How to live a successful life - 01

Everyone wants to have a successful life, a life of purpose.

The biggest obstacle which comes in achieving this goal is a lack of direction. The thing is, we know where we want to go, but we don't know how to get there. Real life doesn't have a Google Maps.

What real life does have, are mentors. Remember how your mother taught you words by repeating them over and over, she was your first mentor. How your father taught you discipline and social rules, he was your second mentor.

No-one will deny the importance of a good mentor. When I was young I asked my dad, "Dad, teach me how to be good at everything." and he said, "Son, I cannot teach you that. I don't understand the modern life, but in life you will find different people, who will guide you if you let them..." and I was like, duh! here goes my shortcut to success. But as I grew up I realized the importance of mentors.

There's a 4x25 rule I follow. What it essentially is , the close company you keep, 25% of people should be those who are few steps behind you in life, the young ones, the learners. You become their mentors, so when they do well in life you can feel good about yourself that you had some hand in their development. The second 25% should be people who are nearly on same level as you. They become your peers and your friends. The next 25%, are people who at least 2 years ahead than you, these become your rivals, your competitors. The last 25% should be people at least 15-20 years ahead than you. These become your mentors. If you want to have a million dollar company, find someone who has a 10 million dollar company. They've been there where you are now and they are almost there where you want to be. Everyone had mentors, Gandhi had mentor, Warren Buffet has Benjamin Graham, *example of people and mentors*.

Imagine if you are doing a startup and Steve Jobs was your guiding partner, or you are searching for life's answers, happiness within and Dalai Lama was there revealing you teachings of Buddhism, or if you went to Gym and Arnold Schwazzneggar was there giving you pointers on how he shaped his body to the limit of human perfection. Learn from them. Not just people living, but also learn from people who've been gone for years- Shakespeare, Einstien, Picasso, Anne Frank.

How?

Books.

Books are great for they are essence of all human knowledge. There are more than 130 million books, you obviously cannot read all of them, but chose 130 from them from your interests. Finish a book each week. Set your own pace. You don't have to read them cover to cover too. Read the Index and chose a chapter that catches your eyes. Find that nugget of wisdom and apply it to your life. Let the best of the best's experience guide you. Be successful fast. Steve Jobs once said, "I don't want to be the most richest man in the graveyard."

Be good, be humble...

Be Awesome!