'The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari', Robin S. Sharma

Rating: 8/10

Overall Thoughts

This is the sort of book that will add value and essence to your life. It will give you direction when you're going through hard times and are at your lowest point.  It makes you ponder about your life and guide you to ask yourself, "am I happy with my life right now?" "what is my life purpose?" "how can I achieve happiness?"

The book essentially discusses the Seven Virtues of Enlightened Learning, which are:-

1. Master your mind
2. Follow your purpose
3. Practice kaizen
4. Live with discipline
5. Respect your time
6. Selflessly serve others
7. Embrace the present

Each of these Virtues are discussed in some detail in separate chapters, each of them with a number of concepts and habits to develop.  Though these may not be new concepts, the Virtues explained in the book are easily applicable to one's life.

'The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari' is one of the best self-help books I’ve read to date.  It’s rare to find a book that offers a story and a plethora of inspirational quotes, which actually make you think about your life. 

Lessons from 'The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari'

1. Every event has a purpose and every setback its lesson.  I have realized that failure, whether of the personal, professional or even spiritual kind, is essential to personal expansion.  It brings inner growth and a whole host of psychic rewards.  Never regret your past.  Rather, embrace it as the teacher that it is.
2. I've also come to see that success on the outside means nothing unless you also have success within.  There is a huge difference between well-being and being well-off.
3. Investing in yourself is the best investment you will ever make.  It will not only improve your life, it will improve the lives of all those around you.
4. It is only when you have mastered the art of loving yourself that you can truly love others.  It's only when you have opened your own heart that you can touch the hearts of others.  When you feel centered and alive, you are in a much better position to be a better person.
5. To live life to the fullest, you must stand guard at the gate of your garden and let only the very best information enter.  You truly cannot afford the luxury of a negative thought - not even one ... the ones who do more than just exist, the ones who fan the flames of their human potential and truly savor the magical dance of life do different things than those whose lives are ordinary.  Foremost amongst the things that they do is adopt a positive paradigm about their world and all that is in it.
6. There are no mistakes in life, only lessons.  There is no such thing as a negative experience, only opportunities to grow, learn and advance along the road of self-mastery.  From struggle comes strength.  Even pain can be a wonderful teacher.
7. Find out what you truly love to do and then direct all of your energy towards doing it ... Once you find out what your life's work is, your world will come alive.  You will wake up every morning with a limitless reservoir of energy and enthusiasm.  All your thoughts will be focused on your definite objective.
8. There is nothing noble about being superior to some other person.  True nobility lies in being superior to your former self.
9. It doesn't matter what other people say about you.  What is important is what you say to yourself.  Do not be concerned with the judgment of others so long as you know what you are doing is right.
10. The purpose of life is a life of purpose.  Those who are truly enlightened know what they want out of life, emotionally, materially, physically and spiritually.
11. The real source of happiness can be stated in a word: achievement.
12. Concentrate every ounce of your mental energy on self-discovery.  Learn what you excel at and what makes you happy.
13. When  you decide to start concentrating your mind on your life's main aims, your mind starts to filter out the unimportant and focus only on the important.
14. Have a clear vision of your outcome.  Create positive pressure to keep you inspired.  Never set a goal without attaching a timeline to it.
15. Never do anything because you have to.  The only reason to do something is because you want to and because you know it is the right thing for you to do.
16. What lies behind you and what lies in front of you is nothing when compared to what lies within you.
17. The only limits on your life are those that you set yourself.
18. Ensure that your daily schedule includes a mandatory period of peace.
19. Words affect the mind in a pronounced way.  Whether they are spoken or written, they are powerful influences.  While what you say to others is important, even more important is what you say to yourself.
20. Strengthening your character affects the way you see yourself and the actions you take.  The actions you take come together to form your habits and, this is important, your habits lead you to your destiny.
21. Focus only on your priorities, those activities which are truly meaningful.  Your life will be uncluttered, rewarding and exceptionally peaceful ... unless you reduce your needs, you will never be fulfilled.
22. Failure is not having the courage to try, nothing more and nothing less.  The only thing standing between most people and their dreams ifs the fear of failure.  Yet failure is essential to success in any endeavor.  Failure tests us and allows us to grow.  It offers us lessons and guides us along the path of enlightenment.
23. The most meaningful things in your life should never be sacrificed to those that are the least meaningful ... failing to plan is planning to fail.
24. Being engaged in a pursuit that truly challenges you is the surest route to personal satisfaction.  But the real key to remember is that happiness is a journey, not a destination.
25. Never put off happiness for the sake of achievement.  Never put off the things that are important for your well-being and satisfaction to a later time.
26. Life doesn't always give you what you ask for, but it always gives you what you need.