How to Live Sharad Lal

Is meditation tapping out from high achievement? Far from it.
Stress often drives high performers to explore meditation. After years of relying heavily on their intellect, they find themselves burnt out. Meditation does more than offer a break—it rebuilds and rejuvenates.
Regular practice not only improves sleep, gut health, and energy levels but also fosters the creation of new neural pathways in the brain—confirmed by fMRI studies. These changes enhance problem-solving abilities, conflict management, and deepen connections with personal purpose.
Far from being an exit from high achievement, meditation opens the door to new levels of performance.
In this episode, we dive into these topics with Danielle Van De Velde—a former finance industry leader turned meditation teacher, keynote speaker, and spiritual healer. Dani has influenced global leaders, authored an incredible book, and hosts 'The Modern Crone,' ranked #1 in Singapore’s spiritual category.

Our conversation will cover how spirituality can amplify your professional life—navigating the balance between striving and accepting, understanding your purpose, enhancing relationships, and the power of discipline and repetition.
Dani’s soothing voice and profound wisdom are truly enriching, making this an episode you won’t want to miss.
Episode Shownotes
https://howtolive.life/episode/067-spirituality-and-success-with-danielle-van-de-velde

Related Episode
#027 The path to belonging with acclaimed author Toko-pa Turner
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Apple Podcasts: https://howtolive.life/ep27apple
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When you hear the word "trauma," do you think, "That's not me. I haven't experienced any major tragedies"?

However, trauma doesn't always stem from monumental events. Sometimes, it's the smaller, seemingly insignificant experiences that leave us with unresolved feelings, subtly shaping our behaviours in ways that may not serve us well.

Imagine a high-performance workplace bustling with diverse personalities. It's likely that many colleagues carry hidden traumas. Think about the potential impact on team dynamics and overall productivity.

We dive deep into this topic in our latest "How to Live" podcast episode featuring Natalia Rachels, a trauma-informed therapist and an award-winning Learning & Development Educator. Natalia is a renowned author, keynote speaker, and social entrepreneur, widely recognized for her efforts to weave trauma and relationship management into mainstream conversations. Honoured with the Women Icons Asia Award for her societal contributions, Natalia also writes for SheWorld and advises companies on nurturing healthier workplace cultures.

In today’s episode, we'll explore how trauma can surface in professional settings, discuss pathways to healing, and highlight the crucial roles of authenticity and belonging.

Episode Shownotes
https://howtolive.life/episode/066-carrying-hidden-trauma-to-work-with-natalia-rachel

Related Episode
#027 The path to belonging with acclaimed author Toko-pa Turner
Spotify: https://howtolive.life/ep27spotify
Apple Podcasts: https://howtolive.life/ep27apple



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"Don’t simplify. Delete"

As business leaders, when we're overwhelmed, our go-to questions often revolve around simplification—can we find a simpler way, eliminate steps, or use fewer resources? However, a more fundamental question to ask might be: Is this task necessary in the first place?

It's a common belief that entrepreneurs excel at solving problems, but the most successful ones are those who sidestep problems altogether. This is a significant lesson that we could adopt more widely in the corporate world.

In the latest episode of the How to Live Podcast, Arjun Purkayastha shares potent insights on integrating entrepreneurial thinking into the corporate sphere. As the Senior Vice President and Managing Director at Reckitt, and a dear friend, Arjun brings a wealth of experience from his tenure at leading MNCs like Procter & Gamble, across diverse regions including Singapore, South Korea, India, the UK, and China.

What truly distinguishes him in the corporate landscape is his entrepreneurial mindset—a skill I've had the privilege of observing firsthand. His approach has been continually refined through his engagements with startups, and today, he serves as a Board Director and Strategic Advisor to multiple acclaimed ventures, including the Bombay Shaving Company.

Arjun's notable achievements include winning 7 Cannes Lions, 6 Effies, and being recognized as one of the UK's top 50 customer experience professionals.

During our conversation, we explore bringing an entrepreneurial mindset to the workplace, discussing topics like the fine line between intelligence and arrogance, when to make quick decisions and when to wait, having a bullshit detector, and the fundamental qualities of courage and credibility, among other insights.

This episode is filled with wisdom and practical advice that will undoubtedly enhance your leadership skills.

Episode Shownotes
https://howtolive.life/episode/065-corporate-entrepreneurship-with-arjun-purkayastha

Related Episode
#031 Entrepreneurship: Taking the leap of faith with Rameez Ansar
Spotify: https://howtolive.life/ep31spotify
Apple Podcasts: https://howtolive.life/ep31apple

Contact Arjun
https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunpurkayastha/
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"The rich can't buy it. The impatient can't rush it. The privileged can't inherit it. And nobody can steal it. You can only earn it through hard work. Mastery is the ultimate status.”

Take a moment to let this profound insight from Derek Sivers sink in.

In a world filled with easy, superficial pleasures, dedicating five hours a day to hone our skills seems unimportant. Yet, this commitment is not just fulfilling—it's a rare and strategic way to differentiate ourselves and achieve the highest status.

We delve into topics such as mastery, creativity, independence, and entrepreneurship with Derek in the latest episode of our podcast.

If you're not yet familiar with Derek Sivers, he's the mind behind CD Baby, once the globe's largest online distributor of independent music. His decision to sell the company and donate all the proceeds to charity—USD 22 million in 2008—captured hearts worldwide. A best-selling author and a speaker renowned for his TED Talks, Derek is a celebrated guest on leading podcasts, including the Tim Ferriss Show, Shane Parrish, and Mark Manson.

Don't miss this exceptional episode where Derek shares insights from his book 'How to Live,' a work he considers his finest achievement.

Episode Shownotes
https://howtolive.life/episode/064-how-to-live-with-derek-sivers

Related Episode
#058 Purpose in everyday life
Spotify: https://howtolive.life/ep58spotify
Apple Podcasts: https://howtolive.life/ep58apple

Contact Derek
https://sive.rs/
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About Sharad Lal
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Have you ever felt that "Nice guys finish last"?

We've all rooted for the underdog. The hero who helps others but is always left behind. However in the end, against all odds, finishes on top. 

This happens only in the movies right? 

When we look around, especially in the competitive business world, the reality seems grim. We see good people who give without expecting, being overshadowed by those who master the art of taking credit. 

I noticed this in my early career but with time a fascinating shift occurred - the power of reputation took control. People began to recognize who puts in the effort and who free rides. Givers start emerging on top.

This revelation was solidified when I read Adam Grant's "Give and Take," thanks to a recommendation from my speaking mentor Avi Liran. Adam’s research showed that takers may have short-term gains, but it's the givers who truly come out on top. There’s a caveat though.

In the latest episode of the How to Live Podcast, I build on Adam’s theory and introduce my thesis around meaningful and desperate giving, examine the dynamics of the asking-giving relationship, and yes reveal the caveat for thriving as a giver.

Discover why not all forms of giving are created equal, and how to ensure your generosity leads to success.
Episode Shownotes
https://howtolive.life/episode/058-purpose-in-everyday-life

Related Episode
#058 Purpose in everyday life
Spotify: https://howtolive.life/ep58spotify
Apple Podcasts: https://howtolive.life/ep58apple


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About Sharad Lal
https://www.sharadlal.net/

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Does putting family photos in a work presentation makes you an authentic leader? 

Many of us grapple with understanding what authentic leadership truly means. It's a buzzword that's everywhere, often shrouded in fluff, causing us to tune out when we hear it.

That’s what we set out to do in our latest podcast episode with the insightful Mette Johansson. With over 15 years of experience in leadership roles across Asia and Europe, Mette is an awarded speaker, author, coach, and social entrepreneur. Her consultancy, MetaMind, is dedicated to cultivating authentic leaders, with clients including Pfizer, Citibank, and Airbnb. Her wisdom has featured from Harper Bazaar to Strait Times.

Join us as we debunk misconceptions, explore real-world scenarios, and analyse the leadership styles of visionaries like Elon Musk and Satya Nadella. And of course, we'll tackle intriguing questions like whether family photos belong in a work presentation.

Episode Shownotes
https://howtolive.life/episode/062-authentic-leadership-without-fluff-with-mette-johansson

Related Episodes
#053 How to become a CEO with Brenda Bence
https://howtolive.life/ep53spotify
https://howtolive.life/ep53apple

Contact Elika
https://www.mettejohansson.com/
Leave us a message
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About Sharad Lal
https://www.sharadlal.net/

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