[New post] Robin Sharma’s The 5AM Club – Maven Mail Vol. 1, Issue 22
Chio posted: " Here is one of my recent Monday newsletters. I am starting to feel really comfortable with my newsletter voice. (Click here to subscribe). Hello hi. Happy Monday! It's particularly happy because it's a public holiday here in South Africa. In case you " ThrowingClay.Org
Here is one of my recent Monday newsletters. I am starting to feel really comfortable with my newsletter voice. (Click here to subscribe).
Hello hi. Happy Monday! It's particularly happy because it's a public holiday here in South Africa. In case you couldn't tell from last week's newsletter, I was in dire need of a long weekend. The menu du jour, as you know, is a book review; a quote; a podcast recommendation; a short personal finance idea; and a thought of the week. It's all perfect with your first cup of tea, or coffee if you insist. Let's jump right in!
A BOOK
Robin Sharma's The 5AM Club has been popularised by social media. I felt bad about the fact that, hitherto, I started and failed to finish it 3 times. I just couldn't connect with it. I guess 4th time's the charm because I finally finished it. I don't feel bad about that anymore. Yay! Now, I have something new to feel bad about. I didn't enjoy the book and it left me with strongly mixed feelings.
Robin's book presents a compelling concept: the idea that waking up at 5AM and following a structured morning routine can transform one's life. The promise of personal growth and success is undoubtedly alluring, and it's no wonder this book has garnered such attention. Who doesn't want a "success" manual? Yet, the more I read, the more I found myself grappling with disappointment.
The narrative style of the book tends to be overly didactic, often feeling like a lecture rather than an engaging exploration of its concepts. While I understand that Robin is attempting to convey important life lessons, the heavy-handed approach can be overwhelming. The story metaphor that has worked for him in his previous book didn't quite gel with the lecture-like style. Consequently, the characters in the story, although meant to be inspirational, come across not only as one-dimensional and contrived, they also tend to give long lectures/monologues a little too often.
The book's constant use of aphorisms and inspirational quotes may resonate with some readers, but for me, it felt forced and formulaic. The relentless repetition of motivational phrases became tiresome, making the book feel like it was trying too hard to inspire.
Furthermore, "The 5AM Club" relies heavily on idealized scenarios in life and in the instruction that may not be practical for everyone. Robin's insistence on a rigid 20/20/20 morning routine, for example, may not be feasible for individuals with demanding schedules or responsibilities or, you know, children. The 20/20/20 routine is 20 minutes of physical activity; 20 minutes of meditation or stillness; and 20 minutes of learning starting at 5AM and ending at 6AM daily. The routine must specifically fit into this window of time to work. This lack of adaptability left me questioning the book's applicability to real-life situations.
While I acknowledge that some readers have obviously found immense value in "The 5AM Club" and have experienced positive life changes as a result of its teachings, I couldn't help but feel disconnected from its message. The disconnect may stem from the fact that I've encountered similar self-help concepts in other books, executed in a more engaging and relatable manner. This also means that a lot of the concepts are validated and true. The delivery was the challenge.
In the end, I completed "The 5AM Club," but I laboured to the end. While I can't deny that the book might resonate with certain readers, I personally found it lacking. This one was just not for me.
QUOTE
"There is danger in letting people misname you. If you are a fire, do not answer when they call you a spark."
Upile Chisala
PODCAST PICK
I have recommended this episode before. I'm doing it again. It's that good. I listened to it again and was struck by a different section this time. I was struck by the portion of the discussion in which Boz discusses falling in love with her husband, what drove them apart after so many years, the death of their first baby, her husband's terminal diagnosis, and how, ultimately, the choice to get back together was not some dramatic "we will do this together TV moment." It was a choice they both made to forgive and let go and to make it to his last breath together. Idealised romance doesn't appeal to me. This brought tears to my eyes.
CENTS & SENSIBILITY… BECAUSE WE HAVE SOLAR PANELS TO BUY.
Your credit score is a numerical representation of your creditworthiness. It's a three-digit number that reflects how responsible you are with managing credit and debt. Lenders, such as banks and credit card companies, use your credit score to assess the risk of lending you money. Your employer and potential customers (in my industry at least) assess it to check your reliability and trustworthiness. A higher credit score indicates that you are more likely to repay loans and bills on time, making you a more attractive borrower, a more attractive employee, and a more attractive partner in commercial endeavours. Conversely, a lower credit score suggests a higher risk of the reverse. Understanding your credit score and how to improve it can help you qualify for better interest rates on loans and credit cards, potentially saving you money in the long run. It can help you qualify for opportunities when you are not in the room. Monitoring and nursing your credit score is an important aspect of managing your financial health.
Standard Disclaimer: I'm not a personal finance guru. Far from it. I am just a woman in her late 30s figuring this thing out late in life. I am simultaneously the woman who began reading at 5 and has a particular ability to read large amounts of data and distill it into an easily digestible tidbit. So, I do that here so that those who are learning money late like me can figure it out with me.
TOMORROW ON THE DIRTY CHAI WITH CHIO PODCAST:
Tomorrow's topic is "Seasons." Do you know where the danger is? Being in your planting season and envying the results of a person in their harvest season. Or being in your pre-harvest season and giving up because you are frustrated by the wait. Tune into the podcast for a breakdown of this blind spot. The podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts and here.
FINALLY, A THOUGHT TO MULL OVER THIS WEEK
Success is not just about achieving your goals; it's also about the person you become in the process. Embrace the journey, learn from your experiences, and keep growing. Your character is your greatest achievement. To adapt Maya Angelou's sentiment into this week's question: Do you like yourself, what you do, and how you do it?
***
That wraps up this week's Maven Mail! I hope you find the recommendations and insights thought-provoking and impactful. If you do, please share this newsletter with friends or loved ones who might also enjoy it.
Happy new week. Take an actual step towards something that means something to you before Friday.
No comments:
Post a Comment