MONDAY MUSINGS SEASON 2 - EPISODE 364
4th May 2026
Eternal Happiness
O son of Pṛthā, that determination which is unbreakable, which is sustained with steadfastness by yoga practice, and which thus controls the activities of the mind, life and senses is determination in the mode of goodness. (Bhagavad Gita 18.33)
Small but positive habits pursued consistently can lead to big achievements.
The 1% Principle
#The1#Principle is a best-selling book written by Tom O’Neil. His philosophy is simple and involves asking yourself, “What one thing can I do today to improve my life and the life of someone near to me by 1%?”
His argument is that by taking small incremental steps, we can reach our goals and change our lives for the better. This way, we are consistently moving forward. He calls them mini goals, which can impact different aspects of your life.
It may seem like a magic trick. Perhaps it is …, but it starts with some simple maths. Look at these three equations
1 raised to the power 365 = 1
(1.01) raised to the power 365 = 37.8
(0.99) raised to the power 365 < 0>
365 is the number of days in a year. If you make it a habit to improve 1% consistently every day in a year, you can be assured of big growth, i.e., 37.8 times growth. More importantly, equation 2 is 1500 times bigger than equation 3. The difference in value is just 1%, but 1% consistently every day without missing a single day, and that is the power of consistency and habits.
Insight #1
Small changes that propel you forward
"If you’re not happy with the way things are in your life, you are the only one who can take responsibility and start making changes."- The 1% Principle
“Don’t try to completely change your life straight away – you have the rest of your life to do that. It is easy to get over-motivated and take on too much, setting yourself up to fail.”
Insight #2
Moment making
"Create moments – that make memories – that build lives"- The 1% Principle
To help the reader adapt and adopt the 1% philosophy, O’Neil outlines his 30 Day Program which he’s developed to help you turn the 1% principle into a habit.
Each day has a set topic and exercise for you to complete – from what’s your passion, taking risks, to becoming resilient and happy with change.
Eternal Happiness
यत्तदग्रे विषमिव परिणामेऽमृतोपमम् | तत्सुखं सात्त्विकं प्रोक्तमात्मबुद्धिप्रसादजम् || Bhagavad Gita 18.37||
All happiness is not the same. Lord Krishna explains three types of happiness in life.
That which seems like poison at first, but tastes like nectar in the end, is said to be happiness in the mode of goodness. It is generated by the pure intellect that is situated in self-knowledge.
Good deeds for growth might initially feel like travails, but when pursued with determination, they will lead to long-term happiness. This applies to both personal and business growth.
The Indian gooseberry (āmlā) is very beneficial for health. But children dislike it, since it has a bitter taste. Interestingly, after eating the āmlā, the bitter taste disappears in just a couple of minutes, and sweetness is experienced. And the long-term benefits of consuming natural Vitamin C are undoubtedly numerous.
Shree Krishna says that happiness in the mode of goodness is of the same nature; it seems bitter in the short run, but it tastes like nectar in the end. You should not drop thinking that it is travail. Intelligence is in understanding the difference.
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#PositiveNewsPage
In a country where dreams of government jobs are often sold at a hefty price, the small town of Merta in Rajasthan is scripting a different story—one where success is not bought, but built together.
For millions of young Indians, the aspiration to secure a government job never fades. Yet in major cities, a vast coaching industry thrives on high fees, putting structured preparation out of reach for underprivileged youth from smaller towns. For many, the journey ends before it begins.
In Merta, in Rajasthan’s Nagaur district, a government school teacher created an alternative that is quietly rewriting destinies. Nirmal Sharma, a history lecturer at a government senior secondary school in Chundiya village, spent the past decade building a community-driven model that prepares rural youth for government jobs at almost no cost.
The results are striking. Around 200 young men and women have secured employment through the initiative. This is not a conventional coaching centre. Students are called “stars,” and teachers “icons,” a deliberate effort to dismantle hierarchy and foster shared ownership and respect.
Sharma runs an institute called “VR” from his home in Merta. Far from being a commercial brand, “VR” stands for “Together & Persist, To Wish, Work, & Win,” reflecting a philosophy rooted in collective effort and resilience.
The learning model turns convention on its head. There are no fixed teachers. Every learner becomes a teacher. Within 10 to 15 days of studying a topic, each “star” is expected to teach it to others, reinforcing both understanding and confidence. Each batch consists of 35 to 40 stars, with about 65 students currently preparing across two batches. The system thrives on collaboration: those who clear exams return as “icons,” mentoring the next group without any payment.
Sharma’s approach is shaped by personal experience. Unable to afford coaching himself, he once formed a study group with peers, each teaching subjects they were strong in. The model worked—he secured a government teaching position in 2011. In 2016, he formalised the idea into “VR.”
The roots of the initiative go back even further. Since 2007, Sharma had been informally guiding students. The turning point came when two of his early mentees secured government jobs, inspiring him to scale the model.
Over the years, the initiative has produced a wide range of success stories. More than 100 students have been selected as lower division clerks (LDCs). Others have become teachers, or joined the Railways, courts, Forest Department, and Patwari services. Two former stars now work at the Secretariat level. The institute also emphasises values. If a student is absent without prior notice, they must bring a tiffin the next day—containing one vegetable dish and five rotis—which is then given to someone in need. Birthdays are celebrated to foster a sense of family.
When a student secures a job, it is their family—not the individual—that is felicitated, recognising the collective effort behind success.
Financially, the model runs on a nominal contribution of `200 per month from each student, covering basic expenses like electricity, water, and mock tests. The aim is not revenue, but responsibility—ensuring that students remain invested in their journey. There is no external faculty. The ecosystem sustains itself through a cycle of giving back, with successful candidates returning to teach without remuneration.
The teaching ecosystem is self-sustaining. There is no external faculty. Those who succeed return to teach, without any remuneration. It is a cycle of giving back—one that keeps the model alive and growing.
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Conceived, compiled and posted as a weekly motivational newsletter #MondayMusings by Jaganathan T (www.authorjaganathan.com)
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