Wintertime is for reading.  Or at least it is in my world. When the weather gets cold, my Pavlovian nature has me craving a warm fireplace, soft blanket, hot coffee, and a good book.  While on occasion you will find me deeply engulfed with a fictional book, more often than not, I am cuddled up with some sort of self-help, business-focused book. 

I have hundreds of books I could recommend, but here are a few of my more recent reads:

Everything is Figureoutable

This is a great book if you want to face your fears and fulfill your dreams.  Marie writes that if you’re having trouble solving a problem or reaching a dream, the problem isn’t you. It’s that you haven’t yet installed the one belief that changes everything.  The mantra that “everything is figureoutable.”  Marie’s living examples of finding her mom fixing the roof and tearing apart the radio (all before the internet was at your fingertips) are what inspired her to know she can always find a solution. 

It is this philosophy that has given Marie permission to take risks that will inspire you.  Whether you want to leave a dead-end job; break an addiction; heal a relationship; or grow a business you will recognize everything is figureoutable.

The Universe Has Your Back

Through acceptance, surrender, and a commitment, Gabby helps you transform your fear into faith. I love that this book because it helps you release the blocks that are holding you back from happiness, security, and clear direction. The lessons help you relinquish the need for control, while also adopting a sense of certainty.

Gabby reveals how to find strength when you are down, synchronicity when you are lost, safety in the face of uncertainty, and joy in what might otherwise be pain. With the comforting knowledge that the Universe has your back.

Essentialism

When I first heard of this book, I figured it would be about time management and I wasn’t that interested.  But after having it recommended to me on a couple of occasions, I decided to give it a read.   Essentialism isn’t about getting more done in less time. It’s about getting only the right things done.  It’s about doing less, but better, in every area of our lives.

It is the practice of discerning what is essential, then eliminating everything that is not, so we can make the highest possible contribution toward the things that really matter.  It empowers us to reclaim control of our own choices about where to spend our precious time and energy—instead of giving others the implicit permission to choose for us.

The Underdog Advantage

This book shows you what successful “Underdogs” throughout time have already discovered. I love that this book reframes your so-called disadvantages and has you looking at them as your hidden superpower to accomplish anything. This book shows you that as an underdog you’re actually in a great position, to unlock limitless potential. Key advantages to being an underdog are: you don’t have to worry about what other people think, you have a lot of room to improve, you can get easy momentum, you can sneak up on competitors, and you have incredible sources of motivation.

Deep Kindness 

On several occasions, I have talked about what it means to be kind. After my October 26, 2020 post, What is Kindness? I received a recommendation to read this book. It’s worth it!  Practicing kindness is not only important, it is an essential step in helping repair a world that has grown to be divisive, lonely, and anxious. Author Houston Kraft believes quotes like, “Just be kind” or, “Throw kindness around like confetti,” have allowed us to oversimplified what it takes to actually demonstrate kindness.

This book takes an honest look at the gap between our belief in kindness and our ability to practice it. Deep Kindness gives us examples of how to put our intention into action.

If you want help with figuring out a problem, releasing your blocks while relinquishing control, narrowing down what is truly essential, reframing your disadvantaged into superpowers, or implementing deep kindness …Let’s chat!

PS. Share with me what books you are reading or others that you would recommend. 

P.S.S. Did you enjoy this blog? Read more from Jessica’s Journal or watch Jessica’s Saturday Sessions.