Book Review #1 - The Ciccarellis | Seattle
We are a bit behind (like one whole month!) but still wanted to get our 12 in 12 book review out there so here it is...our first post - with 2 books combined! The September book was You, Inc. by Harry Beckwith & Christine K. Clifford and the October book was The 4-Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferriss. Scroll down to watch our live review via Vimeo or read our review instead just below the video.
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You, Inc.
This being the first book of the challenge had me (Marissa) thinking that I wouldn't be able to get past the first chapter, BUT once I began I couldn't help but look forward to my next reading! We definitely recommend this book, especially if you have your own business, are in a business-related field, you work with people, or just want to learn some tips about how to handle yourself and others better.
Take-Aways we use NOW:
1. Listen: "You have two ears and one mouth...you should listen twice as much as you speak." Listening seems to be a lost form of communication, but super important no matter who you are. Everyone wants to be heard by a good listener. Try listening to someone without having a computer, TV, or iPhone in front of you. Better yet, challenge yourself to not jump in and share your input or connections until the person is completely done talking and you've asked a follow up question!
2. Simplify: The example in the book explains in order to write a 10 minute speech write a 20 minute speech, then take out 50%, then shave off 1 more minute so you only speak for 9. (Everyone likes to be done early.) We don't give many speeches, but we do simplify everything we write including emails, blogs, and marketing. We start with what we want to say, then edit several times to reduce content that is simple and clear.
3. Quote: "He and she who laugh, last." We always try to keep it light, stay smiling and laugh a lot.
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What a great book with concepts to be used by anyone! Will everything pertain to you and your career? Maybe not. Will you read things that will make you change your life for the better? Definitely.
Take-Aways we use NOW:
1. Effective vs. Efficient: Two statements we love: "1. Doing something unimportant well does not make it important. 2. Requiring a lot of time does not make a task important." We prioritize and make sure the work we do on a daily basis is important, urgent, and gets done quickly.
2. Mini-Retirements: Why wait until you're retired to go on the trip you've always dreamed of? What's stopping you from picking up the hobby that you're saving for retirement? Tim Ferriss will explain cost effective ways to take mini retirements. Who are we to know what life will be like for us when we are 65 or 70 or if we'll even be around? Tim's message: take advantage of life now. We take trips yearly (although we are not up to the recommended 3-6 month trips Tim Ferriss recommends), even if it's camping or staying with friends to keep the cost down. We feel like the adventure helps our marriage and our sanity!
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Let us know how these books helped change the way you think, or better yet - your life! Thanks for reading!
~Erik & Marissa