Fire Burning, Fire Burning…at the Library?

Jill: Hello and happy Sunday night!

Jenn and I had quite the week! As of Friday, POP! Social Media, Inc. is officially in business and recognized legally by the state of Illinois! We’ve spent most of the weekend sporadically smiling and saying hooray! Check back tomorrow at noon for the official company launch – Web site and all!

In the meantime, I wanted to continue the #TGIM tradition by talking about one of my favorite ways to spark and discover new passions: reading.

Jenn and I made our second visit to the Chicago Public Library this week – and this time left with our own library cards and bags full of books and inspiration!

Source

My new-dork is probably showing, but there is something about libraries that brings me back to my youth and puts me in a euphoric state. As kids, both Jenn and I used to spend hours with our noses in books. Well-written stories are like escapes; they can pull you from reality and put you in any situation you can imagine or, for that matter, any situation that you can’t.

This ability to draw people out of their comfort zone, of their sense of self, is personally what I find so incredibly powerful about books. They are a chance to explore a new possibility and learn something new, without any real risk. Books can be motivators and coaches, and often provide inspiration that can lead to pursuing something you had never considered before.

For all these reasons, along with a large thirst for any and all information about entrepreneurship, I was practically skipping through the aisles of the library earlier this week. I swear, I would be happy to bring a sleeping bag in and camp out in the rows about small business ownership. Alas, they frown upon staying overnight, so I had to resort to leaving with five books to pour through at home.

One in particular (called The Big Moo) has gotten me extra excited. It is a compilation of advice from 33 of the world’s best business thinkers. Their goal? To help you stop trying to be perfect and start being remarkable. The first page of the book consists of the following poem:

Who You Are Is What You Do

You are not a cog.

You are not an assistant or an administrator.

You’re not a gofer or a middle manager, either.

No, you’re creative. A valuable asset to your family and your community. A person who can make a difference to an organization.

You are capable of having an impact, leaving a legacy, creating things that are outstanding.

You are not ordinary.

In fact, you’re remarkable.

Now, hurry. Don’t let yourself (and the rest of us) down.

The words hit me and were an inspiration for the entire week. It’s not the first, and certainly won’t be the last time, that a phrase, chapter or entire novel sparked something in me that leads me down a new path. This week, I encourage everyone to either discover a new book that inspires you or to re-read one that has had that effect in the past. It is one great, non-scary way to get a step closer to discovering your dream job or situation. Take an hour out of your night tomorrow to get lost in it – one great reason to say #TGIM!

In the meantime, take a minute to spread some book love for others who aren’t sure where to start! What book do you think is an absolute must-read? Is there an author that you have read multiple novels by? What book are you planning to pick up and read this week?

Looking forward to hearing all of your recommendations and continuing the conversation!

Dream bigger,