Start: Punch Fear in the Face, Escape Average and Do Work that Matters
by John Acuff
Book Description (Amazon.com)
Publication Date: April 23, 2013
Wall Street Journal best-selling author Jon Acuff reveals the steps to getting unstuck and back onto the path of being awesome.
Over the last 100 years, the road to success for most everyone has been divided into predictable stages. But three things have changed the path to success:
Boomers are realizing that a lot of the things they were promised aren’t going to materialize, and they have started second and third careers.
Technology has given access to an unprecedented number of people who are building online empires and changing their lives in ways that would have been impossible years ago.
The days of “success first, significance later,” have ended.
While none of the stages can be skipped, they can be shortened and accelerated. There are only two paths in life: average and awesome. The average path is easy because all you have to do is nothing. The awesome path is more challenging, because things like fear only bother you when you do work that matters. The good news is Start gives readers practical, actionable insights to be more awesome, more often.
Deb's Comment:
This is THE book! Jon's book really helped inspire me to get started on my dream of becoming a Success/Life Coach. The tone of the book is conversational, which made it a quick read, but also gave me much to think about along the way. His discussions of what holds us back are poingnant and I definitely recommend this book to anyone looking to start something new- like Living Your Balanced Life!
EntreLeadership:
20 Years of Practical Business Wisdom from the Trenches
by Dave Ramsey
Book Description (Amazon.com)
Release date: September 20, 2011
Your company is only as strong as your leaders. These are the men and women doing battle daily beneath the banner that is your brand.
Are they courageous or indecisive? Are they serving a motivated team or managing employees? Are they valued?
Your team will never grow beyond you, so here’s another question to consider. Are you growing? Whether you’re sitting at the CEO’s desk, the middle manager’s cubicle, or a card table in your living-room-based startup, EntreLeadership provides the practical, step-by-step guidance to grow your business where you want it to go. Dave opens up his championship playbook for business to show you how to:
• Inspire your team to take ownership and love what they do
• Unify your team and get rid of all gossip
• Handle money to set your business up for success
• Reach every goal you set
• And much, much more!
Deb's Comment:
What an amazing book and such a gift from Dave Ramsey to share this wealth of knowledge and experience with new (and veteran) business owners! The power of mission, vision, values and setting goals can be applied to any business, and even your life! I am using the tenets in this book to teach my children the power of communication, goal setting and having a personal vision. A completely invaluable tool for any business owner! And don't be surprised when you realize that Dave's ideas apply to your personal life!
The Gifts of Imperfection:
Let Go of Who You Think You're Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are
by Brene Brown
Book Description (Amazon.com)
Release date: September 1, 2010
In The Gifts of Imperfection, Brené Brown, a leading expert on shame, authenticity, and belonging, shares ten guideposts on the power of Wholehearted living—a way of engaging with the world from a place of worthiness.
Each day we face a barrage of images and messages from society and the media telling us who, what, and how we should be. We are led to believe that if we could only look perfect and lead perfect lives, we'd no longer feel inadequate. So most of us perform, please, and perfect, all the while thinking, "What if I can't keep all of these balls in the air? Why isn't everyone else working harder and living up to my expectations? What will people think if I fail or give up? When can I stop proving myself?"
In her ten guideposts, Brown engages our minds, hearts, and spirits as she explores how we can cultivate the courage, compassion, and connection to wake up in the morning and think, "No matter what gets done and how much is left undone, I am enough," and to go to bed at night thinking, "Yes, I am sometimes afraid, but I am also brave. And, yes, I am imperfect and vulnerable, but that doesn't change the truth that I am worthy of love and belonging."
Deb's Comment:
One of the books that kept me going! Guidepost #9: Cultivating Meaningful Work. My best friend Judy found this book and suggested we read it together and discuss it on one of our Girls' Retreats. During the retreat, though we didn't get to discuss the whole book, I shared with her how deeply this guidepost affected me, without telling her the details. We attended a group Life Coach session with the masterful Izzy Lenihan at The Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health. At the end of the session, Judy turned to me and said, "You could do this". The rest is history. Brene has also authored two other books- "I Thought it Was Just Me (But it Isn't)" which I am reading now and "Daring Greatly" whose cover calls to me daily!
Total Money Makeover
by Dave Ramsey
Book Description (Amazon.com)
Publication Date: December 29, 2009
The success stories speak for themselves in this book from money maestro Dave Ramsey. Instead of promising the normal dose of quick fixes, Ramsey offers a bold, no-nonsense approach to money matters, providing not only the how-to but also a grounded and uplifting hope for getting out of debt and achieving total financial health.
Ramsey debunks the many myths of money (exposing the dangers of cash advance, rent-to-own, debt consolidation) and attacks the illusions and downright deceptions of the American dream, which encourages nothing but overspending and massive amounts of debt. "Don't even consider keeping up with the Joneses," Ramsey declares in his typically candid style. "They're broke!"
The Total Money Makeover isn't theory. It works every single time. It works because it is simple. It works because it gets to the heart of the money problems: you.
Deb's Comment:
My husband and I follow Dave's program and have paid off over $100,000 worth of debt in 5 years. We are debt free with the exception of our home mortgage, have a fully funded emergency fund, are contributing 15% of our income to our retirement and are saving for college. Visit www.daveramsey.com to learn more!
48 Days to the Work You Love
by Dan Miller
Book Description (Amazon.com)
Publication Date: May 15, 2010
In 2009, the U.S. unemployment rate approached ten percent. Today, when new work is found, it may not be traditional. Studies estimate half of the American workforce will soon consist of freelancers, consultants, independent contractors, entreprenuers, "electronic immigrants," and so forth. Are you ready for the new normal?Dan Miller has seen it coming for years. But his thriving vocational best seller, 48 Days to the Work You Love, is not so much about finding a new job as it is learning about who we are really called to be in relation to our vocation-whatever shape that career may take in these changing times. According to the author, failing to make that fundamental discovery of calling is why so many people find themselves in jobs they hate. But now, thousands upon thousands are finding the work they love, thanks to practical advice from this leading career counselor.Conversational and creative, Miller helps the reader understand one's Godgiven skills and abilities, personality traits, values, dreams, and passions. Doing so helps us recognize clear patterns that will point toward successful decisions along the career path. Step by step, this updated edition of 48 Days to the Work You Love reveals the process for creating a Life Plan and translating that plan into meaningful and fulfilling daily work. Let the countdown begin!
Deb's Comment:
This book is changing my life as I type. Although I had already chosen the path toward becoming a Success/Life Coach, this book and the website www.48Days.com are invaluable resources for everyone! I am using the steps in this book to fine tune my coaching business and the resources on the website to enhance my practice.