AJ Vaden discusses her commitment to reading two books a month, sharing the most impactful reads of 2024. She highlights 'Unreasonable Hospitality' as essential for team dynamics and 'Sacred Marriage' for deepening relationship insights. 'The Go-Giver' emphasizes learning through connections, while AJ reflects on her husband’s 'Take the Stairs' regarding self-discipline. She encourages listeners to ask how they are implementing their learnings to create real change in their lives.
AJ Vaden's commitment to reading two books a month exemplifies how personal goals can foster continuous growth and accountability.
The insights from books like Unreasonable Hospitality and Sacred Marriage emphasize the importance of service and relational growth in both professional and personal contexts.
Deep dives
Commitment to Continuous Learning
Setting personal goals for reading can significantly enhance one's knowledge and growth. A commitment to reading two books a month helps fill one's mind with challenging and enriching content that fosters personal development. This practice not only provides accountability but also steers individuals away from less productive activities, such as excessive television watching. At the end of each year, reflecting on the most influential books read allows for the identification of key takeaways that can be implemented in daily life.
The Importance of Hospitality
Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Gadara emphasizes the power of hospitality in any industry, extending beyond traditional definitions associated with restaurants. The book highlights serving and welcoming customers at every level, showcasing that every role contributes to the overall client experience. This approach encourages individuals to take pride in their work and enhance the work culture by valuing each contribution, regardless of job title. By infusing hospitality into daily tasks, employees and leaders alike can create genuinely positive experiences for colleagues and customers.
Reframing the Purpose of Marriage
Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas provides a transformative perspective on the purpose of marriage, asserting that it is meant to foster holiness rather than simply happiness. This book encourages readers to view challenges in a marriage as opportunities for personal and relational growth. It shifts the focus from individual happiness to a deeper connection with one's spouse, emphasizing mutual growth in faith and character. By adopting this mindset, individuals can cultivate a richer understanding of their partnerships and confront the difficulties of marriage as a shared journey.
The Go-Giver's Principles of Impact
The Go-Giver by Bob Berg illustrates essential lessons on the importance of generosity and selflessness in building relationships and achieving success. The book introduces five fundamental laws focused on value, influence, authenticity, receptivity, and compensation, creating a framework for effective interaction with others. It encourages individuals to prioritize helping others rather than seeking personal benefit, promoting a profound shift in mindset. By focusing on the impact of service, the book posits that success will naturally follow, highlighting the interconnectedness of service and personal fulfillment in the workplace.
In 2024, AJ committed to reading two books every month of the year, a tradition she’s been building on for three consecutive years! Today, she shares her most influential books for 2024, how they have shaped her outlook, and why you might want to check them out yourself. Discover why Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara is required reading for the entire Brand Builders Group team; how Gary Thomas’s Sacred Marriage has deepened AJ’s understanding of what it means to be married; what The Go-Giver by Bob Burg teaches readers about learning through relationships; why AJ decided to revisit Take the Stairs, written by her husband, Rory Vaden; and why What Got You Here Won't Get You There by Marshall Goldsmith is essential reading for anyone ready to level up. Regardless of whether you decide to read these books in the coming year, ask yourself, ‘Am I implementing what I’ve learned, and how can I use it to create real change in my life?’ Don’t miss out on this inspiring conversation with AJ Vaden on her top books and lessons from 2024!
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