a little help
We all need a little help now and then, particularly when considering shifting our lives onto a completely different path from that which we have been travelling for so many years or when significant events occur that take away our sense of control over our lives. It would be very unusual to come across anyone who had all the answers as to how to do that. However, despite knowing that in my own logical brain I still managed to give myself a really hard time for not being able to do it all with ease and on my own.
key lessons
As a mother, I am constantly aware of the power I hold to shape my daughter’s life just by how she sees me living mine. This thought weighs heavily. I want her to follow her heart and her dreams and not give up when the going gets tough. I know that me telling her to do this won’t wash if I am not also demonstrating what that looks like. After a prolonged period of flapping around and getting nowhere in the pursuit of my own dreams, and nearly giving up, a weird thing happened when I made the commitment to ‘really’ go for it, in that the people and resources that I needed seemed to start appearing out of nowhere (more on this another time).
This selection of titles is just some of the books that made themselves known to me in various guises exactly when I needed the key lessons within each one. They helped me clear whatever mindset block was in my head at the time and move forward, allowing me to maintain momentum on a personal lifestyle change and creative journey. I am sharing them with you in the hope they will help even one person take positive action, become unstuck, pivot to a better life. And if so, my work here is done.
She Means Business – Carrie Green
Along with being the author of this book, Carrie is the founder of the Female Entrepreneur Association, which I also totally recommend to any woman starting or in business. Carrie’s mission in this book and in everything she does is to help female entrepreneurs thrive, get out of their own way, work on their mindsets and their businesses and condition themselves for success. Carrie’s own path is very relatable, and, in this book, she normalises fear, doubt and overwhelm whilst providing so many practical steps that enable you to feel well equipped to pursue whatever goal you have, whether it be in business or life.
Unleash the Power Within – Tony Robbins
This man is a powerhouse in the world of self-development, very entertaining and incredibly passionate about what he does. I have dipped in and out of self-development books throughout my life and whilst they have provided me with insight and understanding. In this recording of a presentation Tony’s message and practical strategies helped me to actually take action and make necessary life changes. I love one of the core messages, ‘to hold yourself to a higher standard’ as a philosophy to push to be the best version of yourself and give everything you have to creating the life you dream of. There is so much useful information in this recording I was constantly stopping it to make notes and have listened to the audiobook several times, sometimes just to get a hit of motivation.
Everything is Figureoutable – Maria Forleo
This was the first of many self-help audio books I listened to over the last few years at the time when I was considering leaving my accountancy career and becoming a creative entrepreneur. At the time I did not have a clue what exactly I wanted to do or how I would do it and would most likely have stayed in my profession if I had not had these 3 words firmly ensconced in my brain. It is more than a fun phrase, It is a life mantra and philosophy with the power to change your life and this book shows you how.
The Element – Sir Ken Robinson
I came across this book when contemplating my own educational experience and remembering the exact day when I stopped seeing myself as creative at 11 years old. Seeing my teacher’s reaction to my mediocre drawing ability during my first art class in grammar school. To put in context, this teacher had taught my older sister and mother, both amazing artists, so her expectations from me were extremely high and the art gene had definitely skipped by me. This book articulately addresses the lower value placed on creativity and effective quashing of it within educational institutions across the developed world and in society. Sir Ken talks about how important it is for people to find their element, where natural talent meets personal passion, to live their best lives. He highlights the immense importance of creativity in the modern world to deal with the changes and speed of development that will inevitably take place. The book is written in an interesting and entertaining way dealing with this heady subject. If you are wondering where your creativity went, think back to your school days and it is likely that you left it behind in a classroom.
Get Rich, Lucky Bitch – Denise Duffield-Thomas
Despite how the brash title may come across this is not a get rich quick flippant type of book. Denise delves into a range of money blocks that we can carry throughout our lives without even being aware of them. Listening to this book opened my eyes to the fact that I had pretty much every money block identified. The good thing is that once aware of these blocks there are simple ways to overcome them and clear a path to a healthier relationship with money. If you feel you could be holding yourself back from being more financially successful, this book will help you get out of your own way.
Creative Calling – Chase Jarvis
As I was beginning to get more clarity about the kind of business I wanted to create new ideas kept popping into my head about how I could develop it and this would get in the way because I would want to do all this stuff before launching. I also knew that to do that would mean never getting a business off the ground. I was finding ways to pull myself back and making excuses to stay in my safe zone so I wouldn’t be vulnerable to failure, criticism and even success. This book really helped me get comfortable with the idea of launching at the exact level I was at, that I didn’t have to have everything ready and in place and that I could even share my creative development journey and help others.
The Sustainable(ish) Living Guide – Jen Gale
Easy, do-able, down to earth ideas and suggestions for everyone to help save the planet.
If you want to save the planet, but your to-do list is already pretty long and remembering your re-usable coffee cup feels like a Herculean task, then this is the book for you. Covering every aspect of our lives from the stuff we buy and the food we eat, to how we travel, work, and celebrate. This book provides stacks of practical, down to earth ideas to slot into your daily life, alongside a gentle kick up the butt to put your newfound knowledge into action.
How to Have your Best Year Ever – Jim Rohn
Jim Rohn is like a master of dry wit, and throughout this book I was frequently laughing out loud. He calls out our impotent behaviour and beliefs in a funny and inoffensive way and offers clear alternatives that leave you thinking, ‘well of course, it’s so obvious, I would be an idiot if I didn’t just do it.’ This book and his teachings are filled with principles I feel we should all know, understand and implement to improve our lives.
Big Magic – Elizabeth Gilbert
Better known for her memoir Eat, Pray, Love, in this book Elizabeth Gilbert offers a kind of manual and pep talk for anyone resisting their creativity and needing a nudge to just get on with it. She encourages the reader to take pleasure in whatever creative activity they want to pursue, whether personally or professionally, and see it as a way for them to live a more fulfilled life, rather than something to stress and struggle over. Definitely one for the creative who takes themself too seriously and worries too much about what others think! Guilty as charged.
FYI – where I provide a link I may in some cases receive a small commission from the supplier if you make a purchase. This does not affect the amount you pay.
I am always on the look out for new empowering, eco living and lifestyle books, podcasts, individuals, websites. If you would like to share any resource that has changed your life for the better, even in a small way, I would love to hear from you.