I'm so happy about this

Back in October, the library system where I live got hacked. As a result, the entire online system (including the ability to place holds and order books from different branches, and access your account) was shut down for nearly six months. 😭

Fortunately, the library finally re-opened a couple of weeks ago. Hallelujah! 

It’s not that the library closure stopped me from reading altogether; of course not. But I felt as though my reading buffet had been taken away, replaced by a pricey a la carte menu. (i.e. the bookstore.) And while I have great appreciation for independent bookstores, the library allows you to do something that book stores can’t: that is, they allow you to sample content with zero risk. You don’t have to stick to things you think you’ll like. Borrow something and if you don’t like it, no big deal—just return it.

Living without my beloved library for months reminded me just how valuable it is to have the opportunity to try stuff—including things we might not like. 

Comfort zones have a way of creeping up on us, and it can be easy to get a little too comfy with our own way of seeing the world.

Reading can be an antidote for the limitations of your own worldview and ways of doing things. A diverse and eclectic reading list is a gateway to new ideas, perspectives, approaches, and even feelings. And that’s what makes it so valuable. Because storytelling, communications, and thought leadership all depend heavily on being able to transcend our own little bubbles and experience different realities, so we can have a better shot at understanding, relating to, and connecting with other people. 

Of course, reading isn't the only way. It's just a good one. The approach of deliberately putting ourselves in new and different situations, and experiencing different kinds of people, worldviews, and well, experiences can be something we practice regularly and deliberately. 

To consider this idea further, check out my latest podcast episode where my guest delves into the value of getting uncomfortable and challenging ourselves to see things differently. 

My guest is none other than Dr. Krista Scott-Dixon, a brilliant writer, speaker, thinker, teacher, and coach (and a frequent collaborator of mine.)

Krista has more than 20 years in fitness and health coaching under her belt, and 10 years of university teaching and course direction. She is currently the Product Director at Simple, a nutrition app with global reach. Previously she served as Director of Curriculum at Precision Nutrition, leading the development of the PN Academy and PN Certifications. 

Krista is the author of several books and co-author of textbooks, many of which we worked on together,  plus she has an extensive portfolio of academic publications, book chapters, articles, and reports, not to mention own self-published book Why Me Want Eat. She has lectured and taught internationally across North America as well as in the UK, Ireland, China, Australia, and Southeast Asia. 

In our conversation, I dig into Krista’s process, sifting through her childhood experiences, her personal beliefs and habits, and some of the methods she uses in her own life and work as both a coach and communicator.

We explore how we can all communicate better by employing humor, empathy, curiosity, experimentation, collaboration, play, and as promised, getting out of our own boxes.

We cover:

➡️ The value of letting your freak flag fly.

➡️ Why empathy is non-negotiable for all communicators, and how to cultivate it. 

➡️ Why interest, curiosity, and skill are such a powerful combination, and how to nurture them. 

➡️ The danger of waiting for someone else to give you permission to create your thing. 

➡️ Where good ideas ACTUALLY come from, and the problem with “The Great Man” theory.

➡️ The role of practice, rigor, feedback, experimentation, and collaboration in developing and refining your ideas and knowledge… and why you should never try to develop good ideas in isolation.

➡️ The role of play in communications and creative work, and some unusual ways to make your work more playful.

➡️ The difference between Creator Brain vs Editor Brain, and why (and how) you need to put the Creator Brain in the driver’s seat.

➡️ Plus, a fun assignment to challenge writer’s block

And of course,

➡️ How to get out of your own box or comfort zone, and why you should seek out unfamiliar and deeply uncomfortable experiences.

Listen to the full episode on my website, Spotify, Apple, Google, Amazon, and anywhere else you listen to podcasts.

Meanwhile, I highly recommend using the library as a source of inspiration. Personally, I’m always on the lookout for new and interesting books. As soon as I come across a title that intrigues me, I add it to my library list of orders. Popular books can take a while to come in, but that’s fine. It’s kind of a fun surprise to see what’s arrived.

A while ago, a friend joined me on a walk while I picked up my library holds. As I jostled the giant pile of books in my arms, she asked, incredulous, “you’re not going to read all those books in three weeks, are you?”

“No,” was the answer. Chances are, I would read a few of them and return the rest. And that’s exactly my point. You don’t have to finish every book you take out of the library. Just as you don't have to finish every project you start, or create a lifelong friendship with every stranger you meet.

There’s value in simply trying things.

So, maybe pick a book that's outside of your normal reading list. 

Read a few pages. See if you like it. Who knows, it just might take you somewhere you’ve never been. 
—
P.S. What’s your favourite book you’ve read so far this year? Leave a comment and let me know. Maybe I’ll add it to my library list. ;)