LEADERS WHO LEARN... Where do executives and small business owners go to tune into the latest trends and cultivate inspiration? We asked a few of our contributors for their top picks in print and podcasts.
Headway “I don’t have time to read.” A typical answer from a busy person. I know I’ve said it before. I certainly make time for cheesy romance novels and cozy, murder mysteries on occasion, and am caught binge-watching “30 Rock” and “Abbott Elementary” frequently, but “oh no, I don’t have time for books.” Not true! So what is true? Time is a valuable resource. In my job, communication and negotiation are incredibly important. Pop culture is a great conversation starter, but it doesn’t typically help me close deals. Knowledge, experience, and effort, on the other hand, do. Last year I began my search for inspiring and thought-provoking content to ease up on my habitual doom scrolling and YouTube rabbit holes. I wanted content that could help me excel in my career and relationships, and provide me with a daily dose of motivation. Watching hour-long blooper reels of The Office doesn’t make me better at thinking more effectively or managing my time. So, I took a chance and downloaded the Headway App, a bitesized audio and ebook app. This app takes famous nonfiction titles and makes them digestible. You can listen to James Clear’s “Atomic Habits” in 15 minutes to kickstart your behavior change or “Pitch Anything,” by Oren Klaff, so you can master the art of pitching and persuasion.
Whether you’re trying to get better at negotiating, communicating, investing, or leading or want to hear from successful authors and entrepreneurs about innovation, emotional intelligence, courage, career pivots, etc, there’s a little piece of something to appeal to any member of any crowd. The platform is easy to use, the subscription fee is roughly $20 to $50 annually depending on whatever special they’re running, and for me, it’s worth the two to four dollars that I spend on it monthly. Instead of heading to YouTube to pick a video solely on its thumbnail, I can simply open up the app and see a handful of quick-read/listening options, monetize my time, regain control, stop doom scrolling, and start microlearning. I’m currently listening to “UnF*ck Yourself: Get out of Your Head and into Your Life,” by Gary John Bishop. I have a 5-day morning routine challenge and a 28-day success challenge currently running, which feels like a purposeful way to use my time. When you begin your journey with Headway, you choose specific goals that are important to you. You can choose from winning at work, having more money, being productive, improving your social life, building a strong family, etc. Your homepage is tailored to your goals, and you are recommended collections and personalized challenges in addition to the books you choose to read/listen to. So make Headway and get the app. – by Shea Winpigler
10 Frederick Business Quarterly
Spring 2024
istockphoto.com / Jacob Wackerhausen
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