Here is a short video of Liz Forkin Bohannon's synopsis of her recent book – Beginner’s Pluck: Build Your Life of Purpose and Impact Now
In our last newsletter, I gave an overview of a book I recommend to those on the journey to become more gritty – Beginner’s Pluck: Build Your Life of Purpose and Impact Now, by Liz Forkin Bohannon. If you missed my review, I suggest going back to that overview before reading further. In this second part of my review, I’ll share some of the key take-aways that resonated with me.
If you are unfamiliar with the author, this excerpt from the introduction will provide context. Liz shares her success in a humble, easy-going fashion that is refreshing.
Over the last ten years, we’ve built one of the largest manufacturing companies in Uganda, where we’ve entertained the president on multiple occasions, proving to him in person the magic (and gross domestic product!) women can create when actually taken seriously and given the opportunity to thrive in industries traditionally dominated by men. [Bohannon, Liz Forkin. Beginner's Pluck (p. 16). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition]
I applaud Liz’s pushback on the cheerleading surrounding career building and entrepreneurship that is rampant in our business media.
… I’ve been learning firsthand how the ubiquitous “Follow Your Dreams” and “Find Your Passion” motivational narrative is really affecting people. And I’ve got to tell you: I think we’ve got some things very wrong. What I think was meant to be a message of encouragement and empowerment is actually creating anxiety, fear, and serious analysis paralysis. My goal with this book is to teach you the principles that will help you debunk these myths, not so that you can live a life of complacency but so that you can stop wasting your time hunting for a unicorn that doesn’t exist and instead get down to the incredibly juicy, adventurous, life-giving work of building an extraordinary life of passion, purpose, and impact. [Bohannon, Liz Forkin. Beginner's Pluck (pp. 17-18). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.]
The following excerpt is from her principle “Own Your Average”. I think it should be mandatory reading for every high school senior (and his or her parents).
… it taught me that we are neither called to vie for the spotlight nor to shrink into the chorus line. We are simply called to figure out what we have to offer, the gift we have to give, the words we have to speak, the art we have to make, the song we have to sing, …. We each have a sacred part to play. What the world doesn’t need are more people who are desperately trying to convince themselves and others they are above average special Cinderellas because they think that is what will earn them the spotlight and that the spotlight itself will give them a sense of worthiness and purpose. [Bohannon, Liz Forkin. Beginner's Pluck (p. 26-27). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.]
There are more proverbs I’d like to share with you from Liz’s book, so in our next newsletter, look for Part 3.
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