And when you do that,
the prize often finds you.

That’s when you win.

Not because you chased.
But because you showed up the way only you can.