NAVEEN NIVERTHY

AUTHOR, MARKETING & SALES LEADER, LIFE STRATEGIST

Think Better and Thrive. Step by Step.

Blog

Health. Work. Love. Parenting. Spirituality.

  • Master the 80/20 Rule: How to Get More Done in Less Time

    In today’s fast-paced world, we’re all striving to be more efficient. What if you could achieve more by focusing on less? That’s the essence of the 80/20 Rule, also known as the Pareto Principle. This simple yet powerful idea suggests that 80% of results come from just 20% of efforts. By mastering this principle, you…

  • Building Physical and Mental Fitness for Meditation and Nididhyāsana

    In the world today, physical fitness is often about achieving external goals—whether it’s gaining social media followers, sporting six-pack abs, or setting new personal records in sports. However, in Vedānta or the pursuit of moksha (liberation) and jīvanmukti (freedom while living), the purpose of physical health is entirely different. The body is simply a tool,…

  • The Subtle Signs of Aging: What It Feels Like and How We Experience It

    Aging is one of life’s most natural processes, but when does it really start? And how do we experience it? Most of us don’t notice it immediately—it’s a slow, subtle shift that begins in our late 20s or 30s. Let’s take a closer look at how aging unfolds for both men and women, and what…

  • The Paradox of Effort: How Letting Go Leads to Success

    Once, there was a writer who specialized in crafting thought-provoking essays. Through hard work and creativity, she published numerous captivating pieces. But one day, inspiration evaded her. She tried exploring different topics, scoured bookshelves, and searched the internet, yet nothing resonated. As panic crept in, she feared she had succumbed to writer’s block. However, she…

  • Understanding Modern Relationship Behaviors: 13 Experiences That Challenge Trust and Connection

    Relationships can bring joy and fulfillment, but they can also test our patience and emotional resilience. In today’s world, dating and relationships come with new terms and behaviors that might feel familiar, even if you didn’t have a name for them. This is what love has become in the age of phones and social media—a…

  • The Dance of Order and Disorder: Consciousness, Evolution, and Creativity

    Have you ever thought about how life balances the chaos of randomness with the order of design? Dennis Noble, an acclaimed scientist, believes this balance is the key to understanding life, creativity, and even consciousness itself. In a recent interview, he explored how the interplay of order and disorder shapes evolution, biology, and our understanding of the…

  • The Secret to Happiness: Building Meaningful Relationships

    Arthur Brooks, a renowned social scientist, shares profound insights into what truly makes life happy and fulfilling as we age. Contrary to common assumptions, the key isn’t just about chasing passions or raising children—it’s about cultivating deep, enduring relationships. Here’s what he emphasizes: 1. The Power of a Strong Partnership At the heart of a…

  • The Secret to Happiness: A Journey Beyond Wants

    For Harvard Professor, Arthur Brooks, what does it mean to be a “professor of happiness”? It’s not about teaching people to chase fleeting feelings or superficial joys. It’s about understanding happiness as a profound, multidimensional experience. At its core, happiness is not just a feeling. It’s a combination of three essential elements: enjoyment, purpose, and satisfaction. Let’s dive…

  • The Secret to a Good Life: Lessons from the Harvard Study on Happiness

    What truly keeps us healthy and happy as we go through life? Imagine you’re investing in your future best self—where would you focus your time and energy? For many, the instinct might be to chase wealth and fame. A recent survey of Millennials found that over 80% had the goal of getting rich, and 50%…

  • Finding the Present Moment – Insights from Sam Harris

    In a profound reflection, Sam Harris sheds light on a universal paradox of human life: we often regret the things we cared about when life was “normal.” It’s not just about how we spent our time but about how our attention was bound to trivial concerns. This realization, though inevitable, rarely transforms the way we…

  • The Smart Way to Invest: A Step-by-Step Guide to Building Wealth

    Investing can feel like putting together a puzzle, but instead of colorful pieces, you’re working with your hard-earned money. The trick is knowing where to put your money first—and why. Let’s break it down into a simple, actionable plan that helps you grow your wealth wisely while minimizing taxes and fees. 1. Start with Your…

  • Life Lessons for Personal Growth: 20 Powerful Paradoxes

    1. Embrace Life’s Unfairness Life isn’t fair, and that’s a hard truth we often resist. But the sooner you accept this, the more freedom you’ll feel. Letting go of expectations of fairness frees you from unnecessary frustration and disappointment. 2. Seek True Freedom True freedom isn’t tied to money. It’s about having the power to…

  • The Four Conflicts of Life: Finding Peace in a Chaotic World

    Life isn’t just a series of events; it’s also a journey through struggles that touch the deepest parts of who we are. Swami Krishnananda explains that these struggles, or “conflicts,” happen in four main areas of life: within ourselves, with others, with nature, and with a larger universal intelligence. Let’s explore these conflicts and what…

  • 20 Biggest Paradoxes of Life That Make Us Think Twice

    Life has a funny way of throwing curveballs, and sometimes, the more we try to understand it, the more complex it seems. Paradoxes are those strange truths that reveal the contradictory, messy nature of our experiences, and they often carry powerful insights about life’s mysteries. Here are 20 paradoxes of life that remind us how…

  • Why I Love America’s Free, Quality Public Education as an Indian Immigrant

    Moving to the U.S. for work has been a big change for me personally and a meaningful transition for my daughter as well. Coming from a proud background of Indian middle-class values, I hold deep respect for hard work, responsibility, and gratitude. At the same time, I feel incredibly fortunate to participate in the civic…

  • Exploring Consciousness: Beyond Brains, Quantum Fields, and Machines

    Consciousness has puzzled scientists, philosophers, and thinkers for centuries. Federico Faggin, inventor of the first microprocessor and pioneer in touch technology, believes we need to fundamentally rethink our approach to understanding consciousness. In a recent interview, he shared insights from his book, Irreducible Consciousness: Life, Computers, and Human Nature, explaining his belief that consciousness is…

  • How to Get Ahead of 99% of People

    Everyone wants to succeed, but Naval Ravikant’s advice is refreshingly simple: instead of following someone else’s roadmap, build your own. Here are his thoughts on getting ahead by focusing on what truly matters: 1. Follow Your Own Obsession Naval believes life is a journey of “personal obsession and curiosity.” He argues that “you cannot follow…

  • 12 Qualities That Require No Talent but Make a Big Difference in Life

    In a world where we’re often praised for our talents and skills, it’s easy to forget that some of the most impactful qualities don’t require any special abilities. These are qualities anyone can cultivate, regardless of background, education, or experience. And often, they’re the very traits that set people apart, building stronger relationships and bringing…

  • How Your Phone Is Changing You: What Happens When You Mindlessly Scroll

    In today’s world, most of us are tethered to our smartphones. Whether it’s social media notifications, news updates, or mindless scrolling, our phones have become ever-present companions. But have you ever wondered what this constant phone-checking is really doing to you? Cal Newport recently shared his insights on what he calls “continuous partial participation in the…

  • The Illusion of Free Will and What It Means for Us

    Sam Harris, a well-known author and thinker, challenges a fundamental belief: the existence of free will. In his talks, he argues that our sense of making conscious choices is just that—a sense, not reality. Let’s explore his arguments and what they mean for how we view ourselves, morality, and society. Why Free Will Might Be…

  • The Wisdom of Insecurity: Embracing the Present Moment

    In The Wisdom of Insecurity, Alan Watts delivers a timeless exploration of the human experience, challenging our deeply ingrained instincts to seek security and control over life. Instead of striving for certainty and clinging to the past or worrying about the future, Watts invites us to immerse ourselves in the present — the only reality…

  • How to start your Vedanta Journey

    The first step is to ask yourself, “Why do I want to pursue spirituality?” Is it to find peace, understand life’s purpose, or something else? This self-inquiry is key because the clarity of purpose will guide your journey.

  • You’re Not Alone: Embracing Vulnerability and Focusing on What Matters

    “The moment that you feel that just possibly you’re walking down the street naked, exposing too much of your heart and your mind and what exists on the inside, showing too much of yourself—that’s the moment you may be starting to get it right.”—Neil Gaiman The media often portrays standout individuals as superheroes, people who…

  • Navigating Life with Naval Ravikant: Truth, Growth, and the Power of Self-Discovery

    In a captivating episode of the “BeerBiceps” podcast, host Ranveer Alahbadia sat down with Naval Ravikant, the renowned entrepreneur, philosopher, and founder of AngelList. This conversation delved deep into topics ranging from personal growth and self-understanding to love, relationships, and the meaning of life. Naval’s profound insights offer a fresh perspective on how we navigate…

  • How to Get Ahead in 5 Minutes a Day: A Simple 3-Level System

    What if I told you that you can get ahead of 99% of people with just 5 minutes a day? This isn’t an overblown promise—it’s entirely achievable. Here’s how you can do it. Step 1: Realization Most people do the bare minimum. They go to work, come home, and waste time glued to screens, distracted…

  • Proving the Existence of Ishwara from First Principles

    The idea of a divine intelligence, or Ishwara, is a central concept in Vedanta. But how do we know that such a higher power really exists? Instead of relying on blind faith, Vedanta uses simple reasoning to show how the existence of Ishwara can be logically proven by looking at the world around us. In…

  • Unlocking Success: The Power of Emotional Intelligence in Leadership and Life

    In a recent BigThink talk, renowned psychologist Daniel Goleman shared insights into the growing importance of emotional intelligence in both personal and professional success. He believes that while cognitive abilities like IQ may help individuals secure jobs and perform well academically, it is emotional intelligence that sets outstanding performers and leaders apart. As AI continues…

  • Michael Watkins on Developing Strategic Thinking: Are Leaders Born or Made?

    In the world of leadership, the question often arises: are great strategic thinkers born with the ability, or is it something that can be developed over time? Michael Watkins, a leadership coach and professor at IMD Business School, tackles this question head-on. He explains that, much like other human capabilities, strategic thinking is a blend…

  • Understanding Process Philosophy: A New Way of Thinking About Reality

    We all know that life is constantly changing. Nothing stays the same, whether it’s a tree growing, a river flowing, or even our own thoughts evolving as we experience new things. But what if this idea of constant change wasn’t just something that happens in life—but was actually the very nature of reality itself? That’s…

  • Shankara, Academia, and the Quest for Truth: Bridging Spirituality and Science

    When we think of Adi Shankaracharya, we often view him as one of the greatest spiritual figures in Indian philosophy. His work systematizing Advaita Vedanta and his deep commentary on the Upanishads laid the foundation for non-duality as a spiritual path. But what’s often underappreciated is the way Shankara approached this task—it wasn’t just spiritual;…

  • Understanding Consciousness Through Attention Schema Theory (AST)

    Have you ever wondered why we feel conscious? Why do we have that inner experience of being aware of the world around us and of ourselves? A fascinating idea called the Attention Schema Theory (AST) offers a fresh take on this age-old question. What is Attention Schema Theory? Imagine for a moment that your brain…

  • Why I Don’t Consume Meat

    A Reflection on Sentience, Sukshma Sharira, and Consciousness As someone deeply connected to spiritual practices and the exploration of consciousness, I’ve found myself continually reflecting on the choices I make—especially when it comes to food. One of the most significant decisions I’ve made in my life is to stop consuming meat. This choice is not…

  • The Top Five Regrets of the Dying: Lessons in Living from Bronnie Ware

    As we move through life, caught up in daily routines, career ambitions, and endless to-do lists, it’s easy to forget what really matters. But when people reach the end of their lives, they have the gift—or burden—of hindsight. Bronnie Ware, a palliative care nurse who spent years caring for terminally ill patients, captured these reflections…

  • The Question to Ask Yourself at 40

    Turning 40 can be a strange milestone. It’s a time when many of us pause, look around, and ask, “How did I get here?” By this age, we’ve often checked off many of the big life boxes—career, family, home—but something still nags at the edges. Maybe it’s the weight of responsibilities or the realization that…

  • Beyond Human Suffering: Why Compassion for Animals Matters

    Beyond Human Suffering: Why Compassion for Animals Matters

    In our quest to alleviate suffering in the world, it’s natural to prioritize the well-being of those closest to us—our fellow human beings. Yet, this well-intentioned focus often comes at the expense of another group of sentient beings: animals. When we work to reduce human suffering without considering the impact on animals, we risk perpetuating…