Books I recommend

One day I was on the bus, reading the number 1 book on this list, I noticed a woman who kept looking over and trying to read the cover. Half way through the trip she asked me about the book and I described what it was about, I could see in her eyes that she felt so nervous. As I was leaving the bus I stopped at her seat and gave her the book. She was so grateful so this post is for those dreaming on a bus, wanting to make a change in their life.

Embedded links are to Booktopia as it's an Aussie site, buy your books where you can, just try to support local to keep those dollars in the country.

Number 1: How to Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be: The 25 Principles of Success. By: Jack Cantfield

This book is my MVP. It is just too easy to read, it takes you through 25 concepts to help sharpen your focus to set goals and achieve them. Love this and is my go-to for a regular check in.

Number 2: Awaken the giant within. By: Tony Robbins

This my second MVP. It does take a lot of brain space to absorb the content of this book, but the exercises within it are powerful. Written back in 2001 it still is valid today (aside from a few pop culture references). It covers everything to empower you to really choose who you want to be and break away from old patterns.

Boom! : 7 Choices for Blowing the Doors off Business-As-Usual. By: Dr Kevin Freiberg

Kev and his wife have created this book which really talks to reducing fear in business and leading a team or organisation.

#1: Be a Player. #2: Be Accountable. #3: Choose Service Over Self-Interest. #4: Focus Forward. #5: Play to Your Genius. #6: Get It Done. #7: Risk More - Gain More.

Are you ready to succeed? By Srikumar Rao

Love this book and I have read multiple times. It provides strategies that encourage gratitude and identifying your mental modes, and using them to master all areas of your life. The book also provides short easy to implement exercises to really make you ponder and reassess patterns of behaviour. For example, how many times you use the words, "I, me, my" in a conversation. Scary how self-centred we can be by not even trying.

How to Stop Worrying and Start Living. By: Dale Carnegie

First written in 1944 so keep it mind the context depending on which year edition you read. This is a classic read for anyone who worries. It also has some iconic lines like "don't saw the sawdust"... pure literary gold.

An astronaut's guide to life on Earth. By Chris Hadfield

Don't let the title fool you, this is a great story of the approach Chris took in his life to realise a dream of being an astronaut. There are tales of adversity to be overcome but it's done with humour and humbleness. My favourite take away in this one is about there are so many people who want to be the plus one. Aim to be the zero. It's about not being over-eager to rub people the wrong way or just don't be arrogant.

Stop playing safe. By Margie Warrell

Another great book about blowing through risk and increasing courage and self worth in the workplace. This book is more geared to the ladies, and as a precursor to Brene Brown's work, I really enjoyed the practical examples of bouncing back from set backs.

Mindset. By Carol S Dweck

Do you have a growth or fixed mindset? This book outlines how the mindsets are developed with some science behind it. I particularly enjoyed the content on how to manage people who have fixed mindsets, it is possible to inspire them on the journey for growth.

Indistractable. By Nir Eyal

OK, so this is a book about first world problems, social media, open plan offices, and all those activities we have to get done in a day. This book made me look for my triggers, and what needs the endless scrolling through the 'gram was fulfilling. It also gave realistic "hacks" to implement.

I am always open to recommendations, if you have a book that you love, please feel free to share and email me or leave a comment below.