My accountability group at the Collaboration of Minority Women Professionals laughs at me for my books. You see, I “cheat.” Well, I don’t consider it cheating because I’m taking in the lessons of each story. I said I don’t want the fluff!! Just give me the meat!
My trick?
I use the Blinkist App. Some might think the app is costly (it’s $100 per year), but for me, for my lifestyle, I find it to be beneficial. The Blinkist app breaks down the critical bulletin points from each chapter. I can read a book (really, listen) that’s likely 200 pages or more in 15 minutes.
During that time, I can wash dishes, fold laundry, cook, or anything I want. As long as it’s quiet around me and people aren’t talking to me, I can digest the lesson 100% without issue.
Please know that I’m a very frugal person, so if I spent $100 on this app, you know it’s a high-value treat for me. The money mindset around this is, “I deserve it. These books uplift and educate me. The lessons are helping me become a stronger, more powerful communicator and entrepreneur.”
The ROI, return on investment, an accountant [archetype] who speaks inside of me says, “Well, a book is on average $20. So if I would have bought five books at $20 each, that’s breakeven. BUT, with 98 books, that’s a value of 98*20 =$1960. Therefore, I’m saving 1960-100= $1860 (ONE THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED SIXTY DOLLARS!) each year by using Blinkist.
How do you invest in business education and personal development? Do you ever hold yourself back because it’s “too expensive?”
Janet Johnson is a small business advisor and author of My Money Pivot: An Entrepreneur’s Guide to Finding & Making More Money and this educational blog. All views expressed belong solely to Ms. Johnson and do not represent the views of her employer.