Well Invested Time In September 2010 + Announcement!

Hello SCG,

9th month of 2010 was spiced up by 4 books.

#1 about shifts emerging from web 2.0 tools,enabling us to communicate, and create in new ways. #2 about basics of Buddhism philosophy. #3 about happiness at work. #4 about marketing lessons taught to us by a rock band. Pretty colorful mix of topics, isn’t it? 😉 Want to know more? Carry on reading, then.

#1

First reading time of September was spent with a latest book by Clay Shirky – a man who really knows what impact are new web 2.0 tools and our connectivity creating in the world. Clay’s book Cognitive Surplus is simply must read – what you can also judge from the amount of stickers inside the book;-) SCG, read it now!

#2

Second book on my reading list, was total opposite (at least on a time-scale) to Shirky’s current trends piece of work. Ancient philosophy and principles of Buddhism, were explained in an “easy for westerner to understand” language. If you want to “understand” (I have to put a word understand in ” “, as it would be a very bold and ignorant statement to say, that after reading this book, you will know what Buddhism is…) basics about 4 Noble Truths of Buddhism or 8 – Fold Path to Enlightenment, read Awakening Buddha Within!

#3

Third book on my list was given to me personally by Prof. Rao, when I have met him in London. I have read this precious gift literally within one breath. Interestingly enough, previous book about Buddhism was brought to my attention thanks to Prof. Rao, 3 years back , when he has listed it in the back of his book – Are You Ready to Succeed? as must read books. I simply love all such magical synchronicity of life… Happiness At Work is yet another “must-read – many times” book.

#4

I have picked up 4th book from my September list, when roaming London bookshop. Criterion for a book, was: “pick a book, which is not heavy to carry around” 😉 So, when I have spotted a book by David Meerman Scott – who’s blog is among my “must-follow blogs” for quite some time, I did not hesitate a second. Result? Excellent – short and sweet book – with great insights into how unconventional marketing techniques kick ass! Everything was tested through decades of existence of legendary music band – The Grateful Dead. I recommend you to read Marketing Lessons from the Grateful Dead if you are open to “linchpin like” attitude and to experimenting with new ways for building true relationships and raising die hard fans of your brand. I am curious, are there any ” Deadheads” among you, us SCG? Bonus: please have a look at excellent blog about this book by my friend Stephen Denny, where he also talked to the author D.M. Scott.

<gosh, I am literally sweating and my brain is boiling while typing this shipment;-)>

Quotes of the month column goes to Prof. Srikumar Rao’s book Happiness At Work

You don’t have to think positive if you don’t use “bad thing” label.

Simply observe whatever happens to you, but don’t get emotionally swayed. Do what you have to do, but don’t surrender your calmness and sense of peace.

You don’t need to manage time better, you need to manage yourself better.

If you are ready to leave where you are instantly and the only thing holding you back is a paycheck, then you are paying psychic cost that is too high.

Passion does not exist in job, is exists in you and if you cannot ignite it within yourself right where you are now, you will never find it outside yourself.

Remember there is no winning or losing, when you sincerely make the effort, you win every time.

There is nothing that you have to get, do or be in order to be happy. Happiness is your innate nature. It is hardwired into being. It is part of your DNA. It is always with you.

You have spent your entire life learning to be unhappy, by buying into “if – then model”.

You invest heavily in outcome = “goals” and outcomes are totally beyond your control. When you invest in process you cannot fail.

The only thing which never goes away is your awareness, the observer that knows that you exist. “I am” is the constant. You are the consciousness.

The logical mind is a great asset, but it is also a barrier to higher understanding. (Your intellect will not be able to give you answers on questions like: Who am I? What am I doing here in this world? etc. )

Linking your emotional well-being to the outcome of what you are striving for is a flawed strategy.

The funny thing about mental models is that more you invest in one, the more firmly you believe in whatever model you are using, the more “evidence” you get that the universe actually behaves in the way you think it does.

Rather than expecting thank you, be thankful that you have been given opportunity to be of a service.

“Ideal job” does not exist. It’s something that you craft over time, assembling the pieces as if it were a jigsaw puzzle. You don’t find it. You wake up one morning and realize you are in.