Many of us think that we have some solid organization strategies for ourselves. We learned a lot in school and then we’ve improved those strategies as we have continued in our work. That’s not to say that we’re not using good strategies, but we always need to get better. Just like a professional athlete finds ways to improve performance through better fitness, more effective workouts, visualization, etc., we need to be doing the same. With that in mind, let’s talk about the ways we can improve your organizational strategies by reading and listening.

Zig Ziglar, the famous sales expert and personal performance advisor, used to talk about “Automobile University”. He explained that, during the time we are in the car during our morning and afternoon commutes, we could accomplish the equivalent of a college degree over a few years. He pushed the idea that we needed to turn off the TV and the radio and turn on productive and educational material. Now Zig shared this advice way before the smartphone, tablet and other devices were in play, but the principle still applies. We should be turning off the entertainment and reading and listening what will make us better and wiser.

Practical Reading and Listening Options:

With that in mind, here are some books that will help us do just that:

Over the Top: Moving from Survival to Stability, from Stability to Success, from Success to Significance by Zig Ziglar (2007-05-13)

Starting with Zig, this book is considered a classic when it comes to personal growth and development. The main underlying theme in this book is a balanced approach to life, focusing on excellence and achievement.

Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity – by David Allen

Although this book can get very detailed, it is a great book to help us learn how to focus and to “get things done.” Much of what we do is non-productive, but this book helps us get things in order and in proper priority.

The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business – by Charles Duhigg

To maintain things in order, we need to develop and maintain high-performance habits. Duhigg presents the basics of how to gain the right kind of traction on the habits we should maintain.

So how do we implement these books?

In the morning, read these books as we’re getting things lined up for the day.

If you’re someone who gets up in the morning and works on a journal and a task list, and you should, it’s a good idea to have a good thought to consider throughout the day. With that in mind, making a habit to read through books like these every morning before things get moving is a great idea to get the day started off right.

Make a point to listen to these books in the car.

As Zig recommended, turn off the radio. Play good educational material like this. Purchase these books in audiobook format and play them as you’re driving down the road. You’ll find that you’ll gain a good thought which will carry throughout the day.

When you have some “dead time” where you’re not doing something, pick up one of these books and read a bit.

Give your brain something productive and beneficial for reading and listening. Avoid the junk that’s out there. Will reading the latest Hollywood gossip benefit your business or your personal life? Probably not.

Look through our “Products” section. We have other books available for purchase. You’ll find that this material will change your life!