One of my goals this year is to read at least one book per month, and hopefully twelve books by the end of this year, as part of a committment to reading as an activity for self-improvement and possibly enlightenment. My goal is rotate between business and other non-fiction books, so as not to get bored by any one genre. As it turns out, I’ve started reading three books, although I know I won’t finish them all this month.
Anyway, Thursdays seem like a good day to update my progress and share some thoughts.
Creative Confidence by Tom & David Kelley
- http://www.creativeconfidence.com
This is the first book I planned to read in January. I forget where I first saw or heard about it but it was likely on a podcast. I began reading it over the holidays using the Kindle app because I’m trying to live more minimally (I’m planning to give away most of the books I don’t plan to reread or need to keep for reference).
First thoughts: The idea of developing creative confidence is new to me, so it’s been fascinating to read the stories the authors tell of how they helped others acheive it. One of the first quotes I highlighed was “immerse yourself in unfamiliar environments,” and have been thinking about ways to do so in the near future. In many of their stories, they share how by encouraging a failure mindset they can get people to overcome their fears and slowly build their confidence.
Another quote I liked is, “More and more companies in every industry are beginning to launch new products, services, or business in order to learn.” This idea also encompasses the failure mindset, and by interating quickly, can test demand and find better solutions faster. Hopefully this will inspire me to complete more of my projects this year by focusing more on what I can learn during the process than trying to create a perfect end result.
Tools of Titans by Tim Ferris
- https://toolsoftitans.com
I purchased this book to follow along with a group John Saddington (link opens a YouTube playlist of his vlog series) created to go through it together. I have nothing to review yet but it looks like a great reference tool for the future. John is taking us through one interview section per day, which will take about 12 weeks to complete.
I’m not usually a fan of Tim Ferris but this one interested me, so I’m excited to find new things to learn.
The Evolution of Adam by Pete Enns
- http://www.peteenns.com/product/the-evolution-of-adam-what-the-bible-does-and-doesnt-say-about-human-origins/
After finding Pete on Twitter and realizing we live in the same town (and that he’s a professor where my wife went to college), I downloaded one of his older books. I’m especially interested in reading his latest book, “The Sin of Certainty,” but wanted to go back and read something older first.
I don’t write much about my faith, but after leaving our church a few years ago, I have been wanting to find something I could possibly reconnect with in a non-threatening way.
