During August 2023 I used the following for a ‘10 minutes’ at BIG*. The idea for this came from Clark Kegley as he listed books that I read and own either physically or online. Thanks also to Elizabeth Filips who has taught me how to read at last! Her methods are well worth a view on YouTube as she certainly resonated with my studying struggles and shares with us how she manages herself while achieving Big!
How to Win Friends and Influence People – Dale Carnegie
Do you like small talk? Or do you prefer to jump right in with ‘He’s an idiot, what do you think?’ That’s called not reading the room.
Some say this is an old fashioned book, I would say read it again if you haven’t recently as it is really old school charisma…
HELPS YOU FIND THEIR SECRET OBSESSION We all have interests in our life which we don’t necessarily share in a business environment however, talking about them may lead to new friendships and solutions to issues we may need help with.
Stumbling on Happiness – Daniel Gilbert
This is a book for the seeker! Those things we thought we knew, this will flip some of them around – guaranteed. A light, funny psychology book, can’t be. Prove me wrong!
Being negative is lazy, being positive is hard work. Alternatively, positive weighs ounces and negative weighs pounds!
Who has an iPhone? Some would comment, Steve Jobs greatest achievement wasn’t the iPhone it was being able to project his thoughts into a future where the iPhone could exist.
The War of Art – Steven Pressfield
If you’re thinking of starting anything, new business, writing a book, even a new hobby, this is a missile to hang onto that will set you on the right path…
This isn’t a light fluffy self-improvement book, it is about going to war with your art and fighting your natural resistance to breaking out of your comfort zones. I carry this around with me all the time on my phone!
Courage on the battlefield isn’t about not having fear, it’s about pushing towards an objective in spite of fear. This is a must read or reread.
Self-Reliance – Ralph Waldo Emerson
Many American writers led me to this and it is pure joy, when I stumble over the thoughts contained within it by accident.
The Artist’s Way Workbook – Julia Cameron
If the Art of War is a masculine view of creativity then this is a more feminine view.
One thing it does is help us channel anger into a positive force for everyone’s benefit…
Going through this list has helped me rediscover this which is why the description is brief. Time for me to pick it up again and work with it!
Don’t like reading? Audio is an option although I would suggest taking notes which takes us back to Elizabeth Filips as a guide. Reading and Audio require us to use our imagination and expand it. We’re surrounded by images created for us which I believe dilutes our own abilities to imagine.
What books would be in your “5 Books That Work For Me?”
Andy – andy.maile@uw.partners