There’s one of two ways to look at the current Coronavirus landscape we’ve found ourselves. We can either use this time to unplug, relax, eat, drink and be merry. Or we can use this time to double down on ourselves to develop our weaknesses, get in better shape, learn to cook more healthy, and change any bad habit that we’ve been nagging ourselves about over the last several years. “I don’t have enough time” just isn’t a valid excuse, not that it really ever was.
One of the main areas of focus for me is always Personal Development, but even more specifically, in a leadership role. Leadership is as important as it has ever been. If you can’t lead yourself, you’re going to have an incredibly hard time leading anyone else. The following 5 books are ones that I have criss crossed back and forth over the years and it seems that every time I pick them up, I find something new. That’s due to the fact that I am not the same person I was the last time I read them. Our realities are based in our experiences. The more experiences we have, the more our reality takes shape.
I would highly suggest anyone in any stage of their life read these books. And then read them again. Without further adieu…
1 | 7 Habits for Highly Effective People
Stephen Covey’s ‘The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People’ has sold over 25 million copies in print while the audiobook has sold over 15 million copies. It was the first non-fiction audiobook to sell over a million copies.
This book is for people who want to become more effective in their personal and professional lives. Change your habits, change your life.
2 | Think and Grow Rich
Napoleon Hill investigates the methods of the 500 most successful people in his time, including politicians, inventors , writers and titans of industry.
Anyone who wants to learn secrets of those who have made it big will find invaluable insight in this book.
3 | Who Moved My Cheese
Spencer Johnson uses a light-hearted parable to provide valuable lessons of change in you life, be it in business or personal relationships. This one is is excellent no matter your personal situation.
4 | Start with Why
Tackling the fundamental questions about why some businesses and people are more innovative, influential and profitable than others, Simon Sinek wrote this book based on his top-3 watched TED talk. Start with asking “Why” instead of “What.”
5 | The Culture Code
What makes a group tick? Turns out, it’s not what we’ve always thought and there’s actually a process to make your team click. When coming out of this recession, your team will need to work together better than ever!
6 | Leadership and Strategy Tactics
Taking the high-functional SEAL team tactics and applying them to your team can make the difference between success and failure during today’s trying times. This book breaks them down into bite-sized chunks anyone can learn and use.
7 | The Daily Stoic
A collection of daily meditations drawn from the wisdom of stoic philosophers who lived during the Roman Empire. I read this every day (there’s one for each) and it gives me insight into problems we have all faced since the beginning of time.
Take this time to focus on yourself. Make those internal changes you want to make and create new habits. Life is a constant process of change and there has been no better time in my life to focus on the changes you want to make and make it happen.
Go, Do & GROW!
-Jamey