One of the things I’ve been trying to do more is spend time reading. I’ve always enjoyed reading. There were times in my youth that I would rush to get homework done just so I could read a favorite book. I try to read at night and most nights I do. The thing is that I only do so for 10 to 15 minutes at time. I’m trying to change that and read for longer periods of times. There is evidence that reading reduces stress and I need more stress reduction in my life.
I just finished What Got You Here Won’t Get You There: How Successful People Become Even More Successful by Marshall Goldsmith. It was gifted to me a couple years ago and recently recommended to me by my CISO. I can confirm that it’s a must read for those in management and up. It’s given me a lot to think about and work on for my career and really life. The book is focused on improving the self and not others. It’s got similar themes to buddhism and the growth mindset. It’s helping me deal with a lot of my frustrations at work.
The next book is The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living by Ryan Holiday. The book is built as a daily reader. You read one page a day for an entire year (366 is for the leap year). In the introduction they suggest writing down reactions and thoughts about the daily read. I think that’s a great idea and something I plan to use the blog for. There will be times when I’m away from the computer and unable to blog. In those scenarios I’ll write down my thoughts and then post them on the site at a later time.
What are some of the books you’re reading?