It’s time to think about what to pack for your summer vacation travels. Flip flops – check. Sunglasses – got it. Swimsuit, beach hat – oh yea. Bag of business books – hmm. Yes, I said it! Instead of filling your overflow bag, Kindle or audio downloads with a steady diet of the usual romance or murder mystery novels, diversify your mix with a non-fiction best-seller. This list should provide at least one selection to give you insights and thoughtful energy on how to keep your business moving forward.
These books have been selected from the Washington Post, New York Times and Amazon best-seller lists, so you will have plenty of forums to discuss and critique.
Switch: How to Change Things When Change is Hard by the Heath Brothers
The book uses case studies, success stories and psychology to teach us how to change. And they have the credentials to back it up. Chip Heath is a professor of business strategy at Stanford Graduate School of Business. Dan Heath is founder of the Change Academy and Senior Fellow at Duke University’s CASE center, which supports social entrepreneurs.
You are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life by Jen Sincero
How could we not love a book with this title! But it’s not just a great title it’s a great book and a perfect summer read. The chapters are self-contained nuggets of humor and information that allow you to develop a personal awareness.
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing by Marie Kondo
Although the author is a cleaning consultant, don’t mistake this book for just a spring cleaning guide. Her methods in this surprise best-seller have been called life-changing and tidying up serves as a metaphor for simplifying other areas of your life.
Astrophysics for People in a Hurry by Neil deGrasse Tyson
Everyone’s favorite astrophysicist is back with another best-seller. He’s one smart guy and yet he has an uncanny ability to explain in everyday terms what seems unintelligible for most of us. This will appeal to your business sense because it puts everything in perspective and makes us realize our place in the universe. Plus, aren’t we all in a hurry?
Unshakeable: Your Financial Freedom Playbook by Tony Robbins
This personal/business guide promises to create “peace of mind in a world of volatility.” The author is a life and business strategist who has coach more than 50 million people in 100 countries. As a bonus, he will donate all (yes – 100%) of the proceeds to Feeding America.
Business Adventures: Twelve Classic Tales from The World of Wall Street by John Brooks
Originally published in 1969, this book remains a best-seller and has moved to the category of a classic thanks to Bill Gates endorsement. Loaned to him by Warren Buffett decades after it was first published he calls it “the best business book I’ve ever read . . . insights about business are just as relevant today as they were back then.”
Get a free download of Bill Gates favorite chapter via this link:
https://www.gatesnotes.com/Books/Business-Adventures-Free-Chapter-Download
Option B: Facing Adversity, Building Resilience and Finding Joy by Sheryl Sandberg and Adam Grant
After her husband’s sudden death, the COO of Facebook had no more joy. For the sake of her kids initially and then for survival, this book is Sandberg’s story of how she had to move on to Option B. It has also spawned a nonprofit to help others overcome adversity and build resilience in personal and professional situations.
And here’s one just for fun and just because summer is synonymous with baseball.
Papi: My Story by David Ortiz
A beloved Red Sox legend talks about his time with the famed baseball team. It includes Ortiz’ contribution to breaking the curse of the Bambino with three world series championships after a lifetime of losses for Fenway fans.
Be sure to pack one or two of these on your carry-on bag and you’ll come back from your trip with a new business attitude.
Leisa Chester Weir
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