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the monk who sold his Ferrari by robin sharma book review The Monk Who Sold his Ferrari by Robin Sharma [Book summary]
The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari by Robin Sharma book review

 “Never regret your past. Rather, embrace it as the teacher that it is.” ― Robin S. Sharma.

About the Author

 

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Robin Sharma is one of the world’s top leadership coaches and a bestselling author, known for his powerful and inspiring talks. At 25, he started out as a litigation lawyer but soon took a different path, self-publishing his first book, MegaLiving (1994), which focused on mastering the mind, body, and character. But it was his second book, The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari, that really put him on the map. He went on to write other bestsellers like The Leader Who Had No Title and The 5 AM Club: Own Your Morning, Elevate Your Life, inspiring millions to take control of their lives to become better leaders.

The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari tells the story of Julian Mantle, a successful lawyer who had it all—money, a red Ferrari, and a prestigious career—but deep down, he was unhappy.

Then one day, a serious heart attack forced him to rethink his life.

Determined to find true happiness, Mantle set off on a journey to the Himalayas, where he learned the secrets of living with peace, purpose, and fulfillment.

When he returned, he shared seven powerful virtues with his friend—lessons that can help anyone create a more meaningful and balanced life.

Here are the seven principles that transformed Julian Mantle’s life:

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image from Goodreads.

#1. Master your mind, 2) Follow your purpose, 3) Practice Kaizen, 4) Live with discipline, 5) Respect your time, 6) Selflessly serve others, 7) Live in the present moment.

The First Principle is to MASTER THE MIND

If you want to live fully, you’ve got to protect your mind like a security guard at an exclusive club—only letting in the best, most positive thoughts.

If something doesn’t serve you, don’t give it space.

Simply Let it go.

One of the most powerful ways to do this is through daily practices like meditation, gratitude, and building good habits. Over time, these habits can reshape the way your brain works, rewiring your thought patterns to help you become a better, happier version of yourself.

Robin Sharma calls this the Heart of the Rose.

And so the moment you catch yourself thinking negatively, flip the script. Replace the bad with something good. The more you do this, the more natural it becomes, until positivity becomes your default setting.

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. –The Monk Who Sold his Ferrari.

The Three Main Key Lessons I learned in a nutshell:

  1. If you cultivate your mind, it will blossom beyond your expectations.
  2. The quality of your thoughts determines the quality of your life. So, care for your thoughts as you would your most prized possessions.
  3. There are no mistakes — only lessons. See setbacks as opportunities for personal expansion and spiritual growth.

The Second Principle is to FOLLOW YOUR PASSION.

The only real reason to do something is because you want to and because it feels right for you. Simple as that! If you’re trying to follow your passion, the key is to experiment with a bunch of different ideas. You won’t know what clicks until you try a few things, so just keep exploring until something sticks.

The Secret of happiness is simple: find out what you genuinely 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. –The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari.

Here are Four Key Takeaways You Need to Know:

  1. The purpose of life is to live with purpose.
    As Robin Sharma puts it, true fulfillment comes when you discover your lifework—the work that lights you up and gives you meaning.

  2. Set clear, defined goals.
    Whether it’s personal, professional, or spiritual, define your goals clearly and then have the courage to act on them. It’s not enough to just dream; you’ve got to take action.

  3. Look within for strength.
    As Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “What lies behind us, and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” Your inner strength and potential are more important than anything in the past or future.

  4. Experiment and find your path.
    It’s all about trial and error. Find what resonates with you and keep adjusting until you find what truly works for you.

The Third Principle is SELF-LEADERSHIP: PRACTICING KAIZEN

“Many centuries ago,” says Sharma, wise teachers in the East developed a philosophy called Kaizen, which means “constant and never-ending improvement.”

The idea behind Kaizen is simple: to achieve the things you want in life, you first need to empty your cup. This means clearing your mind of old beliefs and habits that no longer serve you, so you can make room for new knowledge and growth.

To truly live by this, you have to become a lifelong learner.

Keep your mind open, stay curious, and be willing to embrace new ideas and concepts that can help you grow, because the journey of improvement is a never-ending process. 

In a Nutshell:

  • Through the consistent cultivation of your mind, body, and soul, enlightenment will emerge.
  • Success on the outside is a byproduct of success on the inside,–It always begins within.

The Fourth Principle is to LIVE WITH DISCIPLINE

The more you practice self-discipline, the easier it becomes to follow through on the tasks that matter most.

Canadian psychologist, professor, and author, Jordan B. Peterson captures this perfectly in his bestselling book, 12 Rules for Life, where he reminds us that it’s better to compare yourself to who you were yesterday, rather than comparing yourself to someone else today.

When life gets tough, it’s your self-discipline that will provide the mental strength and resilience you need to push through.

Here are three key takeaways to remember:

  1. Discipline is built through small, consistent acts of courage.
    Every little step you take adds up to big changes over time.

  2. The more you nurture self-discipline, the stronger it becomes.
    Like any skill, it matures with practice, making it easier to stay on track.

  3. Never try to be like others. Instead, aim to be better than your former self.
    Your journey is unique. Focus on your own growth, not on competing with others.

The Fifth Principle is to RESPECT YOUR TIME

“Time slips through our hands like grains of sand, never to return,” writes Robin Sharma. Those who learn to use time wisely from an early age are often rewarded with rich, productive, and fulfilling lives.

The Takeaway:

  1. Time is the most precious commodity because it’s non-renewable. Once it’s gone, you can’t get it back.

  2. Focus on your priorities and work to maintain a healthy balance between work and personal life.

  3. Time mastery leads to life mastery. When you manage your time well, you gain more control over your life and your future.

  4. And last but not least, dare to say no. Saying no to distractions or things that don’t align with your goals frees up time for what truly matters.

 

The Sixth Principle is to SERVE OTHERS SELFLESSLY

No matter what you achieve in life, the true measure of your success comes down to the quality of your contributions. Therefore you want to practice daily acts of kindness, give freely to those who ask, and focus on building meaningful, prosperous relationships.

When you contribute to others’ well-being, you enrich your own life in ways that achievements alone can’t.

The noblest thing you can do is to give to others. Start focusing on your higher purpose. –The Monk who Sold his Ferrari.

The Three Key Lessons:

  • The quality of your life ultimately comes down to your contribution.
  • To cultivate the sacredness of each day, — live to give.
  • By elevating the lives of others, your life reaches its highest dimensions.

The Seventh Principle is to LIVE IN THE PRESENT MOMENT

What you need to remember from this Lesson:

  • Live in the “now.”
  • Never sacrifice happiness for achievement.
  • Live your children’s childhood. In other words, be there for them.
  • Practice daily gratitude and grow to your destiny.
The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari by Robin Sharma
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