Living with the Monks Quotes

“Every day, think as you wake up, ‘Today I am fortunate to have woken up, I am alive. I have a precious human life, I am not going to waste it. I am going to use all my energies to develop myself, to expand my heart out to others, to achieve enlightenment for the benefit of all beings. I am going to have kind thoughts towards others, I am not going to get angry or think badly about others. I am going to benefit others as much as I can.”
― Jesse Itzler, Living with the Monks: What Turning Off My Phone Taught Me about Happiness, Gratitude, and Focus

“If you’re surrounded by greatness – take notes, pay attention, and ask questions.”
― Jesse Itzler, Living with the Monks: What Turning Off My Phone Taught Me about Happiness, Gratitude, and Focus

“People are always waiting for something to happen before they change their lives. But they have it backward; when you change your life, big things are more likely to happen”
― Jesse Itzler, Living with the Monks: What Turning Off My Phone Taught Me about Happiness, Gratitude, and Focus

“When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don’t adjust the goals, adjust the action steps.”
― Jesse Itzler, Living with the Monks: What Turning Off My Phone Taught Me about Happiness, Gratitude, and Focus

“Have a specific date for your goal 2) Have an accountability partner 3) Put the goal in writing 4) Have a detailed plan to accomplishing your goal 5) Execute your plan”
― Jesse Itzler, Living with the Monks: What Turning Off My Phone Taught Me about Happiness, Gratitude, and Focus

“And I also believe networking has become shallow,” I say. “Everyone is so concerned with connecting on social media, adding followers, collecting business cards, and shaking as many hands as they can at a cocktail party. But how strong is that network when you really don’t know the people? Sure, coffee is great, but I still think you need to go deeper. That’s why experiences are so important, especially experiences you do with others.”
― Jesse Itzler, Living with the Monks: What Turning Off My Phone Taught Me about Happiness, Gratitude, and Focus

“We spend endless hours doing things that make us happy but invest much less time working on changing the things that make us unhappy.”
― Jesse Itzler, Living with the Monks: What Turning Off My Phone Taught Me about Happiness, Gratitude, and Focus

“When you want to quit… get uncomfortable. And Remember Tomorrow.”
― Jesse Itzler, Living with the Monks: What Turning Off My Phone Taught Me about Happiness, Gratitude, and Focus

“And once the storm is over, you won’t remember how you made it through, how you managed to survive. You won’t even be sure, in fact, whether the storm is really over. But one thing is certain. When you come out of the storm you won’t be the same person who walked in.”
― Jesse Itzler, Living with the Monks: What Turning Off My Phone Taught Me about Happiness, Gratitude, and Focus

“When you come to a point when you have to make a key decision, remember how that choice will make you feel tomorrow, and the tomorrow after that, and the one after that. You want to drop out of the marathon at mile 18? Okay, that’s fine, but… remember what it’s going to feel like tomorrow when you’re left alone to think about it. You want to get drunk and dance on the table at your holiday party? Cool, but… remember how it’s going to feel tomorrow when you walk into the office.”
― Jesse Itzler, Living with the Monks: What Turning Off My Phone Taught Me about Happiness, Gratitude, and Focus

“I agree. And I also believe networking has become shallow,” I say. “Everyone is so concerned with connecting on social media, adding followers, collecting business cards, and shaking as many hands as they can at a cocktail party. But how strong is that network when you really don’t know the people? Sure, coffee is great, but I still think you need to go deeper. That’s why experiences are so important, especially experiences you do with others. Right now I can call and count on people who I have deep connections with, not because I bought them a bagel and followed up with a thank-you email. It’s because I have true connections, moments if you will, and experiences that will last a lifetime. If you ever climb Mount Washington with someone, they’ll be your friend for life. An experience is like making a deposit in the bank. We can draw on it at any time.”
― Jesse Itzler, Living with the Monks: What Turning Off My Phone Taught Me about Happiness, Gratitude, and Focus

“The power and temptations of the outside”
― Jesse Itzler, Living with the Monks: What Turning Off My Phone Taught Me about Happiness, Gratitude, and Focus

“Monks do one thing at a time. 2. Monks don’t rush. They do things slowly and deliberately. 3. Monks don’t cut corners. They do it completely. 4. Monks do less… but do more. 5. Monks remain calm. They don’t panic. 6. Monks are okay being alone—they thrive at it. 7. Monks study all different kinds of topics to enhance growth. 8. Monks devote time to sitting. 9. Monks smile. 10. Monks live simply. 11. Monks don’t waste time. 12. Monks have a strong community and family unit. 13. Monks have a love affair with life.”
― Jesse Itzler, Living with the Monks: What Turning Off My Phone Taught Me about Happiness, Gratitude, and Focus

“It’s really very simple. Decide that you want it more than you’re afraid of it.”
― Jesse Itzler, Living with the Monks: What Turning Off My Phone Taught Me about Happiness, Gratitude, and Focus

“When you come to a point when you have to make a key decision, remember how that choice will make you feel tomorrow, and the tomorrow after that, and the one after that.”
― Jesse Itzler, Living with the Monks: What Turning Off My Phone Taught Me about Happiness, Gratitude, and Focus

“when you have a BIG goal, the work necessary to accomplish it has to become an obsession. It has to become a part of your daily lifestyle and remain that way for the duration of the goal.”
― Jesse Itzler, Living with the Monks: What Turning Off My Phone Taught Me about Happiness, Gratitude, and Focus

“If we can work gut and awareness at the same time—magic can happen.”
― Jesse Itzler, Living with the Monks: What Turning Off My Phone Taught Me about Happiness, Gratitude, and Focus

“The greatest challenge in life is discovering who you are. The second greatest is being happy with what you find.” —UNKNOWN”
― Jesse Itzler, Living with the Monks: What Turning Off My Phone Taught Me about Happiness, Gratitude, and Focus

“Effort is the true source of pride—not results.”
― Jesse Itzler, Living with the Monks: What Turning Off My Phone Taught Me about Happiness, Gratitude, and Focus

“Just after he’d won the Nobel Prize, Albert Einstein was staying at a hotel in Japan. When the bellboy brought up his luggage he realized he didn’t have any money. So he found a piece of scrap paper and wrote his theory of how to have a happy life. He handed it to the bellboy as a tip. The note read: “A calm and modest life brings more happiness than the pursuit of success combined with constant restlessness.”
― Jesse Itzler, Living with the Monks: What Turning Off My Phone Taught Me about Happiness, Gratitude, and Focus

“By consistently doing things you may not want to do, you create an environment in your head that says you’re okay doing hard things. You’re training yourself to go through obstacles rather than let them deter you.”
― Jesse Itzler, Living with the Monks: What Turning Off My Phone Taught Me about Happiness, Gratitude, and Focus

“Money—money—money… I’ve learned that money can be a real awkward instrument. It changes relationships. When you don’t have any, you can be perceived one way—and when you have a lot of it, you can be perceived in another. It can be intimidating and defining. My mother always used to say: “Don’t ever borrow money and don’t ever lend it. It will only cause problems. If you want to gift it, that’s fine, but remember it’s a gift.”
― Jesse Itzler, Living with the Monks: What Turning Off My Phone Taught Me about Happiness, Gratitude, and Focus

“I always say experience is overrated. It takes too long. Start the process and figure the rest out. If you wait too long someone else will beat you to the punch or that bully in your head will talk you out of pursuing your idea.”
― Jesse Itzler, Living with the Monks: What Turning Off My Phone Taught Me about Happiness, Gratitude, and Focus

“The checklist behind a Krav Maga first strike boils down to three basic elements: One, has someone violated your space? Two, is there a direct threat? And, three, get them before they get you. Sounds reasonable—right?”
― Jesse Itzler, Living with the Monks: What Turning Off My Phone Taught Me about Happiness, Gratitude, and Focus

“But maybe listening has a bigger meaning then simply being quiet and hearing others talk. Perhaps it means being less caught up with yourself and opening up to new opportunities, ideas, and perspectives. Brother Christopher referenced a wise monk: “When you talk, you are only repeating what you already know. But if you listen, you may learn something new.”
― Jesse Itzler, Living with the Monks: What Turning Off My Phone Taught Me about Happiness, Gratitude, and Focus

“Also, though it may sound ironic, I believe monks have completely captured the idea of freedom—free from everything—distractions and attachments. It’s like they’ve unlocked the secret of life’s meaning. Who knows? Maybe by the time I’m done here, they’ll have given me the keys.”
― Jesse Itzler, Living with the Monks: What Turning Off My Phone Taught Me about Happiness, Gratitude, and Focus

“As you get older the game gets shorter. You, my friend, have hundreds of experiences in front of you. Your future is a huge canvas to paint on, and I’d trade it all to have that paintbrush back in my hand. Enjoy every minute of the process.”
― Jesse Itzler, Living with the Monks: What Turning Off My Phone Taught Me about Happiness, Gratitude, and Focus

“It is in being alone where you find your strength. Not in others.” —UNKNOWN”
― Jesse Itzler, Living with the Monks: What Turning Off My Phone Taught Me about Happiness, Gratitude, and Focus

“I must live as if I’m going to die tomorrow…”
― Jesse Itzler, Living with the Monks: What Turning Off My Phone Taught Me about Happiness, Gratitude, and Focus

“I mean, do you think Thomas Edison would have ever invented electricity if he was on Instagram all day?” “I’m pretty sure Ben Franklin is the electricity guy. And he didn’t invent it—he discovered it, you jackass.”
― Jesse Itzler, Living with the Monks: What Turning Off My Phone Taught Me about Happiness, Gratitude, and Focus