I’m a big reader.
Fiction or nonfiction, as long as the writing is good or the message is compelling. I love to learn from smart, successful people, and many of them are gracious enough to write books telling you how they became smart and successful.
There are a lot of insights to be gained from nonfiction, too.
Sometimes, the beauty of the language and the art of the story inspire me. There’s Steinbeck, Hemingway, Isabel Allende, Rick Bragg or Daniel Mason.
I also like Stephen King. While not fine literature, he puts out darn good writing and often flirts with astounding truths.
In his latest bestseller, “Underthe Dome,” King’s character Andrea discusses her withdrawal from painkillers with her friend Julia, who asks,
“What about your back?”
Andrea smiled. It was an oddly knowing smile, without much humor in it. “My back isn’t bad at all. Hardly a twinge, even when I bend over. Do you know what I think?”
Julia shook her head.
“I think that when it comes to drugs, the body and the mind are co-conspirators. If the brain wants drugs, the body helps out. It says, ‘Don’t worry, don’t feel guilty, it’s OK, I really hurt.’”From this excerpt, we can draw a key point in business: Your brain and body may lie to you.
So often, I encounter resistance as I support people who want to create better business, more money or greater success in their lives. I put up resistance myself. So often, it’s a lie.
And so often, someone else who has dealt with that lie has written a book worth reading about their experience laying claim to their truth. Here are a couple more lies – and the books that dispel them.
Lie: I just don’t have enough time.
Alternate versions of this lie include, “I’m too old,” and “I’m too young.” How about the truth: You won the lottery of time. You have all there is! Lucky you.
The point of power is right now, the present moment. And it’s how you choose to spend that moment that can make all the difference to your success.
In “No B.S. – Time Management for Entrepreneurs,” author Dan Kennedy explores ways to take charge of your time and shares a simple yet sound discussion of what time is worth. You have plenty of time. You may choose to use it differently.
Try noticing what you spend time on that doesn’t move you in the direction of what you want. Yes, it’s scary. Sure, inertia has its hooks in you. Still, claiming that you don’t have enough time is just a lie.
Lie: Achieving (fill in the blank) will make me happy and feel successful.
You want the things you don’t have because you think they will make you happier. So, what if you work from the other direction? Springfield speaker and writer Marlene Chism’s “Success is a Given” is about accepting happiness and success, now.
With practical tips for reducing drama and stress, she helps you discover that there are signs all around you of how your life is working and working well! The more you recognize and appreciate that, the easier it is to be happy in this moment.
Doesn’t that sound better? The lie is that you should be miserable on your path to happiness.
Happy reading!
Ellen Rohr is an author and business consultant who offers systems for getting focused and organized, making money and having fun in business. Her latest book is “The Bare Bones Biz Plan.” She can be reached at ellen@barebonesbiz.com.[[In-content Ad]]
