I am the first to put up my hand to say reading bores the crap out of me. Most of the time. I can’t get into novels. They inspire sleep, for me.
The big….HUGE…exception to “all books are boring”, is books that inspire me to take action to live my best life and be the best version of myself.
Here are a few books that I have loved over the past few years, and they are always close to my workspace, in case I need inspiration. I can flip any of them open and flip through the highlighted sections. Every time I will find a quote or a phrase that reminds me of my path.
I am definitely still old school when it comes to books. I love physical books. I also love to highlight quotes and passages as I read them. Since it is not uncommon for me to read “the good” ones multiple times, highlighting allows me to get to the good stuff quicker.
Are you a physical book reader, or have you adopted eReaders?
I will share links to them on Amazon. These are not affiliate links…no commission here. Just good ol’ fashioned sharing is caring.
1. This is Day One by Drew Dudley.
I had a chance to listen to Drew Dudley live at a work conference right before the Pandemic captured the Globe. To say the least he totally inspired me. It was exactly what I needed at the time. And…exactly what I needed for the following 6-7 months as I learned to navigate the new isolation we all found ourselves in. Being alone is totally cool when you enjoy your own company. When you are your biggest cheerleader, alone is ok.
There was so much I loved about this book. I think my favorite part was the action steps at the end that really made you self reflect. Often times books inspire, but don’t inspire actual action. Homework. I did the work. I asked friends for feedback, I put steps into action to live a more intentional life. We create our life…do it with purpose and intention.
Fun fact about Drew, he has a great TedTalk and he’s a fellow Canadian.
A few of my favourite quotes:
All that matters are the actions of today.
This is Day One – Drew Dudley
Confidence is acting like something doesn’t scare you. Courage is doing something that does scare you
This is Day One – Drew Dudley
Your happiness is your responsibility
This is Day One – Drew Dudley
2. Get Rich, Lucky Bitch by Denise Duffield-Thomas
This was my Christmas gift to myself in 2020. This isn’t just about creating a financially first class life, but being intentional about everything in your life. It was such a great read. I think I finished it in just over a month. Which for me is a record for any book. Again…they typically all put me to sleep. For all of January once the book arrived, I didn’t turn on the TV at night. I sat with my dogs on the couch, reading.
As I flip through the book again, I realize I must not have had a highlighter! Totally unheard of for me, so I guess I need to read it again soon to highlight my favorite sections. I’ll grab a few quotes now, as I do have a few pages with curled corners….must something juicy on those pages…please hold.
And, I’m back…
My favorite quotes:
The Money Manifesting Formula
1. Declutter everything in your life
2. Decide exactly what you want
3. Surround your life with positivity
4. Take inspired action
5. Receive and fine-tune
Get Rich Lucky Bitch – Denise Duffield-Thomas
Get super specific about your goals, and the Universe will start arranging happy coincidences and synchronicities just for you, which is unbelievable awesome when it happens
Get Rich Lucky Bitch – Denise Duffield-Thomas
3. You are a Badass by Jen Sincero
I’ve has this book for awhile and it is a colourful as a Christmas Tree when I open it up. So much goodness in this paperback!
If I were to start anywhere reading a book that inspires you to live your best life…this would be it.
Some favorite quotes are:
The more emotion you feel about what you are saying, the more power it will have to bring about positive change.
You are a badass – Jen Sincero
Surround yourself with people who act on their big ideas, who take action on making positive change in the world and who seeing nothing as out of their reach.
You are a badass – Jen Sincero
If you’re not where you want to be in life, keep going. Treat yourself like you’re the closest friend you’ve got.
You are a badass – Jen Sincero
4. The Leader Who Had No Title by Robin Sharma
This book is also highlighted like a Christmas tree. I should date the books when I get them, as I know this one has been on my shelf for probably 10 years. Maybe more. Fun fact about Robin Sharma…not just another Canadian. But…hails from Port Hawkesbury, Nova Scotia. He has sold over 15 million books over 96+ nations (according to google). I have a few of his books, and love every one.
This book, The Leader Who Had No Title, was the first of his I read and was captivated by his story telling. It’s not a textbook or a how-to…it’s a story.
Some of the highlighted passages are:
One good idea is all you need to breakthrough to a completely new game.
The Leader Who Had No Title – Robin Sharma
Titles don’t interest me at all. Doing my best work is all that matters to me.
The Leader Who Had No Title – Robin Sharma
The fear you move through when you go the edge of your limits actually causes your limits to expand.
The Leader Who Had No Title – Robin Sharma
5. The Greatness Guide by Robin Sharma
This book holds very quick digestible tips to being an excellent leader (not necessarily at work, in life). It’s an easy read with loads of inspiration jammed into it.
Some noteable phrases are:
Creativity comes when you are relaxed, happy and enjoying the moment.
The Greatness Guide – Robin Sharma
With better awareness of what needs to be improved in your life, you can make better choices. And with better choices, you will see better results. We truly cannot eliminate weaknesses we don’t even know about.
The Greatness Guide – Robin Sharma
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