Realize for every month, or every day, or every week that you're a pot, it takes that same amount of time to recreate that intimacy, so as much as we hope that phones and messages and zooms and facetimes can keep the communication to keep the connection, obviously there's love but the intimacy has to be reinvested. Imagine if you did not tend to a garden for six
months, it would be messy or be wild and then you'd have to reinvest
Hey everyone, welcome back to on
purpose. The number one Health podcast in the world, thanks to each and every one of you that come back every week to listen, learn and grow. It's coming to my favorite time of the year. I mean, it already is. I love the holiday season. I loved the festive spirit and I love the gifts. I love the energy, I love the celebration but what I also love
Is how there's this natural inclination to want to reflect and if you're listening to this episode right now, it's because you know that introspection and reflection of powerful for setting us up. I think a lot of us want to rest which is natural, a lot of us want to let go, which is naturally, a lot of us just want to move on to. And that's all good and well, but I think the benefits of reflection or often underrated and they're often.
Ian forgotten because as a society we choose to just rush to the next thing. We choose to just move on as quickly as possible to the next thing and distract ourselves, and taking a moment, towards the end of the year to sit with yourself to journal to ask yourself questions can be so powerful and I'm going to share with you the seven questions that I'm asking myself this year. And I change these every year because I discover new questions I'm going to share with you questions that a superpower.
For insightful, some of them are really fun, some of them are easy, some of them are really gonna surprise you. In some of them are going to be ones that remind you of the journey you've been on. And I read this amazing study that talked about how reflection is a, really vital tool for growth and personal development. We think it's ways learning something new, building, something new, starting a new habit. Well, all of that comes from reflecting and making sure that our reflection shows us
what we truly want to embody Embrace and build in our lives. And so I am so glad that you chose on purpose today. Thank you so much for showing up to this episode and I want to dive straight in to these seven questions. So the first question is one that I think you'll expect, but I do want you to think about it, what is a challenge that you've overcome this year? What was something really difficult that you did? What was something that you broke through? Maybe there was
No fear. Maybe there was something that you hadn't done for a long time. Maybe there was something that was holding you back, maybe there was something that you just didn't feel you had what it takes but you did it. What was that? And it doesn't have to be big. I think we think about doing hard things is something huge. Sometimes it could be having a difficult conversation with the family member
Sometimes it was disconnecting with a friend or reconnecting with a friend, right? What was a challenge that you overcame this year? Personally, I know for me it was my health journey. I had double hernia surgery which was a big part of a challenge that I overcame this year of having to go through that. Another challenge, I overcame this year, which really, really had a big impact on me was
Taking charge of some things that I was hoping other people would take care of right. A challenge in my mindset, that I felt I didn't have enough time that someone else could do it. That I didn't think I had to do it and I realized that taking charge of that felt so good. That was a challenge for me, to find the time to find the energy to take care of it. When I'd hoped that, I could Outsource it or that someone else could take care of it for me. Another challenge that I overcame this year and I'm sharing these because I want you to see the
Difference in scale, the different types of challenges that exist. I think a big challenge for me, that I overcame this year is that I realized that I could take control back of my schedule that I didn't have to be subservient or inferior to my schedule. I didn't have to live a life of pure product productivity and efficiency. If I wanted to take a break and allow
Allowing myself that that was a challenge. Notice, how challenges are not always something obvious. And I know that you've broke through and made a difference in done hard things. I know that. And I don't want you to underestimate you. And I think one of the biggest challenges is that, we don't really fully allow ourselves to recognize. We got to move on and let go. That's normal like, oh, that's okay. Oh, we're carrying it. So heavily on our backs and
So I really want you to think about that journal about that and the question you want to ask as a follow-up to that, the challenge you overcame this year, is what did it teach you? What did you learn from it? What did you take away from it? And for me when I think about the challenge of taking control over my schedule, again, I realized that what I learned was, what do I want to do with my time? How do I want to live my life? How do I want to breathe?
We all have a limited number of breaths on this Earth. We all have a limited number of steps on this Earth. I want my breaths and steps to be used to serve and create an impact and make a positive difference for myself and for others. And if I'm not feeling that my schedule is supporting their, then, how am I allowing days months weeks years to just go by the second question. I want you to ask yourself
Self is a surprise you dealt with something. You weren't expecting that. You had to Pivot for the reason, I'm asking you to reflect on these is that studies show that reflecting on how you've overcome past challenges, helps you to better process negative experiences in the future. People have the ability to use these moments as a source of creativity and motivation. So, we think we're bad at dealing with
Is because we've never noticed how well we've dealt with them in the past. If we've never sat down to reflect on, how did I deal with a bad thing last year? We don't know how to deal with the bad thing next year. So what was it surprise you do? With my hernia surgery, was definitely a surprise getting covid for me, was a surprise for the first time in three years. That was a surprise.
I think that pivoting to the new demands I realized that at the beginning of the year, I thought I had a plan and then I realized that overcommitted in certain areas that was a surprise that I dealt with and so I don't want to surprise that. Me and Rowdy were distant for such a long time this year because of her work, my work because of Visa things and issues and challenges and everything else like we literally couldn't see each other for nearly six months this year.
And that was a big surprise. We didn't plan for that, we didn't know that was gonna happen. We didn't have the foresight or the communication to know how to deal with that. And so, the way I dealt with that was really interesting that I realized especially when it comes to relationships, surprise, there are realized for every month, or every day, or every week that you're apart, it takes that same amount of time to recreate that intimacy. So as much as we hope that phones and messages,
Zooms and facetimes can keep that. It can keep the communication. It could keep the connection, obviously there's love, but the intimacy has to be reinvested, it has to be rebuilt. Imagine if you did not tend to a garden for six months, it would be messy or would be wild, and then you have to reinvest. And so, of course, Rowdy and I have been together. Now, for nearly 10 years, married for six and it was just so beautiful too.
Fall in love again and again like to go through that process of reconnecting, deepening, our intimacy rediscovering each other. And to me that was a surprise that I dealt with this year and I'm sharing mine with you because I want to be vulnerable with you. You I feel like you know me you listen to me your you know I'm in your head and you're in my heart and life and I feel like I can open up here even though it's just me and a microphone. It isn't it's me. And you and your dog and on a walk it's me. You and your partner it's me. And you in a car it's me. And you at the gym where
Wherever you are right now. I want to be open with you because I want you to be vulnerable with yourself.
The third question that I want you to answer is something you bought this year. A tangible thing that you bought this year that you love and investment. That was amazing like a really good investment of money. Something you bought this year in your like I am so happy that I put money into that. Right? For me it's probably I'm going to probably use Tech. It's probably my iMac and my iPad. They've been great Investments. I travel a lot to my eye.
IPads amazing when I'm traveling, the IMAX great on my desk. I feel like it's made my time at my desk, more productive, it's made it more fulfilling. I was tired of staring at a tiny screen all day, and I feel like having that bigger screen is really helpful, I felt when I was traveling that I wasn't really as productive, I wasn't being able to entertain myself while I was moving around and traveling. So I just want you to know that you bought something this year. It could have been a course. It could have been a program, it could have been a certification. It could have been a
Work out. It could have been a therapy session, right? What did you buy this year? It could even be a coat, right? You love this coat that you bore. You love this t-shirt that you bought this vacation that you bought. What did you spend money on? They really proud of yourself for that. You really happy with yourself because I think often we spend money and we get really hard on ourselves when it feels like it was wasting money. But when we actually invest money or it grows, or it compounds, we don't always feel that way, right? It's interesting how hard we can.
Beyond ourselves. Oh, I should have bought that. I wish you didn't waste money on that. Oh, that's been a waste of time and what's something you bought this year? That you think that was great. Another investment I made this year and I hope you've been appreciating. If you've been watching the guest episodes on YouTube was my studio. I invested a lot into building this beautiful Studio space in my home that you can see on our YouTube channel with all the guests that we've interviewed. That was something. I was really proud that we invested in because I really want you to
Amazing viewing experience. I want my guests to have an amazing intimate conversation experience. So let's celebrate our expenditures to. I think spending money is something we're always. So harsh on ourselves for what something you bought that really truly made a difference this year and really feels like it was it was the right thing to do. Question number four what's the best book or podcast? You listen to this year. What was that episode? What was that Paige? What was that?
Book, I think for me definitely was dr. Gamble my taste. The myth of normal was definitely my favorite book of the that I read and I think my favorite podcast interview is a really really tough one. But I would definitely say that the Kendall Jenner episode was was really special. I saw the love and support that came through with that episode and how powerful it was. Great conversation having dr. Daniel. Amen. On the podcast is always a huge.
Tree. That was a real real awesome episode. As always, and Sean Stephenson on the podcast, was an incredible conversation about health and well-being. So in diet and gut, I think we've had so many awesome, the Tony Robbins episode this year was a, it was a phenomenal episode. I can't believe it was this year, it feels so long ago and I just want you to reflect on what's the best book. What was that best podcast? Share it with a friend, pass it on.
Right, there's someone in the world who needs to listen to that, read that he had, that share it with them, pass it on to them and it will re convince you, rededicate you to your personal growth Journey. Now, five, this is an interesting question. And the question is, what are your blind spots for next year? Right. What are you blind spots for next year? What is something that you're unaware of that you could become more aware of? I think, you know, my
blind spots going on tour. Never been on tour before. So I'm excited for that experience. You know, my blind spot is we going into a recession and you don't know how that's going to impact things. And so I want to be there for all of you and I hope that you'll take solace. I'm being confident that I'm going to be providing guidance and steer on this show to help you deal with the challenges that come next year. And so, knowing your blind spots, actually, helps you prepare rather than avoiding them. Hoping you don't have to see them hoping that you don't have to deal with them will actually
Take care of them, which which doesn't it makes us weaker. It doesn't make us feel as powerful as we think it would. So, knowing your blind spots can make a huge, huge difference. Number six, what made me happiest this year? I think, what made me happy is this year? Were there surprises? Got to officiate incredible wedding. I got to visit the gorillas and track with them in Rwanda, got to reconnect deeply with Rowdy.
I got to finish writing my book. I mean, there are so many things that make me happy. I have the best team. I absolutely love my team. I have this amazing group of really talented capable individuals who are so collaborative and so powerful and so proud of them. And it's really special to just take a moment to. So, what made me happiest this year and I promise you that you have had happy moments, you have had Beautiful Moments, even if you feel that you haven't the
Good at remembering the tough times and the difficult times and good at forgetting, the, the Beauty and the joy. And when we actively seek out those moments and celebrate them and relive them. In our mind, they become etched. They become imprinted on our hearts and they become stronger and more powerful as points of inspiration in our life. I think that the happiest moments of the ones that keep
you going. I had this incredible experience over the last 24 hours. I was at an event and loads of people came up to me and talked to me about how, calm and my daily meditations, or on purpose has changed their life and it wasn't just a statement. It was people who had lost family members in dealing with grief. It was people who'd, lost friends, who'd committed suicide. It was people who had been through some of the most difficult things in the world. Family members going through cancer or themselves. Like, I was,
Was I said this to them, I said that you feel me like you're saying that my work inspires you, but actually, if I'm completely honest, your story inspires me to keep going and keep giving your story. You listening. Right now, your story inspires me to keep going and keep giving your story needs to be shared. Your voice needs to be, heard your share that message, because it will help someone else. The seventh question that I want you to reflect on
For 2022 is a person you couldn't have got through this year. Without who's that person? Who is that person that you're so grateful to have had in your life this year that without them? It would have been the same and guess what? You know what probably that person doesn't even know it because they just love you and they would never even remind you of that. They won't even say that to you. Who is that for you?
Who is that for you?
That you know in your life made such a huge difference. I'd have to say it was definitely, my monk teacher came and lived with us a couple of times this year.
It was really beautiful for me and Rowdy to have that opportunity definitely spending time with my good friend Sean we had the best Reflections and really amazing conversations. This year was a special year for both of us.
I think that another person that could have got through without of course, Riley. I mean, you know, Rod is like my heartbeat, you know, she's so important to me in so many ways, so tolerant, so understanding so patient, but so deeply knows. Me and knows my heart and we put on a beautiful meditation experience together this year, for our friends and that was one of my best memories of this year. Another
That I couldn't have got through without this year. Was my best man. My best friend. If the last 17 years he's back in London but we somehow find time to talk every single week stay connected. I mean I could go on and on and on but it's really special to sit there and Go. Whoo, there's people that love me so deeply that they love me so deeply.
That they dissolve. I'm just so used to being loved by them that I don't even remember or notice it often.
I hope these questions really help you. I hope they help you.
Reflect on the year behind. It's easy to be. Like, what was the worst thing was the best thing?
And that doesn't necessarily give us excitement. Hope energy, momentum. These questions are designed. When you ask yourself, what's a challenge, you overcame this year, you get strength to overcome future challenges, there will be challenges in 2023 but you'll be prepared with the lessons from 2022. When you ask yourself a question of, what's the surprise I dealt with? You'll be better at dealing with surprises next year. You can't plan for everything and you can't worry about everything either, right? You can't have a plan for everything and you can't
Worried about everything. The third question, something you bought this year that you love that will remind you to invest your money wisely, right? You can try and sell as many habits as you want to spend your money wisely, to do the right thing. I promise, you just that question will say, oh that's what I should spend more money on. That's what I should focus on because that actually made me happy. The fourth question, what's the best book or podcast? You read? That's going to inspire you to recommit, to your personal growth Journey.
Knowing your blind spots is a great reflection question because it gives you awareness gives you greater perspective. You get this bird's eye view if you imagine life is like walking through a maze. If you ever been amazed you're lost, you're trying to go and every corner looks the same in every turn, looks the same. Imagine if you had a friend or imagine if you could climb a tower and stand on top of that Tower and look down, you get a bird's-eye view. That's what happens when you ask yourself. What are you blind spots?
The sixth question. When you ask yourself what made you happiest this year, that reminds you to keep repeating those things and keep prioritizing those things because we know those distractions always creep in.
When you ask yourself what's a person, you can have gone through this year without you're going to call them straight. After this, in a mess is them straight after this you know share this episode with them because it made you think of them and you're going to tell them how much they mean to you and how much you love them. I'm so grateful that you are here. I'm so grateful that you shared this podcast. I'm so grateful that so many of you are coming to see me on tour. Jay Shetty, tor.com, if you don't have the tickets already come and see me live and traveling all over the world honestly, just because I want to hold your
And so, when I look into your eyes, I want to give you a big hug. I can't wait to see you. I hope you have an amazing holiday season. Thank you for joining me today, and I'll be back again next week with another special episode. Of course, if you're new to the podcast, you've got loads to listen, to make sure you go back and listen to some of my highlights this year. We've got Selena Gomez. Dr. Gabor maté, Alex Cooper, Tony Robbins. Trevor Noah, Meghan Trainor. Great episode Lily. Reinhart, Vanessa Hudgens, Andrew hubermann, dr.
Any Layman I think I said that already. Yeah, amazing list of guests this year. So many more Big Sean amazing. Amazing episode. Make sure you go back and I've in thank you so much. I love you and I
appreciate it.
