The Books You Read...

"You are the same today as you’ll be in five years except for two things: the people you meet and the books you read." -- Charlie "Tremendous" Jones

"Some books leave us free and some books make us free." -- Ralph Waldo Emerson

"In the case of good books, the point is not how many of them you can get through, but rather how many can get through to you." -- Mortimer Adler

"A book lying idle on a shelf is wasted ammunition. Like money, books must be kept in constant circulation. Lend and borrow to the maximum -- of both books and money! But especially books, for books represent infinitely more than money. A book is not only a friend, it makes friends for you. When you have possessed a book with mind and spirit, you are enriched. But when you pass it on you are enriched threefold." -- Henry Miller

It has been said that a person who does not read is no better than a person that can not read. Books have the power to enrich your mind, enhance your life, expand your thinking, and simply entertain. I much prefer reading a book to watching television; there are no commercials, I control the pace, and I get to create my own pictures to match the words. In the past I read mostly fiction, but over the last few years I have been reading about 90% non-fiction.

I always keep books close. I continually build my personal library so there will always be a book waiting for me. I buy audio books so I can learn while I drive. I typically have 2 books in progress at a time; one fiction and one non-fiction to provide balance.

Earlier this year, SUCCESS Magazine published a list of what they considered the top 25 success books of all time (http://tinyurl.com/5calvx). I made it a personal goal to read or listen to full versions of each of these books by the end of the year (I have 2 left!). Now, as I near completion of the top 25, here is a list of books that I will be reading in 2009 (no particular order):

• "Success Built to Last" -- Jerry Porras, Stewart Emery, Mark Thompson
• "Having It All" -- John Assaraf
• "The Success Principles" -- Jack Canfield
• "How To Read A Book" -- Mortimer Adler
• "The Millionaire Mind" -- Thomas Stanley
• "How To Stop Worrying & Start Living" -- Dale Carnegie
• "Uncommon Friends" -- James Newton
• "The Essential Laws of Fearless Living" -- Guy Finley
• "Feel The Fear And Do It Anyway" -- Susan Jeffers
• "Vagabonding" -- Rolf Potts
• "The Ultimate Gift" -- Jim Stovall
• "Og Mandino's University Of Success" -- Og Mandino
• "Lincoln On Leadership" -- Donald T. Phillips
• "The Last Lecture" -- Randy Pausch
• "Man's Search For Meaning" -- Viktor Frankl

I will balance that list with fiction by James Patterson, John Grisham, Stephen King, Michael Crichton, Dean Koontz, and others. Also non-fiction books by Bill Bryson, Jon Katz, John Muir, Richard Bangs, and others about the environment, dogs, and adventure.

I am always looking for new books to add to my list and to my library. What books do you plan to read in the new year? What books have you read that have impacted your life? Please leave a comment with your suggestions and thoughts.

Make a resolution in 2009 to watch less television and read more books!!!

Scott

If you're not getting better, you're getting worse!Continuous learning and self-improvement are the keys to a long and prosperous life. Find out more at iLearningGlobal

What Is Success?

Do you want to achieve more success in your life? You probably answered yes to that question. But, do you know what the definition of success is? Have you ever looked it up in the dictionary?

Most people will admit that they have never looked up the definition of success, yet they feel they know what it means and they know they want it. They have grand visions of what SUCCESS is!

Success has many definitions in the dictionary, some of which are:

• the favorable or prosperous termination of attempts or endeavors; accomplishment of a desired end
• the attainment of wealth, position, honors, or the like
• a successful performance or achievement
• a person or thing that is successful; a person with a record of successes
• the achievement of something desired, planned, or attempted
• the gaining of fame or prosperity; the extent of such gain
• an event that accomplishes its intended purpose

Based on the definition, success is not limited by size or scope. If you intend to get out of bed in the morning, and you in fact get out of bed, you are a success. It focuses on the completion of a goal or activity rather than the worthiness. Certainly just completing an intended task is not what most people think of when they say they want to be successful!

Many people only view success in terms of money and fame. Although included in the definitions, it's a very limited view when you look at the other definitions. Obviously success is very subjective. The definitions leave room for much interpretation; what would be considered a success to one person may be a complete failure to another. Wealth to one person may be $1000 cash, which may be considered pocket money to someone else. Prosperity to one may mean having a new luxury car and a large house, while to another it may mean having a happy family. You can have the same polarity with fame, position, honors, etc.

So what's the point?

The point is that success is very personal. It doesn't matter how the dictionary defines success; all that matters is how we define success for ourselves. If you want to be a success, you must clearly define what that means to you. What is the desired end you wish to accomplish that would mean you are successful?

Once you are clear on what success means to you, focus on achieving your success! Don't worry about what others think or how they define success. Your definition is the definition that matters; it's the one that makes all the difference.

Never stop dreaming and never stop believing in yourself. Define SUCCESS in your life and create a plan to achieve it.

Scott

If you're not getting better, you're getting worse!
Continuous learning and self-improvement are the keys
to a long and prosperous life. Find out more at iLearningGlobal

All Work And No Play...Is No Good At All!!

The older you get the faster life seems to fly by. It is already December and the year is a blur. Too often, we get bogged down with work, chores, and the daily grind and forget to take time out to truly enjoy and appreciate life. Weekends don't seem like enough time. Vacations are too few and far between. Fun is a distant memory.



To avoid burnout, it is important to take frequent breaks to re-connect with the activities that bring you joy, that energize you, and make life FUN!! Take a moment to think of the hobbies and activities that you participated in when you were younger. Are you still involved? If not, why? Think of the bumper stickers that say "I'd rather be..." and fill in the blank with your own desire. Make a goal to have more fun and plan it into every week. Instead of "I used to...", make sure you can say "I do..." and "I will..." and "I can...".



Be selfish about taking time for yourself. If you regularly plan time to actively pursue the things that you love (or once loved) to do, you will be re-energizing yourself and no longer regretting the time that slips away. You will in turn be more giving and present in the time that you spend with others.


Be generous with the time you spend with others. Make sure you are "present" and "in the moment" when sharing your time. Appreciate and enjoy the activities you engage in. Talk about your passions and your dreams for the future; avoid work, politics, and news of the world (there's a time and place for that).

You are never too old or too young to enjoy life. Don't sit on the sidelines; participate in making your life an adventure.

Build a life of memories, not regrets!

Scott


If you're not getting better, you're getting worse!
Continuous learning and self-improvement are the keys
to a long and prosperous life. Find out more at iLearningGlobal