We’re in February, over a month into 2024!
For many of us, professional development was one of our goals for the year ahead. Now that we’re a month into the new year, it’s time to gut-check our goals. Have you started a book or completed a book? How are you tracking your progress?
In 2023, I read six books. This count is down from my usual goal of 12 books a year, which I achieved for 20 years. I’m not down because I think I’ve learned it all; I haven’t. I read fewer books last year because I spent more time listening to podcasts. I’ve found authors and subjects I want to learn more about, and I found that I can get good information on podcasts. Listening to podcasts doesn’t completely replace books; I just listen to them in addition to reading. While my book count was down, my podcast count was up.
So far in 2024, I completed three books that I’d been working on simultaneously: one professional development book, one devotional and one personal book.
- Great CEO’s are Lazy by Jim Schleckser.
I completed this professional development book. It’s great for anybody in leadership, not just CEOs. It’s an easy read, only about 240 pages. I highly recommend it.
- At the Table with Jesus by Louie Giglio.
This devotional features 66 distinct topics, and it was very impactful. I worked on it for a couple of months and averaged about one every other day.
- Outlive by Dr. Peter Attia.
Dr. Peter Attia is popular right now. This book was my personal choice, which I chose to consume on audible.
I’m off to a running start this year, having already completed three books. I’m currently working on two more:
- The Comfort Crisis by Michael Easter.
- The Culture Map by Erin Meyer.
This professional development book was recommended to me by Service Express’ new VP of Finance who’s based in the UK. Our Executive team plans to dig into this book to learn about different cultures around the world as we think about expanding Service Express.
There’s my professional development update; I’d love to hear how you’re tracking. What’re you reading? What podcasts are you listening to? Whether personal or professional, I’d love to hear from you!
