You Are What You Read
“Live as if you are going to die tomorrow. Learn as if you are going to live forever.” — Mahatma Gandhi
Are you a lifelong learner? When was the last time you read a book for a reason other than pleasure?
Reading or listening to personal or professional development (PD) materials is invaluable. It keeps us learning, challenges our thinking, opens us up to new ideas and helps us grow as individuals and organizations.
PD has been part of my life for a very long time. One of the first “books” I picked up was “Self Esteem and Peak Performance” by Brian Tracy. I actually listened to it on tape — yup, it was that long ago. I remember putting it in my Sony Walkman and listening while doing yard work, dishes, or walking. I was going through a very tough time in my life (an unpleasant divorce) and it truly helped me do what I needed to do for me and my daughter.
Since then, I continue to read or listen to both professional and personal development materials. I find it so valuable, that I even require a professional development book in all of my classes.
Right now I am listening to multiple podcasts and the book “Smarter, Faster, Better” by Charles Duhigg, and reading “Finding your Extraordinary” by Jessica DiLullo Herrin.
Some of my favorites include:
The Compound Effect by Darrin Hardy
The Road Less Traveled by Scott Peck
Eat that Frog by Brian Tracy
You are a Badass by Jen Sincero
Encouraging the Heart by Kouzes and Posner
What are you listening/reading to? Do you have a favorite?