Bury your nose in a book that will grow you, your life and your outlook on both!
I love to read! Growing up and even into my adult life, I read a ton of fiction books – with a specific love for historical fiction. Lately, as I have moved ahead with my health and fitness journey — I have also been working on learning more about being a confident, caring person, wife and mother! I have surely learned that personal development is a method of self care for sure. A good cry is ok for self care, right? Keep reading to see which book brought on the tears!
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I start a lot of books, both print, digital and audio – to be honest, most of them are not read all the way through. Or maybe it’s just my method. I read a lot of books at once, moving ahead in each one in a rotation. I tap into personal development daily, and I like it in bite size chunks. To go all the way through one book when there are so many options out there doesn’t seem fair. Meaning, I don’t want to miss absorbing any knowledge that will help me grow!! My plan is to finish at least 12 books this year! Wish me luck!
Ready to improve your life? Your relationships? Your confidence? READ!!
Grab a glass of water or a cup of comfort and take a moment to sit down and figure out what challenges, obstacles or internal struggles you have in front of you. Maybe it’s overcoming negative self talk, boosting self confidence, time management, powering up your parenting, etc.. and then search out a book that will be the most beneficial to support your needs. I have a lot of books – physical, digital and audio – I always attempt to be reading what I need most during that season of life.
Scroll on for my top 5 personal development selections. Drop me a note if you have read one of these or have a suggestion for what I should read next! Keep up to date with my favorites and what I am reading here.
5 Second Rule
The 5 Second Rule is an amazing book – especially if you’re a procrastinator like I am. I procrastinate on even simple things – like making an orthodontist appointment for my kids. And, I really struggle to finish something without a deadline. When someone asks me to work on a project, my first question is, “When do you need it?”
I needed this book! As a busy entrepreneur, there are many times when doing something is easily put off for one reason or another. As a mom, that same things happens. Oh, and guess what that happens at work too. I am quite a procrastinator and sometimes I know I’m doing it, but can’t seem to stop myself. The 5 Second Rule totally works! (not every morning with the snooze button still 🙂 When I make a list and commit to accomplishing it, I use the 5-4-3-2-1 technique and then I JUST START. Mel Robbins nailed it for me with this one.
Check it out – I have it for my Kindle and in audio version. Mel reads it herself! If books aren’t your thing, she’s going to have a new talk show soon! And Mel’s Mindset Reset series is hanging out on YouTube – it’s an amazing self study program! The Mindset Reset video program would surely make my list 30 self care ideas!
Girl Wash Your Face
Girl Wash Your Face is fun and funny to read. You may find yourself identifying with the author quite a bit. Of course, the story is her own and we all have our own story. What I like about this book is that the author is encouraging us to take stock, grab the pen and draft our own story. It’s comfortable and uncomfortable to read at the same time.
That’s what personal development is all about for me. Reading about Rachel Hollis’ life and her experiences that have led her to where she is today, will have you realizing we are all made for more. We are all capable of more. Live a big dream. and then work hard to make it come true. The new book, Girl Stop Apologizing is available now too. I am almost all the way through listening to it. In her latest writing, she identifies the excuses to let go of, the behaviors to adopt, and the skills to acquire on the path to growth, confidence, and believing in yourself.
Present Over Perfect
I have to be honest about Present Over Perfect. I cried. In this season of life I feel like I am always on the go. I don’t know any other way. Sound familiar? The author of this book was the same – but busier. So busy that she would throw up and then go right back to the busy-ness. The deal is that we keep ourselves so busy trying to be the perfect mom, the perfect wife, the perfect employee that we just might be missing out on the here and now.
Why did I cry? As a full time teacher, wife and mom of two that is building a home based business on the side, I was already questioning my schedule and feeling super guilty about if I was doing right by my family. So, there was a good amount of inner reflecting that took place while I read this book. ALL GOOD STUFF. Let me know if you cry when you read Present Over Perfect.
The Compound Effect
The Compound Effect was written by Darren Hardy and it’s one of those books that is hard to stop listening to! I bet it’s the same if you’re reading it too.
This book totally changed my outlook on life and work. I remember being a passenger on a road trip for holiday visiting when I started listening to The Compound Effect audiobook. I totally recall stopping the book to tell my husband that I was mesmerized by the information.
I was like, it’s so obvious now!! Of course we know how interest works with a bank account, maybe it’s the low interest rates that compound in my savings account that I hadn’t really give much thought to how it could work in life. Doing small daily actions consistently over time and building on them little by little will give us great results down the road. Think about walking, making healthier food choices, being more kind… you will regain your faith in the idea of compounding after reading The Compound Effect. What small changes will you start with?
Darren Hardy is a leader in the success media industry for 25 years. I love the Darren Daily email too – and check out his podcast!
The Energy Bus
Everyone faces obstacles – and every person has to overcome negativity and adversity to define themselves and create their success. If anyone goes through life untested, I’d be truly shocked. In my own life and as it’s laid out in The Energy Bus, the answer to these tests is positive energy. Get on the bus, my friend. It will be the best ride of your life!
The Energy Bus is so uplifting to read. I seriously loved how the author tells George’s story – his work and home life are just not going well and like a lot of us, George is looking everywhere but inward for an explanation and a solution. During George’s rides on the bus, the author gives us ten secrets for approaching life and work through positivity and forward thinking that can get us to true accomplishment—at work and at home.
There is also The Energy Bus for Kids. What a perfect way to show children how to overcome negativity, bullies and everyday challenges and help them find their inner motivation and pass on that positive energy to others. Positive kids become positive adults. Why not get kids on the Energy Bus as quick as we can, right?!