I love to learn and grow by going to online webinars or flying to seminars or conferences. It is just so much FUN to be there LIVE with other women who are focusing on the same goals as me. However, I have been focusing a lot on my business this quarter and have only made it out to one conference that I helped put on. Today I want to share with you 1 thing that I do DAILY to learn and fill my cup in the growth area.
Even though I have 2 degrees and 10 certifications, for me to sit down, read a book, and stay focused is VERY challenging for me. My friends tell me all the time about great books to read for women so I go to Amazon or Barn’s and Noble to purchase them but then the books just sit on my book shelf.
This past year I joined a book club to help me focus on reading more books and getting better at it. I would buy the hardcopy and if it was available the audio so I could read and listen at the same time. I found that this helped me to retain the most information. I was finding that the books in the book club were all on Audible so I said “hey, I’m going to try this out”.
Now, I listen to the Audible app while I’m driving, taking a bath, doing cardio, folding clothes, doing meal prep for the week, and cleaning. The app hold my place and doesn’t make me start back over at the beginning of the chapter like iMusic does! I am a kinesthetic learner so I learn best by doing. So listening to a book and doing a simple physical routine I am about to retain what I am reading much easier verse sitting on the couch reading a book.
Three months ago I tried out Audible for a month and got a FREE book, The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg. In my Sugar Buster Challenge, I recommend all member to read this book during the first week of the program, however I had only read bit and pieces because it was so tough for me to stay focused and read the whole book. I’ve really enjoyed listening to the book. He talks about habits in fitness, nutrition, business, and backs up his research with great stories to sink in the principles he is teaching.
The that same month I downloaded Predictable Irrational by Dan Ariely for our book club. This is my number two of great books to read for women. In my book club we are all women entrepreneurs building our business locally and online. This book showed me that things that I view as irrational are actually rational when looking at all these scientific studies. I liked this story that he shared about buying a juicer and how the store prices 3 juicers a certain way to lead us to buy the one that they want to sell us. However, in our minds we think that we are the ones making the decision but that’s not so. HAHA very interesting. If I confused you then just go and read the book for it to make sense.
Next, I downloaded 7 Spiritual Laws of Success by Deepak Chopra for my book club. They wanted to read this book in the summer but majority choose Predictable Irrational. At first, I didn’t want to read this book because I don’t believe in many of the principles he teaches. However, I decided that I would have a non-judgmental mind and be open to learn something new.
We just finished chapter 3 and so far yes there are many things that I don’t believe in however I picked out things out of each chapter to focus on for the week around the action steps. So one week was about giving and receiving…that week I had 4 parties to go to. Normally, I would bring food or a bottle of wine, but instead of bringing wine (since my hubby and I are juicing this month) I bought each person a card and wrote a really sweet message. I normally don’t buy cards because I think they are a waste of money and I’d rather buy a friend lunch then buy a card LOL but I know that other people really like cards so I did it. I also wrote cards for my good friends too. They were totally surprised.
So going back to learning and growing. You can do this no matter where you are or what you are doing as long as you have an open mind. You don’t just have to learn while at a conference, seminar, or webinar. Take 10-15 min a day to listen to a book.
I have 2 book credits right now and I’m not sure what books to download next. I’ve been focusing on business, productivity, and habit books so now I’m wanting to change it up a bit. My friend suggested Dani Johnson, Spirit Driven Success. Another friend suggested God at Work. What are some great books to read for women that you suggest? Comment below and let me know.
P.S. Click on the Audible image below to get a free book and a discount on your monthly order if you choose to continue with the service.
