"Think before you speak. Read before you think."- Fran Lebowitz
We all get it. When you feel stuck, uninspired and perhaps downright disheartened with your business and work life.
Thankfully, the ability of books to inspire, comfort, make us think, and even change lives, extends beyond fiction.
To mark National Read A Book Day, we've asked some of our Hoppers from all industries to recommend their favourite books that have helped them along their business journey. From personal development, practical advice or just a spark to get the fire going again, here are some suggested additions for your library...
(And if you'd like to get some of these reads straight on your bookshelf, there's a chance to win a book bundle at the end of this post!)
JON BATTERHAM | chrysalisresearch.co.uk
The Organized Mind by David Levitin. It's brilliant on helping manage distraction and helping manage competing demands. I credit the advice in the book with helping me get through my masters. Currently with Gavin Wilson. Hoping it's changing his life too.
SOPHIE BRADSHAW | publishing-workshop.com
So many! But I’ve just reviewed Content Machine by Dan Norris for GoWrite magazine, and it’s amazing. It gives really practical advice (and ideas!) for producing high-quality content for your business. Would thoroughly recommend!
SARAH DIXON | spidercreative.co.uk
I just read the most amazing book Evolutionary Leadership by Peter Merry. It draws heavily on Prof. Clare Graves' ideas on how humans and social systems work, and has enabled me to look at these in a new and very integrated way.
SCOTT JOHNSON | kungfuaccounting.com
As a rugby fan, the All Blacks hold a certain special place in my affections, and the way they've dominated world Rugby is very much akin to Kung Fu. Their attitude of being better than they were yesterday, leaving the shirt in a better place, rings true through my Kung Fu training and the way I try to run my business; striving for continuous improvement, learning from mistakes (not shying away from them) and leaving things in a better place than they were before.
As for the Brewdog story generally (not just the book), that is all about doing what you think is right, believing in yourself, and backing your intuition, despite what others might say, do or think. There are so many "experts" out there who all believe they know best. But actually, the only person who knows what's in your head, in your heart, and what you're trying to achieve, is you! So do it 100%, no apologies. That's what I take from the Brewdog story.
JOANNA FALLON | thecotswoldchalkboard.co.uk
The Pumpkin Plan by Mike Michalowicz. I listened to the audiobook version (the author isn't short on charisma!) and found it inspiring in that it encourages you to really focus on one thing that's meaningful, and be remarkable at it, but also covers very practical and real matters such as making a profit. It's a great balance of motivation and inspiration to get you reviewing your business with fresh enthusiasm, whilst offering very practical advice and examples on how to action these ideas.
ALICE PALING | spacehopperscoworking.co.uk
We love this publisher, and have a selection of their books on hand at SpaceHoppers, for instant inspiration! My personal favourite, Do Fly by Gavin Strange, is a concise handbook for those times when you need a good ol' pep-talk. Gavin’s energy leaps off the page and the positivity is just the inspiration you need to get your creative juices flowing. A quick, practical read which can be completed in one sitting and afterwards you’ll be rearing to go.
COMPETITION
For the chance to receive some of these inspiring reads for your own bookcase, we're running a competition on our Facebook Page to win a three-book bundle of: The Organized Mind, Content Machine and Do Fly.
