Antar Prerna

They say a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, but for Parag Shah, it began by dreaming.

No one expected him to become Nestl's largest vending machine distributor in India and the managing director of the country's highest-rated golf course. But he did all that and more—and he isn't done dreaming yet.

In this business memoir, he recalls his epic journey to the top, sharing key principles that he gleaned from his successes and failures. Lessons include:

Failure can often be your best teacher.

Life is not about instant gratification. Not everything that you see, learn, look at, and read needs to be relevant now. But it may become meaningful later when the timing is right—so pay attention.

Focus on the journey instead of the destination. When you arrive to where you wanted to go, you'll wonder why you were in such a hurry.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, investor, or everyday worker striving to achieve something more, the lessons you learn from someone who dared to dream will help you make it to the top.