In My Prime: A Journey of Purpose and Continuous Improvement

At 42, I find myself in the prime of my life – physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Every day feels like a step towards becoming a better version of myself. This journey, marked by self-reflection and growth, is guided by two profound Japanese philosophies: Ikigai and Kaizen.

Ikigai: Finding My Purpose

Ikigai, the art of finding one's purpose or reason for getting up in the morning, has been a guiding light for me. It's about discovering the sweet spot where your passions, talents, what you can be paid for, and what the world needs, all intersect. Embracing Ikigai means understanding that your life's work is not just about personal fulfillment but also about contributing something meaningful to the world.

Kaizen: The Art of Continuous Improvement

Alongside Ikigai, I keep Kaizen at the heart of my daily life. Kaizen, or continuous improvement, is about making incremental changes for the better. It's a belief that greatness isn't achieved overnight but through consistent, small steps of progress. It's a philosophy that has profoundly impacted my life.

A Catalyst for Change

Towards the end of 2017, I faced a pivotal moment. The effects of a prolonged 'happy hour' lifestyle from my college days to my mid-30s had caught up with me. I was the heaviest and unhealthiest I've ever been, I had strained personal relationships, and anxiety was the norm. It was clear - something needed to change.

At the beginning of 2018, I made a decision to better myself. I stopped drinking cold turkey, a habit ingrained since college. It was a challenging journey with its ups and downs, but eventually, I completely kicked the habit. As an introvert, I realized I had relied on drinking to socialize. During my self-development journey, I withdrew from the social scene and immersed myself in activities that helped with my personal growth.

The Power of Books

I was never a reader. It's difficult for me to read for a long period of time, my attention always sways. I came across Audible and audiobooks, and its been a game changer for me. The wisdom I discovered in these books was transformative. Each book opened my eyes to new perspectives, offering life wisdom that I had missed during my earlier years. To me, life is all about perspectives – gaining insight into someone else's life in just a few hours is an invaluable experience.

Since 2019, I've listened to hundreds of books. I can't get enough. Here are my top 100 Audible listens.

Areas of interest:

?? Psychology

?? Philosophy

?? History

?? Science

?? Personal Development

Authors whose writing style I really enjoy:

?? Robert Greene

?? Fyodor Dostoyevsky

?? Brianna Wiest

?? Yuval Noah Harari

?? Ross King

?? Stephen Hawking

?? Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn

?? Kristin Hannah

?? Mark Sullivan

?? Ken Follett

Some of my favorite books that have changed the way I think and my life's perspectives:

?? All Robert Greene, The Laws of Human Nature

?? All Dostoyevsky, The Brother's Karamazov

?? The Mountain Is You by Brianna Wiest

?? Sapiens / Homo Deus / 21 Lessons for the 21st Century by Yuval Noah Harari

?? The Magic of Thinking Big by David Schwartz

?? The Gap and the Gain / 10x is Easier than 2x / Who Not How by Benjamin Hardy and Dan Sullivan

?? Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl

?? Quiet by Susan Cain

?? As a Man Thinketh by James Allen

?? The Gulag Archipelago by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn

If you would like a PDF copy of the Top 100 Audible books with working Audible links, click the link below ??.

?? Hitesh's Top 100 Audible Books (PDF download with links)

If you would like an Excel spreadsheet with of the 100 Top Audible books with Authors, Narrators, Duration, Categories, and Audible links which are easy to filter, please request via email - [email protected] .

Today: A Life Transformed

The changes I made have had profound effects: I've lost 40 pounds and am in the best shape of my life. My closest relationships have never been better and my anxiety has never been lower. My morning routine has become a cornerstone, focused on self-reflection, physical activity, and learning, every day. It's a routine that has shifted my life's perspective.

I've realized the power of a morning routine in determining whether we live a reactive or proactive life. Anticipating what might happen during the day helps manage emotional reactions, mood, and ultimately shapes our personality.

Life Lessons at 42:

Some core principles that guide me. Most have been learned and realized in the last 5 years since my focused efforts on personal growth and books.

Life is Suffering:

• As Buddha taught, life inherently includes suffering. It’s an unavoidable truth that shapes our existence.

Impermanence:

• Nothing in this world is permanent. This teaches us to appreciate every moment and find comfort in challenging times, as things will inevitably get better.

Universal Human Desires:

• At our core, all humans are alike, seeking similar things in life.

Uniqueness and Confidence:

• Every individual is unique, with a special gift for the world. The key to realizing this potential is absolute confidence in oneself and acting on one’s beliefs, irrespective of judgments. Equally important is recognizing and appreciating the uniqueness in others, and doing our best to foster their self-confidence. By uplifting each other in our individuality, we contribute to a world that’s richer and more dynamic.

Dealing with People:

• Trust first, as most people are inherently good. Always give the benefit of the doubt initially. Be cautious if patterns emerge, and if they persist, it’s wise to distance oneself.

Avoiding Resentment, Arrogance, and Deceit:

• It’s crucial to remove and avoid resentment, arrogance, and deceit at all costs in life, with a special emphasis on resentment. These traits, whether in ourselves or in others, lead to destruction. Steering clear of them paves the way for a more genuine, fulfilling, and harmonious existence.

Life without Alcohol:

• Life becomes better without alcohol; it leads to a clearer, more joyful existence. Every aspect — health, mood, relationships, motivation, energy, focus, discipline — improves. The best part, as Adam Phillips observed, is that this improvement is repeatable and sustainable, getting better and better every day.

Morning Routine:

• A fulfilling life begins with a morning routine, incorporating meditation or self-reflection, physical movement and learning something new - every day.

Incremental Improvements:

• Following Jordan Peterson’s insights, I’ve learned that small, consistent improvements can lead to significant, Pareto-like effects.

Formula for Achievement:

• Inspired by Les Brown, I believe that Belief/Faith, combined with Consistent Action and Patience, enables a human being to accomplish anything.

Optimism Over Pessimism:

• Embracing optimism fundamentally transforms life’s perspective. It’s more beneficial to view the glass as half full rather than half empty. This mindset not only enhances our daily experience but also fuels resilience and hope in the face of life’s inevitable challenges. In choosing optimism, we open ourselves to a world of possibilities and positive outcomes.

Focus on the Gain, Not the Gap:

• Inspired by the insights of Benjamin Hardy and Dan Sullivan, I’ve learned the importance of focusing on the gains rather than the gaps in life. This means appreciating and emphasizing the progress and positives that arise from obstacles and challenges, rather than fixating on what’s missing or hasn’t been achieved. It’s a powerful perspective that transforms challenges into opportunities for growth and gratitude, leading to a more fulfilling and optimistic life experience.

Every day is an opportunity for growth, a chance to move closer to our Ikigai, and a step in our continuous journey of Kaizen. My path has taught me that the journey of self-improvement never truly ends – it's a lifelong pursuit, one that shapes not just our lives, but also the lives of those around us.

Purpose Behind This Newsletter:

1. For Me: Document life lessons for future reflection.
2. For Maya: Wisdom for my daughter to draw upon in the future.
3. For Growth: Improve my thinking, communication, and creativity through the practice of writing and connecting my favorite quotes, life lessons and books.
4. For You: Perspectives that might resonate with your life and leadership journey.

Frequency of Posts:

LinkedIn has you pick frequency (daily, weekly, biweekly, monthly) of posts when creating a newsletter, however, I'm not sure I'll be following one of these options. I'll simply be posting when I feel like it. This is a passion project with no time constraints or pressure.

To all who have subscribed and / or taken the time to read my articles, thank you, I appreciate it.

Hitesh Patel

#Ikigai #Kaizen #LifeJourney