I recently read a book that was just OK – there were probably 5-10 pages from which I got some good ideas, another 30-40 pages that were decent…and the rest I could do without.
You know this kind of book. It’s the type that tells you to get up at 5 AM, follow a very specific routine, and suddenly you’ll be the most productive, genius version of yourself that has ever existed.
Probably not.
BUT! The goal for me is not for any book (or any medium) to deliver ideas from 100% of its pages (or content). In fact, I call it a win if I get one new idea or one yummy thought-starter from something I engage with. Finding one sparkle among a sky of stars is good enough for me.
There is an abundance (maybe to the point of overwhelm) of resources out there that are meant to help us do or feel differently, and yet so many of us wander aimlessly, feeling directionless with no idea how to make changes in our lives. I think we’re looking at it the wrong way.
Every article, every podcast, every book, is one person’s perspective. One person’s experience. Rarely does anyone else’s narrative exactly suit our own needs or life. They’re all meant to be guidelines. Indicators that we can take or leave or change to make it our own. Much like a ball gown or tuxedo, it may be a close fit but it will still need an alteration.
So while I may not be following this book to the letter, it gives me the hint of something to try. You’re not likely to find me getting up at 5 AM any time soon but I like the idea of getting up early (or even just at a consistent time each day, vs. my usual of waking when I wake) and having a set routine upon rising that helps to focus me. The book isn’t so much a prescription as a suggestion, and I will take it as such and experiment accordingly.
This is your invitation (or suggestion??!) to take the abundance of resources lightly, consider an alternative that might work for you, and to JUST TRY SOMETHING! They’re never one size fits all but they were never meant to be; they were only ever meant to be the starter for us to take and make our own.
