Start.

Start by Jon Acuff

I really love this book. The cover sums it up nicely- to escape average and do work that matters, all you have to do is Start.

I chose Start for my first book of the year because it’s called Start and I’m starting a new year, new blog, new goal, and also because it’s such a good read for any Hobbyist!

The most important things I learned while reading Start:

1. You don’t have to have everything figured out in order to move forward. You know how people pick a word to live by at the beginning of a new year? I had never done it before, so I decided to try it for 2016. My word is Forward. I want to make progress and grow through everything I do this year. I so loved this concept- you don’t have to know everything, you don’t have to even know what you want to do with your life. You only figure out what you want to do by trying things and continuing to move forward.
2. When you’re in the learning stage of your life, its completely okay to try a bunch of stuff- its even okay not to like everything you try. This is groundbreaking- you have permission to fail! Last year, one of my hobbies was to take guitar lessons. I taught myself the basics through books as a teenager, and I thought I’d love to learn more as an adult. Turns out, I didn’t love it like I thought I would. Woops! Over the summer I decided I would make children’s clothing to sell in an etsy store. I spent days cleaning out our garage, setting up a workspace, opening a shop and creating and email account for the shop, then coming up with designs for little baby leggings and hair bows. The first hiccup I encountered was the price of fabric- there was no way I was paying a bunch of money for materials. Some of the prices were so outrageous! Then- I made my daughter a dress from an old shirt of my husband’s. It would seem I had been a tad ambitious about my sewing skills- the thing was way too small in the arms and shoulders, but too long in the skirt. Also- I didn’t enjoy making it. So I made myself a Halloween costume (I was Medusa- dark green satin is very forgiving) to try one more time. Still kinda hated sewing. That was when I knew that making clothes was not my calling and would not be my new career. That’s okay! You try stuff and the things you’re good at that you like to do are the things you keep practicing, then eventually master.
3. In figuring out what to try, two questions asked in the book really helped me: “if you were to die in a plane crash, what would you regret not doing?” and “what can you never see yourself giving up?” I could never give up connecting with people, especially with my family. I love to build my relationships with the people in my life, and I feel most settled and content when I’ve spent time with the people I love. I could never give up singing. I feel most myself when I’m singing- washing dishes and sweeping floors and battling endless mountains of laundry become nearly bearable when I’m belting out something bluesy at the top of my voice. I’m not sure how the rest of my family feels about it, but I’m not about to ask. I could never give up making pretty things- if I’m not drawing, I’m refinishing furniture or moving things around my house. I can’t explain it, but I have to be improving my surroundings or creating something new. Ask yourself- what could you never give up?

 

Overall- I would definitely recommend you read Start! You’ll read all about what to expect on the Road to Awesome, and how to keep moving forward toward your dream.