I’m surfing the internet and the New Year chatter has begun.
And in 3 months, we wonder what happened to that euphoric feeling that a 24 hour time change brings.
For me, 2017 is about simplifying my goals into key “buckets” of my life. It’s taken some time to narrow them down, in fact the 10th goal is still not 100% articulated. After a short 35 trips around the sun, a few things have resonated with me throughout the new year’s appeal; the people in my world and the things that I do. Every goal always comes back to those two main areas and as I’ve (questionably) matured, the impact and influence of those people and actions carry more meaning and weight; both good and bad.
In order to maximize those goals, I’ve had to acknowledge two things:
- I don’t know everything.
- Keep learning.
My father always taught me to position myself as a student of people I would most like to become. He never said I had to be in a relationship with them. Took me a minute to catch on until he modeled it for me. He loved to READ! My father read books, newspapers, and saved clippings in a folder by subject so when those moments in life called for some wisdom from his mentors, he pulled them from his folders.
I remember his words clearly, “Readers are leaders and leaders are readers!”
And so I read because I knew God had called me to live life differently than most.
And I positioned these “guru’s” as mentors in my life through their words, books, blogs, podcasts, and articles.
Every time I finished a book, I would go back to my two core statements: I don’t know everything and keep learning/growing and I would read some more.
So grab a cup of coffee because, I’m sharing the 4 books that I am reading in 2017 so I can….
Keep growing, why?
Because I don’t know everything.
Want a book that will racially change your life? Read the Bible. Even if you don’t understand it, your life, from the inside out, will change dramatically. If you can’t afford to buy one, then download the YouVersion.com for GREAT devotionals and Bible translations for FREE. Commit to reading 10 minutes a day and watch your life take an adventure!
(Picture courtesy of Amazon.com)
2. “Fire Your Boss”, by Stephen M. Pollan & Mark Levine
I love the title because it captures your attention and then the book throws you a twist. If you have a boss or work with people over you who “call the shots” in some way of your career and job, then this book is for you!
(Picture courtesy of Amazon.com)
3. “The Richest Man Who Ever Lived”, by Steven K. Scott
Life and goal planning can be a bit tedious for me with it’s whimsical claims and less practical approaches. Add on the fact that most goals leave ZERO room for your faith and wisdom and I’m checked out. This books does both because it breaks down the wisdom of the richest man who ever lived and how he achieved it.
(Picture courtesy of Amazon.com)
4. “The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership”, by John Maxwell
Hands-down the BEST book on if you are leading people in any capacity! It’s practical, applicable, and super challenging. Be prepared for your leadership paradigm to shift or possibly be destroyed. PS – This is a yearly book read!
(Picture courtesy of Amazon.com)
What about you? How will you position yourself as a student of learning for 2017 or what books will you read? I’m always looking for new books to read that others have been challenged or changed by, so sound off on the comments below.