Podcast Summary
Jay Shetty's Priorities: Getaways and Wellness: Booking.com for unforgettable travels, herbs like slippery elm bark and ginger root for wellness, and UKG for creating great work environments.
Planning unforgettable getaways and maintaining wellness are two important aspects of life that Jay Shetty, the host of the On Purpose podcast, prioritizes. For travel, he highly recommends booking.com for its wide range of accommodation options and ease of use. Regarding wellness, he credits herbs, particularly slippery elm bark and ginger root, for promoting digestive health. Meanwhile, in the professional realm, creating a great work environment is essential, and UKG is a company dedicated to providing HR, pay, time, and culture solutions for businesses. Throughout his entrepreneurial journey, Jay emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and taking care of oneself, whether that means becoming a monk or sharing wisdom with millions.
From Academic Success to Monk Life: Jay Shetty's Unconventional Journey: Success is a combination of hard work, determination, and the willingness to embrace new opportunities, not a linear path.
Jay Shetty's successful and inspiring career was not a linear path, but rather a result of taking risks, overcoming imposter syndrome, and drawing from diverse experiences. Born into a disciplined family where academic success was prioritized, Jay's childhood was focused on excelling in school. However, he also recognized the importance of stepping out of his comfort zone. He shared stories of his various jobs, from paper delivery boy to digital strategy consultant, and even living as a monk. These experiences shaped him into the wise and influential figure he is today. It's essential to remember that success doesn't come from a single, straightforward path, but rather from a combination of hard work, determination, and the willingness to embrace new opportunities.
From rebellion to self-discovery: Staying true to oneself, even during challenging times, can lead to personal growth and unconventional paths.
Our past experiences, even the challenging ones, can shape us in meaningful ways. The speaker shares how his rebellious phase during adolescence, driven by a desire for validation and self-discovery, ultimately led him to explore diverse biographies and discover a passion for personal growth. This period of experimentation was a complex mix of self-awareness and low self-esteem, pulling him in different directions. Despite societal pressure to conform to expected paths, the speaker's determination to listen to his inner voice led him to an unconventional decision – becoming a monk. This journey highlights the importance of staying true to oneself, even when it may not align with societal expectations.
Stay true to your values and passions: Following your heart and instincts, even when unconventional, can lead to a more fulfilling and authentic life.
It's important to stay true to your values and passions, even when faced with societal pressure to conform. The speaker shares how they went from pursuing a career in music to getting a business degree, and eventually becoming a monk. They reflect on how each step led them closer to their true calling, despite the challenges and disapproval from others. The decision to become a monk, which seemed drastic to others, was actually the result of many small experiences and realizations that had built up over time. The speaker encourages listeners to trust their instincts and not be afraid to take risks, even if they seem unconventional or unpopular. Ultimately, the speaker found that following their heart led them to a more fulfilling and authentic life.
Finding meaning through real-life experiences: True self-discovery and following one's calling requires stepping out of comfort zones and enjoying the process of work, rather than solely focusing on results. Align work with values for happiness and fulfillment.
True self-discovery and following one's calling often requires stepping out of one's comfort zone and having real-life experiences, rather than relying solely on intellectualization and introspection. The speaker shares how their experiences as a monk, despite societal pressures and personal doubts, ultimately led them to find meaning and alignment with their values. They also emphasize the importance of enjoying the process of work, rather than solely focusing on the results. Ancient wisdom suggests that happiness is derived from the alignment of our work with our values, and not just the outcome. By focusing on what we want to bring to the world and our intentions, we can find fulfillment in various roles and mediums. Ultimately, it's essential to identify what we truly want to create for ourselves and not get too attached to the specific means of achieving it.
Finding fulfillment in activities that don't directly bring pleasure: Despite not enjoying certain activities, finding meaning and growth through alignment with values can lead to fulfillment and joy.
It's possible to find meaning and fulfillment in activities that we may not enjoy directly, as long as they align with our values and contribute positively to our lives or the lives of others. The speaker in the discussion shares his experiences of enduring challenging tasks, such as working in extreme heat and living with minimal possessions, which he didn't enjoy but believed were essential for personal growth. He also emphasizes the importance of focusing on the end goal or the intention behind the activity, rather than solely on the pleasure derived from it. The discussion also touches on the importance of being adaptable and resourceful, as shown by the example of making the most of summer with affordable outdoor furniture from IKEA. Ultimately, the message is that it's possible to find joy and satisfaction in the process of pursuing our values, even when the activities themselves may not be enjoyable.
Understanding personal intentions and desires: Staying true to oneself and recognizing personal creativity and expression can lead to fulfillment and success.
Having a clear understanding of your personal intentions and desires can help you navigate through challenging situations and make significant life changes. Jay, a former monk, shares his experience of leaving an ashram after three years, feeling disconnected from his monk peers and struggling with health issues due to extreme experimentation. He realized his desires were not aligned with the long-term monks' lifestyle, which led to a sense of loss and feeling behind in life. However, by focusing on his passion for making wisdom more practical and accessible, he was able to overcome these feelings and accelerate in his personal and professional growth. This story highlights the importance of staying true to oneself and recognizing the power of personal creativity and expression in achieving fulfillment and success.
From lethargy to growth: Hitting rock bottom can lead to personal growth and self-discovery. Don't rely on external validation, instead, trust in yourself and your abilities.
Hitting rock bottom can lead to significant personal growth. The speaker shared how his first month after graduation was spent in a state of lethargy, watching TV shows and movies, and eating chocolate. However, he soon realized that this was not a sustainable way of living. He started reading and dressing up as if he was going to work, and eventually landed a job after 40 rejections. This experience gave him self-awareness, fearlessness, and the confidence to make bold decisions. The speaker also shared how he was asked to give a talk on mindfulness and meditation to a thousand people in Accenture, despite having no brand or social media presence at the time. This experience taught him that he didn't need external validation or influence to make an impact. Instead, he learned to rely on his authentic self and how he held himself. Overall, the speaker's story highlights the importance of using challenging experiences as opportunities for growth and self-discovery.
Feeling imposter syndrome is a sign of growth and learning: Identify the skill you need to acquire when feeling imposter syndrome instead of focusing on not being good enough. Be genuine and sincere to build meaningful connections.
Imposter syndrome is a natural feeling that comes with growth and learning, and it signifies an opportunity to acquire new skills. The speaker shared her personal experience of feeling imposter syndrome during a mindfulness session at Accenture, but instead of letting it hold her back, she saw it as a sign that she could learn and grow. She encourages everyone to identify the skill they need to acquire when feeling imposter syndrome, rather than focusing on the feeling of not being good enough. The speaker also emphasized the importance of being genuine and sincere, as it can help build meaningful connections with others. Ultimately, imposter syndrome is a normal part of the learning process, and it can be turned into a motivator for personal growth.
Embracing new challenges and imposter syndrome: Push yourself into unfamiliar territory, see imposter syndrome as a sign of growth, and value the ability to learn and deeply care about new skills.
Embracing new challenges and feeling the discomfort of being an imposter can be a sign of growth and progress in one's career. The speaker emphasizes the importance of pushing oneself into unfamiliar territory and having the choice to close the skill gap. Every new leap brings about impostor syndrome, but it's a natural part of growth and should be seen as an opportunity rather than a hindrance. The speaker's own experiences, from creating video content to launching a podcast and writing a book, illustrate this idea. They believe that the ability to learn and deeply care about new skills is a valuable asset, and that the combination of intuition, action, and being open to risk is essential for career success. Additionally, the importance of mentorship and guidance cannot be overstated. The speaker acknowledges that the people they met and formed relationships with played a crucial role in their career development.
The power of meaningful relationships and discovering potential in painful situations: Building relationships, whether through luck or intuition, and discovering potential in challenging times can lead to career success.
The combination of passion, strengths, and service is the key to success. The speaker emphasized the importance of building meaningful relationships, which he considered a mix of luck and intuition. He gave credit to the people who influenced him and changed the way he thought, planting seeds of ideas that led to his career success. However, he also faced challenging times, such as during his tenure at Huffington Post when he was just four months away from being broke and losing his visa. He learned that it is only in painful situations that one can truly discover their potential and capabilities. After receiving the news, he reached out to everyone he knew, offering his services to produce videos, even if it meant working on corporate projects that were not his passion. Through determination and hard work, he managed to survive and continue on his path towards success.
Overcoming financial struggles leads to growth and success: Experiencing hardships can push us beyond our limits, leading to personal and professional growth. Stay committed to your intentions while being mindful of partnerships and resources to ensure alignment with your mission.
Hardships and challenges can serve as powerful catalysts for growth and success. The speaker shares how experiencing financial struggles forced them to push beyond their limits and break through their own ceilings. This mindset of continuously stretching and growing has allowed them to build a successful business while staying true to their intentions of serving and supporting others. Furthermore, the speaker acknowledges the potential perception of commercializing mindfulness and making a profit, but emphasizes their commitment to using resources to serve and support their team and the millions of people impacted by their work. They have made a goal of providing free access to their content and being selective in partnerships to ensure alignment with their mission. For the speaker, maintaining a mindful and purposeful mindset is important, and they prioritize regular reflection and rejuvenation through practices like returning to the ashram in India every year. They encourage holding onto personal intentions while allowing others to have their own perspectives.
The importance of being loved for who we are: Seek relationships that foster personal growth and appreciate those who love us for our true selves
True love and support come from those who appreciate us for who we are, not for what we've achieved. The speaker shares how his wife and monk teachers have taught him the importance of living a pure-hearted life and being surrounded by people who demand more of him than the world does. A teacher once told him that his only expectation is the purity of his heart, which was a challenging yet valuable lesson. The speaker also values his wife's love and support through his ups and downs and realizes that her unwavering presence is more special than any accolades or achievements. Ultimately, the speaker encourages us to seek out relationships that foster personal growth and appreciate those who love us for who we truly are.
