New Book, Do This Daily, Offers Readers Practical Advice
New Book, Do This Daily, Offers Readers Practical Advice
The book is by local author and entrepreneur Lan Phan
by Janine Annett
Dobbs Ferry — Dobbs Ferry resident Lan Phan is a businessperson, entrepreneur, keynote speaker, and social media sensation — and now she’s added author to that impressive résumé with Do This Daily: Secrets to Finding Success, Happiness, and Purpose in Work and Life.
At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Phan was laid off from her position at Fortune magazine, where she had been assembling a team for a new startup that was going to be part of the publishing company’s brand. Not only did she lose her own job, she also had to lay off her entire team. But Phan vowed to keep in touch with the five people she’d hired for the project. With those five plus her daughter — a kindergartner at the time — Phan created what she called the Community of Seven, a group that lifted her out of her COVID/unemployment slump. “It was my daughter who said to me, ‘Mommy, I love you even if you don’t have a job’ — that got me out of it,” said Phan.
With the Community of Seven, “We went through this journey where we met every month and figured out our purposes and core values,” Phan said. “I had an ‘aha moment’ doing that and realized I wanted to help more people.” Phan took to LinkedIn and started posting information and inspiration. Soon, she’d amassed more than 250,000 followers, and some of her posts received more than 1 million views. Phan posted quotes every day on issues such as leadership, developing skill sets, dealing with difficult bosses, and more. She realized she could reach people and help them achieve personal and professional success through multiple platforms, including YouTube videos and, eventually, a book.
Do This Daily sprung, in part, from Phan’s longtime habit of reading the Daily Word, which provides uplifting spiritual messages that are short and simple yet tremendously powerful and motivating. She also came to the realization that there was a niche for a book about goals that wasn’t written by — or for — “alpha males.”
“It’s about doing small things daily,” said Phan of her book, which contains quick exercises readers can do to help gain clarity on their professional and personal paths. “Having a crystal-clear notion of your purpose and your reason for being is so important because then it starts guiding you to do things that are uncomfortable — all growth happens in the growth zone, not the comfort zone.”
Many people can think of the phases of their lives in quarters, said Phan. During the first quarter, people are growing and learning. The second quarter is often about making money and climbing the corporate ladder. The third quarter is the phase where many people have had some success, but they may also be reevaluating their careers and asking themselves what matters most — and that’s the audience Phan’s book is most likely to speak to. The fourth quarter is about leaving a legacy.
Phan encourages people to take up space and speak up, while still having gratitude for all they have in their lives and all they’ve accomplished. “I think my book is a little bit different because it’s not just about who can attain the most,” Phan said. “It’s about having gratitude for what you have and working hard to become the person you strive to be.” While many books in the self-help or professional development category have similar messages, Phan said her book focuses on keeping the messages and exercises uncomplicated. “There’s only two ways to change your life,” said Phan. “It’s what you put in and what you take away.”
Do This Daily: Secrets to Finding Success, Happiness, and Purpose in Work and Life is available from local bookstore Picture Book and other retailers.
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