In my work with clients, I often recommend books that help deepen their learning about a particular issue they are focusing on.Here are a few of my favorite books that I reference time and time again..7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Steven Covey.This book may be on your shelf right now.Maybe you have read it years ago; maybe you keep meaning to read it someday.Not only have I read it several times, I also had the opportunity to participate in a live training on this model.Here are the ideas that I use time and again with my clients..When we put some space between an event (stimulus) and our response to that event, we have a greater capacity to choose the most appropriate and beneficial response.We all have great ideas and projects for our growth, yet they are so often relegated to the back burner.Covey calls these our important but not urgent projects.Where we often spend most of our time however is attending to the important/urgent issues - and sometimes the not important/not urgent (like surfing the internet).Knowing where your time and energy is spent is an important first step in making some shifts.When we set out with an intention to understand another person - whether a manager, colleague, friend, family member - we come to the table with a fresher perspective, openness to truly hear and see the other persons point of view, needs and wants.That sets a great foundation to seek connection and the ever important win-win that Covey also conveys.Sharpening the saw - in our strive for forward movement and success, we often forget to recharge.So often we run on empty, wondering why we are not only exhausted all the time, but not as productive as we think we should be given all the effort we are putting in.Recharging needs to be part of our plan, an ongoing and consistent agenda item that needs attending to.Crucial Conversations by Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan and Al Switzler.Conversations with our managers, colleagues, significant others, friends and family can be challenging at times, especially when the topic is important or sensitive.This is an excellent resource for conversations like these.The idea that most stayed with me is the focus on making others feel safe in a conversation.Conversations go awry when one or more participants feel unsafe, insecure or defensive.This fight/flight response is a normal human reaction when we feel threatened (either implicitly or explicitly).When our defenses are up, our ability to focus, have reason and logic becomes cloudy and our emotions wind up running the show.This feeling of safety in a conversation allows for greater connection, openness, sharing and resolution/solution.Power of Full Engagement by Jim Loeher and Tony Schwartz.Following up on Steven Covey's idea of sharpening the saw, the Power of Full Engagement has at its core the importance of taking moments throughout our days to recharge, regroup and refocus.This all begins with knowing our priorities and values and choosing to align our behavior with them.It follows with building into our work days and personal lives these all important breaks.The breaks could be 5 minutes, 15 minutes or any length we need.What matters is the quality and consistency of the breaks, not the quantity of time.Taking a break may seem counterintuitive to productivity but I urge you to give it a try.You may just see a surge in mental and physical energy that actually allows you to accomplish more in less time (and with less expended energy).A New Earth by Eckart Tolle.In both reading A New Earth and listening to Eckart Tolle talk about it in recorded discussions here is what most stayed with me..Tolle really hones in on how we can be more present, more in the moment in our daily lives.So much of our time is spent either ruminating about the past (which we cannot change) or worrying about the future (which we cannot predict) that we lose sight of what is right in front of us.Each moment, if more fully aware of and engaged in it, can be incredibly fulfilling, no matter what it is.Accepting what is.Another premise that can have a profound impact on our daily lives, especially on our growth.When we resist what we have, where we are or what we are doing, we place added boundaries around them.We may add unnecessary struggle and obstacles where they need not be.If we went through life accepting what is, it would give us the freedom to move toward what we want with less burden and less weight on our shoulders.I have only scratched the surface here with each of these titles.I hope they can be of help to you in your own personal and professional growth.I'm sure there are many others (as there are for me) that have served you well throughout your journey and hope you will share some of these titles with me.
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Recommended Books for Career and Life
In my work with clients, I often recommend books that help deepen their learning about a particular issue they are focusing on.Here are a few of my favorite books that I reference time and time again..7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Steven Covey.This book may be on your shelf right now.Maybe you have read it years ago; maybe you keep meaning to read it someday.Not only have I read it several times, I also had the opportunity to participate in a live training on this model.Here are the ideas that I use time and again with my clients..When we put some space between an event (stimulus) and our response to that event, we have a greater capacity to choose the most appropriate and beneficial response.We all have great ideas and projects for our growth, yet they are so often relegated to the back burner.Covey calls these our important but not urgent projects.Where we often spend most of our time however is attending to the important/urgent issues - and sometimes the not important/not urgent (like surfing the internet).Knowing where your time and energy is spent is an important first step in making some shifts.When we set out with an intention to understand another person - whether a manager, colleague, friend, family member - we come to the table with a fresher perspective, openness to truly hear and see the other persons point of view, needs and wants.That sets a great foundation to seek connection and the ever important win-win that Covey also conveys.Sharpening the saw - in our strive for forward movement and success, we often forget to recharge.So often we run on empty, wondering why we are not only exhausted all the time, but not as productive as we think we should be given all the effort we are putting in.Recharging needs to be part of our plan, an ongoing and consistent agenda item that needs attending to.Crucial Conversations by Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan and Al Switzler.Conversations with our managers, colleagues, significant others, friends and family can be challenging at times, especially when the topic is important or sensitive.This is an excellent resource for conversations like these.The idea that most stayed with me is the focus on making others feel safe in a conversation.Conversations go awry when one or more participants feel unsafe, insecure or defensive.This fight/flight response is a normal human reaction when we feel threatened (either implicitly or explicitly).When our defenses are up, our ability to focus, have reason and logic becomes cloudy and our emotions wind up running the show.This feeling of safety in a conversation allows for greater connection, openness, sharing and resolution/solution.Power of Full Engagement by Jim Loeher and Tony Schwartz.Following up on Steven Covey's idea of sharpening the saw, the Power of Full Engagement has at its core the importance of taking moments throughout our days to recharge, regroup and refocus.This all begins with knowing our priorities and values and choosing to align our behavior with them.It follows with building into our work days and personal lives these all important breaks.The breaks could be 5 minutes, 15 minutes or any length we need.What matters is the quality and consistency of the breaks, not the quantity of time.Taking a break may seem counterintuitive to productivity but I urge you to give it a try.You may just see a surge in mental and physical energy that actually allows you to accomplish more in less time (and with less expended energy).A New Earth by Eckart Tolle.In both reading A New Earth and listening to Eckart Tolle talk about it in recorded discussions here is what most stayed with me..Tolle really hones in on how we can be more present, more in the moment in our daily lives.So much of our time is spent either ruminating about the past (which we cannot change) or worrying about the future (which we cannot predict) that we lose sight of what is right in front of us.Each moment, if more fully aware of and engaged in it, can be incredibly fulfilling, no matter what it is.Accepting what is.Another premise that can have a profound impact on our daily lives, especially on our growth.When we resist what we have, where we are or what we are doing, we place added boundaries around them.We may add unnecessary struggle and obstacles where they need not be.If we went through life accepting what is, it would give us the freedom to move toward what we want with less burden and less weight on our shoulders.I have only scratched the surface here with each of these titles.I hope they can be of help to you in your own personal and professional growth.I'm sure there are many others (as there are for me) that have served you well throughout your journey and hope you will share some of these titles with me.
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