In case you didn't know, great readers make great business leaders. Since that's more than a cool rhyme, I announced the 1Q 2011 INDIE Business Book Club earlier this year, choosing The Compound Effect
Over the past two months, we successfully explored Darren's book from start to finish, and are ready to tackle the 2Q 2011 Book Club choice, which I'll tell you about in a minute. First, I'd like to share how things went the first time out, and why this is such a valuable investment of time.
- I am becoming more disciplined. Like you, I have a full plate of things to do each day to lead my business and, along with my husband, my family. I also try to maintain a fitness regime, as well as remain present in my business, personal, and family relationships. Setting aside a few hours a week to read, embrace, study, discuss, and apply the principles in a book is a big commitment. But it began paying off immediately.
The Compound Effect was a perfect choice to start 2011 because so much of it focuses on disciplining myself to compound small things to create big results!
- I am more accountable. Like most small business owners, I have a ton of books. One of the ways I make sure I get something out of them is to host INDIE Business Podcast, where I interview small business influencers, most of whom are also authors. I am blessed as a show host to receive books from all over the world, but I cannot read them all. Through INDIE Busines Book Club, I can apply laser-sharp focus to 4 or 5 books each year, and be accountable for what I read.
The Compound Effect really hammered home the importance of accountability. For example, in Chapter 5: Influences, Darren discusses the importance of having “accountability partners.” INDIE Business Book Club delivers that, in spades.
- I am more connected to my community. Since INDIE Buisness Book Club is a benefit of IBN membership, our bi-monthly meetings and private FaceBook Group help me remain connected to my members, and them to me. Knowing first-hand some of what they are experiencing helps me serve them better. It's one of the many ways I let them know that I am in their corner, and that I am invested in their success.
We downloaded The Compound Effect worksheets in advance of starting the book, and now, each of us has a complete set of tools we can use going forward. I put mine in a 3-ring binder and I plan to add worksheets from future Book Clubs to the binder. I hope it will serve as a snapshot of where I am in my life today, so I can continue to confidently move forward. It's powerful, very powerful.
- I am having fun! Perhaps most importantly, I am having fun learning new ways to approach important life and business matters. Each INDIE Business Book Club member brings different views, experiences, and expertise to the table, and everyone benefits. Meeting bi-monthly gives us plenty of time to read chapters in advance, and do our “homework.” In between meetings, we connect at a private FaceBook Group where we share new victories and challenges.
The fact that Darren is a great writer also makes the Book Club more fun. His writing style is conversational and pointed, and because I listen to him on Success Magazine CDs, I feel like he is physically with me as I turn each page of his book. That may sound creepy, but it's true.
I am thrilled with INDIE Business Book Club! While I will continue to skim and lightly read dozens of books each quarter, I'm excited about diving headfirst into a few with a group of other business owners who encourage each other and hold each other accountable.
INDIE Business Book Club is open to all IBN members, and while dozens of people signed up for the first session, only 3 people joined us on Day One. At first, I was disappointed, but in hindsight, I'm glad we had a small group. We ended up with 5 people. One is Gina Rafkind, CEO of Veda Sun. Gina, who helps people use aromatherapy to unleash the best inside of them, blogged her Book Club experience here. Be sure to check it out if you're thinking about joining us.
2Q 2011 INDIE Business Book Club Choice
The 2Q 2011 Book Club is Delivering Happiness (affiliate link) by Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh. You can read a bit about the book here, since we had a “sort of” Book Club for it last year. We are going to dive deep this time!
In order to keep the group small and manageable, we are accepting statements of interest to join us for 2Q 2011. We'll start Delivering Happiness in early April. We generally meet twice a month, on Wednesdays during the lunch hour, EST. If you are up to the challenge, and want to step up your game by applying what you read to improve your business and your life, please express your interest by leaving a comment below and I or my assistant will get in touch with you. We are not trying to exclude anyone, but this experience has shown that we must limit the number of people in each group so everyone can get the most out of it.
If enough members are interested, we will ask others to lead groups so we can keep things manageable, while making sure that all IBN members can participate. We don't want to leave anyone out!
Oh! And before I forget — big shout out to Anne-Marie Faiola for giving me a copy of The Compound Effect as a 2010 holiday gift!
Question: Would you like to join us?
