In no particular order:
*** The Good Enough Job (Simone Stolzoff). Each chapter takes a common myth about work (e.g. our work equals our worth, we are what we do, status equals success)
then dissects that myth using a combination of interviews, real-life stories and historical context. Basically everything I’ve been banging on about for three years in these daily emails, but with actual in-depth research behind it
*** Parenting From The Heart (Jack Pransky). Parenting is a topic I’ve unsurprisingly been thinking about more & more in the
last few months. The book uses the same “technology” that I coach from and it’s written by one of my favourite authors in this technology. So it was almost inevitable that I’d love this book
*** Stop Fixing Yourself (Anthony De Mello). One of those books that you can dip into again and again. Each chapter is only a couple of pages and they're stuffed with
some of the sharpest takes I’ve found about how to recognise (and then subtract) the illusions we carry about who we are and what we need to be happy
*** The 10 Commandments of Con Men, Pickup Artists, Magicians, Door-to-Door Salesmen, Hypnotists, Copywriters, Negotiators, Political Propagandists, Stand Up Comedians and Oscar-Winning Screenwriters (John
Bejakovic). Daily email maestro John has been one of my favourite follows since I started writing this newsletter. His new book is packed with obscure but tried-and-tested persuasion techniques. I found it fascinating (and so did you, judging by the responses I got when I promoted the book a few weeks ago)
*** I Can See Clearly Now (Wayne Dyer). I’ve been
banging the drum for “The Father of Motivation” for years. In this book (his autobiography), Wayne spills the beans on leaving academia, his writing process, how he blended the practical with the mystical, his battles with his own personal demons and loads more. A great read if you’ve ever felt the tug between a steady path and a more soulful one
*** How to
Fail At Almost Everything And Still Win Big (Scott Adams). I’ve read this book four times now. Not because I’m slow, but because it’s that good. The book’s title is worth the price of admission alone. The practical lessons are bang on. But what struck me most is how Scott related to his old job. He didn’t see his job as a burden. He didn’t throw his hands in the air and moan “how on earth will I get my business going if I’m working a 9 to 5!”. Instead, he USED his job to fuel his dream of
cartooning. Not just by mining his job for Dilbert, but in lots of other sneaky and creative ways. An inspiring read
That’s six of the seven books.
The seventh?
I’ll be writing more about that tomorrow.
Unlike the six books above, this seventh book is a fiction book.
(oooooh!)
It’s also a model example of using your 9-to-5 as a springboard for something bigger and the perfect read for anyone who’s ever questioned working life and the 9-to-5 grind.
If you like the sound of that, all will be revealed
tomorrow.