Seth Godin: The Purple Cow

Doing home health most books I read these days are all audio so technically I don’t read them but listen to them. "The Purple Cow" by Seth Godin is one that I actually “read” it as opposed to listening to it. I enjoy reading business books and I could not put this one down. It was worth the read... here are some thoughts about it. 

 “The Purple Cow” challenges businesses to stand out in a crowded marketplace. In the book, Godin argues that the traditional marketing methods of creating safe, boring products and advertising them to a mass audience are no longer effective. Instead, he proposes that businesses need to create remarkable, unique products that will capture the attention of a niche market.

Godin uses the metaphor of a purple cow to represent a product that is so remarkable that it stands out in a field of ordinary brown cows. He encourages businesses to embrace their own purple cow and differentiate themselves from their competitors. The book also emphasizes the importance of word-of-mouth marketing and building a community of loyal customers who will spread the word about your product.

The fact that "The Purple Cow" is concise and an easy-to-read writing style makes it an great read. Godin presents his ideas in a clear and engaging way.  It was easy to understand. He also uses real-world examples and case studies to illustrate his points, which helps to make the book both informative and entertaining.

Another reason why "The Purple Cow" is a good book is because it challenges the status quo. It encourages businesses to take risks and be bold, rather than playing it safe and following the crowd. This can be a scary proposition for some business owners, but Godin argues that it is essential for success in today's marketplace.

Overall, "The Purple Cow" is a must-read for anyone who wants to stand out in their industry and create a truly remarkable product. Its insights and strategies can be applied to businesses of all sizes and industries, making it a valuable resource for entrepreneurs, marketers, and business leaders alike.

Malcolm Gladwell: Outliers

Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell is a book that has a way of making you question your beliefs about success and what it takes to achieve it. On the one hand, Gladwell presents the 10,000-hour rule, which suggests that expertise is achieved through practice and time spent honing one's craft. This concept is empowering, as it implies that anyone can become great at something if they are willing to put in the effort.

However, the book also explores the idea that success is not just about hard work and innate ability, but also about external factors such as where and when you were born. Gladwell uses examples such as Bill Gates to show how being in the right place at the right time can play a significant role in success. Gates was born into a world where computers were just starting to become popular, and he happened to have access to a computer at a young age. This gave him a head start in programming that many others did not have.

This concept can be difficult to reconcile with the idea of the 10,000-hour rule. If success is not just about hard work, then what is the point of putting in all that effort? Gladwell's argument, however, is not that hard work is meaningless, but that it is not the only factor in success. External circumstances, such as where you were born, can play a role as well.

This can be a hard pill to swallow for those who believe in the "just pull yourself up by your bootstraps" mentality. The book presents a compelling argument that success is not solely determined by individual effort, but also by outside factors that may be out of our control. It is not a matter of blaming external circumstances for our failures, but rather recognizing that they play a role in our success.

Overall, Outliers is a thought-provoking read that challenges assumptions about success and what it takes to achieve it. It does encourage you to look beyond the individual and consider the external factors that may be contributing to our success or lack thereof. It is a book that will leave you questioning your thought processes and reevaluating what it takes to truly excel. To be honest, I'm kind of split on this book. I like the idea of becoming an expert through time and perseverance but I did not care as much for the victim aspect of the book. The victimhood aspect of the book interferes enough I don’t think I would recommend it. 

Motivation: You Can Make It Through PT School!

Physical therapy school can be a challenging and demanding experience. It requires a lot of hard work, dedication, and perseverance. Staying motivated while in school can be a struggle, but there are some things you can do to keep yourself on track. Here are some tips for staying motivated during physical therapy school:

1. Set realistic goals: Setting goals for yourself is an excellent way to stay motivated. Be sure to set realistic goals that are achievable. Something that helped me a lot was realizing it’s okay not to get an A. Be okay with getting B’s and C’s.
2. Find a support system: It can be helpful to have a support system during physical therapy school. This could include classmates, friends, family, or even a therapist. I’m lucky that my wife was so supportive. 
3. Take breaks: It's essential to take breaks from studying and schoolwork. Taking some time to exercise. You are going to be a PT. You believe in the power of exercise!
4. Stay organized: Staying organized can help you stay on top of your workload and reduce stress. Use a planner (I used a paper calendar but digital works too) to keep track of assignments, deadlines, and test dates.
5. Remember why you started: It's easy to lose sight of why you started physical therapy school when you're in the thick of it. Just put your head down and focus on the end goal. 

In conclusion, staying motivated during physical therapy school can be tough, but you can do it. I struggled through with 3 kids and a wife but I started to embrace the struggle and use it to grow. By setting realistic goals, finding a support system, taking breaks, staying organized, and remembering why you started, you can stay on track and make it through.

Johnny Cash: You Didn't Know His Songs Were For PTs?

So recently I have found myself listening to a lot of Johnny Cash. Here are some Johnny Cash songs that I think are great for PTs:

"I Walk the Line" - This classic hit is all about staying on the straight and narrow, which could be a metaphor for the dedication and discipline required to excel as a physical therapist. Also, think balance exercises. 

"Ring of Fire" - This upbeat song about falling in love could also be interpreted as a metaphor for the passion and enthusiasm that many physical therapists bring to their work.

"A Boy Named Sue" - This humorous song tells the story of a man who grows up tough because of his unusual name, which could be a reminder of how PTs (and our patients) must develop resilience and perseverance.

"Man in Black" - This song is a tribute to those who are "fighting back" against weakness and functional deficits. I know it’s a stretch… did you see what I did there. Stretch… ba dum tsh.

"Get Rhythm" - This lively song is all about finding your groove and keeping things moving, which could be a great motto for physical therapists because we help our patients regain their strength, mobility, and independence.

No real rhyme or reason for this just for fun… Been listening to a lot of Johnny and thought I would give his songs a little PT twist.