Few years ago when technology was beginning to bloom in our life. I heard 100’s of people say , “Gone are those days when people found comfort between pages”. Turns out they all were wrong, Reading has become difficult compared to earlier but there are many who are willing to inculcate this habit in their life.
And I’m guessing you all are one of those .. Welcome Abode!
What can you expect from this article ?
- There are 3 books which may bring a shift in your perspective.
Why specifically these books?
- In this article I have chosen 3 books which are not given the spotlight they deserve.
- There are many books in the market which will definitely help you grow and provide you with definite techniques.
- But these books will show you ways, you have to be a craftsman and carve your path.
If you have read our earlier articles you would know I don’t preach that life is all about work.
A human is more than a career so through these selections I want you to know that I’m not speaking here to an employee of some company but an individual.
1. The Long Game – Dorie Clark
This book took up a unique approach which goes against today’s norm of winning within no time. The author has majorly focused on the American population but it stands as a fact across the world.
We give almost 10 hrs of our day including the commute to jobs but still we don’t experience the satisfaction, people are spending more hours in work but the efficiency rate is sliding down.
“Everything takes longer than we want it to. Everything.”
And we wonder how the older generation found satisfaction in the monotony with no immediate results.
The new fast culture has made people prone to expect quick results. People are not willing to work towards a long term goal because it may not be rewarding immediately.
And this book will change your perspective on that, everybody wants immediate results because it’s easy, it’s guaranteed and it’s glamorous but to gain something huge and to let it stick with you ..it takes a vision and commitment.
The books focuses on three major sections;
- Create a white section.
- This simply means start with a blank space and create a plan for yourself.
- Know where and why you are spending your hours.
- Learn to say NO to things that don’t matter.
- Focus where it counts.
- This is a thread continuing from the earlier point.
- Focus on your goal and things you can do to get closer to it.
- Built a strong network.
- Experimentation is the key.
- Strategic patience ( My favorite one)
- Committing to a long term plan simply equates to waiting.
The author in no way glorifies this idea she mentions that this will be like a dark pit where you have no way to come out but in those times you need to trust your plans and be persistent.
You may ask … Is there any benefit to this??
- You have the courage to be different
- You are open to looking like a failure until your result materializes
- You have the strength to preserve
2. So Good They Can’t Ignore You – Cal Newport
I know a guy who is currently hunting for jobs. He did get some offers but it didn’t meet his unrealistic expectations so he is complaining and waiting for the offer which will change his life.
The loophole in this story is that he is not skilled enough to have these demands!
And this author focuses on such a mindset which most of us carry.
Passion mindset : We all have a passion for certain things and we try to find jobs which match our passion or vision and when it doesn’t happen that way it leads to immense distress and doubts.
This is the mindset that the author wants us to avoid.
Instead we need to have a ‘Craftsman Mindset’.
This slightly changes our perspective. We should focus on what we can offer a company and how it will benefit them, not the other way around.
And once they trusted us we should work on our ‘Capital’ which simply means to polish our skills and abilities, never stop going out of your comfort.
This will gain you the ‘Control and Autonomy’ you desire in your workspace.
This book will help you become a better employee…for sure but it’ll teach you to be your own boss with time ;
“The happiest, most passionate employees are not those who followed their passion into a position, but instead those who have been around long enough to become good at what they do.”
3. Weird in a World That’s Not: A Career Guide for Misfits, F*ckups, and Failures
- Jennifer Romolini
I can go on and on about many other books that will give you the reassurance that by doing this you can change your life to something huge and that is plausible.
But in the walk of being a better employee don’t forget the Weirdo inside you.
“Your weirdness is your strength.”
Embrace your individuality; this is the only way that you will stand out from everyone and be something different in a competitive market.
If you have the skill in you then make a brand of yourself. For sometime stop conforming to the societal role and expectations.
Failures are not accepted as a part of your career but it’s a stepping stone.. Don’t let it drown you.
Find a balance in being professional and authentic. You will find a new freedom with respect to your job or business.
Now, here is a bonus one…
Have you ever felt like finding Happiness feels like a quest? A quest with perpetual uncertainty, where each step brings new challenges and unexpected turns .
You must be thinking where am I going with this piece of information.
None other than my own debut book, “The Happiness Hunt”. (about to be released soon)
I’m someone who has first handedly experience and is a part of work culture and I realized how unfulfilled people feel because of their job and there are many other factors.
The loneliness seeping in our life due to this individualistic culture. The sudden grief that enters our life. There is a lot that happens in our personal and professional life simultaneously and at the end of it we only seek for one thing and the simple verb for that would be Happiness.
Through this book I have conveyed rational solutions and I have acknowledged real problems that people face. Every individual who is an employee or who is stepping in this life changing event will find comfort and solutions.
I hope these books and my own, will inspire you to carve your unique path and find joy and satisfaction in all aspects of your life.