Ditch 'The Seven Habits' and Reach for 'The Seven Husbands': Transform Your Professional Mindset with Fiction

In the hustle and bustle of the business world, our reading habits often become one-dimensional, saturated with the latest productivity manuals and self-help guides.

Recently, I asked a few colleagues and friends for book recommendations and realised just how common it is to find ourselves recommending a growing pool of trend-led business fads. From Wim Hof’s extreme cold exposure techniques to endless productivity books, we seem to be caught in a cycle of considering how extreme approaches relate to our latest spat with the Finance Team or how we might achieve robotic efficiency within our teams.

It got me wondering if this tunnel vision might be more detrimental than we realise. Maybe it's time to rethink our approach to 'business reading' and embrace the more holistic benefits of fiction and reading for pleasure.

A few weeks ago, driven by a whim (not a Hof) of boredom, I picked up 'The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo' by Taylor Jenkins Reid. Initially, worlds apart from the typical business literature.

As someone who has no ambition to marry seven times... the book's premise seemed far removed from my daily life and my longer term goals in their entirety, let alone my 9-5. However, as I delved into the life of Evelyn Hugo, a fictional Hollywood icon narrating her journey from rags to riches to a journalist, I discovered some unexpected and valuable lessons.

Here are three key takeaways:

1. Work Ethic and Resilience

Evelyn, whose journey from Hell's Kitchen to becoming an Oscar-winning global star is a testament to the idea of work ethic and resilience. Despite numerous obstacles and personal sacrifices, she remains steadfast in her pursuit of success. This narrative highlights the importance of perseverance and dedication—qualities that are crucial in the world of work and beyond. Instead of succumbing to setbacks, we can draw inspiration from characters like Evelyn’s tenacity, understanding that resilience often paves the way to success. This lesson reminds us that the road to achievement is rarely smooth, but those who persist are the ones who ultimately reach their goals.

2. Acknowledgement of Limiting Beliefs

Throughout the book, Evelyn confronts and overcomes her limiting beliefs. She navigates a male-dominated industry, breaks free from societal expectations, and redefines her identity as a member of the LGTBTQ community on her own terms. This aspect of her story encourages us to reflect on our own limiting beliefs in the workplace. Are there self-imposed barriers hindering our progress and where must we continue to push for progress? By acknowledging and challenging these constraints, we open ourselves to new opportunities and growth, fostering a mindset of empowerment and self-awareness. This kind of introspection is crucial for personal and professional development, as it allows us to move past our fears and embrace our true potential.

ditch 'The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People' for a while, and reach for 'The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo.' You might just find that fiction holds the keys to a richer, more balanced professional life.

3. Advocacy and Camaraderie

The novel also emphasises the significance of advocacy and camaraderie, particularly among LGBTQ individuals and female peers. Evelyn's relationships with her peers underscore the power of support networks and allyship. In the professional realm, fostering an inclusive and supportive environment can enhance collaboration, innovation, and our overall job satisfaction.

This lesson is especially poignant as we finish celebrating Pride Month, a time to honour and advocate for the rights and contributions of the LGBTQ community. By advocating for diversity and building strong, supportive networks, we create workplaces where everyone can thrive. Evelyn's story is a powerful reminder of the impact that solidarity and mutual support can have in both personal and professional settings.

By advocating for diversity and building strong, supportive networks, we create workplaces where everyone can thrive.

I'm not advocating that there's not a place for 'Who moved my cheese' or 'The diary of a CEO' but so often the path to happiness and success are driven by completely unbelievable and fiction like innovation... why would we not consider the impact of fiction in shaping our mindset, our goal strategy or our approach to resilience?

I truly believe that the rich narratives found in novels like The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo might just be the key to a richer understanding of resilience, self-awareness, and the importance of advocacy and support networks—lessons often overlooked in business literature with their frameworks, smart charts, and 'circle back, synergise backwards' approach to storytelling.

So, ditch 'The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People' for a while, and reach for 'The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo.' You might just find that fiction holds the keys to a richer, more balanced professional life.