Reading is one of those things that has been present in our lives for as long as we can remember. Most people have memories of those early books, school-related or not. That being said, just because those early memories do exist does not suggest that each of these people is using books to their full potential. Maybe a former teacher described books as a ticket to another destination. While this is well and true of fictional stories, that is only an element of physical literature. Books have the ability to change the way we think, how we do things, or even bring brand new ideas forward. If someone is looking to get ahead in any way, the words of author Kate DiCamillo should be remembered, “Reading should not be presented to children as a chore or duty. It should be offered to them as a precious gift.”
How does one utilize a reading to further their professional life? We connected with a few experts to uncover the best books to motivate your career.
Maximize Your Potential
Chris Bridges is the CEO of VITAL, a brand offering unique credit card services and rewards. He believes the wordy title by Jocelyn K. Glei should be a go-to for anyone.
“Some people tend to steer clear of the books they perceive to be incredibly inundating. Based on the name alone, Maximize Your Potential: Grow Your Expertise, Take Bold Risks & Build an Incredible Career offers good reasons to avoid it if you’re more of a Sunday comics reader. But, with great titles comes great information. Ok, while that’s not necessarily true, it is in this case. From understanding interpersonal relationships to discovering your corporate creativity, there’s so much contained within these pages that should accelerate your career. Don’t let the intimidating things guide your decision-making process.”
Switch On Your Brain
Patriot Coolers specializes in transportable storage for keeping beverages cold. Their business development manager, Marcus Hutson, suggests Switch On Your Brain by Dr. Caroline Leaf, who proposes that thoughts running through a person’s mind have a direct effect on physical health.
“We can be the most well informed and careful decision-makers in business but if we don’t have the physical or mental capabilities to contribute to the tasks at hand meaningfully then we’re no better than a ship made of swiss cheese. Dr. Leaf puts forward data in her book which may lend itself to the idea that any illnesses we develop are likely a result of what we were thinking about on a regular basis. Not only does she highlight the problem, but she’s also there to help the reader take control of their life so that this outcome is far less likely.”
Getting from College to Career
One of the largest hurdles in any person’s professional life is transitioning from being a college student to working in an industry of choice. CloudForecast is a business providing AWS cost monitoring. Their CEO and co-founder, Tony Chan, consider a book covering this topic a necessity.
“The public or private school systems are very similar and are just that, systemic. There is a process of steps the majority of people walk through in order to graduate. You’ve probably had conversations with friends about identical or similar experiences you had in school regardless of whether or not you attended the same place together. But, most people have a different experience in finding that first job or even in-road after they’ve received their diploma. That’s because there is no system in place to get people from college to their profession. For those seeking answers to questions about this unique challenge, I can’t say enough about ‘Getting From College to Career’ by Lindsey Pollak.”
Dare to Lead
Jim Marggraff is the CEO of Kinoo, a brand offering video chat services tailored for grandparents and grandchildren. He advises others to take note of Dare To Lead by Brene Brown.
“It doesn’t matter what you do for a living, I’m sure there is at the very least a small piece of you that aspires to success and greatness in your career. Contextually speaking, this can mean so many things it’s hard to identify if forward progress is being made. That being said, one of the things you can be most certain of is your influence on others. Brene Brown’s ‘Dare To Lead’ prompts readers to be present in each moment and find authentic ways to connect with others. There’s no better way to get yourself moving than to see what you’re capable of.”
Thrive
All My Love specializes in clothing items designed with individuality in mind. Their CEO, Georgia Dorfman, believes the book written by the co-founder of The Huffington Post, Arianna Huffington, is worth every reader’s time.
“There’s no better place to gain knowledge, insight, and a renewed perspective than at the feet of those who have summited the mountain you’re currently working at. This is why I really like Arianna Huffington’s book, Thrive. In terms of success, she is a perfect example of it. She’s taken something her own and brought it to mainstream use. For everyone, there are certain things that must be maintained and treated well if we’re to attain the success of any kind. Work-life balance is a real thing and Huffington proves this time and again throughout her writing.”
What Color Is Your Parachute?
Circumstances for searching aside, there are very few if any people who enjoy looking for a job. Oak & Eden is a business providing high-quality whiskey. Their CMO, Brad Neathery, proposes combatting this trend with a book aimed at doing so.
“If you were to ask your friends and family to give you a brief description of what a book is, there’s a chance everyone talks about the traditional hardcover, no picture, black and white page classic. But, workbooks can be just as useful as their non-drawing counterparts. At some point, you’ll have to go out and find yourself a new job despite how much you’d rather avoid that process entirely. ‘What Color Is Your Parachute by Richard N. Bolles prepares the user for this reality through the use of those workbook exercises.”
Do What You Are
Cole Steverson is the COO of Hybrid2Go, a brand offering battery replacements for hybrid vehicles. He cautions others not to chase after goals or ideals they do not believe in.
“As little kids, we always thought about what we wanted to be or do when we grew up. From firefighters to doctors, every kid had some idea of what they wanted their future to look like. What happened to these dreams? These were the things that excited us and made us want to grow up. Now, I see far more people suffering through their daily work routine rather than having a passion for it. This is where Paul Tieger’s book ‘Do What You Are’ comes in handy. With this text, you’re shown what types of careers are best suited to who you are as a person. Basically, you’re identifying those passions that make work seem like an opportunity rather than an obligation.”
S.M.A.R.T.
7 Wonders specializes in video production services. Their co-founder & executive co-producer, Michael Ayjin, considers it wise to be intentional about setting objectives.
“Anyone who has worked in a corporate setting in recent years has likely come across the acronym SMART which stands for specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. These five ideas are what S.J. Scott discusses at length in his book, ‘S.M.A.R.T. Goals Made Simple.’ The idea here is that a person can take this process and apply it to any situation where they’re seeking to achieve something. This doesn’t mean that the book is based on some abstract hypothesis, there are historical examples of SMART being used well.”
As seen above, the right books have the ability to change many aspects of one’s professional life. Author Karen Witemeyer put it best, “Read. Everything you can get your hands on. Read until words become your friends. Then when you need to find one, they will jump into your mind, waving their hands for you to pick them. And you can select whichever you like, just like a captain choosing a stickball team.
