March 30th, 2010: Starting April 1st, The Work at Home Woman’s Business Book Club is reading The Napkin, The Melon and The Monkey: How to Be Happy and Successful at Work and in Life by Simply Changing Your Mind By Barbara Book.
Unlike many business books, this is a fiction novel that has great ideas on how to have a more positive outlook on life. I feel like everyone should try and find a way to decrease their own stress levels and focus more attention on themselves. MoMs, especially, are always trying to care for other people in their life, take charge of the house and be successful in their careers. There is a point where if you cannot reduce your stress then you are going to crack under the pressure. MoMs influence the people around them and when she is in a bad mood, it can be transferred on to everyone else.
I love that this book give you ways of reducing your stress and focus more on seeing situations for what they are. Burke tells us that there will always be problems in your life and most times you can’t control them, so have the problem and move on. Also, when people come to you and complain about their problems, try to see their point of view and be sympathetic to what is going on in their life. They are not trying to purposefully ruin your day, so don’t let it and try to help them out. Practicing these ways can help you have better relationships with your family, friends, co-workers and most importantly YOURSELF!!!
Here is the Synopsis of the Book from Barbara Burke’s Website:
As a new customer service agent, Olivia has been trained to handle irate customers in a calm, professional manner. But one day she loses control and yells back. Terrified that she’ll be fired, she seeks out Isabel, the call center’s sage.
The extraordinary advice she receives from her wise mentor changes her life:
* SODA (Stop. Observe. Decide. Act) — a sure-fire formula for remaining calm SODAin any situation
* Unplugging — a centuries-old practice to reduce anxiety and promote creativity
* Aha!s — 22 practical insights that become the framework for living a happy life
This modern-day fable shows us that the best way to reduce stress is to cultivate mindfulness. While we cannot control much of what happens, we can get better outcomes if we stop to see situations clearly and calmly.
This book serves as both a powerful resource for business professionals looking for practical, easy-to-use tools for dealing with difficult people and an inspirational tale for those who want better relationships and a happier life.
If you would like to read this book and join in on the discussion then check out The Work at Home Woman’s Business Book Club! starting April 1st.
Disclosure: Living My MoMent was sent a copy of The Napkin, The Melon and The Monkey for free from Media Muscle in exchange for an honest product review!
