Go "find" some new goals - read some biographies (Jason Womack)

I have written before (and I usually talk about it in my seminars as well) about being a big fan of biographies. I know that big time biographies are popular. I've read biographies by professors at universities and professional researchers, but I have found amazing value in starting small.

I read biographies from the juvenile sections of bookstores!

I'll challenge you with an activity that will take approximately 10 hours and cost less than $100. And, I believe it will change your life ... it did (and continues to this day) for me!

Here's what to do:

Go to a bookstore and find 10 nonfiction biography "chapter books" in the young adult section. These will usually be about 100 pages with large margins and larger font sizes. Most even have a series of pictures and charts or graphs too. Pick one and skim read the whole thing. Then choose six, walk to the counter and pay for them. (Yup, this is the first decision...which ones do you leave behind!?)

Now, over the next month or so, spend one hour with each book.

Go ahead and sit down with a manila folder open or find a piece of paper that is about 12" x 18" big. (I've used the manila folders, and then when I'm done researching that particular person/event, I file the folder in my reference system.)

As you read, stop at the end of each page or section or chapter and time yourself. For one or two minutes you write down what you remember, what stands out to you about what you just read. Draw a mind map. Copy a quote. Draw a picture. Create a chart. Just do something to get "what you're thinkin'" onto the page.

Do this for each of the six books. THEN, the real interesting part of this begins...

After you have your six manila folders, call or e-mail three of your friends coaches or mentors and invite them to coffee or lunch. One at a time, let them know you’d like their assistance in talking about your upcoming goals and objectives.

In preparing for the meeting, review the manila folders. These can spur your thinking about your goals, ah-ha’s, and inspirations.

When you get together, explain to your ideas to your coffee partner. Let them hear your goals and intentions, and let the conversational wander. Every now and then, share your experience learning about other people who made it. Sometimes, realizing that someone else shared the difficulties or roadblocks I am dealing with (or even more severe ones) makes it easier for me to engage...

I've been reading biographies (and more recently, watching the video podcasts from Pop!Tech and TED) to gain insight AND gather the ah-ha's I use to move forward.