My 37 Powerful Lessons for Peaceful Growth 🪴
37 Life Lessons for Meaningful Personal Growth.
On my 37th birthday, I wrote a few life lessons, hacks, and principles I’ve built my life around.
🪴 Personal Growth
#1: Nap is the Coffee without any Side Effects
I love coffee, but it can have side effects.
Studies show that a 15 to 20-minute nap can provide the same (and more) benefits of coffee without any negative effects.
Here are a few tips to help you get better at power napping
#2: Be a Thermostat, not a Thermometer!
A thermometer only shows the temperature, while a thermostat regulates it to the desired level.
Don't be the person who only complains about problems.
Be the one who suggests solutions and takes action to solve them.
#3: Aim for 1% Better Every Day
As high-performers, naturally, we like big and ambitious goals and plans. Some of us might succeed by following this path, but we will burn out and quit eventually.
It’s not sustainable. I tried multiple times. So, now I turned to “1% better every day” goal.
Now, I take small, simple, and consistent actions toward all the areas of my life in which I want to grow.
Example:
20 pushups every day for health
30 minutes of reading every day to learn and grow.
30 mins Meditation every day.
15 mins of Yoga every day.
That’s the key to peaceful growth.
#4: To Start: Act First and Think Later. To Scale: Think First and Act Later
When you are starting something new, learn by action.
Don’t waste too much time on planning and strategizing.
There is not much to lose in the early stage of your career or business.
Once you build a strong foundation and want to grow more, focus on the right strategies first and then execute them well.
#5: Experiences > Things
We're all going to die.
You can't bring THINGS to your grave.
Travel.
Get lost in nature.
Spend money on adventures.
Go on meditation and spiritual retreats.
#6: Journey over Destination
Consider those who embark on a hike to Mount Everest.
Months of preparation are dedicated to the journey.
They are on the trail hiking for several days.
While the time spent at the peak amounts to only a few minutes or hours.
Similarly, in work and life, the process and experiences along the way hold greater significance than the ultimate destination.
Embrace and savor the journey, for that is where personal growth and fulfillment lie.
#7: Write
Writing serves as an outlet for:
Expressing emotions.
Gaining clarity of thoughts.
Connecting with like-minded individuals (It acts as a magnet, attracting those who resonate with your words)
Writing has the power to create a lasting legacy, as people will remember and read your work even after you're gone.
#8: There is Great Competition at the Ordinary Level, but there is almost None at the Extraordinary Level
In everyday life, many people compete for ordinary achievements, making it a crowded and challenging space.
However, if you dare to reach for the extraordinary, the competition significantly reduces.
Only a few are willing to push beyond the norm and pursue greatness.
(Ordinary) Striving to be an average student in a large classroom → (Extraordinary) Becoming a leading researcher in a specialized field.
(Ordinary) Running a local neighborhood store among many others → (Extraordinary) Establishing a globally recognized brand with unique products.
(Ordinary) Pursuing a regular fitness routine without specific goals → (Extraordinary) Training to compete in a world-class athletic championship.
#9: Honesty > Smartness
We often hide our mistakes because we don't want to seem dumb.
You might think, "If I admit this, people will think I'm not smart."
But here's the deal: honesty is more valuable than appearing smart.
A year from now, people may forget your mistake, but they won't forget if you were dishonest.
Take Mahatma Gandhi, for example. He openly admitted to making several big mistakes in his life. But what do people remember about him?
His "Satyagraha," which stands for honesty and truthfulness.
So, when you're caught in a choice between appearing smart and being honest, always pick honesty.
It's a long-term win.
#10: All Change is HARD at First, MESSY in the Middle, and Gorgeous at the End
#11: Don’t punish 95% of the Good People because of 5% Bad People
We introduce and enforce several rules in work and life to discourage certain behaviors.
Most of the time, there are less than 5% of people who want to take advantage of you, but we end up punishing the other 95% of good people.
Instead, focus on your energy to find and eliminate this 5% of bad actors so you can have a more trusting relationship with the remaining 95% of good people.
I use this rule:
Drafting our company policy
Teamwork and communication
Building more trusting relationships with friends, family, and relatives.
#12: Read Something Every Day
Reading helped me:
Scaled my business to 275x in 13 years.
Improving the quality of my thoughts and actions.
Grow more intellectually and spiritually.
Increased my productivity and efficiency.
Achieved better Work-Life balance.
Read Something Every Day: Book, Blog, Newsletter!
#13: Knowledge is not a Power; it’s just a Potential Power
Don’t let your mind fool you with the consumption of information as an act of being “productive”.
High-performers also thrive in integrating these learnings into their life and work goals.
The true power of knowledge comes to reality when you take action.
Thrive to be a creator, not just a consumer of information.
🧘🏾♂️ Mental Health
#14: Do MORE that Energizes You; Do LESS that Drains Your Energy
A tired mind is unproductive, even if you have plenty of time. Focus on activities that give you energy and avoid those that drain you. Look at your physical, mental, social, and digital environments to identify what energizes you and what saps your energy.
#15: Never let the Quest for MORE Distract from the Beauty of ENOUGH
Instead of constantly pursuing more, find contentment in recognizing when you have "enough."
Assign specific numbers to desires like money, clothes, and possessions.
Discover the beauty of contentment by understanding what "enough" means to you.
#16: Grief is just LOVE with No Place to Go
Grief, I’ve learned, is really just love.
When we miss someone who is no longer with us, love turns into grief.
We have an abundance of love to share, but they are no longer here to receive it.
Write your feelings for them in a journal and channel that love towards someone else.
Shift the focus from the person to the love itself.
#17: Yoga is the Ultimate Workout
Imagine a workout that strengthens your body, improves flexibility, and enhances mental well-being all at once.
That's yoga.
Here are a few reasons why I chose yoga as my sole workout:
It's suitable for all ages.
It can be done anywhere (at home, in a hotel, or at the office).
Requires minimal equipment (a yoga mat or towel).
Just 10 minutes of yoga every day can make a significant difference in your physical form.
It's a workout for your mind, body, and soul, and it's easy to start with.
Best of all, it's cost-effective, with countless free yoga tutorial videos available on platforms like YouTube.
#18: Mind the Mind
Our minds, like muscles, can tire and suffer from daily stress.
Because it doesn't cause visible pain like cuts or burns on the body, we often overlook this type of suffering.
Acknowledge and prioritize your mental health by engaging in activities like meditation, writing, and open communication to maintain mental fitness and emotional well-being.
Mental health is just as important, if not more, than physical health.
Mind the Mind!
#19: We Suffer More in Imagination than in Reality
We often amplify our suffering through imagination, giving our fears and anxieties more power than they deserve.
Reflect on past experiences:
Difficult Conversations
Tests or Exams
Challenging Situations
Compare the negative expectations you had with the actual outcomes.
You'll likely find that reality was far less severe than your imagination led you to believe.
#20: You don’t Control the Outcome; You Control the Process
(Outcome) Make 20 sales → (Process) Make 100 sales calls.
(Outcome) Write a Bestseller →(Process) Write 2k words/day.
(Outcome) Become a successful Leader → (Process) Help/Inspire one person daily.
#21: Thinks from Mind. Act from Heart.
This is one of the key rules I follow when making difficult decisions.
In business and life, difficult decisions often require a balance between rationality and empathy. While it is essential to make decisions based on sound judgment and analysis, it's equally crucial to approach the execution of those decisions with humility, respect, and empathy.
This combination fosters understanding and maintains positive relationships while still achieving desired outcomes.
#22: Rest is not a Waste of Time
Don’t feel guilty about taking a rest.
In fact, taking a break is the best for your health and productivity.
When you press the pause button on a machine, it stops. But when you press the pause button on human beings, they start.
- Dov Seidman
#23: Embrace the Fear
Everything you want in your life is on the other side of your fear.
Instead of hiding and avoiding, learn the methods to use fear to win in your life.
Many things motivate us. But the most powerful motivator is fear, which triggers more adrenaline than any other emotion.
He who is not everyday conquering some fear has not learned the secret of life.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
#24: You Can’t Change the Past, but You can Change How you Think About Your Past
I am a victim → I am a survivor.
I regret not doing something in the past → I am not a fortune teller.
I am a failure → I am a hustler.
#25: No Amount of Money is Ever Worth trading for Your Peace of Mind
Don’t let money rule your health, happiness, and peace of mind. Pay attention to early signs of stress, anxiety, and sleepless nights in a quest to make more money.
I’ll choose “peace” over “money” any time of the day!
“Money often costs too much.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson
✅ Productivity
#26: One Home for Everything
Do you know? The average adult will WASTE 1 year of their life looking for lost or misplaced items.
Assign each item, be it keys, wallet, or AirPods, a designated place to call home.
By consistently returning items to their designated spots, you can effortlessly locate them in under 30 seconds.
This simple rule eliminates the frustration of searching for misplaced belongings.
#27: Something In, Something Out
Around 80% of our possessions go unused.
When you buy something new, let go of something old by selling, throwing away, or donating it.
This rule helps maintain a life free from clutter.
#28: Meditation is the Ultimate Productivity Hack
As an optimizer, I've experimented with various productivity hacks over the past decade. However, meditation has proven to be 100x more effective than any other technique.
It enhances focus and peace, making it a powerful tool for increasing productivity.
Read this book to learn more about scientific evidence on the impact of meditation on productivity.
#29: Don’t Underestimate the Power of Browser Bookmarks
Web browsers are like the operating system of the internet.
And bookmarks are the file/folder organizers.
If you use it actively and intelligently, it can boost your productivity 5x.
#30: Let Your Calendar Lead the Way
Planning your day on a calendar helps you avoid procrastination and stay focused on your priorities.
It brings a sense of peace and productivity as you follow your scheduled activities.
It saves mental energy by removing decision-making frictions.
#31: Prepare Today for a Productive “Tomorrow”
The success of each day depends on how well you prepare the day before.
Research shows that planning and preparing in advance for trips or daily tasks leads to increased productivity, happiness, and task completion.
Example:
I'll choose the podcast or audiobook I'll listen to for my morning walk.
I select my outfit.
Pack or arrange everything I’ll need in the morning, such as AirPods, chargers, etc.
Add task outlines, links, documents, etc., to the calendar.
These proactive steps set you up for a smooth and efficient start to your day.
#32: Consistency > Quality + Quantity
Quality and quantity improve gradually when you stay consistent in your efforts.
By consistently taking small actions toward your desired goals over time, you achieve better results than sporadic bursts of effort.
Consistency forms the foundation for progress and success.
#33: Unlock 3-5 Months of Results in just 3-5 days of Growth Trips
These purpose-driven trips are different from your typical vacations. They are designed to focus on specific areas of improvement or learning.
For instance, you can plan a book reading trip where you dedicate a few days to immerse yourself in books that inspire and educate you.
I have done multiple growth tips of 3-5 days, and the outcome from these growth trips was worth 4-5 months of my time.
(For more, read the original piece here)
#34: Learn Anywhere with AirPods + Audiobooks and Podcasts.
I listen to 2 hours of audiobooks and podcasts every single day during my walks, breaks, and commute on my AirPods.
That’s 14 hours of learning per week.
If you are struggling with time to learn, do yourself a favor and buy a pair of AirPods (or any wireless earbuds) to learn on the move.
#35: Make 1 Big Decision to avoid 1,000 small Decisions
You’ve likely read articles or studies stating that we make up to 35,000 decisions in a day.
Each decision you make – big and small – will take your time and energy.
Save your time and energy for bigger life decisions by automating small daily life choices. Examples:
(Daily Small Decision) What am I going to wear today? → (Big Decision) I’ll wear a black shirt every weekday.
(Daily Small Decision) What am I going to eat for lunch today? → (Big Decision) I’ll make my weekly lunch planner.
(Read more about this rule here)
#36: Growth Routine > Goals
Instead of big goals, I focus on designing a growth routine.
This process helped me design a healthy, high-performing lifestyle that I can comfortably maintain throughout the year.
The main reason people fail at their goals is that their goals are around the outcome rather than the action.
(For more, read this issue here)
#37: Give new Habits a chance with the "2-Episode Rule"
Remember a show that was slow to start, but then you got hooked after two episodes?
Just like that:
Reading a book
Writing a blog
Going on run
Doing yoga
Meditation
And several other habits and actions
It may sound boring in the beginning, but it will get interesting after a few minutes of doing it. When you feel like quitting on your habits, remember this “2-episode” rule.