Okay, I finished Penelope's book. Since I don't write a book review of any book that I don't like, there's one driving force behind the ones that I do write. It goes something like this:
Eleven year old, out of breath David who jumps off his bike and runs up the driveway to his buddy's front door and bangs on door until his buddy comes out: "Bobby, Bobby! Ya gotta see Timmy's new bike! It's gotta banana seat and four foot sissy bar! You're gonna want to buy one man!"
Well, that's how I am towards the books I really like.
Even though Penelope has taught me a very valuable lesson, I still have one problem with this book. I cannot recommend it. I would recommend it, if you could buy it, but you can't. Penelope printed 1,000 copies, signed, numbered and sold them out. That's it, there ain't no more and she will not print no more and there will be no more editions. Capeesh?
Now, in a way this does make me feel good. It increases the value of my book. That is, it makes me want to cherish it even more, because I'd never sell it to a soul.
Please allow me to pause for a moment and dispense with the review of this book right quick. Penelope's intent on writing this book was to help her friend Melissa, stay on track with the development of her career. Penelope dives into the forty or so years she has spent collecting material and comes up with material in which she divides into the following sections:
- Soul
- Path
- Work
- Lost
- Found
- Happy
- Life
Since you can't get the book there's little use in me telling you what it's all about. I will say, if Melissa listens and follows through, she will have a most fulfilling life and career.
About that lesson from my most favorite ex-professional volleyball player on the planet. Actually, Penelope was just doing her thing. The lesson comes from the reaction of a few people who were upset with themselves for not getting the book before it sold out. I do not want to be in that position!
Moving forward, I'll make sure to pay attention to folks like Penelope and organizations like Brazen Careerist. One such organization that offers limited time availability on promotions is The Domino Project. All this really requires of me is a little more focus, and the willingness to tune into those who are providing value and to tune out those who are not (you know who is filling your inbox with gobbledy-gook).
I think I'll go cancel a couple of e-mail subscriptions right now.