Fuel Your Mind, Transform Your Life: My Essential Reading List for Personal and Professional Growth
Sep 02, 2024
I have been a reader ever since I could, well, read. I love reading because to me, it’s like adding nourishing brain food to your brain. From your food to what you see and hear, we are what we consume. It’s always been important to me to consume positive material that will only add value & knowledge. I love to learn and over the years have gathered some favorite books that have helped me learn how to be a better business owner, leader, wife, and frankly, just a better person - and I use these books all the time when coaching & mentoring others. None of us have all the answers, which is why it is so important to learn from others and their experiences. I think we all have a powerful message that people need to hear, and I hope you take some amazing value away from these authors like I did!
- The Road Back to You by Suzanne Stabile
I absolutely LOVE the Enneagram; the concepts in this book have really helped me learn to navigate WHY people do what they do, from myself to my family members to team members around me. I love how this book really simplifies and makes the Enneagram easy to understand and implement in your life and business.
- The 4 Agreements by Don Miguel
This book changed a lot for me. One of my favorite lessons in this book is that nothing is personal. It really helped me reshape my thinking & learn to approach everything with curiosity and empathy, not judgment. I really love the teachings in this book and think it is a must-read for literally anyone who interacts with others on any level (so, everyone :) ) If you’re looking for a quick read with big impact, this is the next one to pick up!
- Talking to Strangers by Malcom Gladwell
Give me anything by Malcom Gladwell and I’m in. This is one of my favorites of his because of the way it really helps you understand other people. One of my biggest takeaways is that everyone is coming to the table with decades worth of thoughts / experiences / teachings / lessons - and we truly only see things through our own lens - the concept of “we don’t see the world as it is, we see it as we are” - really shines here. I became a better leader because of this book, due to the profound way he explains WHY people have done what they did - everyone really has a reason for why they do what they do, even if it isn’t a good thing. Anyone on my team in leadership is required to read this. Hands down one of the best leadership books I could recommend.
- 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John C Maxwell
Similar to Malcom Gladwell, anything by John C Maxwell is a game changer. This book to me is the OG Leadership book that I use when mentoring a new leader. We typically read 1-2 chapters every few weeks & meet to discuss the lessons - there are 21 (obviously, from the title) - and each of them are SO powerful. I like that he uses real examples in his lessons and stories of real people. This book is truly a gem and really helpful to use when learning to be a better leader.
- Built to Sell by John Warrillow
What I loved about this book right from the beginning is the mentor! Although not the main part of the book, I really valued his insight and the structure of how he mentored the main character, who well, was building his company to sell. This book isn’t for those just looking to sell their business, but anyone with a business at all. It reshapes your thinking around your business & how to structure it so that it becomes a salable asset someday - which, even if you’re not thinking about it now, you will want to start. The sooner you can begin implementing some of these concepts into your business (ideally before you even start the business), the more valuable your business will be. Amazing read for any business owner!
- The E Myth Revisited by Michael Gerber
When I started Brunch in 2016, one of my first meetings was with a CPA. Her name is Ruth, and she’s been my CPA at Brunch ever since. She handed me a book at our first meeting and it was the E Myth Revisted. It’s been such an integral part of my learning to build businesses, and I’ve used the lessons in that book since Day 1 of Brunch on how to build a business that didn’t require ME to be a part of every aspect. Because of this book, I didn’t burn out when everyone said I would. This is an amazing book for anyone who’s getting ready to start a business or who already has one - it truly should be a part of any business owner’s curriculum!
- Who Not How by Dan Sullivan
A good friend of mine after I taught her about this book called it “Who-Ville” and I think of that every time I think about this book. This one truly started a new habit for me, which is, whenever I am not sure HOW to do something, I ask myself “WHO can help me with this” instead of “HOW do I do this?” Whoa - that changed everything for me. It’s crazy what you can truly do with the power of other people and their strengths. We are all made so differently and have different skillsets - when you go to other people who have the strengths you don’t have, and do something together - it’s like a rocket ship took off. Highly recommend for really anyone trying to accomplish anything!
- Buy Back your Time by Dan Martell
Wowza, this book shook me to my core. I was recommended this book from a dear friend and mentor. Dan Martell is a no nonsense author which I love, and breaks down delegation like no one I’d ever seen before. This book taught me about Playbooks & Guides, and helped me realize that there is no job we can’t teach. It also helped me learn about self sabotage and I recognized myself in some of his examples - especially when it comes to solving problems, which many of us tend to enjoy a little too much. This is a Game Changer for anyone who’s drowning in their business or learning how to delegate & hire.
