Nothing is new OR is it?

Nothing is new, but is it worth being reminded of?

Self-help, psychology, and leadership books can be overwhelming at times. I love it! However, there is very little that is truly new. Most authors are simply repackaging ideas we have known for years. That may be true, but does that mean we should stop reading or skip the next uplifting podcast?

I got addicted about ten years ago. Not to drugs, alcohol, or gambling—but to reading.

The journey started when a few athletic directors and I decided we had become too negative as a group and needed to do something about it. We bought two books by a guy named Jon Gordon. You may have heard of him. He has since become an incredibly accomplished author with more than thirty books to his name. We read The Energy Bus and The No Complaining Rule. Both were excellent fables with powerful messages. From those two books, I was hooked.

I had always read articles and magazines, but I rarely read books at that point in my life. Looking back, that was a huge mistake. How do we continue to learn if we don't read?

Today, my better half orders a couple of books from Amazon Prime whenever I ask. I'm sure she occasionally wonders why I keep ordering more books when, in her mind, "nothing is really new." Secretly, though, I think she loves that I have become a reader. So, she keeps ordering, and the learning continues.

Back to the premise of this post.

It may be true that most books on leadership, psychology, or self-improvement offer few groundbreaking ideas. However, a new perspective, a different story, or one small insight often causes me to think about a familiar topic in a slightly different way.

As a leadership coach, I continue learning about the psychology of people because I hope it helps me improve relationships and become more effective in serving coaches and athletic directors. It amazes me how often something I have read unintentionally surfaces during a coaching session. I may not remember the exact quote or chapter, but the lesson is there when I need it.

I'm writing this while flying home to South Dakota. What prompted this reflection was picking up Jon Gordon's newest book, The Power of Positive Habits. It all comes full circle—back to Jon Gordon.

In my defense, this book was a gift from a colleague and friend. Cost to my wife's Amazon Prime account: $0.

Within the first forty pages, Gordon talks about how the stories we tell ourselves shape the way we experience the world. Again, there is nothing revolutionary here, but it reminded me to stop talking about all my aches and pains. It serves no one, and it actually makes me feel worse. Instead, I need to focus on what my body can still do rather than its limitations.  No more “old man” noises when I get up from a chair.  Well, I might continue those just to entertain myself and annoy her!

That reminder will come in handy on my upcoming golf trip to Scotland. Walking eight different courses in eight days will certainly be a challenge—or at least that's what I thought before Jon's reminder.

I realize that buying the next book isn't going to fix you. I also realize the next book may not contain a single idea you consciously use in the future. However, I do believe the knowledge you gain through reading often shows up unexpectedly in both your professional and personal life. Reading stretches your thinking. It's like the old rubber band analogy—once stretched, it never quite returns to its original shape.

Reading may not be your thing. My sister-in-law loves listening to podcasts during her commute. I have friends who enjoy YouTube videos and TED Talks. I have learned to appreciate audiobooks and podcasts as well.  The key is to become a life-long learner.

But for me, give me a hardcover book and a yellow highlighter, and I'm happy.

In closing, there may be very little that is truly groundbreaking when it comes to human psychology. People today struggle with the same fears, insecurities, and challenges they did a hundred years ago. What has changed is our understanding of why we think and behave the way we do. The more we understand ourselves and others, the better equipped we are to build relationships, lead effectively, and help people on their journey.

What may be new isn't the information.

What is new is how you see the world after learning.