During my reading early this morning, a part of my morning ritual, I ran across this quote from Ziglar…
Don’t be distracted by criticism. Remember, the only taste of success some people have is when they take a bite out of you.
Zig Ziglar
In an interview with author Seth Godin several years ago, I asked about doing what you feel called to do in the face of detractors. I loved his answer (paraphrased here):
“No author has ever read all their 1-Star Amazon reviews and then said to themselves, ‘Gee, now I’m a better writer.’ When people express their dislike for your work, it doesn’t mean your work is bad. It just means it wasn’t for them. Your job is to continue showing up and putting out your work for the people who it is for…as soon as you realize you don’t have to please everyone, the last excuse you have for doing your best work goes away.”
He also makes a distinction later between “informed criticism” and the criticism that comes “from the pain of the critic.”
It immediately brings to mind the “Man in the Arena” quote from one of Roosevelt’s speeches (and an inspiration for the title of Brené Brown’s book Daring Greatly).
At any rate, if you’re facing criticism today, or struggling with the fear of potential criticism, know that you’ll likely never escape it, at least not as long you’re doing anything worthwhile.
If anything, let the criticism you do receive serve as confirmation that you’re doing exactly that: worthwhile, meaningful, and life-changing work.
I find that a lot of professionals and creatives take copious notes on the content they consume…with the best of intentions. Unfortunately, for many of them, much of that work goes to waste.
Generally speaking, they rarely—if ever—do anything with their notes, making the whole practice meaningless. And if they do attempt to leverage their notes, the experience is often an unpleasant one. To address this, I suggest following a four-part framework. This framework will help increase the likelihood you’ll actually come back to your notes AND make your notes infinitely more useful when you do.
It’s the same, four-part framework I walk students through in my Note-Making Mastery course. In short, this framework is the key to an effective Personal Knowledge Management system.
Collect, Connect, Crystallize, and Create
COLLECT addresses the necessary tools and workflows, understanding that your note-taking archetype informs, to some extent, the tools you’ll require.
The key here is identifying, based on your archetype, what will ultimately become the Central Hub of your PKM system.
Additionally, you’ll likely use a number of other capture tools, all of which should be optimized for getting your notes, highlights, etc., effortlessly into your Central Hub. CONNECT is about understanding the value (and power) in connecting new ideas to your existing ideas, as well as how best to organize your system in such a way you look forward to coming back to it again and again.
Alternatively, you remain intimated by it (meaning you don’t use it regularly, if at all).
If you’re a folders person, the fewer the better (I’d suggest around seven, give or take three). In my old system, I had over a hundred folders. Yikes! CRYSTALLIZE teaches you how to develop and distill your notes, first by summarizing in your own words what you’ve learned, and eventually adding your own unique insights and ideas into the process.
Many note-takers stop at simply copying down the words of others.
Unless your notes include the original author’s insights paraphrased in your own words (at least), or explored further with your own added ideas (at best), then they likely won’t be of much use to you later. CREATE is the ultimate goal. It’s about understanding that each of your notes has the power to serve as a building block or knowledge asset toward something larger.
When it comes time to create, you’ll never again have to stare at a blank page or screen.
That’s because the notes you’ve already amassed, baby-step-by-baby-step along the way, means that 70 to 80% of the work is already done.
Your job is simply to connect them by means of a cohesive narrative.
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Each of your notes travels through these four phases at its own, unique pace. Some notes will go the distance, while others will only travel a portion of the way…and that’s okay.
It’s important to understand, however, that the further a note travels, the more potential value it contains for you and your system.
When practiced, it’s possible to simply glance at a note in your system and instantly recognize what phase of the journey it’s in, saving you valuable time when your time is arguably at its most valuable (i.e. during the actual creation process).
In this chapter, he shares three tips for reading with purpose, something I find a lot of people struggle with.
1. Follow Leaders in Relevant Categories
Did you know Amazon adds a new book about every five minutes? Wow! I didn’t.
With over 30 million titles, it can be hard to narrow your reading list, to say the least.
According to Gallo, successful leaders know they can’t read everything, so they try to read everything other successful leaders do.
Make it a habit to ask other successful people to share the books they’ve found particularly valuable.
(By the way, I started the Read to Lead Podcast as a tool to make non-fiction book discovery easier).
Think too about what categories of books are relevant to you.
As an example, for me, that’s leadership, business, entrepreneurship, speaking and communication, mindset, and a few others.
Billionaire David Rubenstein says,
“Leaders need to expand their knowledge every day—to exercise their most unique muscle; their brain. Nothing focuses the mind like a well-written book.”
So, identify the most relevant categories, identify leaders and entrepreneurs you admire, and read their books, blogs, interviews, and articles (and consider listening to their podcasts).
2. Take Notes
Surprise! Being an “active” reader, Gallo says, is a critical part of the process.
I won’t go into a lot of detail here as Note-Making Mastery covers this concept at length.
But realize when you take notes, it’s like having a conversation with the author. Not to mention it gives your brain more channels through which to encode the information.
Put another way, you’ll remember and retain more of what you read when you take notes.
3. Share and Talk About Your Favorite Books
One obvious way to do this is through a book club at your place of work, either in person or online if everyone is working from home.
In fact, I used to facilitate my very own Read to Lead Book Club online (something I’m toying with bringing back in some form, by the way).
Effective leaders read more books than others in the organization, and they share their newfound knowledge with everyone else.
The single best way to learn to lead is through the power of reading. And here’s the best part: Never in the history of the printed word has the average person had such easy access to the accumulated wisdom of those who built the world in which we live.
You can take those authors with you on your journey. They make great companions.
For more posts like this one, and to join in on conversations around this topic with other professionals and creatives, check out the Read to Lead Communityhere.
I’ve been Facebook friends with today’s guest for several years. I’ve watched him from afar and have always admired his work, his values, and his writing.
It’s probably a bit overdue, but I’m proud to say I’ve finally gotten around to inviting him on to the show.
His name is Kent Sanders. He’s written several books, one that was released in April (the one we focus on in this episode), and another he helped to write that releases today. Fun fact: It’s about Elvis.
Do you want to leave a powerful legacy but aren’t sure where to start? Would you like to make a difference not only today, but also a hundred years from now?
If so, you need a compass, a collection of essential values to carry with you on life’s journey. They will help you become a person of character and guide you through the fog and confusion of the modern world.
Originally written as letters from a father to his son, Ken’s book is a practical handbook for life and a heartfelt reminder of what matters most.
If you’re ready to stop drifting and want to live with more intention and purpose, this book is for you. Whether you’re 18 or 80, you’re never too old for a father’s wisdom.
Click the play button below to learn more Kent and his book.
Stephen M. R. Covey has been one of my most favorite authors to interview. I’ve had that opportunity now three times! So when he suggested I talk to his sister about the book she was finishing up, a book co-written with their late father, I didn’t hesitate to say “yes.”
This is the final book from the late, legendary leadership expert Stephen R. Covey of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People fame, offering inspiration and optimism about living your best life.
He and Cynthia began working on it over ten years ago and it’s finally here!
Near the end of his life, Stephen felt there was a final component to his work:
How to live your best life no matter your age?
How to best respond to life-challenging experiences and setbacks?
How do you approach the challenges and opportunities of middle to later life, like staying on top of your career, leading and inspiring others, expanding your role in your community , and what follows next?
Live Life in Crescendo is his and Cynthia’s answer to these questions, outlining his vision for every age and stage of life.
Click the play button below to learn more Cynthia, the late Stephen R. Covey, and their book.
