Summer is just around the corner, and usually summer means getting to dust off that reading list full of books you weren’t able to get to during the school year. If your reading list is looking a little short, or you just want it freshened up, we’ve got five suggestions. Whether you read one or all, we guarantee you’ll be pleased!
#1. Find the Good, Heather Lende
Heather Lende, an obituary writer in her small town in Alaska, compiled 18 short essays to discuss those important life lessons she’s learned while writing the final words of other lives lived. After beginning to seek out the positives in each person’s obituary, Lende realized she was a happier person, living a more meaningful life, which is why she recommends we all find the good.
#2. Think Big, Act Small, Jason Jennings
Jennings, a management expert, and his team researched 100,000 companies and found nine little-known businesses that have consistently performed for over a decade. The nine companies range from tech to sporting goods, proving it’s not the industry that dictates the ability to grow. Instead, these large companies are thriving because they continue to thirst like a start-up. These companies build positive relationships, build future leaders and do an exceptional job at balancing short-term goals with their long-term vision. Bonus: Jennings has numerous other books for business owners that are highly recommended as well.
#3. Option B, Sheryl Sandberg
In 2015, Sandberg unexpectedly became a widow after her husband died while they were on vacation. Sandberg found herself at a loss, concerned she and her children would never experience joy again. Psychologist Adam Grant, also Sandberg’s friend, informed her there are concrete steps that can be taken by people who are left to pick up the pieces after their life has shattered. Sandberg shares her most heartrending moments, from finding her husband on the floor to trying to push forward. Sandberg’s story combined with her research with Grant are profound and prove once again that the human spirit is resilient and able to persevere in the most adverse of moments.
#4. Off Balance, Matthew Kelly
We’ve all been there, wondering if it was ever possible to truly find a balance in our work and personal lives. Kelly advocates that we’re looking at it wrong- we don’t want balance, we simply want satisfaction. Kelly gives us three philosophies that are currently dragging us down and shows us how to find and create the energy we want and need to do the things we want. He gives us five steps on how to use his Personal and Professional Satisfaction System, which helps us with our biggest priorities.
#5. The Seven Habits of Highly Effect People, Stephen Covey
It’s entirely possible you’ve read this before, it was first published in 1989. But Covey’s book has stood the test of time for a reason. We must align to “true north” principles of character ethics. Through Covey’s holistic view, he provides a step-by-step path for living a life that is full of fairness, integrity, service and human dignity, true north principles, that allow us the space to take advantage of the opportunities that create change in lives.
