I’m an avid reader. One of my favorite things to find out, especially from mentors and other leaders, are the books that have impacted them. In this post, I return the favor.
Here are the books that have influenced me the most this past year. My focus this past year has been to get out of the rut of ‘comfort and ease’ and really push myself to discover what it means to be a Creative Entrepreneur.
Do any human beings ever realize life while they live it—every, every moment? -Emily Gibbs, in Our Town by Thornton Wilder
Life is. . .about a greater hunger that is beyond words and food…Life is worth living in and of itself. Life cannot be satisfied when it is lived out as a consuming entity. -Ravi Zacharias
Have you noticed how many hungers there are in life? They might also be referred to as yearnings, desires, longings. My guess is you’ve experienced a number of these hungers. The hunger for truth, the hunger for love, the hunger for knowledge, the hunger to belong, the hunger to express, the hunger for justice, the hunger of the imagination, the hunger for significance. The list goes on. The hunger for creativity, the hunger for relationship, the hunger for family, the hunger for acceptance.
Too often we try to bury the hungers of life.
Great listeners make great friends. They also make great mentors, great coaches, great leaders.
The simple act of listening well gives value to those around you. How do we listen well?
Someone that listens well doesn’t feel the need to fill quiet with words.
Photo by Nishanth Jois on Flickr
There is power behind contentment. Not an overt power that seeks to control, but an inner power that says I’m ok with who I am. This kind of power seeks to serve, seeks to make a difference, seeks to make the world a better place.
The secret of leading well is to follow well. I’ve worked with many leaders over the years. The ones that left the biggest impact are those that also followed well. They also happen to be the the ones I most enjoyed working with.
Photo by Alan Vernon on Flickr
It is a sad truth but many people go to their grave with their song unsung and their talents and passions undiscovered. – Jeff Bullas
The first of the New Year is fast approaching. This time of year, I often reflect on this year’s goals and ponder next year’s. Why? Because of what’s referred to in the quote above. I am passionate about singing my own song, and helping others discover theirs.
Although Bullas’ article isn’t just about discovering your song, he makes some very good points.
Work that is play is the combination of innate ability and aptitude that combines with passion to create a synergy that lubricates life’s journey.
As an introvert, I sometimes struggle in large group situations. Put me in a small group or one-on-one, I’m fine. Put me with more than 4-5 people, I will struggle…unless….
Unless I am a designated leader of that group. Then, I’ll be fine.
As introverts, sometimes we think too much about our ‘ineptness’ in group situations. We shine in other areas. That’s why this article, by Janet Callaway was such a booster for me. Her suggested steps in How to Bring Out the Best in People resonates with me.
When I am in a leadership role, I”m not thinking about what others think of me. Instead, I’m thinking about how to connect with those in the group. It’s all about them, not me.
won·der [wuhn-der]: to be filled with admiration, amazement, or awe - from dictionary.com
When was the last time you experienced wonder? The last time you were filled with awe, with admiration?
Maybe it was when you watched a sunset, or walked along the beach, or watched children play. Maybe it was when you went to a musical, or heard your grandpa’s childhood story for the first time.
We’re designed to experience wonder. Wonder frees us. Wonder helps us live fully. Wonder releases the need for control. Wonder lets us breathe deeply.
Photo by xprogrammer on Flickr
“Purpose is to life what the skeleton is to the body. The muscle may have strength, but it needs support and attachment.” -Ravi Zacharias
Our pursuits need a supporting structure. Without a supporting structure, life drifts. Without purpose, affections and ‘emergencies’ and people-pleasing define our life. We move from one affection to another, from one emergency to another, from one people-pleasing activity to another – without an ultimate purpose.
Purpose provides the needed supporting structure. Instead of randomly moving from one thing to another,
Photo by Walt Stoneburner on Flickr
“Art, to be art, must point at something.” – Anne Lammot
Having a vision helps point our lives in the right direction. It helps us know what choices to make, what relationships to build, what activities to be a part of. With vision we have purpose.
Without vision, we don’t know where we’re headed. We don’t know which choice to choose, what relationships to pursue, or how best to spend our time. Without vision we easily lose our purpose.
