I Read To Save My Career

When I first immersed myself into the world of reading personal and professional growth books, it was out of necessity.

I was trying to save my career.

I started by reading books about resolving conflict and managing difficult people. Then, I turned to books on leadership and managing up.

And none of it really helped me.

Do you know why?
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I was reading from fear and ego, rather than from curiosity and creativity.

Looking back, I can see how it never would have worked.

When you read or learn from a place of fear or ego, you come to the reading from that perspective. You're approaching it from the wrong angle, only giving yourself the illusion of growth and development. Most likely, you won't put the ideas into practice.

As a result, you can talk the talk, but you can't walk the walk.

I could have told you all about the various "difficult people" out in the world to deal with, but when it came to actually dealing with them, I couldn't.

It was much easier for me to put a label on them, and put myself on a pedestal far away from their "difficultness."

As you can guess, I was knocked off that pedestal.

I no longer read all these non-fiction books out of fear. 
I read them for pleasure. 

It's true that many of the books out there have similar messages, while the authors and their stories are quite different. That's what makes them so special.

It's not just the content of the book, but the connection that I can make with the author that matters (even if I never meet them.)

Right now, I am listening to Build by Tony Fadell, and it's much like many other books to inspire and support start-ups. What's unique is Tony's story. He is the man behind the iPod and iPhone at Apple, and the Nest thermostat.

Although our Nest doesn't work here in France, it's sitting on the shelf in our entryway...and we hope that one day we can connect it again.

Each book that I read now, is a journey into connecting with the author, connecting to myself, and connecting to the future that I want to create in our world.

Do you know why you read?

In possibility,
Theresa

Originally posted on LinkedIn with comments.
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