Hello and welcome to our newest pilot project. Over the past several years the Office of Training and Organizational Development has included a traditional book club as part of the "Investing in Employee Excellence" programming. With everyone's busy schedules and a winter chill in the air, we are offering another alternative this semester...a virtual book club.
Periodic information and questions will be posted so book club members can share their thoughts, observations and/or reflections back to the larger group. This gives participants the same opportunity to get involved and share as the traditional book club but with the added convenience of 24/7 access.
Early registrants should watch for their book and future emails/postings. Looking forward to everyone's participation. If you want to comment, simple click on the "Comments" button below.
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Looking forward to the online discussions!
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ReplyDeleteI'm also looking forward to getting started!
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ReplyDeleteJust got the book yesterday via campus mail. Excited, I immediately read the dust jacket. Immediately got my attention. I had to jot off to a dept meeting. I took the book with me. And, I shared it with my colleagues.
ReplyDeleteAdded the WCU Virtual Book Club website to my favorite. About to read the first chapter. As I sit down to read it, I am excited for several reasons: (1) this is my first participation in an university-based book club; (2) Hope's situation seems interesting; and (3) this is my first book club blogger experience. Years ago, I started a book club. Today that book club as five branches (the bylaws state that no one club can have more than 15 members). And, the clubs (all differently named after famous black civil-rights lady activists) operate under one umbrella when they sponsor an annual scholarship drive. I was honored two years ago by all five branches at a dinner for the scholarship drive. I am so excited about the possibilities of the blogger experience because it is a place where all folks w/ diverse abilities can participate). Wow...
ReplyDeleteI just finished reading "The No Complaining Rule". I enjoyed it and it was certainly an easy read. I particularly enjoyed the "parable" nature of the book. I've read and heard numerous works on "positive thinking", "positive behavior", etc. and, probably like most of us, I try to practice the principles regularly. However, the story nature of this version makes it easier, I think, for each of us to consider how we might apply the principles of the no complaining rule in our daily lives. Did anyone else find that to be true? Or have a different response to the "story" behind the plan?
ReplyDeleteLoretta
I found the story behind the plan an excellent way to explore, explain, and embrance the principles underscoring the "No Complaining Rule." Hope, the main character, had me rooting for her by Chapter 4. She is a single mother of teenagers and she is the only woman on an executive team. I related to others sharing their problems and to listening to people complain when I have other issues on my mind; I come from a large family, a member of a community that must fight subtle injustices daily, and a listener of public radio (therefore, I hear all the news--good and bad--around the world). Jon Gordon did a solid job at making Hope real. For instance, although Hope wants to just make it to her individual office after a grueling traffic-filled drive to work, she is meet with conflict the minute one of her non-supporters recognize her. And, every step she makes toward her den of pity (her office) the compounded issues at work mound. After being selected to handle a major task at work and after a horrific traffic ride home, she finds her daughter wanting to spend time with her in the form of a shopping trip. When Hope doesn't comply, her daughter reacts. Still, the only person Hope can think about is herself. The next day, she must journey to a doctor's office for extra medical tests. In the meantime, she finds out just how our lives are interconnected through a doorman and a nurse. After these encounters, she must, as we say down south, "mess or get off the pot." I am going to blog for the next few days upon reflection of what I read. Admittedly, the book can be read in one sitting. I am thinking that it was written to be done so, so reflection of the story will be the key.
ReplyDeleteIntroduction & Chapters 1-7. It is mentioned later in the book, but I like the way that Gordon uses his hertiage to talk about complainers. An Italian-Jewish American, Gordon explores how he comes from a long line of complainers. After 300 years of slavery, his ancestors complained about freedom after a mere six weeks. I reflected upon my hertiage. I don't come from a line of complainers, but laborers and realists who, at times, had very limited influence in their lives. At any time, a person could have died because of a slight misunderstanding with a member of the majority population. Still, I related to Jon's story of the Israelites. Why? The pathology of oppression has a way of festering into new beginnings and I have seen this happen many times. Historian Carter G. Woodson once said that when one controls a man's mind, he doesn't have to worry about the man's actions. If there is not a back door for him to enter, the man will build one. Thus, complaining works the same way; it is habit and a so-called part of life that in conversations we have come to expect. My grandmother repeatedly tells us that when we are really happy, don't call or talk to anyone for two hours. When I recently asked her why she imparts such wisdom, she replied, "tonya, folks don't like to see folks happy too long especially when they got problems. Folks will say, 'thats good' and turn around and tell you all the problems of their world. You will leave the conversation thinking about them and placing your joy second. The next person you talk to will do the same, placing your joy even further back. So, before you know it, your joy was short-lived. Sit with your joy for a while and talk to it. She loves to entertain her folks. She has a smile on her folks' faces." In Chapter 6, Hope recalled the days she was positive and listened to good advice about being the best person she could be. Yet, one person robbed her of that joy and that robbing permeated her life and her relationships. She complained even after being 'set' free from a relationship that shared no love. Once that cycle of complaining started, the snowball captured Hope and everyone in Hope's life. In these chapters, I came to appreciate Dan. He served as an advocate for Hope and, most importantly, he put faith in her ability when she was so perplexed by her problems. I have had mentors do this for me.
ReplyDeleteChapter 8. Gordon discusses the cost of negativity at home and at work. What I appreciated about this chapter is that it shows how detached we can be. For instance, Hope knows the data, but still wallows in "Woe is me."
ReplyDeleteChapters 9-10. Gordon explores here the key to observation. Hope observes the folks getting off the #11 bus. The doorman observes the changes in Hope. And, Joyce observes Hope. Everyone is observing. I appreciate these chapters because it speaks to the informal, yet meaningful relationships in our lives. If we only knew that folks were watching and taking cues from us, we might just complain less.
Hey Folks!
ReplyDeleteI just figured out how to do this :)
I read a bit more slowly and I'm just beginning the book, but so far I'm really excited by the personal story aspect. Sometimes self-help books become lists of skills to master, but this one is drawing me into the "human" aspect of it all. I like it so far.
Loretta - I agree that the "story nature" is making this an easy read and really holding my attention.
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ReplyDeleteChapters 11-18. Relationships are central in these chapters. Hope learns that if she listens she can learn and resolve more readily.
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