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A Book A Week
A REVIEW OF BOOKS FOR 2019
One of my new year’s resolutions for 2019 was to read 52 books this year. It means that I would have to read a book a week. This blog post will be updated weekly with the book I read that week, my summary of the book, and it may contain an affiliate link to the book on Amazon.
- I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings – This book is a classic that I never got a chance to read. It was delightful to be able to get to know Maya Angelou’s story. I have taken to a time in history that is not generally told by African Americans. It was a well-written art, and I understand why it is considered a classic.
2. Shut Up and Do the Work – Stephanie gives a brash wake up call to those who are walking around with rose-colored glasses on. I enjoyed the reminder of getting what I need to do done. Your life is only as good as you allow it to be, and this book is a reminder that we all need.
3. Unfuck Yourself– This is another no-nonsense book. As you can tell from the title, Gary came to make a point. There are so many of us that that is in our head and not making things happen. This book is about killing the excuses and going after what you want.
4. Energy Strands – I have been on a spiritual journey and this book was a
5. 6 Months to 6 Figures – This one was more of a motivational book than a guide to 6 figures. While it did give you a pump of motivation, it fell short of what I expected from the title. This author seems to know all of the great motivational speakers and coaches by the way that he name-drops. I did not get any road-map of how I was going to make six figures in 6 months. But I did have a few ah-ha moments when I remembered people who I wanted to review what they were up to.
6. Don’t settle for safe is no-nonsense. You better get it right book by Sara Jakes Robert, who is the daughter of pastor T.D. Jakes. I have seen her motivational videos on Facebook when I saw she had a book on Audible I have compelled to buy it. I am so happy with my purchase, not only did I get Mrs. Roberts back story, but I also felt motivated. She made me remember that I can achieve anything. I realized that I have to stop being stuck and move forward. I needed the kick that this book provided.
My Previous Hampster Wheel Life
Have you heard the saying “Jack of all trades but a master of none”?
That was precisely my lifestyle for entirely too long. For a while, I thought that “Jack” was my middle name ha-ha. Simultaneously I was involved in a variety of projects and being a stay at home mom.
I did not know how to request help, and most of the time I thought I maintained it all under control so why even ask for help.
Operating in SURVIVAL MODE, with-in both my family and business life was becoming my typical approach to life.
All these projects were in hopes I would achieve the financial stability I greatly desired. I learned a valuable lesson about chasing money, and that anything we chase will run away. I completely overlooked what all this running around would cost me.
Nothing received my adequate attention because I was working on several projects on the same day. Things had to crumble before I began to slow down.
My dear friend Jeanette would advise me, “Shannon, all these perceived little projects you are involved in play a considerable part in your overall concentration level because your brain is unable to get a chance to rest.” How right those words of wisdom were, became evident.
In April of 2017, I suffered the first of what would become a series of chest pain event. I was rushed to the hospital three times in 4-weeks.
When you are thinking you’re going to die from a heart attack right in front of your children and husband, that begins to wake you up. I want to say those events were successful in wakening me up and slowing me down, but it didn’t stick. After gaining my strength, I then returned to my hamster wheel.
In January of 2018, I took a 12-week sabbatical, and I was able to see the error of my ways. I was not benefiting my family at all. During that 12 week sabbatical is where my treasure hunt began for reconnecting to my passion and discovering my purpose.
I had to begin with the foundation of self-care. I had to heal.
The busyness, the exhaustion, the people-pleasing all buried my passion and passion is what leads to my purpose. See, treasure hunt.
I establish boundaries around my time by blocking out designated time for myself, family, and friends. I used to schedule life around my busyness, but now I block out time for life and business around that.
I now provide a firm “No’s versus an exhausted, apprehensive, people-pleasing ‘yes.”
I have fallen in love with To Do List and breaking them up into manageable bites. I can follow up at a higher rate than I did before. My head is clear, and I remember much better now. This has increased my bottom line.
I wanted to share my journey with you in hopes that if you are on the verge of burn out, these are simple but powerful steps to take to recalibrate and get your foundation stable.
I am now a Women’s Mentor helping women who are where I was.
Always remember the business can’t run if you’re not here to run it.
Our lives are short so have fun and be successful.
Shannon Turner
www.shannonlturner.com
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