Rocket Fuel by Gino Wickman and Mark C. Winters

It’s a new year and we’re rolling out some new things! Since learning and growing is such an integral part of starting a small business, I’ve wanted to do a section in the magazine that discusses one great book every month. For now, I’m going to go through a list of books I’ve read and loved, but as you’ll see when you open the magazine, there’s a button where you can submit your own book recommendations! If you do so, you’ll get your picture or logo, bio and shop links included with your recommendation. Let’s share book ideas!

From the description of Rocket Fuel:

“Visionaries have groundbreaking ideas. Integrators make those ideas a reality. This explosive combination is the key to getting everything you want out of your business. It worked for Disney. It worked for McDonald’s. It worked for Ford. It can work for you.” 

I LOVE books that give me “ah-ha” moments and this book definitely did. I’d been beating myself up for years for not being good at the more detailed aspects of business that are so necessary. I have a very hard time focusing on bookkeeping, repetitive tasks, taxes and even some aspects of marketing and design. When I try to work on them, everything else becomes more important than those tasks and I find myself wondering away from the computer, or worse, taking a nap because I’ve become too overwhelmed. Then what happens? I become angry with myself for not getting these things done which makes it even harder to focus and do a good job.

I know I’m not the only person who experiences this because I think that most creative entrepreneurs (and maybe even entrepreneurs in general) are visionaries. We thrive on new ideas, new possibilities, growing and expanding. We don’t thrive on operating the system that keeps the business going. I love to create the system and watch it in action, but then I want to move on, let someone else maintain the system, and work on new ideas to grow the company. Besides, how can you grow your company if you’re forced to constantly work on the things that have nothing to do with growth?

The book goes over the difference between visionaries and implementors and how they can successfully work together for mutual growth. I highly recommend it. Who knows, maybe you’re actually an implementor who needs a visionary to work with! It’s so healthy to get a grasp on your personality type and then structure your business around that. Imagine only working on the things that get you excited! I’m not 100% there yet, but I’m working on it and the changes I’ve made so far have freed me up to get back in touch with my creativity.

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