These days, I’ve been going to the gym and exercising on the stair machine for a good half hour to build up my cardio and my endurance. Usually, I put on my headphones throughout the session and listen to some good old-fashioned self-help advice.
One guru that I’m listening to so far is Robin Sharma. He is a best-selling author and a self-help guru. I’ve been listening to his advice while running, and it definitely has been eye opening to hear some of his advice. None of it is rocket science but it does generally put me in the right mental headspace to achieve and thrive.
I’m thankful for these self-help gurus out there, because I’ve been having a habit of trying to improve myself day in and day out over these past few years. And it’s good to hear some of the tried-and-true tips on living a fulfilling, peaceful, and successful life. None of Robin’s advice is honestly that ground-breaking.
Some general tips are to wake up early, meditate, exercise, eat healthy, and avoid too much technology before you sleep. Of course, he analyzes these habits in a more granular level in his YouTube videos, and I am thankful for that.
Honestly, I feel like I’ve been doing most of the activities that he recommends. So, in that case, I am thankful that in general I am living a relatively healthy and successful life from the perspective of well-being.
Robin also talks about nourishing the mindset, the heartset, the healthset, and the soulset. His four internal empires. Basically, optimize your thinking, treat your emotions well, treat your body right, and minimize your ego. Or something to that extent. Again, it’s not groundbreaking rocket science, but it’s good to know as a general tip.
I think self-help gurus have their place in society today. Everyone is looking to improve in some form or fashion. And every guru seems to have their own system in place to help “unlock your potential” so that you live a full and fulfilling life. Everyone has their own system to sell.
I wouldn’t say that these gurus are in it for the money. I’m sure what they say does have real world value to the average person. The question is: would you want to pay money (to buy their books, go to their seminars and live events) and invest in these opportunities?
That’s for each individual to decide. I’d say that self-help gurus are obviously helpful. But just take every advice with a grain of salt. Sometimes, it’s good to understand the overall big picture of what they’re saying. But there’s no need to follow their advice on a granular level. Because everyone is different. Everyone has their own external circumstances and their own perspectives on life.
For example, Robin advises people to wake up at 5 AM in the morning each and every day to get a head start on the day while everyone else is sleeping. That is admirable of course. But, honestly, it’s not for me. I’m not trying to become the next Jeff Bezos or the next Jack Ma. I’m simply trying to be the best version of myself that I can possibly be.
Frankly speaking, I am trying to wake up earlier each and every day. That’s one of the goals that I have set for myself this year. But, as of now, I’m not at the level where I feel like I need to wake up at 5 AM. Maybe 7 or 8 AM each day would be sufficient for me. If I can get up to that level on a consistent basis, I’d be fairly satisfied.
So, take these self-help advice with a grain of salt. Most of the advice these gurus share is not rocket science, and you can find them easily by simply scouring the internet or searching via Google. Gurus have their place in society and yes, their advice is good to remind us of what is good and healthy in life.
They definitely are doing a service to society. And catering to most people’s needs to improve themselves and grow each and every day. I think this innate desire is prevalent in almost everyone. But, just like what you see in the news, take everything they say with a grain of salt. Apply it to your life and see if it works or not. It’s okay to not agree with everything they have to say.
They are gurus. But at the same time, they are imperfect human beings with flaws as well. So, do what you can. Improve yourself every day. It’s okay to utilize these gurus for advice and growth. At the same time, keep your own perspective on things and grow based on your own pace without the need to compare yourself to others. You do you. That’s all you need to do.