I Just Don't Have Time to Read

So far in 2022, I have read or listened to 17 books, with only 4 of them being books I actually read. For those who struggle finding the time to read, I highly recommend trying out Audiobook or some other form of listening. I am able to do this while getting in my steps by walking outside or on the treadmill. That being said, I must warn you that there can be a safety risk if you attempt to take notes while you continue to walk… or there might be an issue… I really don’t know that from first-hand experience of walking off a sidewalk or into another walker…
 
I have included the entire list of books later in this post for reference but will try to highlight a few of the ones that I highly recommend.
 
Biographies
Viktor Frankl’s Man Search for Meaning is an interesting roller coaster of emotion as he uses his experience as a survivor of Auschwitz to give way to his theory of logotherapy that the primary motivational force of an individual is to find a meaning in life.
 
Killing the Killers by Bill O’Reilly is the second book of his I have listened to and thoroughly enjoyed. The amount of research that goes into his books becomes very apparent in audiobooks as they reference every footnote. It is the blunt and direct style of presenting history and sharing the documented recordings that tends to connect you emotionally to his writing.
 
Leadership & Growth
Liz Wiseman’s books Impact Players and Multipliers are very powerful is assessing yourself and your team. These are must reads and you need to be prepared to open up and critically evaluate where you are as a leader.
Fierce Conversations by Susan Scott can serve as a kick in the gut and cause some feelings of guilt. But also, helped to drive to action for some situations in which I was standing and watching instead of helping.
 
Books for Non-Readers
For those who find it difficult to read leadership and self-help books, you need to start with books by Jon Gordon. This best-selling author typically writes his books in story form, almost like parables that demonstrate the importance of strong character in being successful and a person of impact. They are short reads and many times, he will write these books with other writers, helping them to get their experiences out in front of people. His writings are entertaining, motivating, relatable, and impactful. This year I read Stick Together and Row the Boat and have previously read 11 other books he wrote. 
 
The Way of the Shepherd is another must read. It is a short and easy read, in a story form that delivers an important message on servant leadership. 
 
My Guilty Pleasures
I don’t spend much time anymore reading the fun books like I did in my early years. I used to enjoy reading Robert Ludlum, Tom Clancy, Louis L’Amore, Tolkien, and Dean Koontz. But those have given way to books on leadership, growth, positivity, and faith.
 
However, on Audiobook, I have found some authors that not only write stories that are easy to get lost in, but the narrators they use for the audiobooks, are gifted in how they tell the story and capture your attention. I listened to Dreadgod by Will Wight this year, which was the latest in one of his series, but 19 last year! Rhett Bruno and Jaimie Castle teamed up on a western supernatural story, Cold as Hell, that was a sequel of a book I listened to earlier. The original books from last year were free on Audiobooks as the authors became established, they then had to be purchased. 
 
I have always enjoyed reading, but as I have gotten older and hopefully wiser, I now read with a purpose. My purpose is to expand my knowledge and experiences - not by the words of others, but by adding perspectives so that I can question my own beliefs as well as those of others. I choose to take the thoughts and experiences of others, combine them with my own, and put them into practice to be a better leader and person Beyond Today.
 
Jan - July 2022 Reading List
The Master Coach by Zackary Turner
Dreadgod by Will Wight
Cold as Hell by Rhett Bruno & Jaime Castle
Stick Together by Jon Gordon & Kate Leavell
Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl
Row the Boat by Jon Gordon & P.J. Fleck
Killing the Killers by Bill O'Reilly
Fierce Conversations by Susan Scott
Multipliers by Liz Wiseman
Sidney Crosby by Sidney Crosby     
Finding Your Best by Dr. Michael Gervais & Pete Carroll
The Mentor Leader by Tony Dungy
The Mindful Athlete by George Mumford
The Leader's Mind by Dr. Jim Afremow
The Way of the Shepherd by Dr. Kevin Leman & Bill Pentak
The Sidelines by Alan Stein Jr.
Impact Players by Liz Wiseman

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