As of this posting date, we are smack in the middle of 2024 – which is hard to believe. Thirteen and a half books have gotten the Takeaway Tuesday treatment. Which ones stood out above the rest?
For a quick recap here are those 13.5 books in order of reading, each linked to their Top Takeaways:
48 Days To Find The Work and Life You Love
The Second Mountain (link goes to LinkedIn video)
This group covers a nice range of career and personal development. I definitely have enjoyed these – well, with the exception of one, the one that I’m counting as a half a book: The Second Mountain. That one stood out for the wrong reasons. Take a look at that Takeaway Tuesday video for details!
So if The Second Mountain is at the bottom of the list, which ones are at the top and why?
I selected the top three for the impact they’ve had on my work and in my life overall. These three books have altered – improved really – my outlook and attitudes, how I approach my work, how I deal with challenges and one in particular has given me such a bold, optimistic understanding of our brains, our identities and so much more – as we see our lives getting longer.
OK, so here they are:
#3: The Untethered Soul by Michael Singer
This book totally shifted my perspective on how my thoughts and even my energy can be adjusted. (Wait, did we just go kind of meta? The book changed my thoughts on how to change my thoughts?!)
When I find myself having trouble quieting a restless mind, especially in the middle of the night, I remember the ideas in this book. One big idea? Recognize the thoughts, then just let them keep moving along.
I now have a phrase I like to use when I catch myself ruminating: relax and release. Reminding me to release those thoughts – untether them as it were!
#2: The Tools by Phil Stutz and Barry Michels.
Stutz is often called the psychiatrist to the stars and even has his own documentary. If the five tools he describes in this book are any indication of the power of his work, I can see why. He and his co-author Barry Michels provide action steps we can take to build confidence, become unstuck, love more deeply and more. When I’ve hit challenges since reading this book, just knowing these tools exist has been super helpful to me, and then when I put the tools into use – what a positive difference!
OK, so the best non-fiction book I’ve read so far this year?
#1: The 100-year Life by Lynda Gratton and Andrew J Scott.
It’s the book that gave me that fresh perspective on aging I mentioned earlier. Absolutely recommend it for anyone at any age but it will likely be more impactful for those of us with more decades under our belts. I now consider this book to be a cornerstone of my practice with mid-career professionals – it really is that good of a resource.
Have you read any of these books? Or have you been inspired by any of the Takeaway Tuesdays? Send an email and let me know! I’d love to hear your own takeaways!
