When Did a Book Helped You Solve a Problem?
Ever wondered how a book could be the catalyst for real-life solutions? In this Q&A, insights from a Co-Founder and a CEO reveal how specific books have transformed their professional and personal lives. From crafting memorable messages to boost candle sales to prioritizing one thing to streamline processes, these stories are powerful testaments to the impact of reading. Explore five unique insights that showcase the profound ways literature can address and solve life’s challenges.
- Crafting Memorable Messages Boosted Candle Sales
- Morning Pages Fostered Personal Healing
- Spiritual Exercises Strengthened Resilience
- Prioritizing One Thing Streamlined Processes
- Optimizing Workflows Improved Communication
Crafting Memorable Messages Boosted Candle Sales
When I was struggling with finding creative ways to market our book-inspired candles, “Made to Stick” by Chip Heath and Dan Heath became indispensable. The book’s exploration of how to craft memorable, compelling messages helped refine our branding strategy. We focused on storytelling, connecting each candle scent to literary worlds, which struck a chord with our audience and boosted our sales significantly.
In 2014, as we expanded our presence on Etsy and became the best-selling candle vendor, the techniques from “Made to Stick” were pivotal. We centered our messaging around the unique experience our candles offered, which resonated well with book lovers seeking more immersive reading environments. This approach encouraged organic word-of-mouth growth, further increasing our online visibility.
The book’s insights on simplicity and unexpectedness proved useful in our marketing copy and social media narratives. We consistently receive feedback from customers who appreciate the imagination our scents evoke, ultimately leading to a loyal customer base and broader reach in niche markets. For anyone looking to improve their brand, crafting a story that captivates your audience is key.
Roxie Lubanovic
Co-Founder, Frostbeard Studio
Morning Pages Fostered Personal Healing
A book that profoundly helped me was “The Artist’s Way” by Julia Cameron. In a particularly challenging period marked by grief and addiction, this book provided me with a structured approach to using writing as a form of personal therapy. Through its “morning pages” practice—three pages of free writing every morning—I found a safe outlet to process my emotions and begin healing.
This practice didn’t just serve as a daily emotional check-in; it helped create a foundation for my writing platform. I’ve since adapted some of Cameron’s principles to create writing courses that help others tap into their creativity and overcome personal struggles. For anyone facing difficulties, implementing a consistent, reflective writing routine can provide clarity and foster growth, just as it did for me.
Jessica Neutz
Premium Writer and Digital Content Creator, Superbly Scripted Writing and Design
Spiritual Exercises Strengthened Resilience
“Spiritual Exercises” by St. Ignatius of Loyola greatly impacted me during a challenging time. This 500-year-old book focuses on the discipline of spiritual exercises similar to physical workouts. It provided me the framework to strengthen my resilience and character, valuable traits I have instilled in my fitness programs.
In my recovery journey from a severe back injury as a teenager, the book’s approach helped me reframe my mindset, focusing on what I could do rather than what I couldn’t. It taught me discipline and the notion of turning challenges into opportunities, crucial in rebuilding my physical capabilities and even in starting the BodyBell Method(R) later on.
I’ve incorporated these lessons into training students at my gym and in my public speaking engagements. Highlighting the connection between mental and physical resilience, just like St. Ignatius’s exercises, emphasizes the importance of mindset, which I believe is as vital as any physical exercise routine in achieving long-lasting health and fitness outcomes.
Phil Ross
CEO, The BodyBell Method
Prioritizing One Thing Streamlined Processes
A book that significantly impacted my approach to both life and business is “The One Thing” by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan. I often found myself juggling multiple projects and feeling overwhelmed as a business owner, real estate investor, and co-founder of a nonprofit. The book’s core concept of focusing on the one thing that makes everything else easier or unnecessary helped me prioritize effectively.
This principle helped us streamline our processes and improve our client service. By prioritizing a clear SEO strategy that focused on driving high-quality traffic, our client’s CTR increased dramatically, as seen with Calvary Church Naperville. This focus led to over $1.7B in revenue generated for our clients collectively.
On a personal level, applying this approach has allowed me to balance my roles as an entrepreneur, family man, and nonprofit co-founder more effectively. It enabled me to focus on improving mental health support through our nonprofit for sex trafficking survivors by intentionally dedicating resources and time to this cause. Prioritization has been transformative in aligning my work with my values.
Roman Randall
Founder & CEO, Summit Digital Marketing
Optimizing Workflows Improved Communication
As the founder of a legal process outsourcing company, I’ve encountered numerous challenges, and one time, a book helped me find a solution. A few years ago, we faced an issue with streamlining our project management processes.
Our team was growing, and communication between departments was becoming disjointed, leading to delays and misunderstandings. In search of a solution, I picked up “The Phoenix Project” by Gene Kim, Kevin Behr, and George Spafford, which was recommended by my best friend.
While it’s primarily about IT and operations, the book’s insights on aligning team efforts, optimizing workflows, and improving cross-departmental communication struck a chord with me. I adapted some of the methodologies discussed in the book, such as focusing on “small batches” of work and encouraging more frequent check-ins.
This not only improved our internal communication but also helped us manage projects more efficiently. The book’s impact on my approach to operations has been lasting, reminding me that sometimes, the answers to our most pressing business problems can come from unexpected sources.
Aseem Jha
Founder, Legal Consulting Pro
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