Transforming Our Lives and Careers Introduction
The Alchemist by Paolo Coelho has been my favorite book for over 30 years. Combining magic, mysticism, wisdom, and wonder into an inspiring tale of self-discovery, The Alchemist has become a modern classic, selling millions of copies around the world and transforming the lives of countless readers across generations.
Paulo Coelho’s masterpiece tells the mystical story of Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy who yearns to travel in search of a worldly treasure. His quest will lead him to riches far different—and far more satisfying—than he ever imagined. Santiago’s journey teaches us about the essential wisdom of listening to our hearts, recognizing opportunity and learning to read the omens strewn along life’s path, and, most importantly, following our dreams.
Coelho is regarded as the father of modern-day alchemy. In The Alchemist, he breaks down the steps involved in using the ancient alchemical practices to bring out a personal change in the human self. He emphasizes that every human possesses the ability to use alchemical practices to manifest personal improvement. With a personification of the seven ancient alchemical practices, Coelho gives an alternative to the pursuit of ancient alchemy achievements that science has proved unattainable.
The ancient alchemical practice was divided into two parts, breaking down the material and building up a new one. This same approach is taken in the modern-day alchemy practice, with the first being a breakdown of the current self and then building up a new self out of the old.
I’ve outlined what I have found to be the top ten lessons in The Alchemist along with some tips on how to incorporate in your life.
The Metaphorical Alchemy
- Personal Transformation:Your success has a ripple-effect
“That’s what alchemists do. They show that, when we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better, too.”
Growth, change, and evolution are weaved into the fabric of reality. Becoming a better version of yourself creates a ripple effect that benefits everything around you: your lifestyle, your family, your friends, your community.
- Self-Improvement: Always take action.
“There is only one way to learn. It’s through action.”
You can study, read, and listen until you turn blue in the face, but the full experience is when you take action, and let the rubber meet the road. Once you’re done aiming, pull the trigger. - Start with Gratitude
“When each day is the same as the next, it’s because people fail to recognize the good things that happen in their lives every day that the sun rises.”
Gratitude is the practice of finding the good in each day. Life can easily become stagnant, mundane, and monotonous, but that changes depending on what we choose to see. There’s always a silver lining, if you look for it.
Spiritual Alchemy
- Inner Work: Fear is a bigger obstacle than the obstacle itself
“Tell your heart that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself. And that no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dreams, because every second of the search is a second’s encounter with God and with eternity.”
Any new pursuit requires entering uncharted territory — that’s scary. But with any great risk comes great reward. The experiences you gain in pursuing your dream will make it all worthwhile. - Self-Awareness: Your focus creates your reality
“What’s the world’s greatest lie?” the boy asked. “It’s this: that at a certain point in our lives, we lose control of what’s happening to us, and our lives become controlled by fate. That’s the world’s greatest lie.”
You get your energy from a higher source. You have to release yourself from the notion that the world is real and align yourself with the Universe.
- Embrace the present
“Because I don’t live in either my past or my future. I’m interested only in the present. If you can concentrate always on the present, you’ll be a happy man.”
There’s no point dwelling in the past and letting it define you, nor getting lost and anxious about the future. But in the present moment, you’re in the field of possibility — how you engage with the present moment will direct your life.
Alchemy in Business and Creativity
- Innovation and Creativity: Be unrealistic
“I see the world in terms of what I would like to see happen, not what actually does.”
Some of the greatest inventions would not have happened if people chose to accept the world as it is. Great achievements and innovations begin with a mindset that ignores the impossible.
- Make the decision
“When someone makes a decision, he is really diving into a strong current that will carry him to places he has never dreamed of when he first made the decision.”
It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the unknowns and finer details of your dreams. Actions will flow out of having confidence in your decision; sitting on the fence will get you nowhere. - Entrepreneurship: Keep getting back up
“The secret of life, though, is to fall seven times and to get up eight times.”
Because the eighth time could be your breakthrough. Some of the greatest novels in history were published after receiving hundreds of rejections. Thankfully, those authors never gave up.
Advice – What Other People Think of You is None of Your Business
- Focus on your own journey
“If someone isn’t what others want them to be, the others become angry. Everyone seems to have a clear idea of how other people should lead their lives, but none about his or her own.”
It’s easy to be influenced by others, but you’ll be miserable if you end up living someone else’s life. There’s nothing wrong with taking advice and learning from others, but make sure it aligns with your desires and passions.
Practical Tips for Modern Alchemy
- Goal Setting: Set clear, achievable goals for personal and professional transformation and wildly celebrate the small wins! Celebrating the small wins tells the Universe it’s on the right track!
- Mindfulness and Meditation: Affirmations, creating a personal creed, meditation, and daily journaling are wonderful tools to put spiritual alchemy into daily practice.
- Continuous Learning: Be a lifelong learner, staying curious and open-minded. Learn from elders, friends and strangers. Read avidly. Ask lots of questions – not just to ask a question – but to learn something new or understand something deeper.
- Networking and Relationships: Building meaningful relationships and maintaining them is key. It takes effort to get to know another person and truly be interested in them. It takes even more effort to maintain those relationships over time. But it’s worth it!
Start your own journey of modern-day alchemy, whether it’s through self-improvement, creativity, or innovation. Try just one thing and you will see it start to build on itself. The simplest way to start? Take 2 minutes morning and night and list a few things you are grateful for, including a few that aren’t real yet. Imagine what it will feel like when those things become real. You’ll be surprised how impactful this is! Thinking about it is great. Writing it down is even better! You’ll be putting an alchemy formula into practice: thought + word = deed.
