Over 3 months ago, thanks to a tweet by @WomenOnTheFence, I became aware of Guy Kawasaki’s latest book: Enchantment: The Art of Changing Hearts, Minds and Actions. I read her interview with him and knew I had to read this book. Something spoke to me. I made a mental note to add to my “to read” list.
On our family drive to North Conway, I finished reading my latest book and then opened my Kindle to check out the sample of Enchantment. I was hooked & just had to buy it. If you want to talk enchantment…just ask me how I felt at that very moment about my Kindle. Having finished my latest read, I could check out something on my wish list & have the full version delivered to my Kindle within less than a minute..via FREE 3G Whispernet…what more could I ask for?
I started reading during the trip but we were too busy shopping to have any real reading time. Back in Montreal I only had a few stolen moments for reading…until Canada Day weekend. We spent the afternoon in the yard and my hubby was the official ‘lifeguard’ so I was able to get in some real rest & reading time. On my lawn chair, I read through the remaining 75% of Enchantment in one sitting (minus a break for dinner). I couldn’t help reading some passages out loud for my husband. To say that I was inspired would be an understatement. I believe I was…enchanted.
While I can’t pinpoint what it is that really got to me, here is what I can say:
I felt encouraged: As someone who takes pride in being honest & acting with integrity, I can’t tell you how many times I have been told “You are honest to a fault”, “You’ll never get anywhere unless you bend the rules” or that “The end justifies the means”. Well, along comes Guy Kawasaki saying it’s ok…in fact even more than ok…to stick to my values. THANK YOU.
I learned a few things: One example is that as someone who knows that brevity is not my strong suit (use this blog as an example), I appreciated the concrete guidelines given on “keeping it short” with various forms of communication (clearly I still need some practice)
I saw potential for real-life application: Enchantment doesn’t just apply to business, it applies to everyday life. Guy Kawasaki gives examples of how husbands can enchant their wives. Gotta love that! Tip: These can be used to enchant husbands as well 😉
I have a new ‘word’ : Enchanted. Enchanté. Encantada. The book has had a lingering effect. I’ve been labeling certain people, things & experiences as “enchanting”. A perfect example is the unbelieveable attention, energy, spirit & service I experienced at the Apple Store. I’ve also decided that some other people and experiences are “disenchanting” (not in the mood to spread negativity so skipping examples). It’s not just me using the new words…Hubby’s on a kick, too.
I have a new appreciation for what drives me: Enchantment. While this may not be the ‘why’ for which Enchantment was written, it is the ‘why’ I do what I do. I don’t want to use the term too loosely, as I have a new-found respect for it. I realize that although I may not get enchanted easily, when I am enchanted, I feel the need to share it with the world. This is what drove me to create over 400 pages of content to share with other moms on montrealmom.com. It’s what drives me to write Costco Watch every week- with not a penny’s worth of compensation. It’s what has me spending time at this very moment, writing this very blog about this very book.
I could start quoting passages but I think I’ll save that for another post…I’ve probably gone on long enough.
Fellow Moms- Mompreneur or not, Enchantment is worth the read. Like I said- there are applications for this in our everyday lives & relationships with bosses, employees and spouses. I can already envision the sequel: Enchanting your kids: The Art of Shaping Hearts, Minds and Actions. There’s even a chapter on resisting enchantment…Just Read It!
Fellow Mompreneurs, you know that feeling when you leave a GOOD networking event all fired-up & inspired? How you feel encouraged and are eager to act on something new that you have learned? That’s where I’m at. I have been itching to write this post from the minute I put the book down. There’s a reason. Read Enchantment and please let me know what you think.
On that note, I bid you adieu. It’s been nice sharing with you, and as we say here in Québec:
Enchanté 
Tanya
