The Barefoot Executive

Title:  The Barefoot Executive

Author:  Carrie Wilkerson

Rating:  Good

Reason for Reading:  I was selected to receive a free a copy of The Barefoot Executive based on a comment I posted on Michael Hyatt’s blog (http://michaelhyatt.com/), with no expectation that would post a review of it on my blog.

Format:  Hardback

Summary:  As the subtitle of the book says, this is the ultimate guide for being your own boss and achieving financial freedom.  Carrie breaks down the myths behind why someone can’t operate their own business, and why she thinks that it is a must that you do so.  The freedom she talks about isn’t a life without work, but a life where your ability to monetize your skills is more dependent on you than your employer.
Carrie walks the reader through the big mistakes to avoid, and the methods of the independent business person.  She helps the reader understand that as a business owner, they’ve got more responsibilities to handle, but also can fulfill them in ways that better match their own unique life.
Carrie describes the different kinds of businesses, such as service based or expertise based, and how any or all of them might work for the reader, depending on what they have to offer the marketplace.  Also, she equips the reader with how to find and develop the market for their products and services.
Throughout the book, Carrie has inserted case studies from her clients that made working for themselves work, and short videos where Carrie shares her story.  Her enthusiasm for the topic and love for her readers bursts off the screen.  Though she’s casual and comfortable, the reader and viewer will walk away with no doubts that she’s got the experience and wisdom to back up her words.

Review:  I thoroughly enjoyed The Barefoot Executive.  Carrie has written a book about business and life that is empowering emotionally and intellectually.  Not only do I know more about the subject, I’ve developed a better understanding of my feelings about it.  This isn’t just a book about the techniques of starting your own business.  This isn’t just a shallow encouragement that the reader can do the overly vague “anything” or lazily live off some passive income for the rest of their life.  The Barefoot Executive will improve any reader’s understanding of the true nature of self-employment.  Carrie’s passion about you taking what you have and making it valuable to others will stir your emotions and fire your imagination.

Other resources:

·        http://carriewilkerson.com/

·        http://blogbarefoot.com/

·        http://barefoot-executive.com/

·        @barefoot_exec on Twitter

The One Year Uncommon Life Daily Challenge

Author:  Tony Dungy and Nathan Whitaker

Rating:  Good



Reason for Reading:  Coach Tony Dungy has been an inspiration to me, not only as the former head coach of the Indianapolis Colts, but as a leader and mentor promoting responsible living and the importance of fatherhood since his retirement.

Format:  Softcover

Video:  http://www.coachdungy.com/index.php/the-one-year-uncommon-life-daily-challenge/


Summary:  The book is a devotional with 365 readings, one for each day of the year.  The readings are assigned by date, but not day of the week, so they can be used for any year.  Also, if you are taking the Uncommon Life Daily Challenge with an accountability partner, you will always be reading the same item each day.
Each reading includes a bible verse, a story and commentary by the authors, and a challenge for how to practice the principles of an uncommon life that day. Within each week, there is one reading on each of seven relevant topics to the uncommon life:  core, family, friends, potential, mission, influence, and faith. 

Review:  I very much like this devotional.  It is very easy to read, with just one page per day, but provides valuable content each day.  I enjoyed how the topic rotate through the seven overall themes each week, emphasizing how important keeping a balanced outlook on life is.  And, each challenge for that day is small enough to encourage the reader to try it, but described with enough vision to see how all those small changes add up over time.
If you are looking for a devotional that you’ll look forward to picking up every day, I would recommend The One Year Uncommon Life Challenge.

Giveaway:  I have a certificate for a complementary copy of The One Year Uncommon Life Daily Challenge to give away to one reader of my blog.  Please leave a comment on this post about what is something that you find common among successful people that is uncommon among the unsuccessful.  I will select a winner and request their contact information.

Joseph

Other resources:

·        http://www.coachdungy.com/

·        http://www.tyndale.com/

Up, Down, or Sideways: How to Succeed When Times Are Good, Bad, or In Between

Title:  Up, Down, or Sideways:  How to Succeed When Times Are Good, Bad, or In Between

Author:  Mark Sanborn

Publisher:  Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

Rating:  Good

Reason for Reading:  I have heard Mr. Sanborn speak many times, and enjoyed his newsletter and blog post about leadership at http://www.marksanborn.com/.  I was greatly attracted to the premise of what success principles work under such different economic conditions.

Format:  E-Book, read on my Nook Simple Touch

Summary:  In Up, Down, or Sideways, Mark Sanborn describes success principles that work in all economic conditions, addressing what leaders should see, how they should think, and what they should do.  The author wrote the book while recovering from surgery following a cancer diagnosis, laying out what he describes as “good shoulds”, the actions that produce successful results independently from the circumstances in which they are performed.

Under the section titled See, Sanborn encourages leaders to focus on the things one can control, and looking beyond the abundance of information available to everyone to the actions that make the downs easier and ups bigger.  In Think, Mark challenges the reader to examine the metrics they use to measure success, to appreciate the benefits of a positive disposition, and to adopt an approach of persistent learning.  In Do, Sanborn espouses the benefits of maintaining a healthy supply of the things you do that are most valuable and the valuable persons you associate with.  Finally, the author describes the constant need to innovate and engage what you do with creativity, and for successful persons to maintain a spirit of gratitude and embrace discipline.

Review:  A book that describes in comfortable language the simple principles behind personal success is perhaps my favorite kind of book.  I would put Up, Down, or Sideways squarely in that category.  Much of what you’ll read in it will have you nodding your heading in agreement about how these basic tenets of personal power have worked for you or against you in the past, based on the choices you make.  For the balance, the author is providing for you a greater understanding of how these principles work, by citing relevant research and providing descriptive examples of them in action.

For anyone wanting an enjoyable read about the meaningful subject of what they can do to improve their business, relationships, and life, Up, Down, or Sideways should be on your reading list.

Joseph

Other resources: http://www.marksanborn.com/