The Power of Resilience: How Books Are Helping to Shape Our Team’s Growth
At ICS, our commitment to reading and learning is a cornerstone of our growth strategy. This year, we took a big step toward deepening our dedication to personal and professional development by starting our book club. Reading not only sharpens the mind but also nurtures our ability to reflect, adapt, and overcome challenges. As a team, we’ve committed to exploring a variety of genres, topics, and authors from diverse backgrounds to expand our perspectives and challenge our thinking. We’re excited to learn from a broad range of voices, ideas, and experiences.
Our recent exploration of three influential books has not only shaped our thinking but also provided valuable lessons on resilience. Here’s how we discovered them, what we thought, and how we plan to implement the lessons we learned.
The Let Them Theory: A Mental Strength Journey Suggested by Reyna
The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins was first introduced to the ICS team by Reyna, who is a big fan of Mel Robbins and her empowering messages. Reyna thought this book would be a great addition to our reading list because it aligns with the idea of pushing past external judgment and embracing our inner power. The book encourages readers to focus on mental strength, resilience, and staying true to themselves regardless of outside opinions.
While the team found the messages inspiring, we also agreed that the book felt a bit long and repetitive at times. The central themes of mental fortitude and self-empowerment were powerful, but there were moments where we felt the same points were made repeatedly, which could have been condensed. Despite this, we walked away from The Let Them Theory with a renewed sense of purpose. The book reminded us of the importance of staying focused on our goals and not allowing societal pressures or others’ opinions to hold us back, including our loved ones.
As a team, we’ll implement the book’s teachings by embracing our paths and focusing on personal growth without worrying about outside expectations. It’s a reminder to work on building self-confidence and letting go of negativity continually.
Can’t Hurt Me: Pushing Limits Suggested by Norma
Norma introduced Can’t Hurt Me by David Goggins to the team after hearing him speak on a podcast. Goggins’ story, which spans overcoming childhood trauma, intense Navy SEAL training, and extreme endurance challenges, is one of unparalleled mental toughness. The book’s core message is that we are capable of far more than we think, and the key to unlocking our potential is pushing past pain and hardship.
While the team admired Goggins’ resilience and determination, we also felt that the intense focus on pain and suffering at times overshadowed the other elements of mental strength. Goggins’ experiences—while undoubtedly inspiring—often delve into such extreme physical and emotional pain that it felt excessive, and we questioned whether the emphasis on such extremes was necessary for everyone to succeed. The team also wanted to read more about his personal life. We felt that his intense focus on his professional growth and mental challenges affected his relationships with his family and personal life.
Nonetheless, we learned valuable lessons from Goggins’ approach to pushing limits, such as his concept of “callusing the mind” and continuously challenging ourselves. Moving forward, we plan to implement these principles by stepping outside of our comfort zones and embracing challenges in both our professional and personal lives. While we may not always be striving for physical extremes like Goggins, the takeaway is clear: resilience comes from doing hard and uncomfortable things, and we can push through mental barriers to achieve greatness.
A House in the Sky: Finding Strength in Hope, Suggested by Abigail
A House in the Sky by Amanda Lindhout was suggested by Abigail, who discovered the memoir while searching for a new book to read. The story recounts Lindhout’s traumatic experience of being kidnapped by militants in Somalia and the years of psychological and physical torment she endured. What makes Lindhout’s story so powerful is how she finds strength through hope, inner peace, and a deep connection to her sense of self, even in the darkest of circumstances.
The ICS team found this memoir to be profoundly moving and inspiring. Unlike the focus on physical pain in Can’t Hurt Me, Lindhout’s resilience came from moments of mental escape and her ability to envision a better future despite everything she endured. Her “house in the sky” became a symbol of her hope and inner strength, allowing her to survive and hold onto her humanity even when it seemed impossible.
The team agreed that A House in the Sky offered a refreshing perspective on resilience. It showed us that mental strength doesn’t always have to come from enduring pain but can also stem from creating a vision of hope and focusing on what lies ahead. Lindhout’s spirituality and use of affirmations played a crucial role in helping her maintain her sense of self and peace during her captivity. By leaning into her spiritual practices and repeating affirmations, she was able to find inner strength and keep hope alive, even in the darkest moments. The book taught us that resilience can take many forms, and sometimes, it’s about holding on to the belief that better days are coming, no matter how far away they may seem.
Final Thoughts: Implementing Lessons from Each Book
Each of these books provided valuable insights into resilience, and as a team, we’ve walked away with different but complementary takeaways. The Let Them Theory reinforced the importance of mental strength and staying true to our goals without letting others’ judgments hold us back. Can’t Hurt Me reminded us of the power of pushing through discomfort and embracing challenges, even when they seem overwhelming. Meanwhile, A House in the Sky showed us that resilience can also come from hope, inner peace, and finding moments of mental escape.
As we continue our reading journey, we’d love to hear your thoughts! Have you read any of these books? Or do you have any recommendations for other books that have had an impact on your personal or professional life? Share your suggestions and insights with us – we’re always looking for new ideas and love hearing from others who are on a similar journey.
