I’m not a biography reader, it’s not a genre that’s interested me much. You’ll find me with a sci-fi, fantasy fiction book in my hand. Or non-fiction works on why humans do the things they do (all those coaching, psychology, or history books). Humans are weird and wonderful and I’m fascinated by us. Yet this weeks book club series recommendation is for an autobiography. By Matthew McConaughey. Greenlights.
Alright, alright, alright.
But what I love about this book is this, and it’s on the first page:
“This is an approach book. I am here to share stories, insights, and philosophies that can be objectively understood, and if you choose, subjectively adopted, by either changing your reality or changing how you see it.”
There is so much noise out there about that one specific thing you need to do to have a successful life. To have a happy life. etc
But how can One Thing possibly be the answer to something as complex, mysterious, and volatile as life?
Now an approach, a playbook, now that gives you options. It allows for context, for circumstances. It allows for “well, it depends…”.
With an approach, you can navigate any situation, even the completely unexpected, like a pandemic. And this is exactly what I help my clients with: define your approach for leadership, whether you are leading your life or leading others at work.
Then you will always be prepared, without needing to prepare.
Now, if you’ve read my other book recommendations, you know I don’t do book reports. I find a key thing that excites me about the book, and I share that.
So here goes.
What’s so exciting about this book?
If you did nothing else but read the chapter headings, you’d get so much wisdom from this book. Wisdom that will help you create your own approach.
So here we go:
- Part One: Outlaw Logic
- Part Two: Find Your Frequency
- Part Three: Dirt Roads And Autobahns
- Part Four: The Art Of Running Downhill
- Part Five: Turn The Page
- Part Six: The Arrow Doesn’t Seek The Target, The Target Draws The Arrow
- Part Seven: Be Brave, Take The Hill
- Part Eight: Live Your Legacy Now
Again, if you did nothing else but read these headings, you’d get so much out of this book. All you have to do is ask yourself
“What does this mean, to me?”
You can add your own definition to these.
Now, most of them create an immediate “oh yeah, true” in me. Like “turn the page”. Of course, to move forward in life, you’ve got to turn the page, move on, let go of the past, take the next step.
Or be brave, take the hill.
I’m facing a hill right now to get my Dutch passport, But there’s an unbelievably massive mountain of bureaucracy in between me and that Dutch document. Including the seemingly impossible task of getting a document legalised in Pakistan – while I’m in Amsterdam.
So this chapter heading feels really relevant right now. I’ve got to be brave. There are going to be a lot of dead ends and circles. But I’ve got to take the hill.
Some of these headings fascinate me. Like the Art of Running Downhill. It just makes me smile, and want to run down a hill to discover the art. It inspires curiosity. And we should all have something in our lives that inspires curiosity.
A couple of them just puzzle me. Like outlaw logic and dirt roads and autobahns. These are the ones I need to think about, reflect on. I can sense great wisdom in them, but it’s not obvious.
Fortunately, the whole book is an easy and pleasant read. Taking you on unexpected turns and down tiny little lanes that you never even imagined are there. And you will end up with a renewed energy to both live according to your approach, and to build on it.
So give it a spin. And find out what the “alright, alright, alright” is really about.
This post is part of my Book Club Series where I share what I’m reading with you. I’m highlighting the “oh my god, you’ve got to read this!” books. These are the ones that I’ve been recommending to clients, friends, and anyone I’ve spoken to while reading the book. I have even been known to buy extra copies and give them to people. These books are great.
Book a free Experience Coaching session to talk about how you can use these tips in your leadership role.