When I was doing my undergrad degree I was really good at checking off the things I needed to do in order to stay on track to the career I had decided upon. And everything seemed to be working out well, except for one nagging little fact. I had chosen a career that, deep down, I knew wasn’t what I really wanted to do. It’s perhaps something that many people can relate to. You chose a career based on what other people expect of you and not based on what you actually want to do.
However, during that time, I came across a book, The Element by Ken Robinson, Ph.D. In it he talks about finding your own unique passion and talents and pursuing them. He brings in stories of all different types of people and tells us about how they discovered, and went after, the things they really wanted in life. Now, that book didn’t change my life or anything but it certainly did get me thinking. It would take a few more things in my life to get me on the path I am on today but books like The Element and a few others, have certainly played a part in guiding me on my professional journey.
We’ve put together a list of 10 of our own favorite books that have helped shape our thinking and helped us in navigating our own career paths. Maybe one of these books can inspire you too!
However, during that time, I came across a book, The Element by Ken Robinson, Ph.D. In it he talks about finding your own unique passion and talents and pursuing them. He brings in stories of all different types of people and tells us about how they discovered, and went after, the things they really wanted in life. Now, that book didn’t change my life or anything but it certainly did get me thinking. It would take a few more things in my life to get me on the path I am on today but books like The Element and a few others, have certainly played a part in guiding me on my professional journey.
We’ve put together a list of 10 of our own favorite books that have helped shape our thinking and helped us in navigating our own career paths. Maybe one of these books can inspire you too!
The Element by Ken Robinson
Ken Robinson introduces us to the Element, the point at which our natural talents and abilities meet our passion and enable us to truly be ourselves and succeed. He brings us anecdotes of some of the most well-known individuals of our times and shows how they didn’t always start out that way. It’s a book that not only inspires but challenges you to discover your own Element and then challenges you to live accordingly.
Ken Robinson introduces us to the Element, the point at which our natural talents and abilities meet our passion and enable us to truly be ourselves and succeed. He brings us anecdotes of some of the most well-known individuals of our times and shows how they didn’t always start out that way. It’s a book that not only inspires but challenges you to discover your own Element and then challenges you to live accordingly.
The Art of Thinking Clearly by Rolf Dobelli
The Art of Thinking Clearly is book written by bestselling Swiss writer Rolf Dobelli in 2013.It has small chapters about common misunderstanding related with every part of the life from cognitive biases to elements such as desire and social deception.
Fierce Conversations by Susan Scott
This book is all about how to have authentic, powerful conversations in personal and professional life. How to use everyday conversation to cut through the politics of work relationships and start talking about what we are all "pretending not to know".
The Joys of Much too Much: Go for the Big Life--The Great Career, The Perfect Guy, and Everything Else You’ve Ever Wanted by Bonnie Fuller
Bonnie Fuller who has led many popular magazines tells all in this book and it’s quite inspiring. She relates her own life story and tells us of the lessons she learned with a sense of humor and humility. The book teaches you that even though things will never be perfect it doesn’t mean that they can’t be great and it certainly doesn’t mean that you should settle for anything less than what you really want.
Girlboss by Sophia Amoruso
This book is almost a memoir with how anecdotal it is about Amoruso's journey to becoming the founder and CEO of Nasty Gal - her online clothing business. However, there are also a lot of good tips about how she learned to buckle down and pursue the dream she wanted despite a rocky start. It's inspiring, accessible and relatable - a great read.
The Science of Getting Rich by Wallace Wattles and Tom Butler-Bowdon
The Science of Getting Rich explores a new way of thinking and expounds on the Law of Attraction which has since become extremely popular. What I loved about this book was that it offers you a new perspective through which to look at money and wealth. It also shows you how your thinking can affect your reality.
Soccernomics by Simon Kuper & Stefan Szymanski
Sure, this isn't a career book, it's about soccer, but the use of economics and statistics with respect to one of my interests spurred me into enjoying the business side of a hobby. It's important to remember that you have to love what you do or else it just becomes a job. Not everyone can turn their passion into a career, but if you can find a way to connect both, you'll be more inspired to go to work every day.
Women, Work & the Art of Savoir Faire: Business Sense & Sensibility by Mireille Guiliano
Mireille Guiliano talks about her own experiences in the business world and how she manages her career and personal life. She offers practical tips for maneuvering certain business settings and managing situations gracefully and elegantly. She also talks about getting ahead and the climb that professional life often is and how to succeed at it.
The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell
The inspiring book by Malcolm Gladwell, was published in 2000 by Little Brown explains how little things can make a big difference in life.
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
Covey describes the seven habits of highly effective people and techniques for adopting the seven habits. He makes clear that an individual must make a paradigm shift before incorporating these habits into his/her own personal life. Covey emphasizes that if we want to make a change in our lives, we should first focus on our personal attitudes and behaviors. He shares different examples via family, business, and society in general.
Have you read any of these books? What are your thoughts on them? What books would you add to this list?
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