"Never be so foolish as not to surround yourself with people who are smarter than you."
- Andrew Carnegie
With the wonders of our digital age we are able to choose to surround ourselves with people we may never get to meet in real life. This is an in-no-specific-order list of the smarter-than-me people who I have never actually met but who have had impact - large or small - on my personal development.
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And I will note that this list does not include the numerous smarter-than-me people who I am privileged to have surround me in real life. To those of you, whether your impact was large or small, I am eternally grateful.
Dana K. White
Dana is one of the easiest-to-read writers on the topic of organization and decluttering. She is hilarious. And practical. The Container Principle will change your life. Seriously.
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Read all of her books but if you only read one do not miss Decluttering at the Speed of Life.
Minimal Mom
The first time I watched one of Dawn's videos on YouTube I thought, "I think we could be friends." Turns out that's the name of one of her websites! If you're looking for help in how to live more simply, declutter toys & clothes, and how to be an overall amazing mom, I'd recommend her.
The Minimalists
I remember watching their original Netflix documentary and thinking, "whoa, there's a name for this?" At the time I was desperately trying to simplify my life but I didn't know where to start and if maybe I was just crazy. In those early days, Joshua & Ryan were the podcast voices in my earbuds giving practical advice and thought nuggets to think over.
Dallas Willard
John Ortberg
Jefferson Bethke
Jon Mark Komer
I love the concepts of Dallas Willard but I do not currently have the brain capacity to ingest, digest and retain that level of thought. John Ortberg is a student of Willard's and disseminates his ideas well. Jefferson Bethke and John Mark Comer are fans of both Willard and Ortberg and present these ideas practically and with humor. The latter two also have a joint podcast series based on both their books. Highly recommend all of this.
The Magic of Not Giving a F*ck | TED Talk
Yes, there's language. Words are tools of communication and Sarah Knight wields these words effectively. It may not jive with you but it spoke straight to my people-pleasing, over-achieving, never-say-no heart. We'd learned to budget our money. Now we know we also have to budget our capacity.
Dave Ramsey
My husband and I started our marriage with the shared goal of becoming debt free. We were able to pay off all of our consumer debt and that allowed me to be at home full time when the babies started coming. We now only have a mortgage. It's an incredible sense ofreedom to not owe anyone anything.
Marie Kondo
Say what you will, there are nuggets of incredible wisdom in The Magic Art of Tidying Up. Though my beliefs differ than hers, her approach to thanking objects was a great lesson for me to thank God for the things He has provided...and then to let them go when the season of their use is done.
Nicholeen Peck
If you have kids, you're going to want to check out Nicholeen Peck's Teaching Self-Government. If you don't have kids you may still want to look into it for yourself. I've found as much change in myself as in the kids in learning how to say "ok" and then be ok.
Sarah McKenzie
If you have kids and have not found the gem that is Read Aloud Revival by Sarah McKenzie then you are about to have your life changed. I have the privilege of raising and educating voracious readers and I would be lost in the library without the aid of Sarah's Booklist Recommendations. She's even suggested several stellar reads for me.
Good Books
I've Read
Restless Devices by Felicia Wu Song
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Kim John Payne
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It's Not What You Think by Jefferson Bethke
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