Category: Books & Writing

The Value of Personal Growth: Pushing Through the Pain

The agony of the writer. I am not the first to write about this and certainly not the last. But alas, I will try to render my personal experiences and inspire something positive out of this profoundly uncomfortable feeling.

I’m in the middle of editing my business book, which is an exploration of what I have learned about building a business – it is, in essence, the business handbook I wish I had had when I started as an entrepreneur. I thought the writing process was going to be the hardest part, and editing the book would be a breeze. I would only have to hire a great professional, and the rest would sort itself out.

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The Many Ways that Writing Can Benefit You

Writing is a wonderful practice — whether you choose to publish your writing or not, the simple act of putting your thoughts and ideas to paper will help you grow as a person and a professional. We often view writing as means to an end. But writing in itself has many benefits that go beyond getting information across to others.

I started writing four years ago, first in spurts and then eventually consistently. I didn’t realize how beneficial writing is to the author before I began, which was an unexpected gift for me. Now it’s a regular part of my routine and an important part of who I am. Through writing, I get to express my ideas and clarify my thoughts with others and am enriched by their feedback.

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How to Stay Up-to-Date by Reading & Learning

At work and as adults, we are expected to keep abreast of important events and new information. However, amid the commotion of daily life, keeping up with the news and reading books can easily be forgotten. Moreover, it can be a struggle to develop a habit.

Fortunately, there are many ways to obtain information. The key is to find the best mix of articles and books to keep informed in the most effective way possible.

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Keep Growing: How to Implement What You Read

Reading business articles and books is one of the best ways to learn, keep up-to-date, and discover new ideas for growing a business. With all the resources available today, the options are endless; one can learn about any topic imaginable, and this is an opportunity for expansion.

However, reading is only half of the process. As one starts to absorb more information, there is a problem that arises: how to organize and sift through all the new ideas and information from the books and articles. It would be ideal to implement some of this new and acquired knowledge, but how can one best classify and organize all the ideas in the readings?

I have struggled with this problem myself, and have found the following steps helpful for managing and organizing the information I find within the articles and books I read.

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Valuable Ideas from Google for Growth and Innovation: Part 2

This article is Part 2 of my review and insights on How Google Works by Eric Schmidt and Jonathan Rosenberg.

The first part of my review highlighted some of Google’s best ideas on organization, access to information, and interviewing. In this article, I share some of my favorite quotes from their guide on goal-sharing, communication, resources, and innovation.

By no means is this a comprehensive review of the book, but in case you have not had a chance a to read it, here are some of the ideas I found most striking as a business manager myself. As soon as you get the opportunity, I highly recommend it; I predict Google’s ideas will have a significant impact on any organization.

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Valuable Ideas from Google for Growth and Innovation: Part 1

How Google Works by Eric Schmidt and Jonathan Rosenberg is a New York Times bestselling book published in 2014. From 2001 to 2011, Eric Schmidt was the CEO of Google, and Jonathan Rosenberg was the Senior Vice President of Products at Google and resigned in 2011. In the book, the authors share the lessons they learned in management as they and others built and grew this internet behemoth.

When I first read How Google Works, I was surprised by the many brilliant ideas for business strategy and organization in the book. Although following their example and implementing everything they propose would take tremendous attention and work, I think that just taking a few of their ideas could have a big impact on any business. I highly recommend reading the publication for anyone interested in learning some of Google’s secrets and backstories.

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Ray Dalio on His Powerful Principles: Part 2

This article is Part 2 of “Ray Dalio on His Powerful Principles.” Part 1 is available here.

Ray Dalio’s Principles: Life and Work (public library) is an impressive book full of insights and concepts applicable to both life and work. It is divided into three parts. The first two, which I commented on in the first part of this series, deal with his background and the principles he uses in life. “Part III: Work Principles” introduces the principles he has developed to manage his firm, Bridgewater Associates.

In case you have not had a chance to read the book, here are some of the highlights on the topic of work that resonated strongly in this part of his book.

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Ray Dalio on His Powerful Principles: Part 1

I just finished reading Ray Dalio’s book Principles: Life and Work, which was released in September 2017. Ray Dalio is the founder of Bridgewater Associates, the world’s largest hedge fund, and his book was highly anticipated due to the scale of his renown and success. His work is about the principles he developed to guide him both personally and professionally. Dalio has chosen to share these principles so others can benefit from the wisdom and experiences he and his company have accumulated over the years.

Despite his unusual approaches, Dalio’s book carries tremendous wisdom and practical insight. I highly recommend reading Principles: Life and Work because his principles apply to everybody who has goals, and his ideas provide an extremely valuable way of looking at the world. In case you haven’t had a chance to read it, here are some of the points that I found most impactful in “Part I: Where I am Coming From” and “Part II: Life Principles.” I will continue next week with my analysis of “Part III: Work Principles.”

 

 

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