Summer is officially over. Here are my remarkable summertime reads.
Imagine: How Creativity WorksAuthor: Jonah Lehrer
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2012
You know that dull, disappointing, frustrated place you find yourself when day after day it seems like you aren’t getting anywhere? Great news! That place is essential to the creative process. Author Jonah Lehrer calls this the impasse phase of the creative process. After that comes the breakthrough, a knock-you-off-your-horse insight that makes you wonder how you could have ever not seen it. This compelling book explores inspiration – which literally means “to breathe into” – and the latest scientific theories on how creativity works. You have to be willing to accept defeat, to let go of a problem, in order to be open to the breakthrough. I love the stories he uses to illustrate his points. For instance, Archimedes running naked from his tub to tell the king of his water-displacement method of measuring volume.
The Long RunAuthor: Matt Long, with Charles Butler
Publisher: Rodale Books, 2011
Matt Long is a celebrated New York City firefighter. He was a first responder to the World Trade Center on Sept. 11. He was an elite athlete, who completed several triathlons and ran the NYC Marathon in a speedy 3 hours, 13 minutes. Then, on a Sunday morning training ride, Long was run over by a bus. His body was tangled underneath the vehicle, and he was literally skewered by his bicycle. Three months and 40 surgeries later, Long left the hospital, a shell of his former physical self, and so discouraged and beat down that he berated his mother for allowing him to live. “You got what you wanted,” he shouted at her, pointing to his wheelchair and his colostomy bag. His story of redemption is movie material. “Running saved my life,” says Long, who clawed back from disability to become an Ironman. This book will silence the whiner in you.
Living the 7 Habits: The Courage to ChangeAuthor: Stephen R. Covey
Publisher: Free Press, 2000
I first read “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People” about 20 years ago. I’ve followed Stephen R. Covey since, and he has had a profound impact on my philosophy. True north values matter. “Living the 7 Habits” is my favorite Covey book, because he shares story after story of personal transformation. What does it take to change? Why bother? How do you go from where you are to where you want to be? The stories illustrate Covey’s principles and add the “special sauce” of real-life application. You can open this book at any page and find someone whose journey illuminates your road. A teacher in a tough inner-city school shared, “My goal was to get a student to feel good about himself, even if it was just for the hour in my class.” It reminded me that the best part of someone’s day might be the time they spend at work, with me or with you. That is an awesome responsibility and opportunity. Thanks, Mr. Covey. Rest in peace.
Pin ItCheck out these and other remarkable books on my Pinterest books board:
Pinterest.com/ellenrohr/books.
Ellen Rohr is an author and business consultant who offers systems for getting focused and organized, making money and having fun in business. Her books include “Where Did the Money Go?” and “The Bare Bones Weekend Biz Plan.” She can be reached at ellen@barebonesbiz.com.
