Modern life is steeped in chaos. There's often a mad pursuit of wealth and physical possessions, leaving people lost in the fray. We've been taught that the more success we attain, the more happiness we should acquire. But that's hardly the truth. One group that has consistently taught the opposite of the 'get rich quick' mantra is monks. Shaolin monks, for instance, live austere lives, devoting much of their time to charity. They, in turn, are some of the most mindful persons you would ever encounter.
In this article, we'll be learning from a book about one such monk. The title is 'The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari: A Fable About Fulfilling Your Dreams & Reaching Your Destiny' by Robin Sharma. Sounds catchy, doesn't it? Let's quickly dive in to glean the secrets of effective living from the pages of this self-help classic.
The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari: A Fable About Fulfilling Your Dreams & Reaching Your Destiny – an Overview
"The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari" is one of those books that stays with you for months after reading. It might not be a stretch to dub it a classic because it invariably is. It teaches pertinent life lessons and guides you on a path of fulfillment, regardless of your chosen career path.
As you find in the title, the book is a fable, a work of fiction. However, it is based loosely on the life of the author, Robin Sharma, who has since become a renowned motivational speaker. The book follows a successful lawyer, Julian Mantle, who leaves everything behind, searching for peace and contentment. Despite earning fat sums and being at the top of his game, Mantle left all behind to journey to the Himalayan Mountains in India after suffering a heart attack — a wake-up call to the spiritual crisis of his out-of-balance life. While on this journey, he meets a sage who teaches him the seven principles he shares in his book.
Lessons from The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari
How can you maximize the lessons in the book to attain the level of peace and satisfaction monks have?
Master your mind
The world is cluttered with distractions. Our TVs are always turned on, our mobile phones continuously spew information at us, and the world keeps moving without affording us a moment to take a breather. That can be damaging.
As Sharma teaches, your quality of life will depend on the quality of your thoughts. Hence, you should watch what you consume. That is because whatever goes into your mind controls your subconscious and, by extension, your actions. Take deliberate steps to filter out negative thoughts. Focus on things that inspire hope, peace, and comfort. The world may be rioting, but there should be peace within the garden of your mind.
Guard your heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life — King Solomon
Follow your purpose
Your life will be filled with aimless wanderings if you do not have a purpose. Your life's purpose is like a beacon. It will nudge you when you are faint. It will spur you on when you get disillusioned. Finally, when you start achieving success, you will feel fulfilled.
In The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari, the lawyer did not start to feel the stirrings of fulfillment till he left everything behind to focus on his life's mission.
Stay focused on your purpose. The Universe will take care of the rest — Robin Sharma
It could be hard just starting from scratch. Hence, Sharma advocates that you begin by writing down practical steps you could follow daily. Pat yourself on the back when you reach your milestones. Laugh when you make mistakes or encounter challenges. Keep your chin up, always.
Live with discipline
Many people balk at the idea of discomfort, unaware that it is the one sure road to self-actualization. When you constantly do just the things you want, you will neglect aspects of your life that need improvement.
Build the courage to do what you ought, even (especially) when you do not feel up to it. Sharma teaches the reader to practice what he calls kaizen. This is a Japanese term meaning "continuous improvement" that Sharma adapts to personal development. In his interpretation, it encourages a life of constant growth, potentially leading to passion and self-mastery. He believes that success, just like everything, begins from the inside. When you have attained mastery over your thoughts, ambitions, and urges, you can take control of the broader questions of life.
Do not forget: you do not attract what you want; you attract who you are.
Respect your time
Time slips through our hands like grains of sand, never to return again. Those who use time wisely from an early age are rewarded with rich, productive, and satisfying lives — Robin Sharma
Time is perhaps the most abused commodity in the world. This is because many people fail to realize that time is indeed a commodity – a non-renewable resource at that. When time slips through your fingers, it stays away forever.
Be unyielding and uncompromising when it comes to your time. Treat it with the reverence that it deserves. To do this, you must not waste your time. Schedule whatever you have to do in advance. Resist the temptation of thinking that there is such a thing as "free" time because there isn't. Also, make sure that others respect your time as you respect theirs. Learn to say no to people. This is a fundamental way to create healthy boundaries.
If you find it difficult to stick to time, follow Robin Sharma's advice: "Treat every day like it is your last." Sadly, this is true in every sense of the word because every new day may well be your last.
Live selflessly
The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari is the tale of a man who went from being self-serving to embracing altruism. This change brought him unprecedented peace and satisfaction. This is a model worthy of emulation. So, in a world where it appears that people hit new heights of selfishness each day, be the exception. Deliberately engage in acts of kindness to everyone around you, including strangers.
You now know some of the key steps to effective living from the inspiring story in the book "The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari: A Fable About Fulfilling Your Dreams & Reaching Your Destiny." But there's still so much to learn from this title! And the fastest way to do so is to check out its 12-minute summary on the Headway app. In just a couple of moments, and with Headway, you'll discover all the key ideas that Robin Sharma has to share.
For those who want to dive deeper into Sharma's wisdom, you might also be interested in his other works, such as "The 5 AM Club," "Leadership Wisdom," "The Secret Letters of the Monk Who Sold His Ferrari," or "Daily Inspiration from the Monk Who Sold His Ferrari." These books, available in paperback, hardcover, and even as podcasts, continue to explore themes of personal growth and fulfillment. Even translated versions like the Spanish "El monje que vendió su Ferrari" are available, so language doesn't need to be a barrier to grasping daily inspiration and family wisdom. These translations can help you lead a life of passion and purpose, regardless of your native tongue!
Remember, whether you're a John from the next house over or a Julian Mantle-type successful lawyer, the principles in "The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari" can help you navigate the spiritual crisis of an out-of-balance life. Don't be sorry for investing time in your growth — it might be the key to unlocking your destiny and living the life you truly want.
