Goodreads asked the question in a public forum “what books should everyone read this year?” As authors and readers chimed in, here’s a list of 41 extracted. They include classics to recently released books in different genres.
Don’t worry if you can’t get through them all. Just keep the list as a yearly reference
Be patient with yourself. Self-growth is tender; it’s holy ground. There’s no greater investment.”
Stephen Covey
The concept to sharpen the saw highlights the point that when you have been going, going, and going …and you can’t seem to see any results. Acknowledge that it’s time to stop. It’s time to refresh. It’s time for a break to get the rest you need to start thinking so you can be productive again.
I went to the grocery store that’s been in the same locale for more than 10 years. As I stepped in, the Traditional Fragrance of the familiar faces was missing. Confused, I enquired, where are they? I was told that the owners sold the business and had moved to a different location for a bigger and better venture.
I felt cheated. Immediately I decided I’d go find them for… how could they do that to ‘me’?!
Then I started thinking about my own passion. Daily I encourage individuals to take the leap…, go do what you have always wanted to do. Yet here I was–feeling cheated. How dare me?
Has that ever happened to you? We love the familiar. The thing that so Harmonizes and makes us comfortable. Safe. Tranquil. At peace. When it’s gone, we feel a hollow in our life…in our soul. I reflect on the…
If we were having coffee right now I’d tell you how much I still love my delicious black tea. It seems I am never able to quiet my desire for that soothing hot taste. The drive and energy it gives reinvigorates my day. Sometimes I sneak away for fear of those questioning eyes saying…”what’s up with her and her constant commute to the coffee machine”? Forget them I say! I work more assiduously when I’m fully dosed up!
If we were having coffee right now, I’d tell you that I’ve started this …well not really started but revamped my blog. That said, WordPress has this amazing Blogging University which is available for those who are interested in pushing their personal writing careers up a notch. So I decided to enroll and have been doing so for the past six months. The thought came to me after I published my book on
Character is like a tree and reputation like a shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing. When wealth is lost, nothing is lost; when health is lost, something is lost; when character is lost, all is lost.
Billy Graham
I was a sprinter. I ran the 100 meter dash; 200 meter and 4 x 100 meter races. This was my thing. When I was called upon, I was ready. It was a desire to achieve not for me but for the wider team’s goal. That’s one of the memories held dear throughout my childhood into adulthood where I participated in events well into my late 20’s.
As I reflect, I am taken aback by the same habits that I used which has stuck with me even today. Here I share.
7 Habits Of A Highly Effective Athlete
1.Discipline
Here it is not about being forced to do something. It is about maintaining daily habits to achieve good or satisfactory outcomes. My dad was a boxing champion who fought for the land of my birth. He was a winner. I would rise early mornings and go running with him before daybreak. Then in the evenings after school I would go practice with fellow athletes. This daily mantra improved my abilities. It was not for personal gratification but for helping the team to win; whether it was school, church camps, or organizational competitive games to come out on top.
Determination means the ability to do something even when the odds are against you. My natural prowess slowed in recent years because I became latent. I sit at the computer all day working without hardly ever getting up to stretch. So after discussion with a personal coach, I decided to start working out. On my second class, I had to drive a 4-hour return trip. I was 5 minutes late for the class due to traffic and was turned away. I had missed the warm-up and didn’t know much. I was disappointed. But through my determination, I decided to make sure it never happened again. I have been attending and haven’t been late again. In this case, my health goals are too important to miss.
3.Drive To Succeed
This trait has driven me to go after my goals, dreams and aspirations. My studies and organizational leadership prowess has helped me to manage business operations with a desire to see others succeed. My published books on Success, leadership, career development and motivation are solid proof.
4.Never Give Up
In the first course I did after I left high school, a teacher lost the end of term paperwork I submitted. She searched and couldn’t find it. This was not submitted online but in person. Talk about being disappointed. I was devastated but I was determined to graduate. So I took a deep breath, asked to redo the major assignment and turned it in again. Yes, I graduated and found that my early training to never give up has stayed with me throughout life’s ups and downs. That experience helped build my strength of character.
5.Commitment
This quality is one that many organizations desire in people. It is a pledge or an agreement to do something. The problem is, we have to strike that balance. Overcommitment, especially for workaholics, can lead to restricted work/life balance or self-care.
The more committed you are, the more work you get….yikes! Certainly the goal you planned (smile)
6.Planning
One thing an athlete must do is plan. No plan easily translates into failure with missed deadlines, priorities and more. A friend shared the woes of a politician who was busy working in the community trying to attract votes. He was successful at that but later discovered that he had missed the application deadline. After all he had done, he was left off the ballot.
7.Teamwork & Care For Others
Teamwork means working together with a group of people to achieve a common goal. Running a relay is never easy. Sometimes teammates become injured, tired, fall behind, or become overworked and the rest of the team must collaborate to build and eliminate the gap. This is not an easy feat but the effort is always well worth it and provides the reward. That’s what I did all those years. Collaborate.
Today, caring for others is my mantra. It goes deep within my inner being and provides that lasting satisfaction when as a professional leadership coach, I help individuals achieve their goals.
I look back and reflect on these traits and with renewed fervor and realize that they made me who I am today. What about you? Did any of the characteristics resonate? Any you would add? Do share, we would love to hear.
Wishing you joy that springs from deep within Wishing you brave heart that’s infinite Wishing you love beyond measure Wishing you smiles that’s hard to dissolve Wishing you peace even when things go wrong Wishing you God’s divine direction in all you do
May God grant your heart’s desire, throughout the new year and beyond.
The ball dropped and suddenly we went from the old to the new. it’s new year’s day at universal and islands of adventure. Beehives of Chattering voices everywhere. I sit quietly People watching cultures far, near, and everywhere. Fun. Rides. Food. Smiles. Tired feet clad in running shoes, t-shirts, jeans, tights; it’s family time you can’t miss.
Lots of gleeful noise amidst the screams of the world famous hulk ride. Twists, turns, ups, downs. It’s like you’re just gonna explode. Why would people do that to themselves?! Omgeee!
There’s Spider-Man. Tired legs allowed the young ones to go do their thing. After men in black, fast n furious, I was missing nothing.
But who am I to complain after enjoying my own knee jerking skydive that only few dared to hit
It’s Started With a Bang
Yep it’s New Year’s Day and it started off with a bang with plans for a year filled with lots of fun, excitement, and thrill. All wrapped in fear of the twists and turns among the unknown. But hey, doing it anyway. You won’t know until you try, right?
Armed with goals to finish my long outstanding book series titled RedLight, I’ll getaway for a solo retreat to think, to plan, to write in a faraway land. A time of peace and quiet. It’s become personal January tradition.
The object of a person’s ambition or effort; an aim or desired result is the defined meaning of GOALS
TED Talk asked individuals in a public forum to share their 2023 goals. Aghast I was when many chimed in sharing their own personal goals. Many chimed in with a few snippets shared here. One person replied … “No goals. No achievement. Just letting life happen”. Hmmm, to not plan is to just go with the flow. That may be good at times but what happens when you periodically assess? What result do you expect to find?
If you’re not measuring, you’re not managing it
Peter Drucker
Another said he was working on achieving his ‘2020’ goals. One may be quick to laugh until we remember what happened tin 2020. Yep! The pandemic. So that person is still focused on working that goal….hence the comment.
For the months I carried you, growing inside of me...
For the months I carried you growing inside of me… Entrepreneurs know the travails of starting and growing a business. The challenges associated with carrying a business from incubation to reality. It’s no easy task.
Career transitions, college students, and goal seekers all know how difficult it is to carry the burden of studies to get to the finish line. It’s no easy task.
Parents know how difficult it is to bear the burden of the change in lifestyle as a newborn is expected. It’s no easy task.
Let’s not forget authors whose stories became known from a dream, to a thought, to a page, to a book. Published! It’s no easy task.
So it is with whatever we put our minds to. Whatever we decide to do from idea, thought, dream, goal… it is not going to…
Retirement: The Journey and The Destination is a guide to help readers in their twenties, thirties, forties, and fifties learn and appreciate the key considerations that should direct the process of planning for retirement so their preparation will not be fragmented, lopsided and insufficient.
It’s such a beautiful feeling when dreams come through. This impactful organization (HHRABC) had never celebrated its over 25 years of industry contribution. It was such a delight to work with the board to make this dream a reality.
Among the leaders recognized were Florida Atlantic University’s Dr Peter Ricci, Attorney Bob Turk, Hotelier & Author Charles Ryan Minton, Labor and Employment Attorney David Miklas, Florida’s Department of Defense (DoD) Peter Caspari along with HHRABC President and Board members throughout the years.
As Vice President for the past four years, it was indeed a joy to dream of this celebration and to see it come through.
No matter who you are, no matter what you did, no matter where you’ve come from, you can always change, become a better version of yourself.
~Madonna
Longing to pursue a Dream? Experiencing a Strong desire to pursue that career change? Are you a New leader lacking confidence? So many of us experience one or more of these 5 Signs yet stay stuck for years.
You feel Stuck
Wanting to pursue a lifelong dream
Long to become your best self
Career Advancement and Personal Growth
Desiring to feel confident
As a Certified Professional Coach, let’s get you or someone you know unstuck today. Ask me how and make 2023 your best year yet.