You know that feeling when you’ve just come out of a coaching session with a wise, trusted and experienced friend? You feel like your perspective was expanded, with a sense of fortified optimism and find yourself renewed with a resounding confirmation that all will turn out well in the long run if you do the right things. That’s what I felt after reading Craig DeLarge’s inaugural book.
The WiseWorking Handbook (Balboa Press, 2014) is a compilation of sixty-three short readings on wide ranging topics from corporate to volunteering and even into the spiritual realm. Craig borrows from his personal know-how, his extensive library mind and thought leaders throughout time.
Reading the book is like listening to a sage. Rather than a formulaic recipe for success, the book’s richness lies in its flexible applications to daily work life. What separates this book from others of similar styles is Craig’s authentically unique perspective. Rather than summarize the book as whole, I want to share 10 unique concepts with supporting quotes from Craig’s book:
On mindset: “Our chosen perspective is the underpinning of our experience with work itself.” This is why it’s important for us to actively maintain a chosen perspective about our work, rather than having it dictated to us by the media, management colleagues, friends, family or our own mind.
On behavior: “The desire to achieve success is the primary reason people approach me (as a career coach), and procrastination is a primary barrier to achieving success.”
On actions: “Watch what you practice, as everything improves with practice.” I like to remind myself of this often, especially when faced with the need to develop new skills and ways of thinking. This also applies when I need to avoid the strengthening of counterproductive skills and ways of thinking.
On preparation: “Failure needs no plan.”
On self-fulfillment: “Work, with all its challenges and annoyances, is a great place to practice patience, concentration, compassion, equanimity, self-control, constructive self-talk, gratitude and so on.” It is also the means by which I come to understand how I am made and gifted and what outcomes those gifts can produce.
On attitude: “Enthusiasm is derived from the Greek en theos, and suggests the idea that when we are enthusiastic, we are in a dance with God.”
On change: “My ability to handle myself is helped or harmed by the degree of pride or humility I bring to each situation.”
On networking: “The fact is that politics, or the use of power in relationships, is as neutral as a hammer in the hand of a vandal or carpenter.” I love (organizational) politics! And you should too!
On focus: “Competencies create success. Success creates demand. Demand requires prioritizing.” No is the new yes.
On community: “Work is the most time-consuming (if not important) means we have for contributing, being of service, indeed loving society.”
This book makes a good career companion. Whether just out of school or experienced, there’s something good for all of us. Enjoy!
