How does one become known as an expert? In his book Outliers, Malcolm Gladwell popularized what has become known as the 10,000 theory – the idea that if you spend about 10K hours practicing a skill that you would have built up such expertise to master your craft. But it’s one thing to be an expert. How do you get others to notice that? You probably have to do some amount of self promotion, chat up your abilities and then keep studying to show yourself approved when you get a chance to demonstrate your level of expertise.
A friend contacted me recently for book recommendations. Well, this person is not so much a friend as someone I have been acquainted with for several years, interacted with in several different capacities, and have remained social with. Not really someone who knows the details of my life but is generally aware about my writing and reading interests. I mean, even without my saying anything, most of the people I interact with have an idea that I like books. The UPS guy knows how many books gets delivered to my apartment every week. He has an idea. The cashier at the thrift store that I visit in search of secondhand books, she doesn’t know my name or my profession but she often comments on how many books I purchase. She has an idea. The guy who works out next to me at the gym sometimes. He sees the book I put on my treadmill for when I’m in the walk phase of my interval workout. He has an idea. Still, the message I received from my acquaintance-turned-friend was a surprise.
I’m looking for a good book and I know you’re the book queen. Any suggestions?
That simple request made my day. The acknowledgment isn’t why I read. I have a passion for the written word – both for producing and consuming it. I am always writing and I’m always reading. But it makes me smile when others recognize what I do and validate how I see myself.
And just in case you want a book suggestion yourself, my current reads are:
Homegoing /Yaa Gyasi (Fiction)- a novel told in a sequence of linked short stories that chronicle the descendants of an Ghanian family who either remain in Africa or make their way to the US.
The Power of Broke /Daymond John – the FUBU entrepreneur and Shark talks about how starting off at the bottom can be a great motivator.
Challenge Update
On Monday, I announced that I am doing a daily run-walk challenge with my virtual running buddy. Day 4 goals are to remain consistent – match yesterday’s distance and pace. Come back later for our updates and let me know in the comments if you’d like to join the challenge so I can add you to the daily tracker.
Is there anyone you can validate with a well-placed comment today?
Amazon, YouTube, Bloglovin, Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter
Oh I’ve been wanting to read Homegoing! I have a long train journey tomorrow so I may take advantage of it for that 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
I have a friend that we are exchanging books to read and challenge each other because we disagree on a political matter, so we are reading a book the other has read. But, when I am done, I might look into these recommendations. 🙂
Also, it may be an excuse, but I didn’t walk as far as yesterday since I was at a funeral today.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well kudos on still being active on such a challenging day. I hope today is better for you.
What book did you and your friend exchange? That’s a great idea by the way
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m not as into my physical fitness as much as I might like, but I’m all about some mental fitness! I’ll keep an eye out for these books! I am creating a very similar post (scheduled for next Wednesday, I believe) with my own ‘Recommended Media’… but I’ll share one of my current favorites with you, if I may!
“Learning to Love Yourself” written by Gay Hendricks, PhD
It comes in a bundle (ebook, audiobook & workbook) or just the ebook. I came across it, of all places, through an ad on FB. I highly recommend it, if/when you have time to add another book to your ‘library’!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the recommendation, Amanda. I am always adding books to my TBR so I’ll look out for this one. How have you applied the lessons to your life? Is there something specific that you are learning to love about yourself?
LikeLiked by 1 person
What really struck me about this book was that it seemed to put ‘together’ a lot of the stuff I had been learning piecemeal from other places, and put it all together in one place, plus it was easy to read. The information (to me) just seemed to flow right off the page in a very easy to absorb/comprehend way.
I was able to zip through the book in less than 2 days (but I’m a very fast reader with minimal interruptions, ymmv), and the information is presented very clearly, without a bunch of ‘mysticism’ and woo, which I think helps make the information more relatable for most people.
LikeLiked by 1 person