The most important story is the one we tell ourselves – Liz Brunner
Books are a holiday gift that keep on giving.
Inspirational gems are just one reason why books make such a great holiday gift. Books impart knowledge that continue to give benefits long after the current holiday is over. An unexpected insight can help the lucky recipients on your holiday list get unstuck or find the encouragement to finally get started. Here are five books by Liz Brunner, Donna McGeorge, Scarlett Cochran, Tiago Forte, Robert Waldinger, and Marc Schulz to support a variety of career goals:
Dare To Own You: Taking Your Authenticity and Dreams into Your Next Chapter by Liz Brunner
“Fear isn’t a good enough reason to stop.” – Liz Brunner
For the aspiring career changer, Brunner’s story can provide information and ideas. A music major and Miss Illinois in the Miss America Pageant 1979, Brunner started her career as a teacher, then moved to a community relations role within television, pivoted to on-air (spending total of 28 years in media) and then started a communications coaching business in her 50’s. This book gives advice on finding your unique voice – both literally (i.e., how to communicate effectively) and figuratively (i.e., in the choices you make). Each chapter ends with reflective questions which are helpful to review the key points and make the lessons actionable.
The 1 Day Refund: Take Back Time, Spend it Wisely by Donna McGeorge
“Reframe boredom as necessary rest. It’s OK to have nothing to do.” – Donna McGeorge
For the busy professional, The 1-Day Refund includes helpful strategies for managing your calendar, organizing your workspace, even pruning relationships that no longer serve you. One favorite recommendation: organize the day into two-hour blocks, where the first two hours are for proactive time (since most people are at their most alert early in the day), while the last two hours are for “preactive” time (low intensity, but high impact time spent on planning and prioritizing for the next day).
It’s Not About The Money: A Proven Path to Building Wealth and Living the Rich Life You by Scarlett Cochran
“Joy isn’t incidental to how you spend your money. It’s not a by- product or a fringe benefit. It is a pillar. When we talk about building holistic wealth, this means that every step in building that wealth should feel light, easy, enjoyable, and fun, whether it’s managing your money practice, designing your dream life, or buying something new.” – Scarlett Cochran
For the professional looking to improve their money skills, It’s Not About The Money provides a compassionate yet practical approach. Cochran writes like the best friend encouraging you to live your best life. Cochran’s spin is the clarity of her explanations and the flexibility she allows her readers to have in designing a money plan that works for their specific situation. This is a great book for someone who wants a holistic approach to managing their money and an encouraging, rather than prescriptive, voice. The author’s own story — from young single mom to Marine to Yale Law School graduate to lawyer, consumer finance expert and finally business owner — is also a worthy source of encouragement and inspiration.
Building a Second Brain: A Proven Method to Organize Your Digital Life and Unlock Your Creative Potential by Tiago Forte
“Information isn’t a luxury – it is the very basis of our survival.” – Tiago Forte
For knowledge workers, creatives and anyone who is an avid learner, Forte’s book on personal knowledge management – what to do with all the information you read, hear and consumer – is a gamechanger. Forte provides accessible tips on how to organize information, but also how to use the information for professional and personal projects.
The Good Life: Lessons from the World's Longest Scientific Study of Happiness by Robert Waldinger, MD and Marc Schulz, PhD
“Good relationships keep us healthier and happier. Period.” – Robert Waldinger, MD and Marc Schulz, PhD
For the professional who needs yet another reason to prioritize relationships, The Good Life will make even the lone wolf a true believer. While it’s less about professional networking and more about social connections, including family and significant other, Waldinger and Schulz break down the compelling research behind why relationships matter and provide helpful tips and strategies to nurture these connections.
Additional gift ideas and stocking stuffers
A gift card to a neighborhood café will encourage making connections throughout the year. Colorful markers, labels and folders can make getting organized a creative project. A subscription to an online calendar program can help the time-crunched. If you can’t choose just one book, you can also gift an e-book or audio book subscription.
