“Everything is only for a day, both that which remembers and that which is remembered”

Marcus Aurelius:

productivity

Productivity

Understand yourself and those around you.

psychology

Psychology

philosophy

Philosophy

personaldevelopment

Personal Development

motivationandinspiration

Motivation & Inspiration

Marcus Aurelius

Do not weep. Do not wax indignant.Understand.

No matter how thin you slice it, there will always be two sides.

231 quotes from Baruch Spinoza: 'The highest activity a human being can attain is learning for understanding, because to understand is to be free.', 'The more you struggle to live, the less you live. Give up the notion that you must be sure of what you are doing. Instead, surrender to what is real within you, for that alone is sure....you are above everything distressing.', and 'I do not know how to teach philosophy without becoming a disturber of the peace.'

mindfulness

Mindfulness

mentalhealth

Mental Health

Baruch Spinoza Quotes

Stoicism is a philosophy of life that emphasizes the importance of virtue, reason, and living in accordance with nature. It was founded in ancient Greece by Zeno of Citium around 300 BC. It became popular in the Roman Empire when many aristocrats adopted it. Emperor Marcus Aurelius is the most famous disciple.Stoicism is seeing a renaissance with many modern people being drawn to its teachings as a way to cope with our he adversity of everyday life.

What is Stoicism?

The dichotomy of control is a Stoic concept that states that there are two things we can control in life:<ol><li>our thoughts and ...</li><li>our actions</li></ol>.... and nothing else. Everything else is outside of our control.The dichotomy of control can help us to focus on the things that are important and to let go of the things that we can't control. It can help us to develop a sense of equanimity, or calmness, in the face of adversity.

The Dichotomy of Control

"The dichotomy of control is a simple but powerful idea that can help us to live more resilient and less stressed lives. It is based on the recognition that there are two types of things in the world: those that we can control and those that we cannot. The things that we can control are our own thoughts, our own actions, and our own goals. The things that we cannot control are everything else."

4 core virtues that Stoics believe are essential for living a good life:<ol><li>Wisdom: The ability to see the world clearly and to understand what is truly important. Stoics believe that wisdom is the foundation of all the other virtues.</li><li>Courage: The ability to face challenges and to do what is right, even when it is difficult. Stoics believe that courage is essential for living a fulfilling life.</li><li>Temperance: The ability to control our desires and live in moderation. Temperance is essential for living a harmonious life.</li><li>Justice: The ability to act fairly and to treat others with respect.</li></ol>

The Stoic Virtues

Memento mori is a reminder of death. The phrase is Latin for "remember that you will die." Stoics used this phrase as a reminder of the impermanence of life & the importance of living each day to 100%.<ul><li>Death is inevitable. Stoics believe that death is a natural part of life and that it is something that we should all accept.</li><li>Death can be a motivating factor. Stoics believed that if we knew that our time was limited, we would be more likely to focus on what is truly important.</li><li>Death can be a source of peace. Stoics also believed that the awareness of death could bring us peace of mind.</li></ul>

Memento Mori

A good character cannot be developed without a proper understanding and implementation of all three Stoic disciplines, which are:<ol><li>The discipline of desire (also referred to as Stoic acceptance)</li><li>The discipline of action (known also as Stoic philanthropy, in the sense of concern for others)</li><li>The discipline of assent (or Stoic mindfulness) </li></ol>

The Three Stoic Disciplines

The discipline of desire tells us what is, and is not, proper to want. This, in turn, derives from the fact that some things are in our power and others are not.Two of the four Stoic virtues are pertinent to regulating desire:<ul><li>Courage (to face facts and act accordingly.)</li><li>Temperance (to rein in our desires and make them commensurate with what is achievable.)</li></ul>

The Discipline of Desire

The discipline of action tells us how to behave in the world. It is the result of proper understanding of ethics, the study of how to live our lives, and it draws on the virtue of justice.

The Discipline of Action

The discipline of assent tells us how to react to situations, in the sense of either giving our assent to our initial impressions of a situation or withdrawing it.This discipline is arrived at via the study of logic – what is and is not reasonable to think – and requires the virtue of practical wisdom.

The Discipline of Assent

Stoicism is everywhere. These ideas are a good start.

In the tradition of How to Live and How Proust Can Change Your Life, a philosopher asks how ancient Stoicism can help us flourish today Whenever we worry about what to eat, how to love, or simply how to be happy, we are worrying about how to lead a good life. No goal is more elusive. In How to Be a Stoic, philosopher Massimo Pigliucci offers Stoicism, the ancient philosophy that inspired the great emperor Marcus Aurelius, as the best way to attain it. Stoicism is a pragmatic philosophy that focuses our attention on what is possible and gives us perspective on what is unimportant. By understanding Stoicism, we can learn to answer crucial questions: Should we get married or divorced? How should we handle our money in a world nearly destroyed by a financial crisis? How can we survive great personal tragedy? Whoever we are, Stoicism has something for us--and How to Be a Stoic is the essential guide.

history

History

books

Books

A philosopher asks how ancient Stoicism can help us flourish today Whenever we worry about what to eat, how to love, or simply how to be happy, we are worrying about how to lead a good life. No goal is more elusive. In How to Be a Stoic, philosopher Massimo Pigliucci offers Stoicism, the ancient philosophy that inspired the great emperor Marcus Aurelius, as the best way to attain it. Stoicism is a pragmatic philosophy that focuses our attention on what is possible and gives us perspective on what is unimportant. By understanding Stoicism, we can learn to answer crucial questions: Should we get married or divorced? How should we handle our money in a world nearly destroyed by a financial crisis? How can we survive great personal tragedy? Whoever we are, Stoicism has something for us—and How to Be a Stoic is the essential guide.

Massimo Pigliucci is an author, blogger, podcaster, as well as the K.D. Irani Professor of Philosophy at the City College of New York. His academic work is in evolutionary biology, philosophy of science, the nature of pseudoscience, and practical philosophy. His books include How to Be a Stoic: Using Ancient Philosophy to Live a Modern Life (Basic Books) and Nonsense on Stilts: How to Tell Science from Bunk (University of Chicago Press). His new book is The Quest for Character: What the Story of Socrates and Alcibiades Teaches Us about Our Search for Good Leaders (Basic Books). More by Massimo at https://massimopigliucci.org.

Massimo Pigliucci

How to Be a Stoic

One good habit is all you need to completely transform your life. Research has found that some habits can start a chain reaction that over time transforms our life. They’re called Keystone HabitsThe idea is that One good habit can have a rippling effect across the entire system.

One good Habit is all you need

For example, When people exercise even twice a week, they start changing unrelated patterns in their lives without realising it. They would start eating better, sleeping better, also would stop doing things like smoking, and drinking and would be more productive at work. And that’s all because they adopted one good habit i.e working out. One small change and such a dramatic result.

Small change and such a dramatic result

In one study participants who were struggling in their life were asked to track their monthly expenses by writing them down to the tiniest detail, At first it was annoying but later all the participants realised they have stopped spending too much on useless things and they have also started partying less which led to more financial stability and sound mind. And that’s all because they kept track of their monthly expenses.

Tracking monthly Expenses

In my own life, I have seen that "Reading" as a habit changed my life in just two years. I have never been this comfortable with myself And just because of reading, I started doing yoga and meditation I have also started waking up early. I have also started my youtube channel.

My Personal Journey As a Reader

Keystone habits are very individualistic. For Every individual, there is a keystone habit that can change their life. They just have to find it.These are some keystone habits that can transform your life. See for yourself which ones speak to you the most.1)Meditation2)Journaling3)Running4)Working out5)Waking up early6)Tracking your Expenses7)Tracking your productivity hours8)Doing Yoga9)Having a skincare routine10)Reading....etc

Keystone habits are Individualistic

Incorporate Keystone habits into your Daily Routine to transform your life.

education

Learning & Education

One Good Habit Can Change your life (Keystone Habits)

Many of our modern values (success, positivity, greatness etc) can actually make us more insecure & miserable. The way to be happy and fulfilled, Manson says, is to not give a f*ck about everything we’re told to care about. Instead, get clear on what truly matters, focus your choices on those few priorities, and accept that in spite of that, you’ll still make stupid mistakes and suffer occasionally.He takes on the traditional self-help books, claiming that they reinforce the idea within you that you are not good at something, which leads to a “feedback loop from hell”.

What does it mean to not give a f*ck?

Here’s a paradox: the more you pursue the positives, the more negative you’ll feel. Those who desperately want to be rich, worthy or happy will only end up feeling poorer, more unworthy or unhappy. On the other hand, the more you accept the negatives in your life, the better you’ll feel.We’re surrounded by so many messages about being positive that we tend to feel bad for feeling bad. Manson calls this the “feedback loop from hell”. A false positive desire turns into a negative thought or emotion. This thought or emotion then triggers a chain reaction of other negative thoughts and emotions.

The Feedback Loop from Hell

To break the cycle of negativity:<ol><li>ACCEPTANCE: The pain of honest confrontation is what generates the greatest trust and respect in your relationships. Mark invites us to think of our self-awareness as an onion. And to imagine our rational self as a disappointment panda.</li><li>ACTION: Action creates the motivation, not the other way around. To get out of a rut, doing something, no matter how small is the way fwd. Mark refers to this as the Do Something Principle. </li></ol>

Breaking the Feedback Loop from Hell

Self-awareness is like an onion, with many layers that can be peeled back to reveal deeper insights about us:<ol><li>The outermost layer is our public self. This is the self that we present to the world, and it is crafted to project a certain image. </li><li>Our private self, that we know ourselves to be. This layer is often more complex and messy than our public one, and it includes things that we are ashamed or afraid of.</li><li>At the bottom are our core values, beliefs & motivations. These layers are often hidden from us, and it can be difficult to access them.</li></ol>Happy peeling!

The Self-Awareness Onion

Disappointment Panda is a fictional bear who has the superpower of telling people the harsh truth about themselves. Manson uses Disappointment Panda to represent the part of ourselves that is afraid of failure, rejection, and disappointment."Disappointment Panda would be the hero that none of us would want but all of us would need. He'd be the proverbial vegetables to our mental diet of junk food. …He'd be the one who tells us the truth, even when we don't want to hear it."Mark Manson argues that we need to embrace Disappointment Panda and learn to accept the harsh truths about ourselves.

Disappointment Panda

"If you want the rewards, but not the struggle, you don’t really want it."

The principle states that the best way to overcome procrastination and make progress towards your goals is to simply take action, no matter how small.We often get stuck in a cycle of inaction because we're waiting for the perfect moment or the right amount of motivation to strike. However, action breeds motivation. When you take action, even if it's just a small step, you start to feel a sense of momentum:<ul><li>Don't wait for the perfect moment. Just start.</li><li>Break down your goals into small, manageable steps.</li><li>Reward yourself for taking action.</li><li>Don't be afraid to fail.</li></ul>

The Do Something principle

"Action isn’t just the effect of motivation; it’s the cause of it.”

<ul><li>TAKE RADICAL RESPONSIBILITY. No matter what happens in your life, you can always choose how to react. </li><li>EMBRACE UNCERTAINTY. The only way to grow is to realize that your perspectives, knowledge, and even your values/beliefs aren’t absolute—they can always change or be proven wrong. </li><li>FAIL FORWARD. You should go for process-oriented values, and how to handle pain and fear to keep moving forward.</li><li>GET COMFORTABLE WITH REJECTION. Learning to say and hear “no” </li><li>CONTEMPLATE YOUR MORTALITY. Thinking deeply about death helps us to put our adversities in context and to appreciate life. </li></ul>

The 5 Counterintuitive Values for a Good Life

As we know that problems are inevitable, trying to avoid them makes no sense. Complaining about them and playing the victim card is also not going to help you in any way.So instead of being controlled by your problems, it is wiser to take responsibility and control them. When facing the problem, instead of crying over it and complaining that why problems always come in your way, think about its solution. Taking the responsibility for your problems don’t only make you stronger, but it also makes you smarter.

TAKE RADICAL RESPONSABILITY

Uncertainty is a part of life, and we need to learn to embrace it. Mark Manson argues that trying to control everything in our lives is a fool's errand, and that we will only end up feeling stressed and anxious.Manson says that the best way to deal with uncertainty is to accept it. This doesn't mean that we have to like it, but we do need to accept that it's a part of life. Once we accept uncertainty, we can start to deal with it in a more productive way.

EMBRACE UNCERTAINTY

When we fail, we often have a choice. We can either give up and let the failure define us, or we can learn from our mistakes and use them as an opportunity to grow. Failing forward is about choosing the latter. It's about embracing failure as a part of the learning process and using it to become better.To keep in mind:<ul><li>If someone is better than you at something, then it’s likely because she has failed at it more than you have.</li><li>If we’re unwilling to fail, then we’re unwilling to succeed.</li></ul>

FAIL FORWARD

Learning to say and hear “no” can actually improve your life in 2 key ways: <ol><li>When you make a commitment to something, you must say “no” to something else. This doesn’t tie you down, but frees you from trivialities so you can focus on what’s most meaningful (e.g. deepening a relationship or mastering a craft);</li><li>To build healthy relationships, both parties must be able to say “no”, thrash out their differences, establish their boundaries and take ownership for their own problems: only then can true understanding trust and acceptance be established.</li></ol>

LEARN TO SAY & HEAR NO

If you fear death (or are preoccupied with ensuring that people remember you after you’re gone), you won’t be able to live fully.However, if you’ve confronted your mortality, can accept your life as a passing grain in the timelessness of the universe, and can focus on contributing to a wider cause that will outlive you, then you’ll find true peace and happiness, and become free to live each day to the fullest.

CONTEMPLATE YOUR MORTALITY

Mark Manson is the bad boy of self-help. Really enjoyed his ideas

#1 New York Times BestsellerOver 10 million copies soldIn this generation-defining self-help guide, a superstar blogger cuts through the crap to show us how to stop trying to be "positive" all the time so that we can truly become better, happier people.For decades, we’ve been told that positive thinking is the key to a happy, rich life. "F**k positivity," Mark Manson says. "Let’s be honest, shit is f**ked and we have to live with it." In his wildly popular Internet blog, Manson doesn’t sugarcoat or equivocate. He tells it like it is—a dose of raw, refreshing, honest truth that is sorely lacking today. The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F**k is his antidote to the coddling, let’s-all-feel-good mindset that has infected American society and spoiled a generation, rewarding them with gold medals just for showing up.Manson makes the argument, backed both by academic research and well-timed poop jokes, that improving our lives hinges not on our ability to turn lemons into lemonade, but on learning to stomach lemons better. Human beings are flawed and limited—"not everybody can be extraordinary, there are winners and losers in society, and some of it is not fair or your fault." Manson advises us to get to know our limitations and accept them. Once we embrace our fears, faults, and uncertainties, once we stop running and avoiding and start confronting painful truths, we can begin to find the courage, perseverance, honesty, responsibility, curiosity, and forgiveness we seek.There are only so many things we can give a f**k about so we need to figure out which ones really matter, Manson makes clear. While money is nice, caring about what you do with your life is better, because true wealth is about experience. A much-needed grab-you-by-the-shoulders-and-look-you-in-the-eye moment of real-talk, filled with entertaining stories and profane, ruthless humor, The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F**k is a refreshing slap for a generation to help them lead contented, grounded lives.

problemsolving

Problem Solving

meditation

Meditation

Mark Manson (born 1984) is a professional blogger, entrepreneur, and former dating coach. Since 2007, he's been helping people with their emotional and relationship problems. He has worked with thousands of people from over 30 different countries. He regularly writes and updates his blog at: www.markmanson.net

Mark Manson

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck

Do really like your job or career? Are you choosing what career to study and you are unsure? This video is for you.

How to find your dream job

What would be the tasks you will be doing everyday?Would you enjoy them? Are you happy with that? Do research and stop worrying about the titles.Use a cartesian grid and put things you like and dislike to do to at least near yourself to the kind of career you may be wanting to do in the future.

Daily activities

Write down if you enjoy the things mentioned in Tip 1. Manage how much time you spend on each activity?Work to eliminate the things that drain your energy and motivation, such as social media. You can check this <a href="https://deepstash.com/article/179720/why-do-we-spend-so-much-time-on-social-media-dopamine">link</a> for more info.

Audit your time

Your Me + is your better version of you in the future.What’s the big picture of what you will be doing, as well as the tasks?

Visualise your Me +

If you invest at least 13 minutes per day in skills that can be needed for your future career or job you will be far more ahead than everyone.15 minutes a day for a year = 80 hoursFor example: If you want to become an engineer, doing some progamming courses might be useful.

13 minutes per day

We live in a globalised, digitalised world. Make use of all the free courses available for pretty much anything, such as web development, design, programming, etc.

Make use of free resources

It’s never late to change your mind.It’s actually good. You need to change, if you want to be better. It’s okay to wrongly predict something, but you need to live up to it and embrace the changes.

Embrace U-turns

This video helped me a lot to choose my future career.

It can be really daunting knowing how to approach your career, so in this video I go through 7 career tips I got from when I spoke to Professor Grace Lordan on my podcast Deep Dive. Enjoy x

Grace Lordan's book Think Big: https://geni.us/thinkbig
Link to the full episode with Grace: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=FwvZf0IjaiQ
I'll put a link to the episode with Cal Newport when it comes out.

🍿WATCH NEXT:
Follow Your Passion is Terrible Advice. Here's Why: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dE-wvWdM6jY
How to Find the Perfect Career: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJ6n52Lsjfo
How to Build a Life You Love: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwSD4uCSX_M

ME+ Questions:
1. The overall big-thinking goal for ME+ is...
2. ME+'s job title will be...
3. ME+ will be working in the ... industry
4. The company ME+ will be working for is...
5. ME+ will be running/working in a company that has the following characteristics...
6. Answer either i) ME+ will be in a similar role, but my responsibilities will have expanded to include... OR ii) ME+ will be in an entirely new career, and ME+'s responsibilities will include...

Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
0:40 Tip 1
2:19 Tip 2
4:12 Tip 3
5:24 Tip 4
7:03 Tip 5
8:03 Tip 6
10:19 Tip 7

💌  Sign up to my free weekly email newsletter - https://go.aliabdaal.com/subscribe-sundaysnippets

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MY CREATOR COURSES
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🎥  My YouTube Camera Gear - https://kit.co/AliAbdaal
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MY FAVOURITE TOOLS
🚀 VidIQ - How I optimise my YouTube videos - https://go.aliabdaal.com/vidiq
✍️ Shortform - The BEST summaries of books - https://go.aliabdaal.com/shortform
📚  Readwise - How I remember what I read - https://go.aliabdaal.com/readwise
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MY KEY LINKS
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WHO AM I:
I’m Ali, a YouTuber, podcaster, soon-to-be author and ex-Doctor working in London, UK. I make videos that explore the strategies and tools that help us live happier, healthier and more productive lives. I also have a weekly podcast called Deep Dive (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChfo46ZNOV-vtehDc25A1Ug), and I write a weekly email newsletter that contains some quick thoughts + links to interesting things (https://go.aliabdaal.com/subscribe-sundaysnippets).

PS: Some of the links in this description are affiliate links that I get a kickback from 😜

career

Career

habits

Habits

📚 Check out my first book Feel-Good Productivity here: https://www.feelgoodproductivity.com/

Hey, I'm Ali, a doctor turned entrepreneur, and the world’s most followed productivity expert 😜 

On this channel, we explore evidence-based strategies and tools that can help us be more productive, and build a life that we love. 

If that sounds interesting, consider subscribing! See you in the next video x

Ali Abdaal

How to Find a Career You Genuinely Love

Having confidence is quite important for our lives, because we need it in many different situationHopefully some of these ideas can help people gain more confidence in themselves and their own ideas. Thanks for reading!

The Importance Of Confidence

This may be an obvious step for some of you, but if you really want to gain confidence, you need to step out of your comfort zone.Act spontaneously, change your response to situations, do things you would have never done before.You don't need to instantly go do the thing you fear most. Get out of your comfort zone by taking smaller steps first, just by doing new activities or try make some new friends if you travel somewhere. A method that works for me when I feel too scared to do something, is to count down from 3 and just going for it.

Getting Out Of Your Comfort Zone

A really important step to confidence is to have good people in your life. With this, I mean honest people who can encourage you, and don't bring you down. Of course, in some cases you cannot control the people in your life, such as colleagues or family members, but make sure you also have good people around to talk to.

Surround Yourself With Good People

You may not have confidence in yourself and are afraid to say things because you might be wrong, but trying is always better, even if you fail. Usually, people forget things that happened in a couple minutes or even in a matter of seconds. So if you do mess something up, getting back on track is all you need to do.Or, think about this: you may have seen a person in public doing something strange, but you usually don't care or forget it in about 10 seconds. Why would people respond differently to you?

People Forget Quickly

The best way is just to dress the way you feel most comfortable and confident. You can go for your favorite or best looking outfit so that you really feel like yourself and will at least have confidence in your looks. It's a great method of boosting you confidence in other ways too.If that doesn't work for you, you can also create a more confident version of yourself (who is you but also isn't) by styling your hair differently and/or dressing differently from your usual style. You're basically creating a character for yourself to gain confidence.

Confidence Using Your Looks

I struggled with confidence for a long time, but now that it's gotten better, I really want to help other people out in their journey!

communication

Communication

Gaining self-confidence

Your relationship with money is shaped by many factors, including your upbringing, education, cultural background, and personal experiences. These factors create your money story, a narrative that informs your beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors regarding money.

To change your relationship with money, you need to understand your money story and how it has influenced your financial decisions.

Ask yourself☆ What messages did I receive about money growing up? ☆ How did my parents handle money? ☆ What were my earliest memories of money? ☆ How did I feel about money when I started earning it? ☆ What are my current beliefs about money and wealth?

These questions can help you uncover unconscious beliefs and patterns that may be sabotaging your financial success.

If you grew up hearing that "money is the root of all evil," you may have an underlying fear of wealth that prevents you from pursuing financial opportunities.

By understanding your money story, you can begin to challenge limiting beliefs and replace them with empowering ones. You can also identify areas where you need to develop new skills or knowledge to improve your financial situation.

Take some time to reflect on your money story and how it has shaped your financial reality.

Your money story may be sabotaging your financial success!

moneyandinvestments

Money & Investments

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Recently, I had the privilege of reading "Think Like a Monk" by Jay Shetty, and it proved to be a transformative experience. This book not only captivated my mind but also touched my heart, leaving me with invaluable life lessons and a newfound perspective.
The book takes inspiration from Jay Shetty's time as a monk and distills ancient wisdom into practical advice for modern living. Here are some key takeaways that left a lasting impact on me:

Think Like a Monk: A Journey of Self-Discovery

One of the most profound teachings from the book is the power of mindfulness. Learning to be present in each moment and appreciating the beauty of the present has allowed me to let go of unnecessary worries about the past or the future.

Mindfulness:

The book emphasizes the significance of living a purpose-driven life. By aligning our actions and decisions with our core values and passions, we can find deeper fulfillment and meaning in our daily endeavors.

Purpose-driven life:

Understanding the concept of impermanence and learning to detach from material possessions and outcomes has given me a sense of freedom and contentment. It has allowed me to appreciate the journey rather than obsess over the destination.

Letting go of attachments: 

"Think Like a Monk" reminds us that challenges are opportunities for growth. Embracing difficulties with a positive mindset can lead to resilience and personal transformation.

Embracing challenges:

The practice of gratitude is a recurring theme in the book. It has encouraged me to cultivate appreciation for the small joys and blessings in life, leading to a more positive outlook.

Gratitude: 

The book emphasizes the importance of empathy and kindness towards others. Small acts of service and compassion have the power to create a ripple effect of positivity and make a difference in the lives of those around us.

Compassion and service: 

In a fast-paced world, the book encourages us to find moments of stillness and silence. Embracing solitude allows us to introspect, gain clarity, and connect with our inner selves.

The power of stillness:

In conclusion, "Think Like a Monk" is not just a book; it's a guide to transforming our lives for the better. Jay Shetty's wisdom and insights have inspired me to strive for a more purposeful, mindful, and compassionate existence. I highly recommend this book to anyone seeking personal growth and a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them.

Conclusion

The ideas from "Think Like a Monk" are important to me because they offer profound insights and practical tools to enhance my overall well-being and personal growth. Each concept resonates deeply with my values and aspirations, making them relevant and significant in my life for several reasons. 

Jay Shetty, social media superstar and host of the #1 podcast On Purpose, distills the timeless wisdom he learned as a monk into practical steps anyone can take every day to live a less anxious, more meaningful life. When you think like a monk, you’ll understand: -How to overcome negativity -How to stop overthinking -Why comparison kills love -How to use your fear -Why you can’t find happiness by looking for it -How to learn from everyone you meet -Why you are not your thoughts -How to find your purpose -Why kindness is crucial to success -And much more... Shetty grew up in a family where you could become one of three things—a doctor, a lawyer, or a failure. His family was convinced he had chosen option three: instead of attending his college graduation ceremony, he headed to India to become a monk, to meditate every day for four to eight hours, and devote his life to helping others. After three years, one of his teachers told him that he would have more impact on the world if he left the monk’s path to share his experience and wisdom with others. Heavily in debt, and with no recognizable skills on his résumé, he moved back home in north London with his parents. Shetty reconnected with old school friends—many working for some of the world’s largest corporations—who were experiencing tremendous stress, pressure, and unhappiness, and they invited Shetty to coach them on well-being, purpose, and mindfulness. Since then, Shetty has become one of the world’s most popular influencers. In 2017, he was named in the Forbes magazine 30-under-30 for being a game-changer in the world of media. In 2018, he had the #1 video on Facebook with over 360 million views. His social media following totals over 38 million, he has produced over 400 viral videos which have amassed more than 8 billion views, and his podcast, On Purpose, is consistently ranked the world’s #1 Health and Wellness podcast. In this inspiring, empowering book, Shetty draws on his time as a monk to show us how we can clear the roadblocks to our potential and power. Combining ancient wisdom and his own rich experiences in the ashram, Think Like a Monk reveals how to overcome negative thoughts and habits, and access the calm and purpose that lie within all of us. He transforms abstract lessons into advice and exercises we can all apply to reduce stress, improve relationships, and give the gifts we find in ourselves to the world. Shetty proves that everyone can—and should—think like a monk.

Jay Shetty is a storyteller, podcaster, and former monk. Shetty’s vision is to Make Wisdom Go Viral. He is on a mission to share the timeless wisdom of the world in an accessible, relevant, and practical way. Shetty has created over 400 viral videos with over 5 billion views, and hosts the #1 Health and Wellness podcast in the world, On Purpose. Learn more at JayShetty.me.

Jay Shetty

Think Like a Monk

<ul><li>Routines are great. </li><li>Until something disrupts that routine, especially since the more rigidly you follow a routine, the more likely a single broken link will disrupt the entire chain. </li><li>How can you keep that from happening? The key (hat tip to Ryan Holiday for the concept) is to TURN A ROUTINE INTO A PRACTICE. </li></ul>

Routines Are Great... Until Something Disrupts It

What's the difference in a routine and a practice?<ul><li>Riding your Peloton every day at 5:45 a.m. is a routine; exercising every day is a practice.</li><li>Eating apple slices before you work out and oatmeal with blueberries afterward is a routine; eating healthy is a practice.</li><li>Holding an all-hands Zoom call every day at 1 p.m. is a routine; regularly checking in with employees to see if they need help or guidance or a quick word of encouragement is a practice.</li></ul>

Routines Versus Practices

Routines are what you do. Practices are also what you do, but are, more important, who you are.

<ul><li>Your bike breaks? If exercise is a practice, you'll spend those 45 minutes doing bodyweight exercises. Or a few HIIT workouts. Or going for a jog.</li><li>While the bike may have been your preferred option, you can still exercise.</li><li>The difference is in the flexibility. </li></ul>

The Difference Is In The Flexibility 

The difference is in the flexibility. One is about daily rhythm. The other is a lifelong pursuit. One can be ruined by something as simple as hitting the snooze button one too many times or getting called into work unexpectedly. The other can adapt accordingly.One (a routine) is something you made up. The other (a practice) is something you do.

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">When something happens to mess up your routine, don't dwell on the "what." Think about the "why." </li><li class="ql-align-justify">Focus on the goal your routine helps you achieve.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">And then just achieve that goal, this time, in a different way.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Never lose sight of the fact that every element in a routine is goal-driven - if not, why is it part of your routine? - and there are a variety of different ways to achieve a goal. To eat healthy. To check in with employees. To monitor performance. To get customer feedback. To do almost anything.</li></ul>

Focus On The Goal

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">No matter how important, no matter how regimented, no matter how carefully constructed, routines are not who you are.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Routines are simply what you do: what you choose to do.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">A kink in your routine cannot change who you are - and, more important, who you hope to become.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Unless you let it.</li></ul>

Routines Are Not Who You Are

A good reminder to not be obsessed with routine, and to stay focused on the big picture. Having activities that are part of our practices which eventuality lead to our big goals are a more wholesome, effective and productive way to live our days. 

What People With a Success Mindset Do Instead of Follow Morning Routines 

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