Two Modern Day Stories

Two things have caught my interest over the past week.

The first was a book by Harlan Coben, “Hold Tight”. Though I don’t usually read a lot of fiction (mostly non-fiction business books are on my nightstand), I read a review recently that made me want to give this book a try. I’m doing a lot of research/writing on social media and Internet security, which are two of the main topics in this book. The story is about a teenager who commits suicide, and it all leads to different clues using today’s social media tools and email. It also asks the question that many parents today are facing: is spying on your kids’ online habits a good thing?

I enjoyed reading about a family’s challenges when facing their teenager’s choices, and the author’s take on keeping your kids safe. Because many parents today simply don’t understand things like Facebook and MySpace, keeping their kids safe is a difficult task. With a book like this, it’s opening up topics that before were simply unknown. If it can get parents to start thinking and to start learning a bit more about today’s tools, it’s a definite step in the right direction.

The second was a movie, Untraceable. This action thriller is about an FBI agent who tracks people online, and traces them to different crimes. The storyline revolves around how you catch a killer who broadcasts online, but programs his site in such a way that he is untraceable.

There are lots of turns and twists that keep you on the edge of your seat. Once again I enjoyed having today’s technology featured in such a dramatic way. Is all of it believable and plausible? Probably not. But it’s a great two hour look at what today’s technology can do.

In both cases the author/director shares a modern look at technology, and the impact it can have on our lives. In both cases it’s not based on common every day occurrences, but it still is enough to share possibilities with readers/viewers. Things have definitely made mainstream when best selling novels and action movies are centered around it.

If you’ve read the book or watched the movie, I’d be interested in hearing your comments.

Does It Really Matter How Many Books We’re Reading?

I’ve always been a little shocked at the statistics that suggest people aren’t reading books anymore.

According to statistics on Parapublishing.com:

Only 38% of adults in 2006 said they had spent time reading a book for pleasure the previous day.

65% of college freshmen in 2005 said they read little or nothing for pleasure.

30% of 13 year olds in 2004 said they read for fun "almost every day," down from 35% in 1984.

So what is this really saying about our society? Are people reading less because they are simply too busy to read? Or is there another reason?

I found an interesting article on Publishing 2.0 on the change to Networked Thoughts. Like the writer, do people not read because of lack of time, or because they are moving into a different type of reading habit? Is the online world changing the way we absorb our information?

I read constantly. I have 5 books started on my nightstand. I subscribe to many magazines – all niched by nature. And I read constantly online. But I read each of these types of media in very different ways.

In his article, Scott mentions what the future beholds for readers. It’s interesting to note that all of today’s top players (Google, Facebook, etc) were started by obsessive computer programmers. They may not read the typical novel, but you can better believe they are getting tremendous information from the online world. Through forums, blogs, news sites, and many other formats, they are getting an education every day in an easy way. When you find great sources, you don’t have to hunt for the information – you simply subscribe to the newsfeed and read what pertains to you.

So is "not reading books" a bad thing? Not when you look at reading in a whole new way. With today’s technology, staying on top can be gained in many ways.

What does your perfect workday look like?

Along with the New Year brings many resolutions. This year my top goal is to become more efficient in my work day, leverage myself more, rely on others to get more done, and spend more time doing things I enjoy – not have to do.

Are you like me? Juggling many different things each day, often leaving more on your list than you eliminate? I’ve been doing that for years. But I’m also getting better at creating lists that Iknow are important, and that I can get through in  a day.

So I thought I’d share with you my perfect work day. Keep in mind that this is my perfect work day – not something I actually do every day, though it is something I’m working towards.

6:00am meditate, read, clean up email, and set up my goals for the day

7:00am wake up my daughter, have breakfast with her and get her to school

8:30am – 12:00pm I have three areas of concentration: client work, production work, and self work. I work in each area every day. Mornings are my most productive time – I get as much done as possible.

12:00 – 2:00pm Have lunch, network with a group or a friend, get in a walk or exercise.

2:00 – 4:00pm Work through emails, phone messages, and any other customer contact, as needed. Finish up projects, and begin planning for tomorrow.

4:00 – 8:00pm Family time

8:00 – 10:00pm Writing time, and time to research and surf online. This is my dreaming and discovery time – time to plan for future projects and ideas.

I love reading books on this area as well. Some of my favorites are:

7 Spiritual Steps to Success - Deepak Chopra

The Power Of Focus – Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Les Hewitt

The Success Principles – Jack Canfield

Little Gold Book of Yes! Attitude

I’m a big fan of Jeffrey Gitomer, (maybe because we both write for the Business Journals ) and love reading his ezine every week. I think the one thing I’ve always noticed about his writing is how upbeat he is. He’s always motivating you to take action – to take the next step towards success.

I finally had a chance to read his “Little Gold Book of Yes! Attitude” and once again, it’s a great read.

His “little book” series aren’t meant to sit down and digest in one sitting. Instead, read a few pages a day, and digest what he has to say. Use his books to motivate you to change the way you are currently doing things, and make your day more successful.

For example, in one section he speaks of Brain-Ups.

When you wake up in the morning, do you do push-ups to get your body muscles moving? Well a Brain-Up is a similar task for you brain. Flex your thinking muscle – your attitude muscle.

1. Create positive thoughts.

2. Read positive thoughts.

3. Write positive thoughts.

4. Think and plan positive actions for the day.

5. Speak positive words to yourself and others.

5.5 Ignore all bullshit.

Taking the right actions first thing in the morning sets the tone for the rest of the day!

So like many things, I’ve added Jeffrey’s 5.5 tasks to my list – and I love how much more energy I have.

Give it a try.

Lori