Behind the veneer of our confident, go-get-‘em attitude, we can often feel at a complete loss as to how to run our businesses. That’s totally normal and you are not the only one! Thankfully, there’s a whole genre of business-oriented self-help literature and we happen to have a mini library full of them (let’s just say they suit our interests!). So next time you’re in a slump, instead of having to buy the books yourself, feel free to give us a wee message and we’ll be happy to embrace the ecological and economical spirit of book-borrowing. Below are some of the books we have currently:
1. Atomic Habits: An Easy and Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear
You may have already read or heard of The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg, and certainly this book strikes a similar chord in terms of its promotion of instilling good habits to achieve long-term goals. However, what sets Clear’s book apart is just how practical the tips are. Knowing that habit-forming is a powerful motivator is one thing, but actually having practical and actionable advice is what elevates this book to the next level. If you’ve been meaning to form good habits (and break bad ones) for a while, but are unsure how, this is the book for you!
2. The Life-Changing Magic of Not Giving a F**k by Sarah Knight
We love a bit of irreverent marketing, and Sarah Knight’s output is exemplary. But more than giddy profanity, this book has the perfect advice for those who are consistently overworked, underwhelmed, and needlessly stressed. Her explanation of the ‘Not Sorry’ mindset encourages readers to completely reprioritise who and what to care about, and embrace the simple fact that you cannot please everybody. A compelling and fun read that has the added benefit of helping you mentally declutter and focus on the important things in life.
3. Get Your Sh*t Together by Sarah Knight
Similarly irreverent and a perfect successor to The Life-Changing Magic of Not Giving a F**k, this book is ideal for those whose time just seems to slip through their fingers. Ever been glued to the couch, wishing you were at the gym? Have you sat there, determined to be on time for something, but know that it just won’t happen? This book helps you find ways to manage your time more effectively and finally start doing the things you want to, be it hobbies, projects, and more.
4. The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work and What to Do About It by Michael E. Gerber
If you’re wondering what an E-Myth is (surprisingly not about legends of the electronic age) then author Michael E. Gerber is more than happy to elaborate: ‘E-Myth \ 'e-,'mith\ n 1: the entrepreneurial myth: the myth that most people who start small businesses are entrepreneurs 2: the fatal assumption that an individual who understands the technical work of a business can successfully run a business that does that technical work.’ If that’s a lot of jargon for you, don’t be put off; this is a fantastic read that shows how your assumptions, expectations, and even technical expertise may actually be hindering your business. A must-read for small business owners!
5. Humankind: A Hopeful History by Rutger Bregman
If you’re ever fatigued by bad-faith actors in the business world, then this book will restore your faith in humanity. Re-examining the narratives of prominent thinkers that humans are fundamentally selfish – from Machiavelli to Hobbes, and from Freud to Dawkins – this book puts forward refreshing and compelling evidence that our evolutionary drives are actually centred around co-operation, solidarity, and trust. By helping readers see the best in others, this book brings out the best in yourself, too.
6. Shit Happens So Get Over It by Summerdale
A series of funny quotes and aphorisms, Shit Happens is an exercise in both tough-love and relatable comedy. Great for when you’re busy and you need a little bit of perspective, some cheering up, or a short breather to laugh at the absurdity of life.
7. The Business Book: Big Ideas Simply Explained edited by Sam Atkinson
This collaborative project is an encyclopaedic endeavour to explain fundamental business ideas – from thinkers including Adam Smith, Andrew Carnegie, Bill Gates, and others – but in a way that is far more accessible than these thinkers’ original texts. With great use of visuals, including graphs, charts, diagrams, and other innovative graphics, this book conveys complex ideas digestibly and understandably. A must-read that won’t give you a headache!
8. How Women Rise: Break the 12 Habits Holding You Back by Sally Helgesen and Marshall Goldsmith
As women we know how much harder we need to work, how our socialisation to be accommodating and meek holds us back, and how many barriers we face across industries. This book is brilliant for building confidence in the face of gendered expectations and helping you grow more ambitious. Gain the respect you deserve! By breaking the 12 habits the authors identify as holding you back, you’ll start to reap the benefits of what you’ve sowed.
9. The Miracle Morning: The 6 Habits That Will Transform Your Life Before 8AM by Hal Elrod
This is an interesting read with a unique framework centred around morning practices. The author Hal Elrod transforms a time of haze and slowness for most into something more mindful, productive, and conscious. He builds on the acronym "Life S.A.V.E.R.S" - silence, affirmations, visualisation, exercise, reading and scribing – to transform mornings into a time to focus without stress. Thoroughly recommend for people wanting to make the most of every minute of their day.
10. The Infinite Game by Simon Sinek
This book is best-selling for a reason. It bases itself on the relatively simple premise that finite games, such as chess and football, have static rules, clear winners, and a set narrative structure (beginning, middle, and end); whereas, infinite games, such as business and politics, have a distinct objective: the ability to continue playing across long timescales. With this in mind he elaborates on his notion of an ‘infinite mindset’, encouraging businesses to innovate, stay relevant, and improve their resilience. A fantastic read for those who are looking to play the long game in the business world.
As mentioned above, if any of these piqued your interest then please message us and we’ll get the book over to you. We have an additional twenty books on the way as well so we’ll have an even bigger selection for you to browse soon! Stay informed and best of luck with your business growth.
Since this article has been posted we have added a great selection of new books! Such as:
Who Moved My Cheese by Dr Spencer Johnson
Instant Confidence by Paul McKenna
Change Your Life In 7 Days by Paul McKenna
Control Stress by Paul Mckenna
Just Get On With It by Ali Campbell
Get The Life You Want by Richard Bandler
How To Be A Fucking Unicorn by Leah Luna Lightwarrior
How To Make Everyday A Success by Napoleon Hill
Thornsons Way Of NLP by Joseph O Conner and Ian Mcdermott
The Subtle Art Of Not Giving A Fuck by Mark Mason
Raise Your Vibration by Kyle Gray
How To Get What You Want And What You Have by John Gray
Transform Your Life And Home In A Weekend Or Less by Simon Brown
The Female Lead by Edwina Dunn
Unsinkable How To Bounce Back Quickly When Life Knocks You Down by Sonia Ricotti
How To Get Everything You Ever Wanted by Adrien Calabrese, PH.D
The Paradoxical Commandments Finding Personal Meaning In A Crazy World by Kent M Keith foreword by Spencer Johnson M.D.
Breakthrough A Blueprint For Your Mind By Brian Costello with foreword by Owen Fitzpatrick
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