Jay Shetty Drops Wisdom From Bill Gates—And Hits the Road With On Purpose

Six years ago, I started my podcast, On Purpose, with the goal of inviting listeners into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make them happier, healthier and more healed. I’ve been fortunate to interview some of the most renowned experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes, inviting them to share a side of themselves that they never had before. My hope is that listeners will grow their mindsets, build productive and healthy habits, and become the best version of themselves.

I strongly believe that when people feel seen, heard and9 understood, they’re able to deal with life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I learn new insights from every single conversation, but my greater goal is to share those experiences with my listeners, hoping to ignite the same inspiration in them. Over the years, I’ve realized that the impact of these conversations has been even more profound than I initially anticipated.

The Bill Gates Episode

Recently I had the opportunity to interview Bill Gates, someone I had been curious about for some time. Beyond his business accomplishments, Gates is a dedicated philanthropist who believes in the importance of giving back. As someone who also believes in the value and importance of service, I’ve always wanted to learn more about that. When we sat down to talk, I could easily have asked Gates about computing, but instead I wanted to learn about him as a person.

In our conversation, Gates shared some remarkable insights, including his view that technology has yet to improve our educational capabilities in the classroom. That was a surprising revelation, considering his role in the personal computing revolution. But his reasoning made sense: While technology helps us build skills, we still haven’t figured out how it can help us build motivation. However, we can utilize computing to analyze data, explore new perspectives, and create personalized tools that help us understand our values, passions and strengths, ultimately guiding us to find our purpose.

The Think Weeks Secret

Now, while people often think of him as a computer whiz, even he needs to set aside time for creativity. He accomplishes this by taking “think weeks,” when he gets away to a place where he can find quiet and do some deep reflection. I’m a huge advocate of that, as well. In this fast-paced world, especially when you’re deeply engaged in work, it can be tempting to let your days be overtaken with tasks, but it’s important to pause periodically and reflect. In fact, that’s where some of our most innovative ideas can come from.

What’s fascinating is that we covered all of this ground—and more—in a single conversation that lasted just over an hour. The fact is, when we pursue those who interest us and follow our inspiration, a relatively small investment of time and attention can reap massive benefits. And it’s not just business moguls, celebrities or other high-profile people who can ignite us. Just as easily we can gain experiences of connection, learning and growth from people all around us every day. It’s not just about looking to people who already inspire you. It’s about letting others inspire you, as well. I’m talking about opening yourself up to opportunities for meaningful connection, learning and growth in unexpected places. Because when we truly tune in to others, it’s incredible what we can gain.

 

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For the first time ever, I’m taking On Purpose on the road so that you can experience these meaningful experiences in person. This is an opportunity to step beyond the screen and meet the amazing community that has been part of this journey. This tour is a chance to take what we’ve built digitally and experience it in a way that’s personal, transformative and truly unforgettable. I hope to see you there.

Jay Shetty is a global bestselling author, award-winning podcast host of On Purpose, and entrepreneur. He harnessed the transformative power of digital and audio media with the launch of his podcast in 2019. Through captivating dialogues, he engages in conversations with influential figures, from Michelle Obama to Dr. Joe Dispenza, Oprah Winfrey to Kobe Bryant. His books include Think Like a Monk and 8 Rules of Love. This month, he takes his podcast on tour. Audiences can join him as he hosts engaging conversations with a surprise celebrity guest, wellness expert or influential leader in each city.