There are a number of integral life lessons from The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari.
If you believe you’ll only be happy after financial or material success, this story is for you. Because this story helps us reevaluate our definition of leadership, success, and true happiness.
Is The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari A True Story?
“The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari” is a work of fiction written by Robin Sharma in 1999.
But even though fictional, this book brings true wisdom.
With the life lessons from The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari, we learn what it means to attain success in two drastically different forms.
What Is The Story Of The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari?
It was a tale of success from beginning to end. The story opens with the success of a lawyer and ends with the prosperity of a man.
The personality development journey of both characters from the book, Julian Mantle and his best friend John, is one that Robin Sharma wrote, in poetic prose, as a guidebook to life.
Julian Mantle, the seven-figure-making lawyer had everything. But it didn’t make him happy.
So, in search of wisdom and happiness, he sold his mansion and his expensive Ferrari and headed to the Himalayan mountains where he studied the wisdom of the sages.
7 Life Lessons From The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari
So, what lessons can we take from this story? Even if you haven’t read the book, there are some key takeaways and insights to consider.
1. Cultivate Your Mind
The Quality Of Your Life Is Determined By The Quality Of Your Thoughts
The secret of happiness is simple: find out what you truly love to do and then direct all of your energy towards doing it. Once you do this, abundance flows into your life and all your desires are filled with ease and grace.
– Robin Sharma
Some people believe that making mistakes is like making irreparable dents. It’s hard to let go of negative thoughts, especially criticism.
Ironically, under the grand laws of nature, our mind can only hold one thought at a time. By making negative thoughts your focus, you’ll embody it, or worst, manifest it. This mentality will only hinder your personal growth.
The biggest lesson from the book is how the quality of your life is determined by the quality of your thoughts. Julian Mantle transformed himself from a depressed, obese lawyer into a youthful, optimistic man — all by conquering his mind.
Mastering your mind means seeing setbacks as opportunities. By envisioning your dreams, you give your mind the power to cultivate them and make them a reality.
So occupy your mind with uplifting thoughts. You’ll come to realize, the power of cultivating a rich mentality will help you manifest the energy you’ll need to attain the success you desire.
2. The Purpose Of Life Is A Life Of Purpose
The Power Of Self-Examination
Never forget the importance of living with unbridled exhilaration. Never neglect to see the exquisite beauty in all living things. Today, and this very moment, is a gift. Stay focused on your purpose. The Universe will take care of everything else.
– Robin Sharma
Imagine discovering a map that leads you directly to a treasure chest. That’s how exciting it would be when you discover your life’s purpose. But this idea appears as elusive as the leprechaun at the end of the rainbow.
So here are action steps from the Sages of Sivana to ensure your goal is as attainable as you believe it to be:
- Create a clear mental picture of your treasure trove or end goal;
- Give yourself some positive pressure so you don’t slip back into your bad habits and self-doubts;
- Write a goal-contract with yourself and include a timeline;
- Build your habit by taking a brave step every day towards achieving it. Remember: Baby steps are still steps;
- Laugh along the way because a day without laughter or a day without love is a day without life.
These steps might seem simple and obvious, but what makes goals, success and destiny appear so elusive is because the pursuer has yet to arrive at self-knowledge.
Self-knowledge is the DNA of self-enlightenment.
And like the towering lighthouse guiding lost ships to the harbor, you’ll come to see that dedicating your life purposefully is the secret to success and happiness.
3. Do The Things You Fear The Most
Self-Mastery Is The DNA Of Life Mastery
The Universe favors the brave. When you resolve to lift your life to its highest level, the strength of your soul will guide you to a magical place with magnificent treasures.
– Robin Sharma
Question: Why should you build a strong character, be disciplined and optimistic?
Answer: When you take the time to build your character and fill it with power and energy, you can have anything and do anything you want. Because it’s impossible to do good when you don’t feel good.
The lesson from the monk is that success on the outside begins within. When you identify the things that are holding you back, you should face them. Do the things you fear, because you’re building the foundation of success and leadership within yourself. Leading yourself first gives others the vote of confidence that you’re capable of leading them too.
So act with integrity and be guided by your heart.
4. Live With Discipline
Do The Vow Of Silence
Wage war against the weaker thoughts that have crept into the palace of your mind. They will see that they are unwanted and leave like unwelcome visitors.
– Robin Sharma
We’re all the more tempted and distracted today by the noises our devices make and the people we interact with on a daily basis. Here’s an exercise from the book you can apply to your life immediately.
Repeat the mantra below and take a vow of silence for the entire day where you only speak to respond to a direct question:
“I am more than I appear to be.
All the world’s strength and power rest inside me.”
It takes courage to nurture self-discipline because it’s not easy.
But once you give yourself the power to be more than your environment, you’ll ultimately win and unshackle yourself from a mental prison.
5. Respect Your Time
Have A “Deathbed” Mentality
Time slips through our hands like grains of sand, never to return again. Those who use time wisely from an early age are rewarded with rich, productive and satisfying lives.
– Robin Sharma
How do you savor life to the fullest and not waste a single moment of your time? By reminding yourself that today could very well be your last day.
So it’s high time you stop accepting a life of mediocrity. The only way to experience more is to push yourself to do more. Because only 20% of your time, dedicated to the day-to-day activities, yield lasting results that could influence the quality of your life.
Being efficient with your time also means being ruthless about it.
You have to have the courage to say “no”.
Start small. By showing how much you value your time, others will learn to recognize it and as a consequence, respect you for it.
Because only enlightened people are priority-driven.
6. Practice Daily Acts Of Kindness
By Elevating The Lives Of Others, Your Life Reaches Its Highest Dimensions
The most noble thing you can do is to give to others. Start focusing on your higher purpose.
– Robin Sharma
Cultivating your mind to improve the quality of your life should run in parallel to your next action step of cultivating a new perspective. Specifically, one that revolves around the concept of giving. Giving more to life and to your community is a paradigm-shifting perspective from the “self” mentality of survival of the fittest.
Practicing gratitude and dedicating time to the act of giving, can help you find your purpose in the world.
Expressing gratitude daily plants the seed within yourself that each day is sacred. The richer the relationship you build around you, the more abundance comes your way.
Because in life, your time and energy are the two valuable resources you could offer to anyone.
Remove the idea of the self and focus on the quality of your contribution.
7. Never Sacrifice Happiness For Achievement
Live In The Now With Your Children’s Childhood
We are all here for some special reason. Stop being a prisoner of your past. Become the architect of your future.
– Robin Sharma
Ask yourself, what’s the point of climbing the steps of success if you have missed the first steps of your own kids?
Many high-achievers can turn short-sighted when asked to choose a path in the dilemma.
Sacrifice time spent with loved ones now and give them everything money can buy? Or sacrifice the promise of comfort, in favor of spending time with them now.
So ask yourself again, if you would rather take each step along the way with awe and love or run through your days hoping to expedite your win towards an elusive pot of gold.
At the end of the day, your happiness is a choice you have to make and is a journey you have to take.
