The first one that I read is called 'The Go-Giver' By Bob Burg and John David Mann. This book is the book that Glenn Beck gave all of his employees for Christmas last year.
I don't want to tell you the story of the book but a few points that really stood out to me and how I am trying to improve.
POINT ONE : 'It never hurts to be kind to people.' In a particular area of the Walmart shopping center stands a person that is trying his or her hardest to sell people on their Dish Network or Direct TV (I can't remember what company is doing it...) packages. Usually, I look the other way, acting like I didn't see them and scurry on by, pretending I thought they were talking to someone else when they try and get my attention. It really isn't very nice of me to completely blow them off and after reading this book I realized I could (and should) change my behavior.
So here I am passing by the spot they like to stand and he approaches me. I know he is going for the sell and I highly consider my traditional 'ignore and hurry off' but I decided to acknowledge him. He gives me a punch line, that I don't remember, but I politely tell him we don't watch TV but I appreciate the offer. He says he understands, thanks me for my time and we part ways. It really wasn't that hard for me to take two seconds to be kind to this person. 'It never hurts to be kind to people.'
POINT TWO: 'Whoever said being anxious gets more accomplished?' Constantly I battle within myself about allowing myself to enjoy life. I am always too anxious about something: the baby wasn't fed on time, my toddler didn't get a nap, or food, we forgot the bottle, we forgot the jacket, its too hot, its too cold, its too late, and the list goes on. Those are just a few of the things that have bothered me and made me so anxious I didn't even enjoy the activity we were doing. I need to take a chill pill and not be so anxious. Being anxious does not get more accomplished and I don't enjoy anything when I allow myself to be anxious.
The next book I read is called 'Who Moved My Cheese' By Spencer Johnson, MD. My mom had this book but I found out about it from the front of 'The Go'Giver'.
Again I don't want to tell you the story in this book but I would encourage you to read it!
POINT ONE: 'What would you do if you weren't afraid?' If I wasn't afraid I would find myself being more willing to serve my fellow man. I would find myself acting on those 'feelings' to do something for other people. I would find myself trying business ideas and making friends that I normally wouldn't reach out to. Simply put I need to step out of my bubble, over come my fears and do the things I know I need to. I was listening to Glenn Beck once and he said that if you haven't done something in the last 30 days that has got you out of your bubble or pushed your limits you are not growing. Sadly, I am currently not growing but I am going to start growing. Wish me luck!
POINT TWO: 'Old beliefs do not lead you to new cheese.' (You will understand the 'cheese' part as you read the book) You don't get different results by doing the same thing over and over again. If you want different results you need to be doing things different. I am not going to make a difference by sitting on my rear all day. I am not going to make a difference if I ignore those 'feelings' I get to do something for someone. I have got to change, my 'beliefs' ,so to speak, to get the cheese or results that I am seeking for.
Now you know some of my struggles and what I want to work on. There was a LOT more that I took from these two books, but I didn't have time to write them all down. I also am not quite ready to reveal all my struggles but I want you to know I am trying to improve and hope I give you some desire to improve in an area you may struggle.
