Escape mediocrity: 3 life-altering insights from a PhD journey — for professionals craving clarity, focus, and remarkable success

Read time: 3 minutes

This week, I'm taking a slightly different approach.

Today was no ordinary day for me. I've just celebrated my PhD graduation from Griffith University and was honoured to be the chosen speaker.

Addressing nearly a thousand attendees, I shared some insights about my personal transformation and distilled 3 key insights from a decade of university life.

While my speech was originally tailored for a room full of graduates, I believe its core message rings true for all of us — whether you're starting out, established in your career, or on a path of personal growth. These insights are tailored for anyone looking to navigate through life's distractions and complexities.

Let's dive in.

The opening

“… In 2018, I stood in this very room, celebrating my master's degree with a GPA of 7 and the highest marks in nearly all courses. Fast forward to today, I'm here with a PhD, having secured half a million dollars in grant funding, and landed a dream job. What a journey it has been!

But my journey to this stage was not what you may think. You see, for six years, starting when I was 16, my daily routine included soft drugs. I'd stay in bed until noon, come in late, or often I’d not even show up. My grades during my bachelor’s degree? Far from stellar. Soft drugs led me to harder drugs. Recreational use turned into addiction, and I got stuck in a cycle of chasing highs, that only brought me lower, and lower. I felt miserable, lost, and unfulfilled.

But then, in 2017, everything shifted. I moved from a small town in the Netherlands to Brisbane. It was here, at a Griffith seminar, where I met someone who opened my eyes. The speaker was a seasoned Vedic Scholar with over 40 years’ experience in the science of meditation. He made me realise that my terrible choices were the result of an untamed mind. He suggested meditation as a science-backed path to self-control.

Initially skeptical, I started practicing meditation, and gradually, it transformed me. I gained control over my thoughts, my choices, and my actions. And I got rid of my destructive habits. I traded drugs and alcohol for nourishing foods, partying for studying, and fleeting pleasures for long-term achievements, and now I’m standing here with a PhD. A decade ago, this was unthinkable.

Reflecting on this transformation, I've distilled a decade of university life into three key lessons I'd like to share:

1. In today’s attention economy, focus is your most valuable currency.

But focus itself is not enough. We first need clarity. I mean, focus without clarity is like having a fast car, but being without a destination. You have no clue where you’re going, but you’re heading there real fast. Without clear goals, your current path is your future. And what you are not changing, you are choosing, so choose wisely. Clarity sets your direction; focus drives you there.

2. The power of your circle cannot be overstated

You're as good as the company you keep – and no, Netflix doesn't count as company. Surround yourself with positive, inspiring people – they lift you up, challenge you to excel, and open doors to new possibilities. I’d like you to take a moment and think of someone who’s made a difference in your life. After this ceremony, reach out and thank them, tell them what they mean to you. Gratitude can be utterly transformative.

3. True greatness is not about reaching the top, but elevating others along the way.

Life is more than academic achievements and career success. It's about being of service, in every aspect of life. I want to impart a profound lesson from Caitanya Mahāprabhu, a revered sage who appeared in India over 500 years ago, and left a legacy that deeply impacted millions with his transformative spiritual teachings. He said: "It is the duty of every living being to perform welfare activities for the benefit of others with his life, wealth, intelligence and words." That’s a big responsibility, one that shapes not just our lives, but the world.

The close

Fellow graduates, we're stepping into a world facing pandemics, economic challenges, and societal shifts. These are not just obstacles; they are opportunities to lead and make a meaningful impact.

So, I want to leave you with some wisdom from the Bhagavad-gita, which is a seminal Vedic scripture from India, guiding millions in exploring life’s deeper questions: "Whatever action is performed by a great man, common men follow in his footsteps, and whatever standards he sets by exemplary acts, all the world pursues."

As we ponder this wisdom, remember: our actions set a standard for others, creating a ripple effect that this world so desperately needs right now. Let's lead with purpose, inspire by example, and in everything we do, let's make it matter. Thank you.“

Final thoughts

In wrapping up, remember that the journey to greatness starts with the steps we take today.

Your actions, your focus, and the people you surround yourself with shape your future.

Let's use these lessons to cut through life's noise, make impactful choices, and lift those around us.

It's about real progress, tangible change, and being a positive force.

Here's to turning our aspirations into actions.

Here’s to making a difference.

Dr Yannick