Are you finding yourself reading more or less during these Quarantine/PhysicalDistancing/StayAtHome days we find ourselves living in?

I can’t decide quite. In some ways, I am. And then again, I feel like I’m not.

I happen to fall into the camp of people who don’t mind the extra time at home. {For the Most Part} {I don’t love all the hardships this pandemic is causing on so many levels.}
Many of my routines are still the same. We are rural, farmer-y people. We homeschool. I write. I blog. I love to read and watch movies. I can take walks down my dirt road and generally meet no one. {A cow or two grazing on wheat pasture.} {I have met the occasional skunk. Ack! Scary!} {I have had a snake in the road. Double ack!!!!}

Part of me completely embraces the permission to stay home without feeling pressured by invitations or judged by what I “should” be doing.

All that to say, it feels like I should have extra time. It seems like I would be reading more, but I’m very back-and-forth on what the reality of extra reading truly is. Haha! I read every day anyway. Sometimes more minutes/hours. Sometimes less. I never leave the house without a book in my bag.

I think it’s probably safe to say, I AM actually reading more on some days and on other days I’m watching a movie with my family, browsing IG stories, seeking out laughter, organizing something, putting together happy mail, baking, and of course, the dishes and laundry haven’t stopped just because so many other things have been put on hold!!!🙂

The Successful Speaker

I have two books from Baker books to share with you today! I was excited to review both titles. The Successful Speaker by Grant Baldwin with Jeff Goins is the first one. I wasn’t familiar with Grant Baldwin, but Jeff Goins name caught my eye. I’ve read his books and been familiar with them for a number of years. I like Jeff’s books very much!

The Successful Speaker is a fantastic book. Obviously, it’s targeted towards people growing a speaking platform. Yet, many of the principles and processes could be well implemented for other careers too. They definitely hold value for authors, bloggers, and writers. I also believe the principles can well be applied to life and relating to people wherever we find ourselves.

Practical topics Grant Baldwin covers when it comes to speaking are these five steps:
1. Select a Problem to Solve
2. Preparing and Delivering a Talk
3. Establishing Your Expertise
4. Acquiring Paid Speaking Gigs
5. Knowing When to Scale

The Successful Speaker ranges from “How to Create a Great Talk” to “What to Do Before You Step Onstage.” It teaches “How to Deliver a Talk Without Boring Your Audience to Tears” and “Developing a Speaker Brand.” It explores finding the right people and how to reach out. You’ll find insightful information about fees and rates. Throughout the book, ideas and actions are offered in bullet point lists and numbered lists. Every chapter ends with an Action Plan to jumpstart your progress.

Using stories, analogies, and examples, The Successful Speaker teaches and propels you forward in a captivating and engaging manner. I enjoyed reading it. It does an excellent job laying out the business of speaking.

The Vision Driven Leader

Our second book, today, is The Vision Driven Leader by Michael Hyatt. I’ve read Micheal Hyatt’s books and blog and listened to his podcast, occasionally. As a journal and planner nerd, I’ve also eyed his Full Focus Planner for a long time, but never taken the plunge and tried it! 🙂

The Vision Driven Leader pairs very well with The Successful Speaker. Both speak to business. The Successful Speaker directs its message to the speaking niche, while The Vision Driven Leader hones in on vision and direction for your business.

The Vision Driven Leader teaches you to craft a vision with clarity and concise steps. It shares success stories. It tells about failures because vision was lacking.

Beginning in Part 1, take a deep-dive look at why Vision Drives Everything.

Question 1 considers What Difference Does Vision Make? It digs into the six pitfalls vision-deficit leaders fall into, contrasting stories as examples of how vision is the key to opportunity.

Part 2 covers Drafting Your Vision Script. Each Chapter Title is a question.

Question 3 ~ What Do You Want?
Question 4 ~ Is It Clear?
Question 5 ~ Does It Inspire?
Question 6 ~ Is It Practical?
Question 7 ~ Can You Sell It?

Part 3 moves into The Challenge Ahead. Question 8 tackles resistance and dealing with obstacles. It shares a couple of stories and the obstacles overcome. Next, it moves into Three Traits That Beat Resistance: Tenacity, Integrity, and Courage. Each trait is considered in a few paragraphs and real-life experiences.

This book is not only a guide to creating a vision, but a book to pick up when you need a reminder of the importance of staying in it for the long haul. It’s an encouraging nudge for the next step you need to take. It will answer questions and give thought to considerations and concerns you may have otherwise missed or pushed to the sidelines.

These books are both great reads!

I’d love to know what you’ve been reading! Any recommendations for me? I’m also always glad for movies or show series recommendations! Happy day, friends! I hope you are all safe and well.