10 Books to Launch You Into Action
I hope you are having a great day and that you are enjoying the first full week of summer! Did you listen to last week’s show? Did you make your summer bucket list yet? I just bought a groupon for paddleboard lessons and I am really excited to try that out. I hear it’s more of a workout than it looks like. It looks like you just stand on a board and row yourself around, but I’ll try it and let you know how it goes.
I’ve also started planning out the backyard makeover I mentioned last week. When I get back from vacation, I am kicking things into high gear. I can’t wait to see how it all comes together. Follow me on Instagram to see the progress and hopefully the shot of me sipping rose’ from my new lounge chairs.
Before we jump into today’s episode I want to give a shout out to the review of the week. It comes from Michelle and she says:
"It is so easy to get stuck focusing on the roadblocks, the speed bumps, the no’s, the I can’ts. I love inspiring conversations that remind me the juice isn’t worth the squeeze if it didn’t come with a little bit of work. Looking forward to listening more. "
Thanks Michelle! I love that saying “the juice isn’t worth the squeeze - so good!
If you want to be featured on an upcoming episode, head over to itunes and write a review for the show. I love hearing what resonates with you all!
I’m continuing the summer theme from last week. One of my favorite summer activities is reading. Whether by the pool, on the beach or bundled up in the air conditioning, there’s just something about summer reading.
Because this podcast is about helping you do the damn thing and take your life to the next level, and because I was the girl that got excited when they handed out summer reading lists the last week of school, today I am sharing the 10 books that I consistently turn to for motivation or a confidence boost.
1. Becoming by Michelle Obama - I read this book in about two days. The main message that I took away from this book is "anything is possible". There was nothing in Michelle Obama's background that hinted at what lay in store for her. And yet, here she is. I also loved the idea that you don't become one thing and stop there. You are constantly changing, evolving, becoming.
2. Yes Please by Amy Poehler - I am a huge fan of Amy Poehler’s from when she was on SNL. I love that she forges her own path and isn’t afraid to be herself. I love her motto of saying yes please to life. It goes back to the improv rule that you have to say "yes and" to whatever you are given. You have to accept it and make it your own. And she has certainly done that. If you haven’t already, check out Wine Country on Netflix. Amy directed it and it’s such a lovely valentine to female friendships.
Back to the book - it is funny and tender and full of good advice. I love that Amy doesn’t sugar coat things or pretend that everything is easy or works out the first time.
3. The 5 Second Rule by Mel Robbins - I come back to this book time and time again. It’s a quick read, full of science, antidotes and tangible tips. I use Mel’s 5 second rule almost daily and let me tell you - it works!
4. You Are A Badass by Jen Sincero - I first met Jen Sincero when I owned a stationary company - did you know I used to own a stationary company?? It seems like another lifetime ago! It was my first taste of entrepreneurship (outside of the lemonade stand I ran with my sister) and I joined a group called Ladies Who Launch. It was this great group of women who came together to workshop ideas and grow their businesses. Jen was the facilitator for our group and I remember thinking she was pretty much the coolest person I ever met.
After the group ended, I lost touch with Jen and then 3 years ago, I was in an airport and I was drawn to this bright yellow book and I squealed when I saw it was Jen’s book!
This book is the real deal Holyfield. No lofty language or concepts. It is like reading an email from your best friend who just gives it to you straight. Jen is funny and relatable and her energy jumps off the page.
She also has a companion book called You Are A Badass At Making Money and a daily calendar with nuggets from both books.
5. Life Loves You by Louise Hay and Robert Holden - Ok, so this one is a bit more woo-woo than the others on this list. In fact, some of the practices in it might seem really out there. But give it a try!
Mirror work is the first practice in the book and boy was that a game changer. I felt a huge shift when I did this work and I keep coming back to it.
I love the basic message of this book - that life loves you. That it is always taking care of you and working you favor, even when it feels like it’s not. Hell, especially when it feels like it’s not. How many times have you been pissed that a situation didn’t turn out the way you wanted, only to be blessed by something even better?
6. The Universe Has Your Back by Gabrielle Bernstein - Continuing with the theme of being supported by life, I’m including this book on the list.
This book includes meditation exercises throughout and it introduced me to a Kundalini meditation called Kirtan Kriya that I has been instrumental in helping me to start a meditation practice. I struggled with just sitting still and this meditation involves finger tapping and a low chant and I have found that to really help clear my mind.
It has a chapter titled “The Universe Works Fast When You’re Having Fun” and you know I am all about fun this summer!
7. Daring Greatly by Brene Brown - Who doesn’t love Brene Brown? Have you seen her Netflix special? It’s a must! I was lucky enough to see her speak when I was working at Disney some years ago and she is incredible. I love that I now have her in my living room and am able to access her wisdom whenever I need it.
This book is a great companion to the Netflix special and she goes into depth in the book in a way that she can’t do in the show. This book is full of really interesting research about vulnerability and courage and how those go hand in hand. My copy of this book is highlighted and underline on every page!
The title comes from one of my favorite quotes of all time from Teddy Roosevelt. I believe I mentioned it in my very first episode.
It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.
8. Me, Myself and Ideas by Carrie Anton and Jessic Nordskog - I know I just talked about this book a few shows back but it belongs on this list because in the short time I have had this book, I have used it over and over.
This book helps you bust through mind roadblocks and it has recently helped me structure my day. There is a great exercise in the book that helps you uncover all the time sucks in your day and how to weed the out and create a day that keeps you moving forward.
I am also a big fan of the Acceptance Speech exercise. Who here hasn’t held up a hairbrush and thanked the academy in the bathroom mirror? This exercise takes that up a notch by having you think about what your 30 second speech might sound like for other accomplishments in your life.
9. Radical Self Love by Gala Darling
This book is all about loving yourself and as I mentioned last week, that’s high on my bucket list this summer. It is also a lot of fun! Gala is all about doing things that feel good and that are good for you and this book has so many tangible tips and juicy nuggets.
I have been following Gala for years online - if you aren’t, you should be. Her posts are so fun and colorful and she makes me feel like anything is possible. Gala just moved to LA. It is my dream to have her on the show. So Gala if you are listening - come on the show! Let’s hang out!
10. A Year of Positive Thinking by Cyndie Spiegel
I was first introduced to Cyndie’s work by my friend Tonya and I really enjoyed her Instagram posts but it wasn’t until I saw her speak at this year’s Alt Summit that I become a big fan!
A Year of Positive Thinking is just that - 365 days of exercises, mantras, reflections for facing everyday challenges with a growth mindset, kindness and love.
My favorite thing about this book is that you can start where you are and pick it up any time of day. You can also use it for years to come. And I don’t know how she does it, but Cyndie always seems to deliver just the message I need to hear that day. Ben has even started picking it up and reading it!
So there you have it! I hope you will check out some of these. You can also get most of the books from my list on audible or as audiobooks if you need some motivation on the go!
If there is a book that motivates you but wasn’t on my list, I want to know about it! Drop me a DM and tell me your favorite!
Subscribe & Review in iTunes
Are you subscribed to “Do the Damn Thing!”? If not, I want to encourage you to do that today. I don’t want you to miss an episode. Click here to subscribe in iTunes!
Now if you’re feeling extra loving, I would be so grateful if you left me a review over on iTunes, too. Those reviews help other people find my podcast and they’re also fun for me to go in and read. Plus, you could be featured as the “Listener of the Week”. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favorite part of the show is. Thank you!
Until next time - Happy reading!