George Guzzardo has transformed his life through the power of reading. When he started his leadership journey he read hardly at all! Outside of the sports page, George was the proverbial "me no read" guy. :) However, that is not the George you would meet today. He has taken the concepts from the article below and digested them into his being. In fact, Mr. Guzzardo is an excellent example of the power of the Mental Fitness Challenge, offered by the LIFE Business, to change people's lives.
Orrin Woodward said he was going to create something special with LIFE and he has more than delivered on that promise. The community is thriving and thousands of people's lives are improving monthly. What dream do you have in your heart? What are you doing to accomplish it? Perhaps you ought to learn the same lesson that George did - that ships do not come in; instead people must make their own ship.
Mortimer Adler wrote in his book ‘How to Read a Book’, “Getting more information is learning, and so is coming to understand what you did not understand before.” How many of us have heard the LIFE business founder Orrin Woodward recommend reading the ‘Top Five Books?” I recently started to re read the top five books as well as some other frequently recommended LIFE books again. I took my time looking for any hidden information that I might have missed. I believe all books should be read slowly, as a delicacy, each morsel should be savored. When possible I always have a note pad and pen in hand.
Faced with an alarming rate of illiteracy (7 Million estimated) in our country, there never has been a better time for a LIFE business subscription. Too busy to read you might say. We have a program for that. It starts with a simple prescription of reading fifteen minutes a day. Perhaps taking a book to your car during lunch as Orrin did when he began his reading habits is the answer. I started reading fifteen minutes in bed prior to falling a sleep. I was hoping information I read would sink into my sub conscious mind. I need all the help I can get. Are you impressed with those who read a multitude of books each month? I’m impressed with those who study the material, sometimes using notes, and apply the information they get. Have you placed your written information into folders under topics like leadership, relationships, or finance? As you develop your LIFE business using the Team system these folders can be helpful if you are asked to speak on a topic or just want to review an area of interest.
Are you startled when you re read a book and find out how much you missed the first time? A great way to own the information in a book is to put the suggestions found in the book into play immediately. Here are some points I took away from re reading ‘Bringing Out the Best in People’ by Alan Loy McGinnis.
- History has suggestions on how to inspire people.
- History shows that in almost every arena someone steps up who can impart vision and steer people’s energies into the best endeavors.
- A group of positive thinkers form a distinct culture within their organizations.
- Look for strengths that others have and encourage those gifts. If you concentrate on strengths and good attributes their behavior becomes better.
- Something rare is the ability to recognize ability.
- Help people recognize what they want and give them a way to get it.
- Ask questions. Listen carefully. Look into their past.
- A cause or a movement is more important than a company.
- No one has ever become successful without making mistakes. Ability to fail is what separates achievers. Help people come back from rejection. Seneca said, If thou art a man, admire those who attempt great things, even though they fail.” Defy criticism.
- Develop a desire for learning.
- Healthy competition pulls people together. If others can do it so can we.
- Team with others. Develop a group energy. Commit to collaboration.
- Expect trouble makers.
- Associate with other positive thinkers who have enthusiasm.
- Monitor what goes into your mind.
Mortimer Adler wrote, “The art of reading includes unaided discovery, keenness of observation, readily available memory, range of imagination, and of course, an intellect trained in analysis and reflection..” That reminds me, I’ve got to go now. I want to implement the new ideas I learned from re reading ‘Bringing Out the Best in People’. God Bless, George Guzzardo
