3 Books You Need to Read Right Now

The past 7 months I have learned so much about writing, creating, and marketing.  I feel like I got a business degree without the guidance of a syllabus.  After months of feeling like my list was growing longer and my mind was racing out of control, I was led to these 3 books.  If you are looking for finding creativity, learning how to connect with others in business, and wanting to find a way out of that giant to-do-list, then you have to read these 3 books.

1. Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert
This book spoke to me from the first sentence.  I felt like Elizabeth Gilbert was sitting beside me on the couch coaching me through my need for perfection and my fear of not having perfect words.  I love that she says that creativity doesn't have to be something you are great at and it doesn't have to reach the masses.  I love creating and I feel that I have to be perfect for people to want it. I love the freedom of just being able to create for myself.  No perfection, no marketing, just plain old creating for the fun of it!


2. How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
I am horrible at walking into new situations,  horrible at small talk with the cashier at a store, and horrible about starting conversations with strangers. I don't know where this fear came from, how id developed, or why it still haunts me at 39.  But, this book helped me realize how much I am on the right track.  What gets stuck in my head is the right thing to say.  I care deeply about other people, but I am always afraid that I will offhandedly offend someone.  I now know why this book has been popular for almost a century.  I just comes down to making others feel important.  A simple smile, a kind word, a nice note.

3. Make it Happen by Lara Casey
So I am sticking with this theme of getting over being perfect.  And this book pushed that issue as well.  I love the freedom of perfect.  That freedom has allowed me to write 23 posts in 23 days and freed me from the fear of pushing publish.  Honestly, what horrible thing could happen?  I write a bad sentence, I miss a word, yep that isn't what a publisher or editor wants, but right now my goal is to write and put my words out in the universe.  Lara Casey has dealt with the demons of being perfect many times.  Her advice is amazing and her tips on tackling a to-do list are life and time-saving!

5 Podcasts to Motivate and Inspire Creativity

Are you feeling a little bogged down.  So many ideas but you don't know where to start or afraid to take the leap?  Well, let these 5 podcasts inspire you!

1. Magic Lessons with Elizabeth Gilbert
I love, love, love this one. The first two episodes were so current in my life.  I felt like they were broadcast just for my ears.  This podcasts goes with Elizabeth Gilbert's new book Big Magic.  I will talk more about this in my next post.  If you want inspiration to create something new, then these podcasts are just what you need to get over the fear and just create.

2. Amy Porterfield
Amy Porterfield is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to social media. She is an expert at list building and Facebook.  And what she isn't an expert at, she has lots of friends and guests who are experts.  Each episode is full of ideas for increasing your business potential and there is a freebie to download and use right away.  Her soothing voice is calming, yet inspiring.

3. Smart, Passive Income with Pat Flynn
This is my newest podcast and I like how Pat Flynn seems so down to earth. He has a wide range of guests on his show and each one feels like a conversation with friends.  He doesn't hide any facts from his successes and failures and the honesty makes me feel a more personal connection.

4. The Tim Ferriss Show
From Kevin Costner to tips on better sleep, Tim Ferriss has you covered on ways to be more productive in less time.  His book the 4-Hour Work Week is a huge success.  After following him on Instagram, I realized he has figured out the work/life balance.  A model for success and a voice of reason.

5. Angela Watson's Truth for Teachers
She has taken Teachers Pay Teachers and turned it into so many things.  Her podcasts are current topics that any teacher could relate to and her ideas are easy to implement.  A great model and teacher to use to inspire yourself and others.