If I had to sum up 2016 in one sentence it would be: What the f*ck am I doing with my life? Lost. Unsettled. That’s how I’ve been feeling for the past six months. Tiny Beautiful Things and The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck helped me with some of the decisions I’ve been losing sleep over. Now for the remaining 203 things I have to figure out.
Want more? Here are six books that I’ve read recently and highly recommend.
1. The Power of When (Michael Breus, PhD): This book starts with a quiz so you can easily determine your chronotype. Your chronotype largely impacts our sleep/wake cycle. The four chronotypes are lion, bear, wolf, dolphin.
I’m a dolphin. Over the past three weeks I have been implementing some of the guidelines. Despite going to bed later and getting up earlier my energy levels are higher. I feel better than I can ever recall. I’m a HUGE fan of this book!
The rest of the book explains the best time to do nearly everything based on your chronotype such as having sex, asking for a raise, best time to exercise, and so much more.
2. Less Doing, More Living (Ari Meisel): I actually read this book a few years ago but it’s an all-time favorite. I will never tire of recommending it.
I’m a fan of leveraging time through efficiency and automation. Ari has an obsession with hacking and automating his business and personal life and shares a number of resources he’s used.
It’s a quick read. Keep a pen and paper nearby to write down the things you want to check out later.
I think this should be “required reading” if you’re a virtual assistant. Your clients will appreciate it!
3. F*ck Feelings (Michael Bennett MD and Sarah Bennett): This was a birthday gift. (Can I just say I love getting books for my birthday?). Feel-good quotes and “everything happens for a reason” has a place but sometimes we practical, applicable advice. Various life challenges are presented in a manner most will be able to relate to. Answers to those problems are presented in a script type manner. Most included at least one “option” that will make you laugh.
4. The Subtle Art of Giving a F*ck (Mark Manson): A great companion to F*ck Feelings. (I’m only partially kidding)
I’ve been a long time fan of Mark’s and have shared “Fuck Yes Or No” with countless friends so I immediately pre-ordered his book when he announced it. You probably have loved ones who care too much about things that don’t really matter (e.g. they sweat the small stuff).
Mark’s approach is simple: we have limited f*cks to give.
For everything we have (or want) there are “problems”. Own a house: there are plumbing and roof problems. Rent an apartment: you may not be able to have a pet or can’t paint the kitchen. Bottom line: there are always problems. Choose what you give a f*ck about.
5. Overcoming Underearning (Barbara Stanny): I’m reading this book with a group of friends and I’m not finished with it yet. It has a lot of “digging deep” exercises intended to get to the root of money issues. Do yourself a favor: do not buy the Kindle version of this book. It’s much easier to do the exercises directly in the paperback version.
6. Last, but not least, Tiny Beautiful Things (Cheryl Strayed): I hesitate listing it because it’s not a business book. But someone reading this blog post may very well need some heartwarming, uplifting stories. I don’t think it was a coincidence that I was reading Tiny Beautiful Things at the same time as I was reading The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck.
I’d love to know some of the books you’ve been reading and what you’ve enjoyed most about them. I’m incredibly interested with ways to reduce decision fatigue and would love any resources you have for that.