It’s not every day you meet someone who traded tailored suits for monk’s robes, and then leveraged that ancient wisdom to build a modern media empire dedicated to helping others. But that’s Jay Shetty. A dear friend and one of the most insightful voices of our generation, Jay has carved a path that is as unconventional as it is inspiring. Growing up in London, his early life wasn’t a straight line to success; it was filled with the challenges of being bullied, feeling like an outsider, and searching for meaning in all the wrong places.
His trajectory shifted dramatically after a university talk where he, reluctantly, went to hear a monk speak. That single evening planted a seed. Jay began spending his summers interning not at a bank, but at a monastery in India. He was testing an alternative way of life, one centered on service and self-awareness. After graduating, he made the profound choice to become a monk full time, spending three years living a life of discipline, meditation, and service. When he returned to the world, he carried that wisdom with him, determined to share it. He launched a YouTube channel that has now amassed billions of views, hosts the world’s number one health and wellness podcast, On Purpose, and is the best-selling author of Think Like a Monk.
I’ve had the pleasure of sitting down with Jay a couple of times now. He joined me for a conversation on my show here at CreativeLive, and I was honored to be a guest on his podcast as well. Every time we connect, I walk away feeling more centered and inspired. We share a deep belief that creativity and service are intertwined, and that the work we do on ourselves is the most important work of all. Our conversations feel less like interviews and more like two friends exploring the big questions of life, purpose, and how we can make a meaningful impact.
In our chats, Jay shared some incredibly practical wisdom that feels tailor-made for creatives, entrepreneurs, and anyone trying to build a life with intention. These are not just abstract ideas; they are frameworks you can put into practice today.
Create Personal Certainty in Uncertain Times
When the world feels chaotic, our first instinct can be to brace for impact. Jay offers a different approach: create your own certainty. Instead of being tossed around by external events, anchor your day with a simple, powerful routine. He uses the acronym T.I.M.E.S. to build a foundation for stability and growth, no matter what’s going on outside.
- Thankfulness: Start with gratitude. Acknowledge your feelings, even the painful ones, but then consciously shift your focus to what you’re thankful for. It’s an upgrade for your mindset.
- Insight: Learn something new every single day. When you feel yourself growing, you’ll always feel bigger than your problems. Read a quote, listen to a podcast, or watch an inspiring video.
- Meditation: In a world that constantly stimulates you, find an activity that stimulates calm. Meditation is a direct path to the clarity and peace we all seek. Even a few minutes can reset your entire day.
- Exercise: Get your body moving. Movement is medicine for the mind. Whether it’s a workout, a dance session, or a simple walk, physical activity is essential for mental and emotional health.
- Sleep: Prioritize quality rest, especially before midnight. Good sleep is not a luxury; it is the foundation of your energy, productivity, and wellbeing.
Change Your Energy by Changing Your Senses
You have the power to transform the energy of any space you are in. So often, we let our environment dictate our mood. Jay teaches that by intentionally curating what we see, hear, and smell, we can actively shape our experience and create a more positive and productive atmosphere.
- Control Your Sight: What is the first thing you see in the morning? Instead of a phone screen filled with notifications, make it a piece of art you love or a view of the sky. We are visual creatures; what we see triggers how we feel.
- Curate Your Sound: Think about the soundscape of your day. Is it filled with jarring alarms and background noise, or calming music and empowering words? Waking up to a stressful alarm puts your body in a state of shock. Try nature sounds instead.
- Leverage Scent: Smells like lavender and eucalyptus have a proven calming effect. Use essential oils or candles to introduce scents that help you relax and focus, especially when you feel stress creeping in.
Turn Inspiration into a Daily Habit
We’ve all had those fleeting moments of inspiration that feel life-changing, only to have them fade by the next day. Jay points out that we remember negative experiences because we dwell on them, we talk about them, we relive them. We need to give our positive, inspired moments that same attention.
- Capture the Moment with Your Senses: To truly lock in an inspired memory, use what Jay calls the 5-4-3-2-1 technique. Notice five things you can see, four things you can touch, three things you can hear, two things you can smell, and one thing you can taste. This fully immerses you in the moment and makes the memory stick.
- Make It a Daily Ritual: Don’t just capture the moment; revisit it. If a quote fires you up, make it your phone’s wallpaper. If a memory gives you energy, spend a few minutes meditating on it each morning. Turn your inspiration from a fleeting feeling into a daily habit.
- Share and Extend the Good: When something great happens, celebrate it. Share the story with a friend. Write about it. Post about it. By extending the life of a positive experience, you amplify its power and anchor it more deeply in your mind.
PS – If you’re looking for a guide to help you build the life and career you’ve always wanted, the Seven Levers for Life is a free 7-day email course on just that.
