Wake up with a Good Read
Books that Still Stand Up
I am frequently asked what books or materials I recommend for clients and wanted to take this week's space to share 5 of my favourites.
Of course, no one book will be 100% applicable during an international pandemic, but I think the core concepts in my favorites will be around for the long game.
I hope as you glide into your first May long weekend where you are socially distanced, you can download one or two of these and enjoy.
1. Mindset - Carol S. Dweck, Ph.D.
The New Psychology of Success
This book has been around since 2006 and has become very popular over the last few years. Dweck explains her theory that how we approach our goals is just as important as our skill and abilities to whether or not we achieve them. If you have ever wondered what people are talking about when they touch on Fixed vs Growth Mindset, this will not only explain both but allows the reader to view through the various lenses of parenting, work, school, and relationships.
2. Dare to Lead - Brene Brown
Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts.
Brene Brown studies shame and is a university researcher, professor, and author turned international superstar after her Ted Talk resonated with every human who saw it.
The reason I love this book: It is different. It stopped me in my tracks and made me think about how I could and if I could apply what she so masterfully suggests. What she proposes for how to lead is completely opposite to what we know in the workplace. She uses a whole new language with her team in order to allow people to better communicate. It's like nothing I've ever read and was refreshing in a world of "self-help" repetitive buzzwords and jargon that mean nothing.
3. The Promise of a Pencil - Adam Braun
How an Ordinary Person Can Create Extraordinary Change
This is Adam's story. It tells of his leaving a successful Wall Street Career to find his calling. If you relate to feeling restless for transition, living with "shoulds" or holding onto what others think is important instead of following your own compass, you will like this book. At the very least I hope his story of building over 250 schools across the world's poorest countries inspires you.
4. The 7 Stages of Motherhood - Ann Pleshette Murphy
Making the Most of your Life as a Mom
My mom gave me this book the year I became a mom. What a gift. It is not at all a "handbook" for motherhood, rather a peek into how it's so darn normal to struggle, question ourselves, fall down and get back up all while treasuring what we have or strive to have in our families. I read it in one sitting and now re-read appropriate chapters every few years as my kids inherently change and grow. I feel reinforced in my own intuition after reading, and I admire authors who bring that out in their readers.
5. The Email Warrior - Ann Gomez
How to Clear your Inbox and Keep it That Way
Switching gears, this is a quick and easy read outlining the how-to steps to getting your inbox under control. The whole underpinning is productivity and the author Gomez is the go-to expert on straight-up productivity tips. This is like buying a little personal assistant who, if you listen to her, keeps you on track.
Bonus!
6. You Are Awesome - Author Neil Pasricha
How to Navigate Change, Wrestle with Failure, and live an Intentional Life.
If you know me or have been taught or led by me, you know this is my jam. Failure? Great! Change - super! Living intentionally - part of my DNA.
There is a wonderful balance between telling real-life stories while balancing them out with action and ways to enjoy changing to like yourself more. It turns out, you are awesome and you might even believe it if you read this book! You might also appreciate Pasricha's first two books; The Book of Awesome and The Happiness Equation.
Happy Reading! Enjoy your coffee and wake up call this upcoming May long weekend.