January’s Books

It seems both from observation and from personal experience that the cycle of learning is hard to continue once it is no longer a necessity or task that is being forced upon oneself. We get to the end of whatever term we deem appropriate for our own goals (or the satisfaction of other’s goals) and then we celebrate the end of learning by throwing our hats in high into the air and excitedly rushing off to seek an opportunity to apply our newfound knowledge.

It’s perhaps understandable, but in reality quite sad that our desire for acquiring knowledge and skills diminishes so rapidly once we are no longer required to obtain them. Our years of diligent study are instantly exposed as a necessity of survival rather than any desire to procure knowledge in the attempt to better oneself, one’s community, or world.

When we are no longer in the classroom, reading is such an excellent opportunity to continue personal growth and to better oneself for a myriad of benefits and purposes. In light of this, and seeing these shortcomings in my own life, I am currently doing my best to read one book each week, covering a broad array of subjects, but for the primary purpose of personal growth. I have divided my books into four categories that I am attempting to give equal attention to; Spiritual, History, Business, and Literature.

Some books are longer than others and the timeline doesn’t necessarily end up being tied to an exact weekly schedule, but it’s a goal that helps keep the pedal on the gas and the pages consistently turning. Some books are consumed via print, others through eBook or audiobook, giving me the opportunity to take advantage of a variety of situations.

With that introduction complete, below are the highlights of January’s book list.

1. My Early Life by Winston Churchill

Churchill has long been a fascinating character to me but my actual time studying him and early 20^th century history has been minimal. My Early Life is Churchill’s own account of the first 25 years of his life and gives great insight to his education, his time as a war correspondent, and early foray into English politics. It sets the stage well for what is to come next in his life, and is an exciting story of world travel, battles in Cuba, India, Sudan, and South Africa, and his discovery of his love for writing and learning.

Some notable quotes:

“Here was a place where real things were going on. Here was a scene of vital action. Here was a place where anything might happen. Here was a place where something would certainly happen.”

Many of Churchill’s accomplishments and opportunities I believe came from him continuing to place himself where ‘real things’ were going on. In the midst of uncertainty and possible (often likely) death, Churchill placed himself at the ‘scene of vital action’, and the skills and perspective that he gained from these situations were invaluable to him later in his career.

“I would far rather have been apprenticed as a bricklayer’s mate, or run errands as a messenger boy, or helped my father to dress the front windows of a grocer’s shop. It would have been real; it would have been natural; it would have taught me more; and I should have got to know my father, which would have been a joy to me.”

Despite all that he got from his father in terms of education, connections, and resources, Winston as a boy much lamented the fact that he really didn’t get to know or enjoy his father because of his father’s busyness and lack of personal attention to him. It is quite sad and a good reminder that we can set our children up for great success and yet at the end of the day still be terrible parents if we are not careful.

“Enter upon your inheritance, accept your responsibilities…Don’t take No for an answer. Never submit to failure. Do not be fobbed off with mere personal success or acceptance. You will make all kinds of mistakes; but as long as you are generous and true, and also fierce, you cannot hurt the world or even seriously distress her. She was made to be wooed and won by youth. She has lived and thrived only by repeated subjugations.”

What a charge for young men!

2. Standing on the Promises by Douglas Wilson

Wilson writes this book to highlight the duties and responsibilities of parents towards their children both from a broad overarching viewpoint and from the day-to-day practical application.

There are some issues of conventual theology that I disagree with Wilson on, but his emphasis on the responsibilities of parents, and specifically husbands and fathers for leading and directing their family’s spiritual condition is convicting. Our families are capable of higher standards and God demands it of us as believers; we are to be a holy people and a royal priesthood, and our families and children should be a continuation of this. 

Some notable quotes:

“Delayed obedience is disobedience”

From remembering my own early years and seeing my siblings train their own children, it is hard to understate how important this is! Whether it is our own walk with the Lord or within our families, obedience must be swift.

“By nature children are malleable; they will either be shaped lawfully by those commanded by God to perform the task or they will be shaped unlawfully by outsiders; but as children, they will be shaped.”

If we are not purposeful in directing our children, that void will quickly be filled by someone (or something, i.e. your television) who we will have little or no control over.

“As we bring up our children, we should descend to their level in one sense (humility) in order to lead them to our level (maturity).”

“When the parent is qualified to discipline, he probably does not feel like it, and when he feels like it, he is probably not qualified.”

Discipline is essential but it must be done appropriately. The parent’s heart is the most crucial element in this process.

“We must be servants to our children, we must not cater to them”.

Good parenting is a sacrificial commitment to serving our children as examples in Godliness. In this we must still recognize that we are in control at all times; directing, leading, and admonishing them towards truth.

3. Traction by Gino Wickman

Gino Wickman is an American entrepreneur and business coach. Traction is his step-by-step guide to implementation of his Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) that helps businesses structure better leadership, vision, and execution of core company values.

My brother gifted me this book and it has been extremely helpful in establishing vision and operating procedure for my company.  

Notable quotes:

“Clarify your vision and you will make better decisions about people, processes, finances, strategies, and customers.”

So many of our problems arise from not understanding our destination or even understanding what we want our destination to be. It is essential that we outline our goals and why we want to reach them.

“Most people are sitting on their own diamond mines. The surest ways to lose your diamond mine are to get bored, become overambitious, or start thinking that the grass is greener on the other side. Find your core focus, stick to it, and devote your time and resources to excelling at it.”

We are living in a time period where there is perhaps more opportunity for entrepreneurs than ever before in history, and it can be tempting to chase each new opportunity that arises rather than focusing on building and maturing what we are already working on.

Send me your recommendations!

It’s been encouraging to see how much reading it’s possible to accomplish when I recognize it as a priority. I would love recommendations that any of you might have; comment below if there is a book that you have found helpful or are currently enjoying!