JASON FIALKOVICH
Youth Services Librarian /
Maker Space Manager / PA Public Notary
Maker Space Manager / PA Public Notary
micsd@delcolibraries.org
Hi friends! I wanted to share just a fun, quick top-5 list of things I recommend that are important to me, and have made me who I am today. Not all of these can be found at the library — but we don’t expect you to spend all of your time at MFL, do we?
CAPTIVATE: THE SCIENCE OF SUCCEEDING WITH PEOPLE BY VANESSA VAN EDWARDS
In the beginning of “quarantine times” back in 2020, I got hooked on watching YouTube videos of author Vanessa Van Edwards breaking down how to be a better conversationalist, pick up on social cues, etc. I really wanted to make sure I was able to successfully make meaningful connections with people. Ever curious why sometimes it is so easy to talk to one person, but difficult with another? Or, how there’s that one friend or relative who’s able to talk to a complete stranger and the conversation seems so effortless? I, like many people, have some social anxiety, but I also love challenging myself and seeing if I can make small improvements in myself. This book is extremely interesting but also extremely helpful in navigating the art and science of conversation.
In the beginning of “quarantine times” back in 2020, I got hooked on watching YouTube videos of author Vanessa Van Edwards breaking down how to be a better conversationalist, pick up on social cues, etc. I really wanted to make sure I was able to successfully make meaningful connections with people. Ever curious why sometimes it is so easy to talk to one person, but difficult with another? Or, how there’s that one friend or relative who’s able to talk to a complete stranger and the conversation seems so effortless? I, like many people, have some social anxiety, but I also love challenging myself and seeing if I can make small improvements in myself. This book is extremely interesting but also extremely helpful in navigating the art and science of conversation.
TED LASSO
If you know it, you’ll know why. My mother’s side of the family are big believers in optimism. The Apple TV show Ted Lasso is riddled with clever dialogue and jokes, has complex characters, and promotes positivity. There are so many quotes from the show that I try to keep in mind at any of my more struggling moments. “Be curious, not judgemental.” “You know who the happiest animal in the world is? A goldfish. Why? It’s got a 10-second memory. Be a goldfish.” Forget the unnecessary hurt or resentment we carry. Forgive and forget. And most importantly: Believe. Believe in yourself, in others, and in the universe getting you to where you need to be (maybe not where you want to be). Oh, and tea is garbage water. Haha!
If you know it, you’ll know why. My mother’s side of the family are big believers in optimism. The Apple TV show Ted Lasso is riddled with clever dialogue and jokes, has complex characters, and promotes positivity. There are so many quotes from the show that I try to keep in mind at any of my more struggling moments. “Be curious, not judgemental.” “You know who the happiest animal in the world is? A goldfish. Why? It’s got a 10-second memory. Be a goldfish.” Forget the unnecessary hurt or resentment we carry. Forgive and forget. And most importantly: Believe. Believe in yourself, in others, and in the universe getting you to where you need to be (maybe not where you want to be). Oh, and tea is garbage water. Haha!
WHAT THE BLEEP DO WE KNOW!?
Watching this 2004 documentary and experiencing the death of my maternal grandfather back in early 2012, I think these were the paradigm shifts in my life that got me to where I am today. My grandfather was born in Italy and developed polio before moving to America as a kid. He never let that bother him. We can choose to be bitter, angry, and feel like the world is just throwing difficulties at us, and only us, while we see others having it easy. We become chemically addicted to those feelings and emotions, physically and mentally. If we shift our perspective and focus on the positive, everything changes. That’s what I took from What the Bleep Do We Know!? Positive thinking yields positive results. Our minds can affect our realities. My grandfather chose to be thankful instead of angry. His optimism and positivity were an inspiration to many lucky enough to know him, and I hope to continue to honor him by reflecting those values to you all.
Watching this 2004 documentary and experiencing the death of my maternal grandfather back in early 2012, I think these were the paradigm shifts in my life that got me to where I am today. My grandfather was born in Italy and developed polio before moving to America as a kid. He never let that bother him. We can choose to be bitter, angry, and feel like the world is just throwing difficulties at us, and only us, while we see others having it easy. We become chemically addicted to those feelings and emotions, physically and mentally. If we shift our perspective and focus on the positive, everything changes. That’s what I took from What the Bleep Do We Know!? Positive thinking yields positive results. Our minds can affect our realities. My grandfather chose to be thankful instead of angry. His optimism and positivity were an inspiration to many lucky enough to know him, and I hope to continue to honor him by reflecting those values to you all.
ATOMIC HABITS BY JAMES CLEAR
We are capable of making big changes, but that’s the wrong approach. You should change your small habits. Want to be healthier? Be someone who does healthy things — even if it is as small as getting dressed to go for a run. Chances are, you’ll use that momentum to then go for a run. But start with just putting on those running clothes and shoes. Choose a side salad instead of the fries. Become a healthy person, and not just somebody who wants to lose X amount of pounds. Change your personality to change your personal reality. Start small, and the dominos will fall.
We are capable of making big changes, but that’s the wrong approach. You should change your small habits. Want to be healthier? Be someone who does healthy things — even if it is as small as getting dressed to go for a run. Chances are, you’ll use that momentum to then go for a run. But start with just putting on those running clothes and shoes. Choose a side salad instead of the fries. Become a healthy person, and not just somebody who wants to lose X amount of pounds. Change your personality to change your personal reality. Start small, and the dominos will fall.
MINDSET: THE NEW PSYCHOLOGY OF SUCCESS BY CAROL DWECK
I always had a feeling that I had a growth mindset. I like challenges and don’t easily give up. I appreciate the process more than the end product. By only doing things that come easily to us, we keep our possibilities limited. Even if the finished result isn’t as good as someone else’s, we take pride in our hard work. I strongly believe this is something lacking in how we teach and praise our children. There’s an entire chapter devoted to making sure we praise a child’s efforts, not the end result. Otherwise, they are likely to cheat, take short cuts, or only do what comes naturally to them instead of stepping outside their comfort zone. Praise hard
work and failures!
I always had a feeling that I had a growth mindset. I like challenges and don’t easily give up. I appreciate the process more than the end product. By only doing things that come easily to us, we keep our possibilities limited. Even if the finished result isn’t as good as someone else’s, we take pride in our hard work. I strongly believe this is something lacking in how we teach and praise our children. There’s an entire chapter devoted to making sure we praise a child’s efforts, not the end result. Otherwise, they are likely to cheat, take short cuts, or only do what comes naturally to them instead of stepping outside their comfort zone. Praise hard
work and failures!
