Mumbai: Ashdin Doctor is a versatile entrepreneur, author, Habit Coach™, podcaster, and philanthropist. With a diverse range of experiences and a passion for transforming lives, he has become a leading figure in the field of habit formation and personal development. Ashdin's journey began with a successful 15-year career at Ormax Consultants Pvt. Ltd., India’s leading qualitative research firm founded by his parents.
The turning point in Ashdin's life came when he found himself collapsing on the floor, drenched in sweat and unable to move given his hectic personal and professional life and struggles due to ignoring his health. It was at this moment of crisis that he realized the urgent need for change. After trying various workouts and health regimes at a time when little awareness about holistic health and wellness existed and exercising meant only body building, Ashdin managed to lose his pot belly and get a six-pack. People commented on his new avatar and they attributed it to his “motivation”. This was when the germ of his habit coaching business idea was sowed. In his search for solutions, he discovered that relying solely on motivation was a recipe for failure. Determined to make a lasting difference, Ashdin developed an in-depth understanding of sustainable habits, rather than momentary motivation, were the key to long-term success and personal transformation.
Driven by his newfound perspective, Ashdin undertook an informal study of various disciplines, including health, nutrition, fitness, exercise, anatomy, nervous system, habits, motivation, lifestyles, meditation, healing practices, and sleep. Collaborating with thought leaders, doctors, and experts from diverse fields related to health and lifestyle, he gathered a wealth of knowledge and insights. Inspired by his own life-changing experiences, Ashdin began sharing these invaluable lessons with others.
Indiantelevision.com caught with him where shared his journey as “The Habit Coach”
Edited excerpts
On introducing yourself and your work as "The Habit Coach"
My name is Ashdin Doctor and I started the Habit coaching industry about 8 years ago. At the time I had just gone through my own life-altering wellness journey. Which I cover in my book "Change Your Habits Change Your Life". I was overweight, stressed and burnt out. Culminating in me collapsing on the floor, clutching my chest, at the age of 31. I swore never to be in that state again. I Changed my life by making small changes, instead of large ones that I had tried many times before and failed. This is where the idea of teaching people how to form habits was born. If people realise that the quality of their current lives is nothing but the quality of their current habits, they can change their lives easily!
On the motivation to become a habit coach
After people saw this transformation. They would ask me what I had done. How they could also lose a few kilos or get rid of their stress. And I would patiently tell them all the things I had done to achieve it. However, they would stop me after about 30 seconds and say, "Ashdin I do not have your motivation and self-discipline". This was my aha moment, if people don't think they can do it, they will not start! So when I started Habit Coaching my idea was a war on the word "Motivation".
On the first podcast that was turned into a book
I host The Habit Coach Podcast. Which is one of India's top podcasts and one of the oldest. We have over 1,200 episodes. Since most of the episodes are scripted, it was very easy to turn 31 scripts into a workbook style of book. The idea was that people could read the chapters and then write them down and begin to implement the change suggested in the chapter. This format has worked very well for us. The book is called "One Habit A Day" and we are getting great feedback for it.
On elaborating on the issues you've encountered and any solutions you've devised
It all boils down to energy management and NOT time management. Most of us have lots of time left over in the day, but we run out of energy far faster. Energy management includes eating the right food, spending time meditating, Working out, and removing distractions. Once you have surplus energy, create the priorities you need to focus on so that you do not feel overwhelmed. Most importantly do things you love doing and you will never feel like it is work. Have fun and enjoy your work and life, it's a great habit!
On habits that are important for personal development and well-being
Habits are the foundation of our lives. I like to define habits as "Any conscious or sub-conscious, action or thought that is repeated at a set frequency is a habit. We are used to thinking of habits as brushing teeth or tying shoe laces, these are actions. But our thoughts are also habits! Imagine waking up every day and thinking life sucks. Day after day the same thought is going to ensure that your life does suck. This is why habits are so crucial and most of our habits are not consciously created by us. We need to choose the habits we want carefully.
