This post is based on The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari.
This book has so much wisdom that you could spend a lifetime reading it and still get practical knowledge on how to live well. Thank you, Robin Sharma.
In this post, I will share ten rituals that come from this book and how to apply them. These are daily habits that derive from ancient knowledge on living good. They are still true today because they work.
So, after reading them try to implement at least five on this list and observe the results. Stick with them at least for three weeks until deciding what to do with them.
Remember that to build a habit takes time and at first, it will certainly be hard, but stay with it!
Here we go:
1) The Ritual of Solitude
“It is a period of time, as little as fifteen minutes or as much as fifty, wherein you explore the healing power of silence and come to know who you really are”
“It is a period of time, as little as fifteen minutes or as much as fifty, wherein you explore the healing power of silence and come to know who you really are”
It’s important to be alone with ourselves in silence at least 15 to 50 minutes every day. We need a break from the never-ending tasks and to-do lists.
Everyday (preferably at the same time), chose a beautiful and calm place where you can sit for at least 15 minutes or walk in complete silence. Try to get in touch with nature. Breathe the fresh air and feel alive. I do it in the morning, but you can choose other times of the day, depending on your schedule.
2) The Ritual of Physicality
“As you take care for the body, so you care for the mind. As you prepare your body, so you prepare your mind. As you train your body, so you train your mind.”
“As you take care for the body, so you care for the mind. As you prepare your body, so you prepare your mind. As you train your body, so you train your mind.”
There are 168 hours in a week. At least five of those hours should be dedicated to intense physical exercise. Training the mind is not enough, the body should follow as well.
Also, every day, take 5 or 10 minutes to breathe deeply. Pay attention to your breath. Breathing is very powerful. Breathe from your abdomen.
3) The Ritual of Nourishment
“A poor diet has a pronounced effect on your life. It drains your mental and physical energy. It affects your mood, and it hampers the clarity of your mind.”
“A poor diet has a pronounced effect on your life. It drains your mental and physical energy. It affects your mood, and it hampers the clarity of your mind.”
Chose to eat a diet that is based on vegetables and fruits. If you’re not ready to make the leap towards being vegetarian, then don’t sweat it. Just try to reduce your meat intake. You will feel more energy and fewer problems digesting foods.
Our digestive system is one of the biggest consumers of energy in our body. When we eat foods that are hard to digest, we are wasting energy on that process. By eating easy to absorb foods, you will have more energy than before.
Everything in moderation! Try and experiment, see how you feel.
4) The Ritual of Abundant Knowledge
“Read regularly. Reading for thirty minutes a day will do wonders for you. But I must caution you. Do not read just anything. You must be selective about what you put into the lush garden of your mind. It must be immensely nourishing. Make it something that will improve both you and the quality of your life.”
“Read regularly. Reading for thirty minutes a day will do wonders for you. But I must caution you. Do not read just anything. You must be selective about what you put into the lush garden of your mind. It must be immensely nourishing. Make it something that will improve both you and the quality of your life.”
Read at least 30 minutes daily. Read books that you love, and that will make your life better. Learn about health, productivity, psychology. All this helps us understand ourselves better and give us tools to change and get better.
But, do not only read! Some books are to be read at once, others to enjoy and others to come back to. Read and study those books. Explore the ideas, apply them and see how it works for you.
Every problem or challenge you have, there are many people who already had it. They wrote about it, they studied it. Your problems are not that unique. A good book can help you see new perspectives and find fresh solutions.
5) Ritual of Personal Reflection
“Well, most of us do think. The problem is that most people think just enough to survive. What I am speaking about with this ritual is thinking enough to thrive.”
“Well, most of us do think. The problem is that most people think just enough to survive. What I am speaking about with this ritual is thinking enough to thrive.”
At the end of every day, take a walk or sit down with a pen and paper and review your day. What did you do wrong? What could have you done better? Did you achieve what you planned for the day?
Every great thinker from Nelson Mandela to Benjamin Franklin had personal notebooks. Some people write every day in the form of a narrative.
With this ritual, you can do that, but it’s also beneficial to make a list of the positive things that happened and the negative and then learn from your mistakes.
That’s the only way you can get better. After reading this ritual, I’m for sure implementing it because it’s an easy way to observe if you are really doing what you set out to do.
6) The Ritual of Early Awakening
“First, let me ask you what does ‘early’ mean?” Another fine question. There is no ideal time. Just like everything else I have shared with you so far, do what is right for you.”
“First, let me ask you what does ‘early’ mean?” Another fine question. There is no ideal time. Just like everything else I have shared with you so far, do what is right for you.”
Wake up early. Watch the sun rise. There is a peace of mind and soothing energy you get when you wake up before the noise starts and the day officially begins.
The moment you wake up, think positive thoughts. The first 10 minutes of your day and the last 10 have tremendous influence in your subconscious, always remember that. So whatever you have ahead of you or whatever happened, always end your day on a positive note.
Begin your day by walking in nature, smiling (even if you provoke it). Make a list of the things or people you are grateful for. Set your positive intention for the day. If you can do these last two tasks in writing, awesome!
At night meditate to a soothing tune before sleeping. You will significantly increase your sleep quality. Ask yourself: “If today was the last day of my life, how would I live it”. Then, think about how you would treat your family, friends and even strangers. What would you do?
Steve Jobs was notorious for making this one of his daily habits.
It makes sure you are focused on the truly important things.
7) The Ritual of Music
“When you feel down or weary, play some music. It is one of the finest motivators I know of.”
“When you feel down or weary, play some music. It is one of the finest motivators I know of.”
Music has been around for centuries. It has healing powers. It’s powerful to motivate or to alleviate negative feelings.
Every day, listen to a relaxing tune. Music creates emotion. It’s a very powerful way to create any feeling. Now, that you know this use it accordingly.
8) The Ritual of Spoken Word
“A mantra is nothing more than a collection of words strung together to create a positive effect.”
Have a mantra. Repeat it to you whenever you start to feel negative, or you’re losing your confidence. Words are the symbols of power.
“A mantra is nothing more than a collection of words strung together to create a positive effect.”
Have a mantra. Repeat it to you whenever you start to feel negative, or you’re losing your confidence. Words are the symbols of power.
Written affirmations also have tremendous effects. Your subconscious cannot tell the difference between you telling the truth or not. It will believe whatever you feed it. Repeat at least 20–30 times each day, and in no time you will feel it and be it.
Mohamed Ali, one of the greatest boxers and man of all time, said to himself “I’m the champion of the world, I’m unstoppable” while training before he even had a boxing match.
What you say matters, but what you say to yourself is the most important.
9) The Ritual of Congruent Character
“Strengthening your character affects the way you see yourself and the action you take. The actions you take, come together to form your habits and, this is important, your habits lead you to your destiny.”
“Strengthening your character affects the way you see yourself and the action you take. The actions you take, come together to form your habits and, this is important, your habits lead you to your destiny.”
Always be yourself and represent your values. Know what you want to do and what you don’t. Your actions need to be congruent with your values and your thinking if you want to achieve great things.
Define what you want to represent and then act like it every single moment.
Bruce Lee said it best: “Always be yourself, express yourself, have faith in yourself, do not go out and look for a successful personality and duplicate it.”
10) Simplicity
“One must not live in the thick of thin things.”
“One must not live in the thick of thin things.”
Be simple. Live a simple life. Reduce your needs and wants. Live as if you already have everything.
Make life simple for you by focusing on the important stuff. This requires courage, but you will find a greater peace of mind.
I truly hope you take the time to experiment with these rituals. Do them every day and your life will significantly get better. I’m experimenting with them and they are awesome. Give it a try!