Seek the Bigger Story or Tell a New One

I’ve been thinking a lot about lessons that I learned while reading Alan M. Webber’s Rules of Thumb. To me, it’s a book for the field. It’s a book that says, “You’re a leader, whether or not you’re the boss, and you’ve gotta get in there and make things better.” The book has 52 big ideas in it. That’s like… 47 more than Trust Agents. Webber has something there.

And I see the story as something more.

He has some other ideas up his sleeve, and I know he’ll come out with them some time soon. Alan blogs faithfully at the Rules of Thumb blog and I can see him trying on different ways to apply the book to ideas.

And that’s just it. I think that’s exactly the thing you should want to do with a great book. Take it, absorb it, make it your own, and then use it to tell your own story.

This is what you should do with ALL good products, but right now, I’m obsessing over Alan Webber’s book. Do you see it? If something really gets inside you, take it, make it your own, and then start telling new stories with the pieces.

You probably didn’t pick up Rules of Thumb the first time. But right now, swing by a bookstore or a library (I recommend a bookstore because I ripped this book to SHREDS when I read it, filled it with notes, and refuse to let it out of my sight), and get it. Give it some real time. Don’t just browse and walk off. It’s worth more than that.

And tell me what you get out of it.

Related posts:

  1. What Makes a Story Work
  2. Seek Frame Build Bridge – Explained
  3. Product Reviews as Story
  4. The Story of Me
  5. Seek Frame Build Bridge

ChrisBrogan.com runs on the Genesis Framework

Genesis Theme Framework

The Genesis Framework empowers you to quickly and easily build incredible websites with WordPress. Whether you're a novice or advanced developer, Genesis provides you with the secure and search-engine-optimized foundation that takes WordPress to places you never thought it could go.

With automatic theme updates and world-class support included, Genesis is the smart choice for your WordPress website or blog.

Become a StudioPress Affiliate

  • http://twitter.com/douglaswelch Douglas E. Welch

    I was similarly impressed with the book. I spent a lot of time working my way through it, as I kept having to stop and make notes and simply think about the issues at hand.

    I got my copy out of the LA Public Library, as I do with most new books, but I would certainly consider it for inclusion in my permanent collection.

  • http://twitter.com/beaconhillnw Jim Gray

    i've read his blog before…good point on spending time with the book. i speed read too much to get through stuff

  • chrisstocker

    Thanks Chris. I'm heading out to the book store this weekend with a long list and this has moved up to the top. Don't cut yourself short, Trust Agents had more than 5 big ideas, ha.

  • karendouglas

    I have been talking about Alan ever since I followed the link that Mitch Joel posted to Alan's Authors at Google talk. I watched, was inspired and ordered the book immediately. I am going through the book slowly – lots to think about and make notes on. But Alan said two things in that talk that have stayed with me and that I have shared over and over – in conversations and in my blog on personal success.
    The first is his perspective on the fact that he doesn't set goals. Instead he evaluates who he does not want to be in five years. What do you not want to say about yourself in five years? That is a really powerful question to get you focused on what you need to do.
    Secondly – Alan said he views his book as the start of a conversation. His blog, this blog, my blog … all of them proves that it is – for him and for all of us. What a wonderful way to think about a book – as the start of something.
    His voice is now inside my head … and I play with his rules daily!
    PS … apologies if I post a similar comment twice. Had a computer problem.

  • pamhoelzle

    I've been reading it and my take on this book is that it will become a classic and a book we go back to time and time again to remind us of another nugget of pure wisdom. I see it as a business devotional- something you can return to, pick up and read an excerpt or so- pass on. Must have for social and world changers.

  • mehreenaamir
  • http://musicroad.blogspot.com kerrydexter

    I have not read the book yet, but I was struck by your comment ,Chris
    “Do you see it? If something really gets inside you, take it, make it your own, and then start telling new stories with the pieces.”

    I work quite a bit in folk and Celtic music — same process bards have ben doing for centuries. good writers still do today.

  • dbreakenridge

    Thanks for letting me know about Webber's book. I definitely want to read it, especially after checking out his blog and the write up about the book on Amazon. I know that you are an avid reader and I was wondering if you could share your top five favorite books … the ones that really made a difference in your life, business book, or other :)

  • Pingback: Marketing your book with a blog – Rules of Thumb » Easy Author Websites

  • Pingback: WesleyDonehue.com

  • http://www.alexascordato.com Alexa Scordato

    Steve Rosenbaum put me in touch with Alan this past summer and I have to say, there's some magical DNA strand that you, Steve, and Alan all have in common. It's the giving gene.

    You've all given me tons as a young professional and I'm forever thankful for that.

  • http://thelostjacket.com Stuart Foster

    Having spoken with Alan once (I'm a lucky guy) you can definitely hear the patience, care and thought that went into writing this book. It's complicated as heck to market as well. However, it's messages are so important to impart on a lot of different people. Especially up and comers like myself. (I put myself in this category…well because I don't know how else to describe myself.)

  • MaryAlan

    I'll have to check it out, thanks, I'm heading to the bookstore this weekend!

  • Pingback: Social Media Drives Me to a Purchase « Joe Scarpati

  • http://wwwo.joescarpati.wordpress.com/ Joe Scarpati

    Thanks Chris. I just purchased the book online based on your post and some reviews that I read. I'm looking forward to reading it (after Trust Agents, of course).

    I documented and took a deeper look at the steps to this social media purchase on my blog, http://www.joescarpati.wordpress.com.

  • http://AlexLimInc.com/ Alex Lim

    “Take it, absorb it, make it your own and then use it to tell your own story.”

    Reading books is one of the best ways to spend time on. I can't agree more with the passage above. Get the most out of a book; you can only see how it will be helpful once you take time to absorb the contents. Don't let the ideas be trap in the pages. Play with it and explore to have your own version of a valuable piece. ss

  • dbvolpe

    Chris,
    When are you coming to Atlanta? Your blog does not currently have anything in the Upcoming Events section.

  • max191

    I was just going to relax and read this morning then in the meantime I got your blog to read. Really good one.
    regards
    weber grill recipes

  • xiaoyu

    links of london classic sweetie links of london classic sweetie links of london Raindance links of london Raindance links of london Classic charms links of london Classic charms links of london Heart links of london Heart links of london Classic smiley links of london Classic smiley links of london Animal charms links of london Animal charms links of london Letters charm links of london Letters charm links of london classic smiley links of london classic smiley

  • http://finance.google.com/finance?q=AMEX:IIG IMERGENT

    I have learned a lot of worthy things from this post. Its really a nice post for me. Thanks a lot for sharing such an informative post with us. Keep blogging.

  • http://www.purelife-shoes.com/ Timberland shoes

    I like what you said.

  • dbreakenridge

    I will be out of the office on Wednesday, October 14th through Friday October 16th with limited access to email. For immediate assistance, please contact Jacqueline Dodd at jdodd@pfsmarketwyse.com or call 973.812.8883 x300.

    Kind regards,

  • https://reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS141215+21-Jan-2009+GNW20090121 storesonline584

    You have a cool blog, just keep adding more interesting posts, I have you bookmarked. Will be back again. I am working on updating own blog to make it easier to find old articles and the most popular ones.

  • https://reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS141215+21-Jan-2009+GNW20090121 storesonline584

    You have a cool blog, just keep adding more interesting posts, I have you bookmarked. Will be back again. I am working on updating own blog to make it easier to find old articles and the most popular ones.

  • bercrombiefitch

    Ed Hardy Swimwear Sale Christian Audigier is one of most welcomed French designer who has returned to Paris from Los Ed Hardy hats Sale Angeles, preparing to open a fashion show for his own brand on the October Paris Fashion Week. Ed Hardy caps Sale Needless to say, Christian Audigier is widely welcomed by those Hollywood superstars since you can easily Ed Hardy Kids Sale find that many of them wear Ed Hardy Sunglasses Sale t-shirts when go shopping. What's more, he also has close relationships with those superstars. Ed Hardy Bags Sale A typical example is that in May he has invited star Madonna to design for Ed Hardy Belts Sale.It is reported that the corporation nearly cost him $100,000 as the pay to Madonna. And in particular, Men Ed Hardy T-Shirt he even held a small show for her to inspire her creative afflatus. Last year, he still make an agreement Men Ed Hardy Tops with the man who died a few days ago, Michael Jackson the King of Pop, for the introduction of the clothing Men Ed Hardy Hoodies brand with same name. But now this would be the greatest pity in the fashion circle with the death of Men Ed Hardy Jeans Michael Jackson. Recently when promoting his red wine brand in Men Ed Hardy Underwear London, Christian Audigier said that some very hot stars would appear in his fashion show on October. Men Ed Hardy Shoes He declined to tell who would come, but it is commonly expected that Madonna may come up in the show. Women Ed Hardy T Shirt In addition, Christian Audigier, a hot singer, was also invited by Christian Audigier to be the new advertising Women Ed Hardy Tops representative of Ed hardy clothing. Therefore, just look forward to this Women Ed Hardy Tanks spectacular fashion show with our heartful wishes.

  • http://www.osmanoglunakliyat.com.tr evden eve nakliyat

    harika.osmanoğlunakliyat.com.tr

  • http://www.usaugg-shops.com UGG

    ancient flame totem
    it stops the mouth not to say suddenly. three monster fox in front of it, have stood slowly, the hand extends to the bosom, put out nightfall uggs discount ugg boots both sides to have the red silk guangzhou's magic weapon, was precisely the unreliable fire warning. in this hot flame steamings in the lava burrow, the unreliable fire warning is also short black ugg illuminated faintly blushes, but center it that ancient flame totem, ugg usa as if also will at this moment burn ultra short ugg general, several want to spurt thinly. three monster fox,

    open in the ugg uk small ordinary way of seeing things that gentle white clothing female, at this moment is staring in hand's unreliable fire warning, several, some drop of teardrops, have not dropped quietly suddenly in the unreliable fire warning, a moment later, changes to makes the white smoke, curls raises. the book arrives at here, what is really the tear falls the front piece, mourns in one's heart, if dies, compares the author to write about here also unavoidably to stop the pen not to be good, does not endure to continue, that falls quietly waterdrop, but also withers and falls between your mine heart

  • Ugg boots sale

    1.Ugg footwear is a great regard for your base like many reasons.cheap uggs for sale. Probably the most rocky landscape. Another equally important disputeugg uk is the ever-mounting medley of styles ugg boots saleand ensign that you are removable to buy ugg boots, actually form to the shape of the arch.。 UGG Bailey ButtonUGG Argyle KnitUGG CardyUGG CrochetUGG FlowerUGG LeopardUGG MiniUGG PaisleyUGG ShortUGG TallUGG Elsey WedgeUGG Infants ErinUGG LangleyUGG Lo ProUGG Lo Pro ButtonUGG LocarnoUGG MayfaireUGG NightfallUGG Rainier EskimoUGG Sundance IIUGG Ultimate BindUGG Ultra ShortUGG Ultra TallUGG SuedeUGG UpsideUGG RoxyUGG SelineUGG Corinth WedgeUGG LibertyUGG HighkooUGG KnightsbridgeUGG Bomber JacketUGG AdirondackUGG Suburb CrochetUGG Bailey Button BootsUGG Classic Argyle KnitUGG Classic Cardy BootsUGG Classic Crochet BootsUGG Classic Flower bootsUGG Classic Tall Boots 5684 LeopardUGG Classic Mini BootsUGG Classic Paisley BootsUGG Classic Short BootsUGG Classic Tall BootsUGG Elsey wedge BootsUGG Infant's Erin BabyUGG Women's Langley Boots BlackUGG Lo Pro Button BootsUGG Women's Locarno BootsUGG Mayfaire bootsUGG Nightfall BootsUGG Rainier Eskimo BootsUGG Sundance II BootsUGG Ultimate Bind BootsUGG Ultra Short BootsUGG Ultra Tall BootsUGG Suede BootsUGG upside BootsUGG Roxy Tall BootsUGG seline BootsUGG Women's Corinth Boots in CocoaUGG Liberty BootsUGG Highkoo BootsUGG Knightsbridge BootsUGG Bomber Jacket BootsUGG Adirondack Tall BootUGG Suburb Crochet Boots
    2.MBT HabariMBT KaraniMBT KayaMBT KisumuMBT LamiMBT M.WalkMBT Moto GTXMBT SapatuMBT Sport 2MBT Tarikiair jordan shoes

  • http://www.thonginphone.com ภาษาเกาหลี

    understood reading text thank you.

  • http://www.thonginphone.com ภาษาเกาหลี

     it feels good storie.