This past weekend, I spent some time wandering through Barnes & Noble with Cuddlesworth. She likes to read books. I like to look at ‘em. Nah, I’m playing. I like to read books too…at least the first 150 pages. I think my book completion rate is something like 60%, but that’s just useless information I wanted to share. Moving right along…
We ended up in my favorite section: personal development and business/management. The elation strolled through my veins like a Black greek at a picnic. There were so many options and titles that I’ve heard about or intended to read that my chest got tight and my feet got happy. I’m pretty sure I even made an audible sound unbecoming of a man of my stature. Something like “eeeeeee” or “geegollywillikers!”
You wouldn’t believe how hard it was for me to focus. I wanted to read the first 150 pages of everything. I bounced around from title to title and back cover to back cover. Next thing I knew, half an hour had went by and the store was getting ready to close. It was quite tragic. I was flabbergasted. All that time spent looking at books and no decision…until like two minutes before the staff came around carrying civil war rifles armed with bayonets to poke and proud people in the direction of the doors like cattle. And when forced to make a decision, I went with Ramit Sethi’s I Will Teach You to Be Rich. I’m about 110 pages in and I think this’ll be one that I actually finish. The information and approach is just that good.
The experienced in the bookstore mirrored much of the rest of my life — particularly the part that’s tied to the internet. Every day I get a rush of ideas and see new opportunities. Every day I have to remind myself to stay focused. I know what I’ve done in the past.
I’ve spent weeks thinking about projects I’d never start, and money setting up websites that live in a state of perpetual incompletion. I’ve jotted article titles, that much like the books I’ve began, have a 60% finish rate. I’ve made promises, left doors cracked, and missed self-imposed deadlines. I’ve endured the mental paralysis that comes with trying to accomplish everything, only to realize I’ve accomplished nothing. Or at least it feels that way at times. I’ve learned that my idea and information search sessions are often nothing more than cloaked procrastination.
I’m not gonna say I have to do better because I have and continue to do better. I’ve eliminated a lot of the surplus noise from my life, but I still have my moments. I still see a ton of new opportunities and wake up with new ideas. I still have to remind myself to stay focused on the goals I’ve set. And it’s the self-awareness that keeps me off the guardrail and on the path to my success. It’s what allows all of us the opportunity to be successful. I say opportunity because self-awareness is worthless if you don’t use it to make adjustments that add value to your life. It’s also what’s allowing me to make this the last sentence of this post without going on tangent.
Happy Friday,
I actually got that book as a present when I graduated from undergrad… Granted I need a job before I can really start using it, but when I get one… I like his approach too.
I just want to say that I’m really enjoying the blog. I discovered it in the blogroll for SBM (where I also enjoy your work). I’ll be 25 in a few months and the reality that I need to make more concrete decisions and really set and create a plan to achieve goals is one of the biggest things in my life right now. Your blog seems to be on the same wave length lately and I appreciate that. Big ups!!!
Oh and as it relates to this blog…I ordered 7 Habits after you suggested. I swear it’s a good book, but I just can’t find the time to FINISH it. LOL.
Mannn, I have to read through it again. It’s more important in my life now than ever. Appreciate the kind words on the site in previous comment as well.
“I say opportunity because self-awareness is worthless if you don’t use it to make adjustments that add value to your life. ” (Give this man some applause!) You’re on the right track my friend. I’ve been on this journey of self-awareness myself for the past year. I’m a different person from the woman that I was last year, mostly due to making adjustments in my life. I started off my self-awareness journey by reading “The Four Agreements” by Miguel Ruiz. It’s an excellent book and if you can incorporate these 4 simple rule into your daily habits, life flows so much easier. People hate to make changes, but change is necessary if you ever want to reach your full potential. “You can have many great ideas in your head, but what makes the difference is the action. Without action upon an idea, there will be no manifestation, no results, and no reward”
― Miguel Ruiz
Thanks for the book recommendation. I’m gonna add it to the list of ones I hope to go beyond the first 150 pages on.lol.
That quote is truth though. Had I read it, I would’ve used that in the article.
You’re welcome. Actually, it’s a really short book though. I read it in one night. You can do it! LOL!!!
i definitely have this problem. but i’ve just implemented a reward system for staying focused and on track, so we’ll see how that goes. lol.
good post.
im still snickering at cuddlesworth.
sounds like a kitty.
#punsintended. hee.
I actually read this book and implemented it a couple years ago. The lessons have certainly stuck with me as just last week I called up both my cable and cell phone company and saved $350 over the next six months. I gotta re-read it again so I can re-do the 401K and Roth IRA allocations. The best part about that book is actually having money set aside to do whatever the heck I wanna do without worry each month.
It took me a long time to learn, but if I don’t really plan on implementing the content of a book, I’m not reading it lol. Sad to say but what that really means my only pleasure reading these days are from blogs. Oh, audio books are fantabulous! Highly recommended!
I can relate to this post so much. It’s a daily struggle for me to keep my eye on the prize–whatever it is at the moment. I often work in silence because of this. Online, I can easily have about 15 tabs open. So easy. I now try to limit it to four — to not get distracted. Keep posting, Slim.