How to Find Your Purpose & Passion (Even If You Feel Lost Right Now) - Jay Shetty

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Mar 27, 2025

Jay Shetty, a #1 New York Times bestselling author and former monk, dives deep into the quest for purpose and passion. He discusses the powerful journey of self-discovery sparked by meaningful encounters and the role of mentorship. Jay emphasizes self-awareness, contrasting instinctual and reflective thinking, to improve decision-making. He also explores societal pressures and offers guidance on distinguishing true desires from external influences. Finally, he highlights the importance of clarifying intentions beyond material success, drawing wisdom from ancient texts.

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ANECDOTE

Early Experimentation and Monk's Influence

Jay Shetty was suspended from school three times for experimenting with drugs and relationships, seeking fulfillment.
At 18, a monk's speech captivated him, shifting his focus from external success to inner voice.

ANECDOTE

Monk's Sacrifice and Shetty's Interning

The monk had left jobs at Google and Microsoft, inspiring Shetty.
Shetty interned at companies while spending holidays living with monks, observing their selfless sacrifice.

ADVICE

Envisioning Future Self

Fast forward and envision yourself in 10, 15, 20 years, questioning if that's your desired path.
Observe those ahead of you in your field and seek alternative paths if needed.

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Bhagavad Gita

The Bhagavad Gita is a central text in Hinduism, embedded within the epic Mahabharata. It recounts a dialogue between the warrior-prince Arjuna and his charioteer, Krishna, who is an avatar of the god Vishnu. The text explores themes of dharma (duty), karma (action), and the path to spiritual enlightenment. Krishna advises Arjuna on the importance of performing his duties without attachment to the outcomes, emphasizing the concept of nishkama karma (nonattached action). The Gita synthesizes various strands of Indian religious thought, including Vedic concepts, samkhya yoga, and bhakti (devotion), providing a coherent vision of Hindu philosophy and spiritual practice[2][4][5].

Exponential Organizations

Kevin Young

Salim Ismail

This book, written by Salim Ismail, Yuri van Geest, and Michael S. Malone, explores the concept of Exponential Organizations (ExOs). It outlines how companies can use externalities such as community, big data, algorithms, and new technologies to achieve performance benchmarks ten times better than traditional companies. The book provides a roadmap for transforming any company, from startups to multinationals, into an ExO by leveraging the 10 characteristics of Exponential Organizations, represented by the acronyms S.C.A.L.E. (Staff on Demand, Community & Crowd, AI & Algorithms, Leveraged Assets, Engagement) and I.D.E.A.S (Interfaces, Dashboards, Experimentation, Autonomy, Social)[2][5][6].

Start with Why

How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action

Simon Sinek

In 'Start with Why', Simon Sinek introduces the concept of 'The Golden Circle', which consists of 'Why', 'How', and 'What'. He argues that successful leaders and organizations start with their purpose or 'Why', which inspires loyalty and trust. Sinek uses examples such as Apple, Martin Luther King Jr., and the Wright Brothers to illustrate how this approach can lead to significant influence and success. The book emphasizes the importance of leadership and purpose in inspiring others and achieving long-term success.

Thinking, Fast and Slow

Daniel Kahneman

In this book, Daniel Kahneman takes readers on a tour of the mind, explaining how the two systems of thought shape our judgments and decisions. System 1 is fast, automatic, and emotional, while System 2 is slower, effortful, and logical. Kahneman discusses the impact of cognitive biases, the difficulties of predicting future happiness, and the effects of overconfidence on corporate strategies. He offers practical insights into how to guard against mental glitches and how to benefit from slow thinking in both personal and business life. The book also explores the distinction between the 'experiencing self' and the 'remembering self' and their roles in our perception of happiness.