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Time of India
11-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Most successful people share these 2 simple traits, and you can learn them too: Bestselling author reveals
When it comes to understanding the habits of high achievers, few have gone as deep as bestselling author and entrepreneur Tim Ferriss . After spending more than a decade interviewing some of the most successful people in the world, Ferriss has identified two habits that consistently stand out. They may sound simple, but they hold the power to transform lives. According to Ferriss, the traits most successful people share are regular meditation and the ability to say 'no.' According to Ferriss' conversation with CNBC Make It , these two habits are not just popular, they are also powerful. Ferriss, who rose to fame with his bestselling book The 4-Hour Workweek , has interviewed hundreds of top performers on his podcast The Tim Ferriss Show . From elite investors and Silicon Valley founders to world-class athletes and mental health experts, many of them attribute their sustained success to these core practices. Meditation: The unseen mental workout Ferriss estimates that over 70 percent of the successful individuals he has spoken to follow a meditation practice of some kind. This doesn't always mean sitting cross-legged in silence. It can include a wide range of calming and reflective activities that sharpen the mind and restore focus. For Ferriss himself, the preferred method is Transcendental Meditation, a technique that involves silently repeating a mantra for 20 minutes twice a day. This practice has attracted an impressive list of followers, including Oprah Winfrey, Jack Dorsey, Lady Gaga, and hedge fund billionaire Ray Dalio. Even Bill Gates, who once dismissed meditation as mystical nonsense, eventually adopted it in his 60s. He now practices it for about 10 minutes a few times a week and credits it for improving his ability to concentrate. For those who find traditional meditation difficult, Ferriss suggests rhythmic activities like running or swimming. These forms of movement can serve as a gateway to mindfulness, offering many of the same cognitive benefits by helping the mind settle and stay present. You Might Also Like: How to build a successful brand? Mamaearth's Ghazal Alagh shares the secret. 'Have an enemy' iStock Ferriss estimates that over 70 percent of the successful individuals he has spoken to follow a meditation practice of some kind. (Representational image: iStock) The discipline of saying 'no' While meditation strengthens the internal ability to focus, the second trait helps manage the external world. Ferriss points out that most high achievers are skilled at saying 'no.' In a world full of distractions, this ability can make or break a person's ability to stay on track. He cites Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, who believed that innovation often comes from knowing what to eliminate. Jobs famously said, 'Focusing is about saying no.' Ferriss agrees, explaining that successful people protect their time fiercely and make deliberate choices about what gets their attention. Warren Buffett echoes this sentiment. In the book Atomic Habits , Buffett is quoted saying, 'The difference between successful people and really successful people is that really successful people say no to almost everything.' iStock In a world full of distractions, the ability to say 'no' can make or break a person's ability to stay on track. (Representational Image: iStock) How you can apply these habits The good news is that both of these traits are not exclusive to celebrities or billionaires. They are skills anyone can build with time and practice. Ferriss emphasizes that setting boundaries does not have to be harsh. Simple phrases like 'Can I get back to you tomorrow?' or even a polite 'No, thank you' can help maintain focus without causing friction. You Might Also Like: Fancy degrees, qualifications don't matter. Shark Tank's Anupam Mittal says you need just 2 skills to be a successful entrepreneur In a time where constant connectivity and competing priorities dominate our lives, these two habits offer a roadmap to clarity and calm. They may seem basic, but they are often the difference between busy and truly productive. So whether you are climbing the corporate ladder or building something of your own, learning to sit in stillness and stand firm in your boundaries could be your key to success.
Economic Times
11-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- Economic Times
Most successful people share these 2 simple traits, and you can learn them too: Bestselling author reveals
After years of interviewing elite achievers, Tim Ferriss identifies meditation and the art of saying 'no' as key habits behind sustained success. From Bill Gates to Oprah Winfrey, many influential figures use these tools to sharpen focus and protect their time. Ferriss encourages everyone to adopt these learnable habits for greater clarity, productivity, and peace of mind. Tim Ferriss, bestselling author and podcast host, reveals two powerful traits shared by the world's most successful people: regular meditation and the ability to say 'no.' (Representational image: iStock) Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Meditation: The unseen mental workout Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Ferriss estimates that over 70 percent of the successful individuals he has spoken to follow a meditation practice of some kind. (Representational image: iStock) The discipline of saying 'no' In a world full of distractions, the ability to say 'no' can make or break a person's ability to stay on track. (Representational Image: iStock) How you can apply these habits When it comes to understanding the habits of high achievers, few have gone as deep as bestselling author and entrepreneur Tim Ferriss . After spending more than a decade interviewing some of the most successful people in the world, Ferriss has identified two habits that consistently stand out. They may sound simple, but they hold the power to transform lives. According to Ferriss, the traits most successful people share are regular meditation and the ability to say 'no.'According to Ferriss' conversation with CNBC Make It, these two habits are not just popular, they are also powerful. Ferriss, who rose to fame with his bestselling book The 4-Hour Workweek, has interviewed hundreds of top performers on his podcast The Tim Ferriss Show. From elite investors and Silicon Valley founders to world-class athletes and mental health experts, many of them attribute their sustained success to these core estimates that over 70 percent of the successful individuals he has spoken to follow a meditation practice of some kind. This doesn't always mean sitting cross-legged in silence. It can include a wide range of calming and reflective activities that sharpen the mind and restore Ferriss himself, the preferred method is Transcendental Meditation, a technique that involves silently repeating a mantra for 20 minutes twice a day. This practice has attracted an impressive list of followers, including Oprah Winfrey, Jack Dorsey, Lady Gaga, and hedge fund billionaire Ray Dalio. Even Bill Gates, who once dismissed meditation as mystical nonsense, eventually adopted it in his 60s. He now practices it for about 10 minutes a few times a week and credits it for improving his ability to those who find traditional meditation difficult, Ferriss suggests rhythmic activities like running or swimming. These forms of movement can serve as a gateway to mindfulness, offering many of the same cognitive benefits by helping the mind settle and stay meditation strengthens the internal ability to focus, the second trait helps manage the external world. Ferriss points out that most high achievers are skilled at saying 'no.' In a world full of distractions, this ability can make or break a person's ability to stay on cites Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, who believed that innovation often comes from knowing what to eliminate. Jobs famously said, 'Focusing is about saying no.' Ferriss agrees, explaining that successful people protect their time fiercely and make deliberate choices about what gets their Buffett echoes this sentiment. In the book Atomic Habits, Buffett is quoted saying, 'The difference between successful people and really successful people is that really successful people say no to almost everything.'The good news is that both of these traits are not exclusive to celebrities or billionaires. They are skills anyone can build with time and practice. Ferriss emphasizes that setting boundaries does not have to be harsh. Simple phrases like 'Can I get back to you tomorrow?' or even a polite 'No, thank you' can help maintain focus without causing a time where constant connectivity and competing priorities dominate our lives, these two habits offer a roadmap to clarity and calm. They may seem basic, but they are often the difference between busy and truly whether you are climbing the corporate ladder or building something of your own, learning to sit in stillness and stand firm in your boundaries could be your key to success.
Time Business News
02-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- Time Business News
Design Your Ideal Life: A Practical Guide to Lifestyle Design
Ever get the impression you are living life on autopilot? Wake, work, sleep, repeat. You are not alone—and you are not stuck either. Welcome to the dynamic idea that puts you back in the driver's seat of your life—lifestyle design. Building a lifestyle involves more than just clothes. It's a framework for designing a life free from your values, interests, and aspirations. We will guide you through the practical actions needed to design your ideal life—that which is deliberate, satisfying, and entirely yours. Tim Ferriss and his bestselling book The 4-Hour Workweek helped the concept of lifestyle design become popular. Ferriss questioned the conventional 9–5 grind and presented a new picture of life—one guarded based on freedom, flexibility, and fulfillment. Still, lifestyle design is more than merely working less. It's about producing more—more significance, more time, more pleasure. At its core, lifestyle designing is finding means to match your everyday activities with your most basic values. It's not only about reaching objectives; it's about building a life that feels proper. Unlike conventional goal-setting which centers just on results, lifestyle design emphasizes your entire life—your health, relationships, finances, passions, and purpose. What energizes you? What drains you? What would you do if money were not a consideration? Close your eyes and envision your ideal day from morning to night. Where are you? What are you doing? Who are you with? This vision becomes your blueprint. Common barriers include: Fear of failure Lack of clarity Comfort zonesAcknowledge them—and be ready to overcome them. Break your vision into measurable goals: Want to travel more? This year, I aim to save $5,000. Want more freedom? Start a side hustle. Divide them into daily, weekly, and monthly chores. Use whatever works for you: Notion, Trello, pen and paper, whatever works for you. Choosing a lifestyle design is not a one-time choice. It's a cycle. Try something. Change it if it fails. You can change your mind. It's about alternatives, not just about wealth. The riddle consists in passive income, investing, and budgeting. Why stay stuck in one place if you don't want to? Many lifestyle designers become digital nomads or move to cities that better match their values. A well-designed life includes mental, physical, and emotional health. Schedule time for sleep, movement, and mindfulness. Who you surround yourself with matters. Design a social life that nourishes you, not drains you. Vision Boards: Great for visual thinkers. Choose old-fashioned with scissors and glue or utilize Pinterest. Great for visual thinkers. Choose old-fashioned with scissors and glue or utilize Pinterest. Journals: Consider your emotions, ideas, and progress. Consider your emotions, ideas, and progress. Habit Trackers: Daily action monitoring helps you to make sure your objectives match those of goals. It's scary to let go of stability. But change is the doorway to growth. Others may not get your path—and that's fine. You are not here to live another person's life. Start small. Progress is better than perfection. Emma, the Remote Marketer: Left her corporate job, moved to Bali, and now works 4 hours a day from her laptop. Left her corporate job, moved to Bali, and now works 4 hours a day from her laptop. Carlos, the Minimalist Entrepreneur: Downsized, reduced expenses, and built a six-figure business with zero debt. Downsized, reduced expenses, and built a six-figure business with zero debt. Jenna and Mark, the Traveling Couple: Built a blog and traveled full-time while homeschooling their kids. Hustle culture glorifies working non-stop. Lifestyle design says: Work smarter, not harder Prioritize rest and joy Live intentionally, not reactively Build Daily Habits: Tiny actions lead to big results over time. Tiny actions lead to big results over time. Use Accountability Systems: Tell a friend. Hire a coach. Join a community. Tell a friend. Hire a coach. Join a community. Celebrate Small Wins: Progress is progress. Give yourself credit! The first step in designing your perfect life is a choice: to stop settling and start shaping. You lack the need for authorization. You just need a strategy, some bravery, and a readiness to experiment. You may create whatever you want—more freedom, joy, time, impact—lifestyle design gives you the means to do it. Starting today. Your ideal life is waiting for you to construct it. 1. Beginning lifestyle design with what step? 2. Is lifestyle design only for entrepreneurs? No! Anyone—student, parent, freelancer, or 9-to-5 worker—can plan their life. 3. Can I do lifestyle design while working a full-time job? Absolutely. Start small—adjust your schedule, side hustle, or priorities gradually. 4. How long does it take to design your ideal life? There is no set timetable. It is an ongoing trip of education, adaptation, and development. 5. What should I do if my perfect life evolves over time? TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Indian Express
22-05-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Are Gen Z and millennials sold on the micro-retirement trend at work?
Long sabbaticals are becoming passé. Today's Gen Z – and some millennials – are warming up to the idea of micro-retirement: short, intentional career breaks to focus on personal goals and desires, mental well-being, or simply to catch a breath. Unlike earlier generations, who postponed such pursuits to post-retirement years, younger professionals are choosing to hit pause — now. According to Forbes, micro-retirement is 'reshaping workplace norms.' So, what motivates Gen Z (born 1997–2012) and millennials (1981–1996) to this trend? Sejal Ved, a 2021 IIM Rohtak graduate, took a three-and-a-half-month break after 20 months in the corporate sector — to travel. 'I did a 10-day meditation course at a Buddhist centre in Dharamkot, McLeod Ganj, visited some places I'd been to before, met friends and then explored the Northeast, including Meghalaya, which had long been on my list,' said Ved, 28. She returned to work for eight months, but took another seven-month break during which she spent three weeks in Kashmir and explored PhD options. She is currently back in a corporate role and has been working there for 10 months. Rishabh Chauhan, 27, a Delhi-based public relations professional, is planning a break – after being in the job for five years – to work with a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) involved in cleanliness drives in the Himalayas. 'I was always looking for opportunities to give back to the planet,' he said, calling it an 'experiment' in his life. First popularised in 2007 by Timothy Ferriss in his book The 4-Hour Workweek, the term has recently resurfaced on social media, with many taking extended periods off to travel, pursue hobbies, or simply avoid work stress. While the term may sound like a Gen-Z innovation, millennials are embracing it too, as they increasingly prioritise work-life balance. Kamal Tanwani, 35, a data analyst from Bengaluru, took a six-month break after a 'crazy' three-year project that left him burnt out. 'I'd usually take breaks quarterly, but this project was all-consuming. I needed a longer pause. It's been amazing so far. I've travelled to Mauritius, Malaysia, Japan, and the Philippines, learned to swim, and went scuba diving with whale sharks. While I miss having a routine, this break has shown me what retirement could feel like,' Tanwani told Shraddha Subramanian, certified business coach and founder of Sparkling Soul, said people are becoming more aware of their physical and mental well-being, and micro-retirements are a natural outcome of that shift. According to Subramanian, the benefits include the following: Focus on well-being: The time off helps prevent burnout and brings clarity. And the intent ensures the break is meaningful. Skill development:Breaks offer time, space, and freedom to learn new skills, revisit old interests, or take up new hobbies. Fulfilment and contribution: Micro retirement can also enable contributing to social projects and earning fulfilment. Self-discovery: 'Always being in action is not a sign of healthy, happy living. Taking conscious breaks and trying new things can help you identify your true calling or purpose,' said Subramanian. According to Shraddha Reghe, vice president, People Practices, Seclore, the shift is towards a more intentional, balanced, and impact‑oriented way of working. 'Gen Z advocates for flexible schedules, hybrid models, and structured support for mental health. It isn't about carving out lengthy breaks, but they are focused on making a difference and have a purpose-driven approach,' said Reghe. Reghe said that organisations that respond with agile career frameworks, regular 'innovation sprints,' and transparent feedback loops find that these professionals thrive and stay longer. 'Benefits like unlimited paid leaves offer a flexible way to rejuvenate without fully stepping away. In innovation‑led workplaces, these breaks are seen as tools for creativity, not as exit ramps,' said Reghe. Aryan Surana, 26, a journalist from Madhya Pradesh's Barwaha, said that he 'won't opt for micro-retirement because in a fast-moving world, a sabbatical of a year or two can peg you back so significantly that it might become very hard to catch up later on. If you go cold turkey, your skills corrode, so many opportunities pass by, and others climb up the ladder in your absence.' Recently, Aryan found himself in a 'life scenario' –– his home was being renovated, work wasn't fulfilling, and he wasn't in a good mental space. 'Instead of quitting, I scaled back my goals temporarily but stayed in the game. When things stabilised, I was ready to bounce back,' he said. Surana believes breaks make more sense after you've established yourself professionally. 'When you're still finding your place in the industry, taking time off can hurt more than help.' Subramanian listed a few drawbacks to consider: Lack of connection and continuity: Frequent breaks can cause disconnection from work and reduce consistency. This may lead to a feeling of being out of place. Career stagnation: For entrepreneurs or those in competitive sectors, regular breaks may slow progress. Financial stability at stake: Taking frequent breaks also requires you to fund yourselves. If finances are not planned well, it may cause more challenges and burnout in the later years of life. Micro-retirement isn't for everyone, and that is okay. It's a personal decision that depends on one's goals, financial situation, and stage in life. For some, it's a path to clarity and growth. For others, it's a risk best avoided. Jayashree Narayanan writes on fitness, health, food, culture and everything lifestyle. She is an alumnus of AJKMCRC, Jamia Millia Islamia and Kamala Nehru College, University of Delhi ... Read More
Tatler Asia
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Tatler Asia
From ‘Let Them' to ‘The Rules', 6 self-help books and concepts that didn't hold up
2. 'The Rules' by Ellen Fein and Sherrie Schneider Above 'The Rules' was criticised for framing having healthy boundaries as needy behaviour. This '90s dating manual told women to play hard to get, never call first and hide interest at all costs—a blueprint for emotional inauthenticity. Though it was wildly popular when released, The Rules has since been widely rejected for promoting manipulation and gender stereotypes. Relationship experts now consider it outdated, if not harmful, particularly in a time when emotional intelligence and clear communication are considered essential. 3. 'The 5-Second Rule' by Mel Robbins Above In 'The 5-Second Rule', author Mel Robbins writes about the secret to one's life. Another entry from Robbins, this concept urges people to count backward from five and act before hesitation takes over. While effective as a short-term motivational nudge, psychologists have questioned its scientific legitimacy, noting the lack of peer-reviewed evidence to support long-term behavioural change. For all its virality, the rule is more of a life hack than a life strategy—hardly the transformative framework it's often marketed as in self-help books and seminars. 4. 'Girl, Wash Your Face' by Rachel Hollis Above Critics of 'Girl, Wash Your Face' claim that it offers tone-def and privileged advice. Rachel Hollis' empowering tone—focused on radical self-accountability—initially resonated with millions. But critics pointed out how it glossed over structural inequality, promoting hustle culture without nuance. Her downfall wasn't just philosophical. Hollis ignited public backlash after comparing herself to social activist Harriet Tubman (who escaped slavery and saved friends and family from the same fate) while defending her use of housekeepers, then doubled down in a tone-deaf apology. Her brand of self-help was exposed not just as problematic, but also woefully unaware of its own privilege. 5. 'The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck' by Mark Manson Above 'The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck' has sold over 20 million copies, but critics say its simplistic and misogynistic. With its brash title and anti-positivity stance, Manson's book offered a welcome break from sugar-coated affirmations. But some mental health professionals say it swings too far into emotional detachment, encouraging people to disengage rather than process. In trying to help readers prioritise what truly matters, it risks promoting a flattened emotional spectrum—one that can diminish empathy and discourage vulnerability. It's also laced with profanity, which puts off a lot of readers. 6. 'The 4-Hour Workweek' by Tim Ferriss Above 'The 4-Hour Workweek' has been heavily criticised for promoting modern exploitation. Once seen as the ultimate entrepreneurial guide, The 4-Hour Workweek is now viewed by some as tone-deaf and ethically fraught. Ferriss' philosophy hinges on outsourcing life's grunt work—often to underpaid virtual assistants in the Global South—so the wealthy can 'escape the rat race'. Critics argue this amounts to a tech-age fantasy built on modern exploitation, privileging freedom for the few at the expense of the many. The book's promises also feel increasingly out of step in a post-pandemic world where work and life have blurred beyond Ferriss' tidy formula.
