by The Bladen Group
on February 13, 2020
The Richest Man in Babylon by George S. Clason
This is a slim, yet impactful guide book on personal financial management. Although the ideas are simple, they are powerful instructions for laying the foundation for wealth. Published in 1926, this book of parables has spawned many successive personal finance guides that seek to simplify and expand upon the advice provided. The key takeaways are the “Seven Cures for a Lean Purse” and “The Five Laws of Gold” that speak to earning, saving, and investing money. Check out the original or one of the modernized versions for a story-based spin on traditional money guidance.
The Personal Touch by Terrie Williams
Originally published in 1994, this book’s old school lessons on building and maintaining relationships has some tips and tactics that can still be used today to succeed in business. Ms. Williams includes great inspirational quotes throughout the book. I found it interesting to look up some of the business leaders and companies mentioned to see what their fates have been over the last 25 years, which provided a great business history lesson.
Getting Unstuck
Earlier this year, I met author Meredith Moore Crosby at a networking event, where she talked about getting unstuck and moving forward in your career (and life). Her book, Getting Unstuck, is a short guide book that packs a ton of usable, practical wisdom in its 134 pages. Meredith is a former global executive who has worked across multiple industries over the last 15 years. Her book provides a set of steps for getting unstuck, focused on the TRIBE methodology and based on your personal vision. T- Time, R – Resources, I – Innovation, B – Belief, E-Evolution. I read the entire book in one sitting and now plan to start again from the beginning to work through each of the exercises.
First up – exploring a week of possibilities!
by The Bladen Group
on January 26, 2020
I had a wonderful trip to Portugal – enjoying the Portuguese coast on yet another Camino de Santiago adventure. After walking a total of 45 miles over three days, I was surprisingly well-rested and refreshed (discounting the jetlag) upon returning home. It goes to show you what a few days of singular focus can do for your well-being and perspective.
This year’s trip was very different than our inaugural trip in 2018. We were walking along the coast, in 70+ degree sunny weather, and doing the Camino in reverse! This meant we were walking in the opposite direction of most of the other travelers. Well-meaning passers-by stopped and tried to redirect us, but we knew where we were headed. Well, we knew our daily destination, but the route to get there was anything but certain. Because we were walking “backwards”, we expended a ton of mental energy on extrapolating our next turn based on the existing signage that was directing us forward.
As I reflected on the experience, there were some great insights relative to entrepreneurship:
- Don’t let others tell you that you’re headed in the wrong direction when you know your end goal.
- Follow the signs, but know that you will encounter uncharted territory, and you will have to trust your instincts.
- Adjust to the terrain – there were hills, highways, forest trails, blazing sun, and blustery winds. We dressed in layers, carried hats, sunscreen, and walking sticks. In business, you never know what’s going to happen, you have to embrace the unknown and forge ahead. Be prepared or prepared to figure it out!
- Look for mentors who have been where you want to go. At least a few times a day, we would stop a traveler who had just walked the path that we were heading toward to get a sense of the terrain – flat or hilly, populated or desolate, good or poor food options. Although there’s no substitute for personal experience, these snippets of information helped us prepare for the next stage of our journey.
Overall, a great time and looking forward to the next Camino adventure in
2020!
