Hello SCG,
I am kinda excited to share with you brisk reviews of books consumed during 1st month of 2011; January’s portion contained-> classics by Robert Pirsig: Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance; Heath’s brothers brought in great insights on managing change in their book Switch; Guys from 37 signals wrote brilliantly bold and easy to read (harder to execute though) book Rework & I have concluded month with Freedom from Known by Jiddu Krishnamurti. So, let’s dig into 4 pieces, which kept me awake during nights, aware during days & inspired me to act, change & re-learn.
#1
Zen & the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert Pirsig
What to say about this book, hmmm? It was my Xmas 2010 gift & I am totally grateful for a chance to read this 400 plus pages long treasure. SCG-ers read Zen And the Art Of Motorcycle Maintenance, too. I have made 10 pages of hand-written notes from this epic book, so to pick one, which I liked the most was though, but here it is: “Sometimes it is better to travel than to arrive”
#2
Switch by Chip Heath & Dan Heath
Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard was well spent money & time. Firstly I have heard praise for it by Seth Godin & then our friend & SCG-er, J.D. Meier was inspired by Switch in April last year, when he has shipped a blog post with title The Elephant and the Rider. (you can see my comment bellow stating that I should read it, I did now, yay!) Thanks for it J.D., so I will not be repeating lessons learned from this must read book again.
#3
Rework by Jason Fried & David Heinemeier Hansson
Rework is brilliant, brisk read with great cartoons & design inside the book. You could feel heart beats of authors – true doers Jason & David invading & shaking your brain, page after page. I did not put this book down till I have finished it. (those poor coffee shop guys must have been worried about me, witnessing me to sit without a move for 4 hours). Get it! Read it! For more inspiration check out quotes column bellow and this super cool TED talk by Jason – Why work does not happen at work.
#4
Freedom from Known by Jiddu Krishnamurti
Oh, my what a book. One would say, that you can finish this tiny barely 100 pages long book during one afternoon session. Mistake! “Don’t judge book by the cover” totally applies for: Freedom from Known by J. Krishamurti -> one of the greatest minds of the last century. You can consume this book only in very small portions. I must confess that sometimes I was not able to digest one full page; I had to pause & reflect on those lines full of wisdom and I am still reading it, even tough it is already end of February…Thank you Jiddu. So, if you are equipped with patience and courage to face your own self, read it.
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Quotes Of the Month Column goes to Jasen & David authors of Rework
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The real world isn’t place, it’s an excuse. It’s justification for not trying.
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Evolution does not linger on past failures, it is always building upon what worked.
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Unless you are a fortune teller, long term business planning is a fantasy.
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You need a commitment strategy not an exit strategy.
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When you get in that flow of making decision after decision, you build momentum & boost morale. Decisions are progress.
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People use equipment as a crutch, they are looking for shortcut, but you just don’t need the best gear in the world to be good.
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Competition can never copy the you in your product.
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Do less than your competitors to beat them.
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It’s better to go down fighting for what you believe in, instead of just imitating others.
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Teach & you will form a bond, you don’t get from traditional marketing tactics.
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Marketing is something everyone in your company is doing 24/7/365.
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Never hire anyone to do a job until you’ve tried to do it yourself.
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Remember that negative reactions are almost always louder & more passionate than positive ones.
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You don’t create culture. It happens. Culture is action not words.
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Policies are collective punishment for misdeeds of an individual. Don’t create them!
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Don’t be afraid to be you.
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SCG,
what was on your reading menu in January 2011? Have you read of any above books? Share with us your recent reading excitement, too.
i.
Inspiring Shipments (#IS) by Ivana Sendecka 
Ivana, thanks for sharing.
Jiddu Krishnamurti’s approach was radical. Though he is no more now but his thoughts keep moving ahead – with his books. His foundation in India runs schools where there is no standard examination – you may check out this intent page – http://www.journal.kfionline.org/intent.asp;
http://www.pathsoflearning.net/resources_writings_Krishnamurti_Education.php
http://www.jkrishnamurti.org/worldwide-information/schools.php
May me some of these ideas can be implemented in your Leadership Project.
Yay, Mohit!
Thank you so much for your 1st comment on #IS;-)
Welcome to SCG!
And thanks for sharing precious links for Krishnamurti’s work.
See you around again, Domino Project buddy!
😉
Only two books – Intelligent Investor (Benjamin Graham) and The Talent Code (Daniel Coyle). How do you manage to read so many books? 🙂
Thanks for sharing your reading list Tomas!
😉
I have not read any of your tips (yet)
😉
4 books is the best I can do as I am not reading books, I am studying them, highlighting, making notes and the most importantly-> applying what I have read in real life -> that is a reason why do I manage to read only 4 books a month.
So, my answer for HOW do I manage, is that is not about how, but WHY?
My why is clear, I love it, I do give my all to #IS & I simply cannot imagine to live otherwise, than -> to inspire you guys to be better than you think you can be;-)