Shelley and I love the band Needtobreathe, a band we call “The Best Unknown Band in America.”
No seriously, that’s no joke on our part; we’ve seen them a half dozen times, and we’re about to see them again in a week!
Serious band obsession folks! And you should totally check ‘em out!
So how cool is that one day, Shelley came up and said, “I’ve got a present for you! … But you’re going to think that I bought it for myself, but I honestly didn’t. I think you’re going to like the book, and I bought it for you!”
And she whipped out “Breaking Out of a Broken System!” a book that Needtobreathe guitarist Seth Bolt and his younger brother Chandler Bolt wrote 10 years ago, circa 2014.
Well surprise, surprise! … Maybe no coincidence that Shelley has a major celebrity crush on Seth, right? Wink! Wink!
But ultimately, Shelley was right … as she usually is when my inner thinkings are the topic. I guess that’s why we work so well together! I did find the interesting because of the unique format in which they wrote, and for the subject matter.
The premise of the book is this: So, a 28-year-old Seth and 18-year-old Chandler decided during a phone call in which Seth called to congratulate Chandler on an entrepreneurial award he won, to write a book together on kind of that same topic: entrepreneurialship, money management, dream chasing … the typical professional self-help genre material.
And why not, Seth at 28 was part of an up-and-coming band that had recorded its fifth studio album, and Chandler had just been rewarded by a company for selling $100,000 in house painting contracts during a summer between college years. At those ages, and with those accomplishments, I would have been feeling like sowing my proverbial oats as well to other wannabe business stars. So, I can understand the desire for their authorship.
Their plan: “We were going to write a book, commemorating all the lessons our parents had taught us.” And the catch: Write the book in exactly one week, while home to visit their parents over Christmas and while on vacation for a few days in a solitary cabin in the woods.
Ok, schmaltzy, right? … What do a 28- and 18-year-old know about entrepreneurialism, chasing dreams and creating wealth? … And also, how arrogant to believe that they know the secrets as to why everyone can’t be wealthy and pursue their dreams. Fair critique, and one I struggled with through the entire read, but I will say this: Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater.
In other words, even as their naivete showed through, there are nuggets of wisdom to pull from their seemingly genuine attempt to help others lift themselves out of mired financial situations.
After reading the book, I do believe them on face value when Seth wrote: “Throughout the course of this conversation, we realized two things. First, we were successfully achieving our dreams and were saddened that the same wasn’t true for many of our friends. Second, as we compared notes, it became clear that our friends weren’t following the same map we were -- the life lessons our parents had taught us. We had thought these lessons were common knowledge, but we now saw otherwise.”
They were young, exuberant that their dreams were paying off, and too inexperienced to know that a lot of what they were writing could come off as naive. But, hey, we’ve all been young, right? And in their similar position, I can’t say that I wouldn’t have written the same book.
Despite at times wanting to quit the book, I powered through anyway because Shelley bought it for me. And once finished, I was grateful that I read it. Bottomline: I did learn some things about entrepreneurship that I will be incorporating into our growing “Finding Faith In” ministry. And secondly, given that the Chandlers’ parents are faithful people, a number of their boys’ principles in the book are biblically based. So, for both reasons, I have to say that the book is worth a read.
And if you need to be convinced even further, I will give the Chandler boys credit for this decision: While agreeing to write the book, they agreed that they would donate the profit from every book sold to the Palmette Medical Institute.
So, crunch time … what did I take away from the books …
First, I had to continually remind myself that the boys were 28 and 18 respectively when they wrote the book in 2014. I’m sure they’d write an entirely different book today with a decade of life of experience under their belt.
Second, very cool of Seth and Chandler to give the profits from this book to a deserving cause. … As a writer breaking into the biz, I hope to be able to match this gesture some day!
Third, there are some biblical generosity principles shared in the book. As Seth writes: “Men born poor have died rich and wealthy people have died destitute. It doesn’t matter what you start with, nor does it matter what you end with. All that counts is how you use what you’re given. Money is a force to be reckoned with. It’s a mighty current that flows in and out of your life daily. Money is either working for you, or it’s working against you.” And Seth goes on to describe multiple situations in which his parents skimped on their own family to give to others, and what the returned blessings were. This biblical principle of generosity hits home with me, and so this chapter was one of my favorites of this book.
Finally, I have to genuinely say that while I am not that prone to self-help/entrepreneurial hype content, this book struck a chord with me because of what’s currently going on in my professional and ministerial life. It is true that Shelley and I wish to grow this “Finding Faith In” ministry, as we believe that we have something to give to the world. This is why she accepts me working essentially three (maybe four?) jobs so that we can raise our family and continue to grow the ministry. And that is why I know that she purchased the book for me: To give me inspiration (after all, it’s written by a member of our favorite band!) and motivation to keep on truckin’ with this ministry. Because sometimes the challenges are steep, truth be told! I appreciate the kindness and love that motivated her gesture to get the book for me! Now that is love!
Ok, friends, bottomline time: Would I recommend the book to you?
Well, a couple of questions first …
Do you consider yourself an entrepreneur? And do you find yourself stuck in making progress to your goal? … Then, yes, purchase the book for its helpful content, but read it with a nod to the fact that both writers are still essentially kids.
Are you buying it because you are a Needtobreathe fan? … Then, possibly. There’s some good context about the early years of NTB, and I liked those momentary glimpses into the life of the band behind the scenes.
Will this solve all of your financial problems and make you wealthy overnight? … No, but then again, what will, right Faith Family?
Thank you Shel for the gift! I really did enjoy the read! … Much love to you for truly knowing your husband who is chasing his dream!
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