Contributed by Sharon Aubrey
Like many Alaskans, you probably found yourself entering 2020 a little surprised. It seemed we entered a time warp at the last decade, as the last 10 years flew. The daily grind for survival kept most people distracted. Stuck in a routine punctuated by moments of pain or pleasure, we often fail to look up. Not planning a vision for our future, it suddenly arrives and a decade has past, catching us off-guard. The 2010s brought new relationships into our lives, fresh opportunities, freedom from old ruts, and many unexpected journeys. I’m sure you see them now as you look back. To others, it brought the death of a loved one, the loss of a home, a challenging diagnosis, the chains of addiction, or a search for the meaning of life and peace.
Reflecting the transition to another decade made me ponder, “How can we truly change the next ten years?” After all, millions of people make New Year’s Resolutions, most of which they fail to actually keep. So aside from a well-intentioned wish, how do we bring purposeful change to ours lives in the next decade? The answer is surprisingly simple. Real change comes from knowledge and begins internally. If we want to experience positive growth, we need to expand our understanding and bring correction to our lives from our new paradigms.
There are many ways to expand our knowledge, but the most effective and least expensive is to read a variety of books. Reading exposes us to innovative concepts as well as timeless truths, reveals cultural differences and universal struggles, and uncovers scientific discoveries. Above all, it encourages personal development. There are literally millions of books to bring introspection and growth. Even if you don’t feel you have the time to sit and read 15 minutes a day, audiobooks provide knowledge and are perfect for car rides, workouts, and daily chores. But with a vast array of good choices, how does one know where to begin their literary journey to personal improvement and real change?
The answer isn’t simply choosing the “right” books, as much as it is diversifying genres. The most prosperous people today, including Bill Gates, Warren Buffet, Elon Musk, Oprah Winfrey, and Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, live by expanding their reading selection to encompass almost every aspect of life not just areas that bring them entertainment.
This year challenge yourself to read one book a month and include autobiographies; personal growth; historical books on your country or state; other cultures; animals, environment, and other scientific wonders; and of course fiction. From the above genres, the wealthiest readers advise focusing primarily on autobiographies for inspiration followed by history and personal growth books. They also recommend cultivating personal financial management, one of America’s most challenging subjects, with 8 out of 10 people living paycheck to paycheck.
As a starting point for your 2020 literary journey, here is a list of the most recommended books in the last 10 years: Benjamin Franklin’s Autobiography, 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey, The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey, Daring Greatly by Brené Brown, Eat That Frog! by Brian Tracy, The 5 Second Rule by Mel Robbins, and Your Money or Your Life by Vicki Robin. Whatever you read, whether it is one of these books or another title, don’t let this decade pass you by like the last. May 2020 enrich and bless you in new ways.
