For a number of years I’ve used Goodreads to track my reading. I’m in the process of moving all of that tracking over to a spreadsheet, as I’ve found the value I used to find on Goodreads is drastically outweighed by the time I waste there. But what to do with the short reviews I also liked to write on that platform? Well, I’m moving those to handwritten form—which makes me think more clearly and helps me retain much more than dashing a few thoughts off with my thumbs—and then moving that handwritten text to here, if I feel the particular thoughts are worth sharing. Such is the case below.
Atomic Habits
James Clear, NY: Avery, 2018
In this book, Clear argues for the values of making small, incremental, and intentional changes to one’s life in order to see big long-term changes.
He addresses common problems to building positive habits over the long term, and spends most of the book going over his four-step process to habit forming:
1. Make it obvious
2. Make it attractive
3. Make it easy
4. Make it satisfying
This book was at its strongest when it was focused on giving practical advice and pointing out the obvious benefits of long-term habit formation. The observations concerning the importance of environmental factors in habit formation and maintenance were helpful.
This book was the weakest when Clear seemed too worried about being judgmental, or when his self-importance leads him to the ridiculous—like comparing the process of finishing his book manuscript to when Victor Hugo had a servant lock his clothes away so that he had to stay home until he finished The Hunchback of Notre Dame. I mean, come on man.
I think books like this can be useful for reminding you of things you already know, or picking up some practical advice. But I wouldn’t call it life changing. And the “1% better everyday” thing annoyed me, that’s impossible to quantify.
Funding Your Ministry
Scott Morton, Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 2017 (3rd Edition)
In this book, Morton argues that support-raising missionary staff should seek to be fully funded. While he acknowledges that perhaps other funding models may work, he believes that ministry will be most effective when missionaries devote the proper time and attention to funding their ministry.
Morton also spends a substantial amount of time helping missionaries understand the mechanics of fundraising. He dispels fundraising myths—e.g. that “praying in your support” is wise as a stand alone strategy, or that presenting to churches will lead to large amounts of funds. He also argues forcefully for his preferred funding strategy: face-to-face appeals.
His focus on face-to-face appeals is driven by several factors, but two especially: it is the most effective way to raise funds, and it provides the missionary with real opportunities to build relationships and minister to givers and partners.
The rest of the book turns the gaze to several particular groups—but the content in each was worthwhile. Some of the specifics related to social media don’t age well, but his emphasis that social can’t be core to your strategy was solid advice then, and is better advice now. The only part of the book that fell out of place was some over-prescription on spending—but you might expect a coffee shop owner to be defensive about the cost of a daily latte.
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