I read a book!

OK, OK, it shouldn’t be a surprise that I managed to read a book. I can read, and I like reading. But so often I start with great intentions; I order a book from Amazon (or heaven forbid pick one up in a real bookshop). I tuck into it with great enthusiasm. But then about 1/2 or 2/3 into it I suddenly come to a halt. Not because I’m not interested, but because I run out of momentum. The stuff of everyday life gets in my way. Or perhaps more commonly my magpie vision spots something newer, something more interesting.

But not this time! For the first time in a while I actually finished reading a ‘business book’. Why Business People Speak Like Idiots captivated me from the back cover to the end, and I suppose that it’s a good job that it was readable, otherwise their whole premise would be shot to bits.

It wasn’t stacked with ideas that revolutionised my life. But it was really nicely written. Charming, and it somehow helped to reaffirm some of my views on the business world. The single thing that made me love this book was one simple concept. The fact that our weekend-selves (friendly, interesting, passionate, smutty, fun and REAL) get ditched on Monday morning and replaced by a greyer, less interesting, less real version; the one that we think our clients and colleagues want to do business with. We’re wrong.

Nothing new for people who work in creative jobs surrounded by creative people. But I realised that I’m very lucky. I don’t have to pretend to be a different person very much. I’m allowed to be me (most of the time). However, this book shows how even in very ‘straight’ environments there’s a lot to be said for staying true to yourself.

I think I might have rambled a bit, sorry, I think I’m coming down with a cold, which for some strange reason has made me more verbose than normal.