I am not entirely sure where I heard about this book. I read a lot, and I read a lot of book reviews. Anytime I come across a book that I think looks interesting, I add it to my Goodreads list. Occasionally (okay, more like every other day) I receive an email from them with an entry for a giveaway for a book on my want to read shelf. I have won a few books this way actually. My dad always said, “You can’t win if you don’t play the game.” He was talking about the lottery, but I feel like it applies here as well.
I won Fear Is My Homeboy by Judi Holler back in June of 2019. This was a Kindle edition, which kind of freaked me out. I woke up in the morning and grabbed my Kindle to read. I thought I had purchased the book late at night by accident. It wasn’t until I checked my email that I realized that I had, in fact, won that book. I am a dumbass sometimes.
In October of 2019 I won a physical copy of Take the Leap by Sara Bliss. This book contains truly fascinating stories about people following their dreams and turning them into careers. It made me realize that in this everchanging world, and with our technological advances, we can turn any idea into a business if we look at it from the right angle (and if we really have the drive to get out of the corporate hamster wheel).
Build Your Own Dream Network
This book, Build Your Own Dream Network, I actually didn’t read it for a while after I won it. I went to school for public relations, and one of the numerous reasons I didn’t follow that path was because I didn’t want to go to all those stupid networking luncheons. It sounded completely overwhelming to walk into a room with hundreds of people and try to make small talk. I hate small talk actually. It’s the Sagittarius rising in me. I just prefer to get to the point.
Something drew me to read this book next. It was the thing about forging relationships in a hyper-connected world. Maybe it’s because I’ve been relying on technology more these days to keep in touch with my friends and relatives. I’m actually starting to prefer it. I can stay in communication with all my loved ones, but I don’t have to leave my house. This is better for me, for my anxiety. I don’t like large groups anyway, which is probably why I preferred to be behind the bar as opposed to in front of it. It could also be about control issues that I have, but that’s for a whole other conversation.
I opened the book, and lo and behold, the forward has pacified all my fears about another person telling me to don a skirt suit and go shake hands with people who I will not possibly remember. I’m more of a one-on-one type person.
Of course in that same paragraph, I added another book to my Goodreads want to read list! It’s just how I roll.
The Review
First thoughts: I really like the graphics. (I sort of have a thing for flow charts.) I would also like to make a note that I don’t actually use the social media outlets that the writer highlights in this book. That doesn’t mean that I didn’t get valuable information from it that I can apply to my preferred media outlets. I do see myself referring back to this book as my goals and desires evolve.
The author references Rachel Hofstetter’s concept of finding “give, give, get” people (Now I have to go look her up too! I am such a goofball.), which totally reminds me of Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook by Gary Vee.
She then goes on to discuss how you have to talk to people in their preferred method of communication, which totally makes sense. That part reminded me of The 5 Love Languages. It’s all about finding ways to reach people. This isn’t just good business advice. This is some good real life shit.
I took a bunch of notes, and highlighted some interesting pieces that I want to look into further. I tabbed the page that has the goal worksheet. (It’s on page 194.) That seems like it will be useful later.
The main takeaway that I got though, (well at least the first baby step, because you guys know I love to break everything down into small achievable tasks) in order to achieve my goals in life, I need to get my online presence in order. I realized how all over the place I was, not really utilizing these platforms to accomplish anything. It feels like I have been throwing spaghetti against the wall to see what sticks. No wonder I felt like I was simply treading water. It’s because I was.
Mad love, Jenna
