When developing an internship program, whether it be at the collegiate or professional level, I always created an education curriculum for the aspiring coaches that we hired. This would include books, articles, and videos that we would require them to read / watch, write a review, and discuss in a group setting each week. When performing exit interviews, our interns almost always referred to this process as their favorite aspect of their experience with us.
Although the books we chose for the curriculum have evolved over time, the general theme has remained consistent. Developing a positive attitude, building a blue-collar mentality, and learning how to enjoy the process of your work are the foundations of success in any endeavor. Here are a few from our current curriculum.
Enjoy!
The Energy Bus
10 rules to fuel your life, work, and team with positive energy. This international best seller is the first in a series of books written by my friend Jon Gordon. He provides a powerful road map on how to overcome adversity and bring positive energy to everything you do. In place of a workout program, a copy of this book would also be the first mailing I would send our incoming freshman after signing day.
The timeless art of turning trials into triumphs. This book, written by Ryan Holiday, was my introduction to Stoicism. Based on the timeless philosophical principles of Marcus Aurelius, Holiday details the formula some of the greatest leaders throughout history have used to turn obstacles into opportunities.
Chop Wood Carry Water
This book, by Joshua Medcalf, is a must read for anyone looking to develop the skills necessary to excel in their given line of work. The concept of why consistency matters more than talent is covered along with many other valuable lessons. The book teaches the importance of falling in love with the process of becoming great.
Mark Sanborn tells the story of a mail carrier, named Fred, who loves his job and passionately cares about the people on his route. Fred goes the extra mile while handling the mail, sometimes watching over the houses of the people on his route. While others may see delivering the mail as mundane task, Fred sees an opportunity the make a positive impact in the lives of the people he serves.
Make the Big Time Where You Are
Frosty Westering emphasizes a constant theme throughout his book: Life changes when you are open to personal evaluation. The “Big Time” is not a place or something you get, it is a state of heart and something you become. Big Time is about finding joy in the process of doing your very best.
Developing the right mindset is the first step towards success in any walk of life. I believe there is something to be learned for everyone inside these pages. They have served us very well over the years. I will discuss, in greater detail, how these books fit into our internship process in future articles.
Interested in the products in this article? Click on the images to find them on Amazon.
Full disclosure: A small percentage of the purchase will be sent back directly to Alosi Human Performance.
Want more information? Visit the Sal's Services page on this website to learn more about our Consulting Programs.
You can also email us at directly at info@alosihp.com to get more details.