Brad, at Straight North, asks, “What’s Your Favorite Business Book?” He wants to compile a list of blogger favorites. This is my entry into his group project.
I have to admit, I’m a reader. While some people might like to watch television or listen to music, my idea of relaxation is to curl up with a good book. When I was in school other students groaned at reading assignments, but I was secretly glad to be given something else to read.
The book that has influenced my life more than any other is the Bible. It’s a guide for how I live my life. More than that, it contains a peek at the God that I worship.
. It’s a guide for how I live my life. More than that, it contains a peek at the God that I worship.Of course, that’s not quite the question that Brad asks in his group project. Brad’s question is “what is your favorite business book?”
I’d have to say that my favorite business book is not one book, but two:
- The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
- First Things First: To Live, to Love, to Learn, to Leave a Legacy by Stephen Covey and A Roger Merrill
by Stephen R. Covey
by Stephen Covey and A Roger MerrillI was actually assigned to a class based on these books twice at two different corporations where I worked. Each time I attended the class, I was given a copy of the books.
It’s been about fifteen years (yikes, has it really been that long?) since I read those books, but the concepts taught in the classes still remain with me.
My managers saw these books as a time management tools. I found them to be a bit more than that. By stressing getting your life in order and living your life with integrity the books helped me to wade through the daily distractions to focus on goals that are really important to me, both in business and in life.
In fact, if there’s one concept that I got from the books it would have to be that personal and business life are entwined. You can’t really separate one from the other. Personal problems impact business and vice versa.
If you really think about it, you’ll see that this makes perfect sense. If you didn’t sleep well last night, you’re not going to perform well on the job today. If you’re angry and upset about a fight you had with your loved one, you’re not going to be fully focused on the difficult problems.
Of course, we see extreme examples of this principle with substance abuse. Eventually, an alcoholic brings their alcoholism to work with them.
Understanding the concept of the relationship between my business and my personal life has helped me tackle many difficult business decisions over the years. In fact, my decision to work from home is indirectly a result of what I learned from these books.
In fact, just writing this post has made me want to go back and reread these classic business books. You may want to do the same!
Contents (c) Copyright 2007, Laura Spencer. All rights reserved.
16 responses so far ↓
1 brad shorr // Jun 21, 2007 at
Hi Laura, thanks for participating in the Word Sell project. Your post makes me want to read both Covey books. A good friend of mine swears by “The 7 Habits”. I read the Bible often, but tend not to think about it in the context of business. That sounds like a whole other project…
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4 Laura // Jun 21, 2007 at
Thanks Brad! The Covey books are worth reading. The focus is on how to integrate life and work.
5 Robert Hruzek // Jun 22, 2007 at
Lillie, I agree with your selection of the Bible. And I still say it’s a pretty good business book too – sometimes directly, sometimes indirectly. However, there’s always Busines by the Book, by Larry Burkett.
6 Laura // Jun 22, 2007 at
Yvonne, I think you’re right about there being more Covey books now. I know that we got 7 Habits of Highly Successful Teen (by Covey’s son) not too long ago.
Robert, I was tempted to just list the Bible as my favorite business book. I’d definitely turn there before I’d turn to Covey. However, I was afraid that I might be disqualified. The Covey books are very good as my second choice.
7 mdy // Jun 22, 2007 at
Hi Laura. 🙂
I decided to participate in the group project after reading your post. In case you’re interested, my entry is here. I’ll also go and leave a note on Brad’s blog.
I’ve heard of the two books you recommend, but unfortunately have never gotten around to reading them. You’ve definitely piqued my interest.
The Bible is an interesting choice. I’m part of a weekly Bible Study group, but I’ve never really thought of the Bible as a ‘business’ book. I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s much we can learn there, though. Come to think of it, there’s already a Jesus CEO book out there, so someone else has thought of this angle. 🙂
Anyway, thank you for sharing and inspiring me to participate in my very first Group Writing Project.
Cheers!
8 Laura // Jun 22, 2007 at
Hi Mdy! I’ll definitely go read your entry. I’m so glad I inspired another entry. (As you’ve probably guess, reading and literacy are one of my heart issues.)
I didn’t know about the Jesus CEO book, but I’ll definitely take a look at it the next time that I am in a Christian bookstore.
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