The Quiet Call of Greatness, journey of Robin Sharma
- Nov 30, 2024
- 7 min read
Updated: Dec 5, 2024
There is a quiet inevitability about some lives, a sense that their trajectory is guided by something greater than ambition. Such lives don’t unfold—they blossom, revealing layer upon layer of depth, purpose, and grace. Robin Sharma’s story is one of those rare tales, where the outward journey through career and fame is inseparable from the inward quest for meaning and enlightenment.
But let us not begin where the world knows him best. Instead, let us start in a courtroom in Canada. The year is 1990. A young lawyer, dressed impeccably in black robes, stands before a judge, his voice steady as he argues a case. He is good—remarkably so. His preparation is flawless, his mind sharp. But beyond the accolades and victories lies a quiet unease.
What does it mean to win in this courtroom? What does it mean to win at all?
These are not questions most young lawyers ask themselves. But Robin Sharma has never been “most.”
Robin Sharma's Early Path
Sharma’s journey begins not in Canada but thousands of miles away, in Uganda, a land of vibrant skies and sprawling savannahs. Born in 1965, his childhood was brief in that land of his origins, as political unrest swept through East Africa. His family sought refuge and opportunity across the ocean, finding a home in the unassuming town of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.
It is here, among the salt-kissed air and gentle rhythm of small-town life, that young Robin begins to shape his worldview. His parents, both extraordinary in their own quiet ways, are his first mentors. His father, Shiv Sharma, is a doctor whose life is devoted to healing. He embodies service, not as an act but as a way of being. His mother, an indomitable spirit of resilience and love, instills in Robin the belief that no dream is too grand if approached with integrity and effort.
These early lessons root themselves deeply, like seeds that will one day grow into towering oaks.
The Golden Cage of Success
Robin’s intellect soon sets him apart. Academic achievements follow one another like stepping stones, each leading to a new opportunity. He earns a law degree from Dalhousie University and steps into the legal profession with a promising future. The courtroom becomes his stage, his sharp arguments winning admiration from peers and mentors alike.
Yet, as the years go by, the gilded trappings of success begin to feel like a cage.
To the world, he has everything: a stable career, respect, financial security. But within, there is a gnawing emptiness, a sense that the life he is living is out of alignment with the life he is meant to live. The questions grow louder: Is this it? Is this all there is to existence? To earn, to win, to retire, to fade?
One night, unable to silence the questions, he picks up a pen and begins to write.
The Leap Into the Unknown
The act of writing feels like liberation. Ideas that have simmered quietly in his mind for years now flow freely onto the page. He writes about the extraordinary potential of human beings, about purpose, mindfulness, and the courage to live authentically.
His first book, MegaLiving, is born. Though it doesn’t garner much attention, it marks a turning point. It is as if the act of creating it has cracked open a hidden door within him.
Encouraged by this awakening, Robin makes a decision that stuns everyone around him: he leaves his lucrative legal career to pursue a path of writing, speaking, and teaching. It is not a calculated move; it is an act of faith, a leap into the unknown.
To most, such a decision would seem reckless. But to Robin, it feels like coming home.
The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari: A Modern Parable
In 1997, Robin publishes a book that will change not just his life but the lives of millions. The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari is the story of Julian Mantle, a successful lawyer who abandons his materialistic life in search of spiritual enlightenment in the Himalayas.
At its heart, the book is a mirror of Robin’s own transformation, though Julian’s journey is painted with the colors of fable and allegory. The story resonates across cultures, transcending barriers of language and geography. Readers find themselves in Julian’s struggles and aspirations. They see their own lives reflected in the tension between ambition and fulfillment, between doing and being.
The book becomes an international phenomenon, translated into over 70 languages and selling millions of copies. But its success is not merely measured in numbers. It is measured in lives changed, in moments of clarity sparked, in countless readers who write to Robin saying, “Your words gave me the courage to live differently.”
The Philosophy of Greatness
What sets Robin Sharma apart from the myriad voices in the self-help world is the depth of his philosophy. He does not preach quick fixes or superficial hacks. His teachings are rooted in timeless truths, drawn from ancient wisdom and modern psychology alike.
At the core of his philosophy is a simple yet profound idea: greatness is not a privilege reserved for the few. It is the birthright of every human being. But to claim this birthright, one must embark on an inner journey—a journey of discipline, courage, and self-awareness.
Robin speaks often of “daily habits.” To some, this may seem mundane. But to him, habits are sacred rituals, the small acts that shape the architecture of a life. Rising at dawn, journaling, meditating, exercising—these are not just practices; they are declarations of intent, affirmations of one’s commitment to live fully.
And then there is his emphasis on service. “The purpose of life,” he often says, “is to be useful.” True leadership, in Robin’s view, is not about power but about impact. It is about leaving the world better than you found it.
The Man Behind the Words
Amid the success and the acclaim, Robin remains a deeply private man. He cherishes his role as a father to Colby and Bianca, finding joy in the simple moments of family life. He often speaks of his parents with reverence, crediting them as the foundation of all he has achieved.
But life, as it does for all of us, is not without its trials. Robin has faced his own challenges—periods of self-doubt, the demands of a global career, the strain of balancing personal and professional responsibilities. Yet, these struggles have only deepened his understanding of the human condition, enriching his teachings with authenticity and compassion.
A Legacy of Light
Robin Sharma’s impact is immeasurable. Through his books, speeches, and programs, he has touched millions of lives, guiding them toward a life of purpose and joy. His organization, Sharma Leadership International, works with Fortune 500 companies, athletes, and entrepreneurs, helping them lead with vision and integrity.
But his legacy is not confined to the boardroom or the bestseller list. It is found in the letters he receives from readers, in the quiet transformations of individuals who decide, because of his words, to rise at 5 a.m. and begin again.
Through the Robin Sharma Foundation for Children, he has extended his reach even further, supporting education and healthcare for underprivileged youth. It is a codicil to his belief that true success is measured not by what you accumulate but by what you give.
The Heart of Robin Sharma's Ethos
Robin Sharma’s life is a reality to the power of words—both spoken and lived. His success ethos is woven through his work, his teachings, and his very being. To encapsulate his philosophy, here are some of his most resonant quotes. These words are not just aphorisms but guiding principles that illuminate the path to a purposeful life.
1. “We are all here for some special reason. Stop being a prisoner of your past. Become the architect of your future. ”
This quote captures the essence of Robin’s transformational message. It is a call to action, urging us to break free from the chains of regret and fear, to embrace the creative power within us to design a life of meaning and joy.
2. “The smallest of actions is always better than the noblest of intentions. ”
A stark reminder that dreams without action are like seeds without soil. Robin’s emphasis on small, consistent actions underscores the importance of discipline. Greatness, he teaches, is not built in a day but in the tiny, purposeful steps we take daily.
3. “Great achievement always requires great sacrifice.”
This truth resonates deeply with anyone who has pursued a meaningful goal. Robin speaks not of suffering for suffering’s sake but of the deliberate trade-offs that align our actions with our highest priorities. The path to mastery is rarely easy, but it is always worth it.
4. “Success belongs to the relentless learners. Because as you know more, you can achieve more.”
Here lies the soul of Robin’s commitment to growth. Learning is not a destination but a journey—a relentless pursuit that fuels innovation, resilience, and purpose. His words inspire us to remain curious, to see every experience as a lesson waiting to be uncovered.
A Life as a Parable
Robin Sharma’s life is a story not just of success but of alignment. It is an idea to the power of listening to the quiet call within, the whisper that urges us to live authentically, no matter how daunting the path.
He reminds us that the greatest victories are not won in courtrooms or boardrooms but in the sacred space of the self. He challenges us to ask the hard questions: What am I living for? What legacy will I leave?
In a world obsessed with doing, Robin Sharma dares us to simply be.
References:
Compiled by Sriram in collaboration with Stanly Sunny
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