Wednesday, March 4, 2015

How Personal Development Can Change Your Game

Can Reading 10 Pages A Day Really Make  A Difference? 



When I first became a Beachbody coach one of the things that we were told to do was read at least 10 pages of personal development a day because this business can get you down sometimes with how many people turn you down some months. Also, because devoting time to personal development makes you a more inspired and motived person. Crazy right? Who the heck has time to read personal development... what does that even mean? That was my take at first, but then I decided I wanted to be successful more than anything so I was going to do what they told me to do. Holy game changer is all I can say. 

I should probably mention up front for those who don't know me that I am a high school business teacher and almost have my masters in leadership, so being a Beachbody coach is kind of like a dream job for me. I get to lead my team of coaches that work under me, I get to run my own business and I get to teach people how to be healthy and fit. I feel like I was destined for this job right? Anyways what I am getting at is that the books that I have been reading have been so enjoyalbe for me because they tend to be on topics that I already study, teach and love. I read mostly leadership and personal growth books but I also add in health, fitness and well being books as well. 

What I can tell you is that I attribute my daily positivity to this. Don't laugh but I tend to read my PD (personal development) while I am drying my hair in the mornings. I have really long thick hair so drying it take a good 15 minutes. At first I kept running out of time to get my reading but then it dawned on my why not get it done while I sat there and dried my hair? Genius I know! I love it because it sets the tone for my day. It makes me focus on the good in my life and inspires me to be a better everything - wife, mom, teacher, friend and leader. It can be hard to stay motivated sometimes but when you take small steps like this it improves your life by leaps and bounds. 

I learned from my favorite book the Slight Edge by Jeff Olsen that the difference between the extremely successful people and the average Joe's of the world are the daily habits that they cultivate. He calls it the slight edge - making easy decisions to do more and be better with consistency.  Over time they give you the upper hand on the rest of the world. 90% are okay with just being average. That other 10% are living lives many can only dream of. Guess what that 10% of people do every single day... yep you guessed it - they read... just 10 pages a day. So easy to do and also so easy not to do - so there you have it, this is why I read every day. To motivate and inspire me but also to be part of the 10% of people. I like success and I like to grow. People who lack the growth mindset are really missing out on a lot in life! 



I challenge you to try this in your own life and see where it takes you. Thanks to this habit I have a bookcase full of great reads that I can proudly say I have learned a lot from! Here are a few of my favorite ones to get you started!

  • The Slight Edge - Jeff Olsen
  • The Compound Effect - Darren Hardy
  • Push - Chaelene Johnson 
  • People Follow You - Jeff Blount 
  • You Are A Badass - Jen Sincero 
  • EntreLeadership - Dave Ramsey 
  • Hands Free Momma - Stafford 
  • #GirlBoss - Sophia Amoruso 
  • Anything written by John Maxwell 
  • Tribes - Seth Godin 
  • Lean In - Sheryl Sandberg 
  • How To Rock Your Network Marketing Business - Sarah Robbins 
* I just ordered The Body Book by Cameron Diaz and also The Entrepreneur Roller Coaster by Darren Hardy. They should be here any day and look like really great reads! 

These are just a few I could go on but this should get you started - trust me on this habit. It is a great investment in your well being! When you pick a book, pick one that is about what you need to improve on in your own life. The books above helped me and were right for where I was in my career and in life. They may not be great for you but there are great books out there that will work for you! 

Post in the comment area below any great recommendations you have for me. I am always looking for new books to add to my collection! 


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