"No matter how busy you may think you are, you must find time for reading, or surrender yourself to chosen ignorance."
--Confucius
It's summertime, and living isn't so easy anymore.
Years ago, there used to be a break in the schedule. September through May tended to be complete. However, June, July, and August offered a lessened pace.
Not anymore. Conference and meeting schedules now fill the calendar year round. And those who remain after much restructuring are thankful for the work.
Rest, recreation, and reading are victims of a quickened pace. However, no downtime eventually takes its toll.
Here are three books to consider for summer that may edify some of your leisure moments:
The Power of Habit, by Pulitzer-prize-winning author Charles Duhigg. A best-seller that focuses on this idea--the key to exercising regularly, losing weight, being more productive, and achieving success is understanding how habits work. Looking to change yourself or the organization? Read this book. Or better yet, listen to an audio version.
Throwing Rocks at the Google Bus, by Douglas Rushkoff. Protesters shattered windows of buses carrying Google employees to work. But their anger was misdirected, says Rushkoff. The actual conflict, we are told, isn't between the unemployed and the digital elite. Or the 99 percent and the 1 percent. Technological improvements have spun out of control, leaving humanity out of the equation.
They Told Me Not to Take that Job, by Reynold Levy. At some point, businesses and nonprofits require turning around. Therefore, it's helpful to include case studies in our management library, reminding us just how complicated it can be to move individuals in a different direction. Levy is a skilled storyteller bringing the reader into descriptive daily conversations and decisions required to operate the venerable Lincoln Center in new ways. This book is not just about a cultural icon. It's also about the time-consuming effort required to keep people informed and motivated about the need for change. And to follow through on its implementation.
Strategist.com
(C) Bredholt & Co.
