Like Matthew McConaughey's "Greenlights," where he distilled decades of journal entries into profound life lessons, I've maintained a daily learning journal for five years. Each day, I write down one thing I learned (in addition to four other domains I journal) - from the profound to the practical. My sources have been books, articles, podcasts, life experiences and what people in my life gave as feedback (direct and indirect). This practice has transformed how I see the world and process my experiences.
Here are the most impactful lessons from my journal from this year, organised into key life areas:
On Personal Growth and Self-Awareness:
"Happiness = Reality - Expectations" - This simple equation revolutionised my perspective on contentment
The best growth comes from never being the smartest person in the room
Confidence stems from self-awareness, not just competence
Deep thinking is like diving - it can't be rushed
Change environments and company to transform yourself
Greatness never comes in a straight line - expect oscillation
99.5% of things can be good enough - the remaining 0.5% needs excellence
Always think of problems from 360° angles
Identify the one action that moves the needle more than 100 others and one choice that moves more than a 1000 choices.
Focus on daily actions that compound over time
Having armor drops creativity, but vulnerability increases it. Create that safe space where you can be vulnerable and hence highly creative.
Follow your inner compass relentlessly
Create mental space for clear thinking
Never underestimate anyone's secret self-improvement plan
Wisdom can only be truly expressed through stories
Clear mind leads to clear decisions
Change perspective when stuck. Never underestimate the power of changing the point-of-view.
Create a life worth documenting
If an idea is worth spreading → Spread it for free.
Accept that growth requires discomfort
3 doors to speaking by Socrates → Is it true? Is it good/kind? Is it necessary? (Filters).
Small daily improvements lead to remarkable changes
On Spiritual Wisdom and Philosophy:
All negative emotions live in past/future - positive emotions exist in the present
The universe has its own timing - what you need comes when ready
Peace of mind is the ultimate treasure
Desire always stems from what we lack
See all as connected - avoid unnecessary attachments
The universe seeks balance - align with it
What are you a conduit for? → What does the universe want you to do?
Work with reality as it is, not as you wish it to be
The universe is a vibration in the ocean of consciousness → Ego through senses feels that vibration.
Be kind, not just nice
Happiness is our natural state
Let time unfold naturally. It is more powerful for healing than positive thoughts.
Never battle thoughts with the same perspective
Real strength comes from experiencing deep lows
Good actions return manifold
Create a mental (thoughts) life worth sharing as a biography
Meditation prepares you for lifestyle changes
Truth is the frontrunner of all values
Self-care precedes service
Awareness is the key to transformation
Surrender to the flow of life
Find peace in acceptance
Act as if you can change the world → Do it all the time.
Sadness is the glue that holds humanity with love
On Relationships and Human Connection:
Friendships are gardens - they need constant nurturing. They are places to relax in the busy lives we all live.
The space between individuals is as vital as the connection
Long-term friendships provide immense health benefits (good scientific evidence here – Dunbar and his team)
Trust should be complete - like falling backward blindfolded
Give love without expectations
Value serendipitous connections
Safeguards/Guardrails/Buffers → Vital for every relationship; define early on!
Never assume complete transparency
Meaningful conversations should inspire and refresh
Transparency prevents relationship fragility
Children mirror what we do → Don’t contradict what you teach and what you practice.
Love is the ultimate investment
To see beauty in life → Keep the windows of the soul clean.
Good relationships feel mutually beneficial
Goodness in people shines through → Creates Aura → Think positive.
Always aim to elevate others
With or Without You (U2) talks about struggle to stay married vs pursuing music in Bono’s life. Best route out of this tension by giving yourself away
Prioritize relationships after securing basics
Care for those who demand least attention
Build diverse connections - inspiration comes from anywhere
Regular relationship resets are vital
Have non-negotiable values
Be aggressive in kindness
Time heals what thoughts cannot
Feel gratitude for connections
On Professional Growth and Excellence:
Each action to improve a process is like adding a pearl to a string
Resources/Processes/Priorities are the key elements in any business or relationship (Clayton Christensen)
A good question is like a sharp knife → Cuts through in the right manner.
Never assume people will follow advice - illustrate clearly
Never hesitate to spread good ideas → 3 dimensions(past, present, future), (Team others, myself), (Neutral, positive, negative).
Achieving simplicity in all areas should be the aim
Fill a library with books you might read → Pick the one that appeals to you at the time - Discover
Take ideas from all team members - each perspective has value
Always be proactive in supervision of critical procedures
Double-check everything - from lab results to venues
Never celebrate anything before official announcement
Financial knowledge is crucial - many are desperately in need of it
Get feedback from close circles ASAP to iterate fast
Content + presentations + editing + videos = right combo for success in sharing views/knowledge/ideas
Keep reinforcing learning and training among team members
Integrity is doing the right thing the right way
Always assess situations yourself - don't rely solely on others' judgment
Think in 360 degrees for problem-solving
Build relationships - inspiration can come from anyone
Marketing has multiple faces - choose connections wisely
Good content outweighs everything else
Crowdsource solutions before rushing to conclusions
Supervise critical procedures personally
Create value through service, not just products
On Health and Wellness:
Sleep is essential for next-day clarity - make it a priority
HRV (Heart Rate Variability) is a great indicator of health
Adhering to exercise routines is crucial - strength before endurance
Keep activating parasympathetic system throughout the day
Don't lose focus on the body's signals
Viral illness needs adequate rest - don't push too hard
Sleep consistency is vital - sleep restriction training helps insomnia
Staying off coffee and hard work = good sleep
Put effort to stay fit - it doesn't come easy
Depleted neurotransmitters (due to acute illness) can affect mood significantly
Self-care comes before service
A calm mind and healthy body need to be earned
Regular resets with meditation are necessary
Peace of mind should be treasured above all
Mental health needs regular monitoring
Being aware of excited states helps harness mind power
Physical and mental health are interconnected
Prevention is better than cure
Mindfulness can be a common thread in treatment
On Practical Life Wisdom:
Let time unfold itself - best way to accept life and avoid stress
Never battle a thought with the same perspective - change your point of view
Intelligence + Hard work without integrity is most dangerous combo
Nothing can scare you if you've experienced the real lows
Play Life like Tetris → Well-played = more options. Poor play = no options.
Do good in the world - the universe will give it back
Have indifference toward vice → No anger or sympathy, just understanding.
Whenever something untoward happens → Evaluate and do crisis management simultaneously.
Have 6 principles and internalise it → It takes a few weeks to internalize.
In matters of "Staying out of Jail" → Never compromise on values/rules → KEEP IT 100% (Not 99%).
People have lot in common with an iceberg, they have lot hidden including achievements
Be aggressive in being kind - don't expect anything
A good marriage/friendship is when both think they got a better deal
Feeling grateful/kind/compassionate ? - enjoy the feeling while it lasts
Don't network - make friends instead
Classical (analytical) vs romanticised (aesthetic) view → Try to have both views at the same time (analytical and aesthetic).
Always have non-negotiable values in relationships/business
Create a mental life worth publishing
Learn to “let go” → Powerful tool to move ahead in all aspects.
Watch thoughts like a sitcom - it's always entertaining
Many fail in life due to lack of confidence, not competence.
Trying to work towards obtaining joy and knowing love is success
Being truthful about negative emotions is better than hiding them
Karma works in mysterious ways - keep doing good
Think in abundance - the universe knows what you want
Having regular resets with family on relationships is key
Be open to feedback with a scout mindset - Try to see the Truth
Put effort into maintaining relationships
Never underestimate the universe's opportunities
Truth is the frontrunner of all values
Good cooking is recreating memories for clients using simple food and flavours.
How to Start Your Own Learning Journal:
Choose Your Format:
Digital (Notes app, journal app, or document)
Physical notebook
Voice notes
Any combination that works for you
Set a Daily Reminder:
Make it a habit to reflect each evening
Keep it simple - just one learning per day
Don't skip days - even small learnings count
Guidelines for Writing:
Be specific about what you learned
Include context when relevant
Keep it concise - one or two sentences is enough
Be honest with yourself
Remember, as Matthew McConaughey showed in "Greenlights," these daily notes can become a treasure trove of wisdom over time. They're not just records of your past but guideposts for your future.
The beauty of keeping a learning journal is that it trains your mind to stay curious and alert to life's lessons. Every day brings new insights if we're paying attention. As your journal entries show, wisdom can come from anywhere - from ancient texts to modern podcasts, from professional experiences to personal relationships.
Start today. Write down one thing you learned. Tomorrow, do it again. In a year, you'll have 365 pieces of personal wisdom. In years to follow you'll have created your own manual for living a more conscious, intentional life.
Wishing you a joyous year ahead.
Extremely well summarised!
Good
A fresh and positive beginning ✨
Wise and precise...Definitely inspiring too!
Very nice and informative