Notes to myself

Back in 1992, I embarked on this journey to become a doctor. By 1997, I was not just a doctor, but also rocking the role of an army officer! ?????? But by 2000, I started feeling like, yaar, something was missing. Medical practice was growing super boring, and the army life wasn't giving me the thrill I was looking for. So, I thought to myself, it’s time for a change!

Now, here in India, especially around 25 years ago, ditching such prestigious roles was akin to madness? Logon ko toh samajh hi nahi aata tha! There was so much pressure from all sides, with everyone trying to persuade me not to take that leap. But deep down, I found myself leaning more towards creative avenues—be it in IT or literature. Books became my lifelines during those contemplative times. ????

Two books really shaped my thinking: “Notes To Myself” by Hugh Prather and “Who Moved My Cheese?” There were many others back then, but these two became my guiding stars. Eventually, by 2004, I made the jump from both my medical and military careers! Since then, I’ve been exploring entrepreneurship, corporate avenues, and even delving into advanced degrees in psychotherapy and lifestyle rehab.

Of course, like everyone else, I hit that mid-life crisis phase. I mean, kabhi toh aana hi thaa, right? During that time, once again, I turned to books—those magical pieces that either validated my thoughts or pushed me to reconsider them. I realized I needed both kinds of books: those that agree with me and those that challenge my views. ???? So, I started reading at lightning speed!

Here’s my trick: I use the Blinkist app to get a quick summary of the book. If I vibe with it, I get the audiobook from Audible. Only if I truly fall in love with it, do I splurge on the physical copy! Now, I try to be eco-friendly and all, so I don’t buy physical books too often, but some classics are just worth it—like “Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance,” “Illusions” by Richard Bach, and “One Hundred Years of Solitude” by Gabriel Garcia Márquez.

Recently, I stumbled upon a gem that I’d like to add to my list of favorites: “The Almanack of Naval Ravikant.” Now, this book is available for free online, so I’m not promoting it. But seriously, it’s such an eye-opener! The way this guy echoes so many of my thoughts was surprising! Initially, I was a bit skeptical—who writes an almanack about themselves? But it’s more of a collection of insights curated by a friend. And let me tell you, the quality of these thoughts is top-notch!

Sure, I could be accused of confirmation bias, too, since Naval is a super successful dude, a lot more than me, and we are almost the same age. But hey, my reading habits also include books that present counter-views. So, balance, right?

Now, here’s a thought: I’m planning to do a podcast on this book, just like I usually do. I sometimes use NotebookLM to prepare my podcasts—all of you can do that too! So, keep an ear out for that! (https://promptguru.me/spotify) Or, you might just want to grab a copy of this book yourself and dive in.

But wait, here’s the catch: “The Almanack” isn’t a one-time read. It’s not like you can just flip through it in one go. Each thought deserves to be savored slowly. Just like with “Notes To Myself,” you’ll find that each reading might give you a new perspective depending on your mood. ??♂?? I honestly think you should revisit these kinds of books multiple times to really soak in their wisdom! I do.

I have dropped a link above so you can download the free ebook, and I'll also share a link to my podcast once it’s out. ?? (But subscribing to my podcast may keep you in the loop. do so from here- https://promptguru.me/spotify)

Now, how’s this all related to the Zenskriti newsletter? Well, “The Almanack” talks a lot about life management, emotional intelligence, and entrepreneurship—a perfect fit for anyone looking to stabilize their emotional states and navigate through life’s tribulations.

So, watch out for those links, and happy reading! ????

Dr Saurabh Bhatia

CEO

Zenskriti.com