“Unless we learn to know ourselves, we run the danger of destroying ourselves.”
Ja A. Jahannes, WordSong Poets
As an aspiring writer, oftentimes my inspiration comes from the way another writer’s work touched my soul. The ability to make a difference in another being’s world by writing authentically is both gratifying and fulfilling. It is a beautiful legacy that lives on in the world, even when we are no longer here. With that, comes great responsibility to take the art seriously, learn new techniques, take criticism, and really just spend time finding and cultivating your voice. The beauty is that we ALL have a voice and deserve to tell our unique story.
In fact, I would like to think it is our DUTY to tell our story because we heal through giving our testimony!
Learning to find yourself can be done in various ways. For me, it started with self-reflection. I knew that in order for me to grow, I had to seek knowledge and clarity. They say that the average C.E.O. reads a book a week. So, I started the year 2020 off by throwing myself in great books whenever time would allow.
1. #Futureboards by Sarah Centrella
The first book I read was #Futureboards by life coach Sarah Centrella. This book was EVERYTHING in terms of motivation. She teaches you how to take a look into your heart and dare to dream up the most magical life. Then after you can see it, she teaches you how to manifest those dreams into reality. There’s something really elegant about sharing the struggles as well as the extravagance that became of it.
Not only did Sarah share her story, but she forces you to uncover what may have been holding you back from greatness and offers real solutions to help you fight those insecurities. In all honesty, I am forever changed and eternally grateful for this book. I hadn’t journaled in YEARS but took the homework very seriously and found purpose. To see what my 2020 #Futureboard consists of, go visit my post “Welcome to My Journey“! I will forever recommend this book to anyone who is searching for something MORE out of life because Honey, there is SO MUCH MORE!!!
2. Girl Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis
I came across the next book on my list as a suggestion from an old Team Lead I worked with for my day job. I was intrigued by the title of the book “Girl, Wash Your Face” by Rachel Hollis. Reading this book was like a fire was set under you from your bold, intelligent, and downright funny (imaginary) best friend. The humility of her story, the bluntness of her inspiring words, and really just the straight-up girl power that this woman represents are just some of the reason’s why this book is on my must-read list for 2020. Get you a copy ASAP, it will inspire you to embrace everything about the busy worlds of Business, Motherhood, and Relationships. Then take it one step further and subscribe to her podcast called RISE Podcast for some AMAZING content to jump-start your business!
3. Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki
Now that I knew what kinds of things I aspired to spend my days doing, I had to gain the necessary skills that would make me successful in my business ventures. I knew right away that my goal is to seek the financial freedom to spend my precious time with the people that I loved. Next on my list is an education in finances with a book I had heard of many times, but never invested the time to read, called “Rich Dad, Poor Dad” by a very smart man named Robert T. Kiyosaki. This book was a mind-blowing introduction to my financial education. It uses different scenarios to compare the actions of normal society to the actions of the wealthy.
Learning the true difference between an asset and a liability was groundbreaking in terms of studying my own financial habits and that turned into taking many actions to secure a larger asset column. You cant be financially free without the hard work and the courage it will take to try something totally different. Once you start discovering new strategies to get you that freedom, your life is never the same! If someone could teach you some secrets to creating wealth, wouldn’t you want to learn? Read the book!
4. High Performance Habits by Brendon Burchard
As if the books above weren’t enough to BLOW your mind in one month, I had one more book on my January Reading list written by a very interesting guy named Brendon Burchard called “High Performance Habits“. I actually learned about this book while watching the Rise podcast with Rachel Hollis, and it came highly recommended. First of all, his story is incredibly humbling. You can feel the sincerity in the writing. He motivates and teaches you how to start living every moment with intention. These are gifts that I know will stay with me always.
I have always known that I am a high performer, but learning how to be the best version of myself is a new level. Changing the smallest of habits is opening doors faster than I could have ever dreamed possible. I am focusing on being of service throughout my life. Meditating on living in gratitude. My goal is to give the best parts of me to my family. To build and scale my business in addition to working 9-5 is making all the difference. I am learning more and more about myself every single day. I am focused on cultivating skills that I will pass down to my son. My goal is that he can live his life intentionally from the youngest age possible.
We owe it to ourselves to go after the desires we were created with. There are people relying on you to walk in your purpose. Folks that cannot move forward in their own life until we decide to come into the person we were created to be. There are things in the world that ONLY YOU were created to do. There are problems in the world that ONLY YOU were created to solve. In order to uncover what they are, you must learn to silence the world and listen to your spirit. What a shame it would be for things to go left undone only because we were too afraid to put the work in. The rewards are so worth the work. Many people start books and never finish, I am encouraging you to FINISH YOUR BOOK. Your story will inspire so many others to do the same.
What are you reading? Share with me in the comments a book that has changed your life!
