Book Review: Self-Leadership and the One-Minute Manager by Ken Blanchard et al.
This is not the type of book I would normally read, but I found quite a bit of useful information. And, it’s a quick read. It took me about 45 minutes.
The main lesson for those of us beginning or growing a writing career is the challenge assumed constraints. The story given in the book is of the elephant, who is trained very young that he can’t break the chain that holds him. As he grows and gets stronger, he would physically be able to break the chain and run off, but because of his early conditioning, it never occurs to him to even try.
How many times have you told yourself or someone else, “No, I can’t do that”? On what did you base that assessment? A true and accurate assessment of your current skill level? What someone told you you were capable of? Your own overly harsh self-assessment?
Next time you think you can’t do something, ask yourself who could do it. Then ask yourself why that person could do it when you believe you can’t. Finally, get what it takes to accomplish the impossible task. Get more training, if that is what you need. Get more bylines in local papers and small magazines, if you need more clips to get that plum assignment. Read books and interview subject matter experts if you need more background in the topic you want to write about. Or just try doing the impossible–you might be able to do more than you think.
Buy your own copy here.
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Categories: Uncategorized, writing
, especially if you commute a long way.