“They’re all here for Microphone Check,” said someone behind the counter to the theater manager. “Should we pause the film?”

Exploring the history of hip-hop

Microphone Check is a documentary about the history of hip-hop and its origins. The film highlights some of the creators of hip-hop who are not often mentioned in the history and fills the gaps in the story between its founding in 1973 and the start of the 1980s. The documentary features Coke La Rock, credited for being the first MC, Sharon “Sha-Rock” Gree, who is considered to be the first female MC and Lauree “Trixie” Myers, the first breakdancer. It also looks at other elements of the culture, such as graffiti, and features an interview with Darryl McCray, who is “Cornbread,” the first modern graffiti artist.

Many fans of hip-hop trace its origins to a 1973 party hosted by DJ Kool Herc at 1520 Sedgwick Ave. in the Bronx. But according to director Tariq Nasheed, there is more to the story than that, and his concern is that much of the credit for its creation has been misplaced. 

DJ Kool Herc, Grandmaster Flash and Africa Bambaataa are the three names that often come up when people speak about hip-hop’s creation. But Nasheed argues that the culture began to form prior to these three DJs, and he wants to ensure that the Black American founders of hip-hop who don’t have Caribbean roots have their stories told, too.

The godfather of hip-hop 

“The godfather of hip-hop is our brother Kool Herc who was from Jamaica,” says Nasheed. “He had the first technical hip-hop party that encompassed the break beats, the break dancers, everything to graffiti. Because he is the godfather, a lot of the media narrative is that he brought hip-hop from Jamaica to the Americas.” 

But Nasheed would like to see credit given to the non-Carribean Black Americans who were part of the creation of hip-hop culture. Fifty years later, many of hip-hop’s founders like Disco King Mario have passed on, and Nasheed wants to make sure that their stories are told before the narrative forgets them altogether.

“Surprisingly, many of them are still alive,” says Nasheed. “They’re up there in age and very important, too. A lot of the media will just wait until people die off and when they die off you can really go roughshod and tell anything you want to tell because they’re not here to clarify anything no more. So we did a phenomenal thing while getting these people while they’re still alive, to tell the story and get everything written in stone.” 

Throwing the pennies together

Microphone Check was largely funded by fans. The documentary had a Kickstarter that raised more than $260,000 and had more than 2,000 donors. 

“These record labels have artists that they need to promote,” says Nasheed. “So they do a documentary. They will try to flip it as a way to promote their artists. So what they’ll do, they’ll talk about hip-hop, the history of it for a quick second, and then jump to the 2000s. 

“I didn’t want to do that,” says Nasheed.” I didn’t focus on too many modern rappers in this film. We stuck to the ’70s most of the movie. People talk about that party that Kool Herc had [in 1973]; no one ever talks about the before and after… what happened from ’73 to 1979 when the Sugarhill Gang released the first hip-hop record. There’s a big gap that’s never really talked about. We dig deep into that gap.”

Nasheed says that the willingness of fans to pay for its production is a testimony to hip- hop fans’ desire to hear the story of the genre, especially when many modern documentaries are funded by large production companies and record labels. 

“You can gauge the excitement level when you have the community get together and throw the pennies together to make the funding happen,” says Nasheed. “That shows a lot of interest. People are very interested in seeing the story, so I’m very thankful for the crowd and [for] the audience who helped fund the production of the movie because that puts a certain energy on it.”

Hip-hop culture: The influential genre

Hip-hop culture has had an undeniable influence on branding, fashion and music at a global level. When brands decide what’s popular, they often look to the streets. Much of what ends up on the runway during fashion week is inspired by what hip-hop artists and fans are wearing. These styles are reproduced in the looks that you find in fashion magazines and retail stores.

“Hip-hop culture dictates what goes on on the corporate level,” says Nasheed. “They have whole market research teams that sit around, studying the streets, studying hip- hop culture, studying our culture to see what’s going to be the next thing so they can get in front of it and kind of capitalize off of it.”

Microphone Check premiered in theaters in 12 cities between May 22 and May 25, but if you missed it in theaters, don’t worry! It can be purchased on Blu-Ray.

Photo courtesy of Tariq Nasheed

The post Microphone Check: The New Documentary Sets the Record Straight on Hip-Hop History   appeared first on SUCCESS.

Professional development books give insight on how to grow in our careers, grow as people and better approach work-related challenges, shifting work environments and new opportunities. In this post, we’ll dive into books that speak to the three following categories:

• Books on personal habits, attitudes and approaches
• Mental health and work books
• Books for entrepreneurs
• Books for managers and founders

Read on to discover 45 of the best professional development books. 

Professional development books on habits, attitudes and approaches

1. Take the Leap: Change Your Career, Change Your Life

By Sara Bliss

If you’re tired of your 9-to-5 job and often find yourself daydreaming about pursuing something else, Sara Bliss’s Take the Leap features more than 60 stories of people who did just that. You’ll meet Jon Deng, a U.S. Army officer turned software engineer; Ge Wang, a lawyer who became the owner of a menswear business; and Monique Greenwood, a magazine editor-in-chief turned innkeeper.

Bliss doesn’t just share the stories of others, but also her own. She was working at the front desk of a Manhattan auction house “helping move art from one fancy apartment to another.” So she left to become a writer.

The stories Bliss shares are important because “people who have radically changed their lives provide serious inspiration to… everyone who has ever wanted to switch gears but worry they are too old, too young, too broke”—and the list goes on. If that sounds like you, this is a must-read. 

2. Success Habits: Proven Principles for Greater Wealth, Health, and Happiness

By Napoleon Hill

Though Napoleon Hill died more than five decades ago, there is still much one can learn from his teachings. His work these days is managed by the Napoleon Hill Foundation. In their newest production, Success Habits, you’ll find never before published insights from one of the godfathers of personal development.

To create this book, a series of radio talks delivered by Hill were transcribed and edited for cohesiveness. The book is divided into 13 chapters filled with gems of deep insight, such as, “Mental attitude attracts to you the physical counterparts of your dominating thoughts as surely as an electromagnet attracts steel filings. Keep your mental attitude positive at all times and you may make your life pay off on your own terms.”

Hill’s principles are candid, some coming from his own experiences and others in the form of entertaining stories. 

3. Wise Guy: Lessons From a Life

By Guy Kawasaki

Whereas many people write memoirs in a linear fashion, Guy Kawasaki tells his story in vignettes, giving the reader entertaining tales from his life with important takeaways. He also imparts a personal development spin. Rather than leaving the reader with vague lessons learned, Kawasaki spells it out with tips, advice and quotes.

Among the best nuggets: “Do the right thing, not what you can get away with when you achieve a position of power and wealth,” Kawasaki writes. “Money can’t buy scruples—indeed, money may prevent scruples. With money comes the responsibility to act magnanimous—not abusive.”

With advice ranging from where to go for college (away from your hometown) to knowing when to keep your mouth shut, Kawasaki offers useful wisdom no matter your age or profession. In Wise Guy, Kawasaki shares important stories that can be valuable to anyone looking to take the next big step in their professional or personal life.

4. Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear

By Elizabeth Gilbert

Big Magic is all about the habits, attitudes and approaches people can take to live their most creative life. And while this book is often recommended to artists, writers and other creative people, it’s also perfect for business owners who want to approach their everyday lives with more mindfulness and passion.

5. The Alter Ego Effect: The Power of Secret Identities to Transform Your Life

By Todd Herman

Life is full of moments that involve reinventing yourself and taking a step forward into the future. In The Alter Ego Effect, author Todd Herman suggests that we add another element: creating an alter ego to boost our confidence and skills. Just as Clark Kent has Superman inside him, we all have a hero inside us waiting for the time to put on a cape. I fully endorse this book so that everyone can unlock their potential.

6. Accidental Genius: Using Writing to Generate Your Best Ideas, Insight, and Content

By Mark Levy

Accidental Genius is a book that describes the power of “freewriting.” Freewriting is the technique of writing continuously, without editing, for a fixed period of time. It allows your mind to expel “junk thoughts” before paving the way for truly brilliant and creative thoughts. 

This is a great book for anyone who needs to find creative solutions or wants to improve their writing in general.

7. Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less

By Greg McKeown

You won’t fulfill your dreams, change the world or make an impact if you’re simply reacting to everyone else’s expectations and requests through a bombardment of emails, meetings, calls and commitments. 

Essentialism is a great guide for narrowing your efforts in order to proactively control your day, so you can spend more time on what will produce the most success and happiness.

8. How to Make Sh*t Happen: Make More Money. Get in Better Shape. Create Epic Relationships and Control Your Life

By Sean Whalen

Nearly all the topics that matter most to us are covered in this book—How to Make Sh*t Happen. What happens is this: Thanks to the chaotic environment and harried lifestyles society has made the norm, we cannot figure out how to strike the right balance to achieve everything we want to achieve.

Sean Whalen’s own successes among this varied and full life—as a father, entrepreneur, public speaker, podcaster and business coach—make him an excellent candidate for helping the rest of us be in control of our lives and get more done.

9. Your Best Year Ever: A 5-Step Plan for Achieving Your Most Important Goals 

By Michael Hyatt

Your Best Year Ever is a great mindset to adopt, something that will be easy to do after you check out Hyatt’s actionable steps for making it a reality. Rather than just being a cheerleader, the author delivers the reasons life should matter and how you can develop your own purpose for reaching your full potential.

Hyatt’s approach is to develop a research-based process for determining how to set your individual goals and take the steps needed to achieve them despite feeling overwhelmed by daily stress. It’s a system you can apply to your business, personal, fitness and/or relationship goals.

10. Great at Work: How Top Performers Do Less, Work Better and Achieve More 

By Morten T. Hansen

Doing less and achieving more is an ideal we all share about work and life. Great at Work was written by the co-author of New York Times bestselling Great by Choice. Thanks to Hansen, we now have a road map for how we can work in a smarter way through his seven “work smarter practices.”

To illustrate each of these practices, Hansen includes specific stories from all types of people that show the wide range of jobs and perspectives out there. To include you in the process, he also provides quizzes and questionnaires, making the practices relatable so you can enact change immediately.

11. Treating People Well: The Extraordinary Power of Civility at Work and in Life 

By Lea Berman and Jeremy Bernard

With the decline in regular face-to-face interaction and so many people hiding behind social media, it seems as though politeness is often lost at work and in daily life. Penned by two former White House social secretaries, Treating People Well is committed to bringing civility back so we can start treating each other better.

Berman and Bernard talk about their experiences while working at the White House, including interactions with celebrities, foreign leaders and other staff members. They focus on how you can incorporate what they learned into your own relationships with your boss and colleagues. This includes ways to develop important social skills, whether you use them online or in person.

12. Drop the Ball: Achieving More by Doing Less

By Tiffany Dufu

Tiffany Dufu has a common story, the one about the new mother who thought she could do it all, only to run smack into reality. To put this in perspective, here is a partial list of Dufu’s accomplishments: launch team member for Lean In; chief leadership officer at Levo, a career and social media website; president of the White House Project; associate development director at Seattle Girls’ School; and member of the Women’s Forum of New York.

As much a memoir as a how-to, Drop the Ball recounts Dufu’s struggle and solution: letting go. She learned to recalibrate expectations, concentrate on her to-do list and accept help from others. Dufu urges women to embrace imperfection and marshal the energy to develop a rich, balanced life—one that includes professional goals. It’s a practical kind of feminism for the 21st century, one endorsed by Gloria Steinem’s enthusiastic foreword.

13. What Motivates Getting Things Done: Procrastination, Emotions and Success

By Mary Lamia

Getting things done is not a matter of willpower. That’s the good news. A clinical psychologist and a professor in the doctoral program at the Wright Institute, Mary Lamia says procrastination is not a mental problem but a problem centered in human emotions. In fact, she says, some high-achieving people are procrastinators, but they have learned how to use procrastination as a source of motivation, and waiting for the spur of pressing deadlines is part of their productivity cycle. Others feel the need to start on projects immediately. One strategy is not necessarily better than the other, so long as things get done.

In What Motivates Getting Things Done, Lamia shows how anyone can harness their own personal work style for maximum productivity. She takes the reader on a tour of the emotional lives of high achievers, those who procrastinate and those who don’t, and surveys the current science on motivation. Humans, she says, are motivated not only by the pursuit of positive emotions but also by the desire to avoid negative ones. Therefore, managing negative emotions—shame, fear, guilt, anxiety—is key to her approach. Fortunately, it’s something anyone can learn. 

Professional development books about mental health and work

1. Stress Less, Accomplish More: Meditation for Extraordinary Performance

By Emily Fletcher

When she was 27, Emily Fletcher was the understudy for three lead roles on Broadway, but it wasn’t all that it was made out to be. Whenever she had a bad performance, she was devastated. Then she met another actress who was understudying five lead roles, yet—unlike Fletcher—seemed “calm and centered.” The actress told Fletcher it all came down to meditation.

At first she didn’t believe it, but eventually Fletcher tried it, became hooked and ultimately quit acting to travel to India to learn more about meditation. That’s what led her to create Ziva Meditation and the Ziva technique, which consists of meditation, mindfulness and manifesting.

Fletcher makes one thing clear. “Stress Less, Accomplish More is not another meditation book heralding the benefits of higher states of consciousness without giving you any real tools to get there,” she writes. “This book is all about extraordinary performance.” Meditation, Fletcher argues, can not only improve your health and peace of mind, but it can also help you excel at whatever it is you do. 

2. When to Jump: If the Job You Have Isn’t the Life You Want 

By Mike Lewis

We’ve all been in a job where that voice in our head is telling us it’s not the one that will give us what we want out of life. Maybe you’re there right now. If so, then this is a great book to pick up today. Lewis has been in your shoes; it’s why he wrote When to Jump. He knows everyone wonders when they should go ahead and make such a huge change in their life.

In the book, he shares stories from people with various jobs and backgrounds who made big jumps in their careers. They share why and how they did it, as well as when they realized it was time to go for it. There are more than 40 different stories in the book—any one of which might inspire you to finally make that jump for yourself.

3. The Nature Fix: Why Nature Makes Us Happier, Healthier, and More Creative

By Florence Williams

As Homo sapiens become an increasingly urban species, evidence for our dependence on nature continues to grow stronger. Florence Williams, who has been a contributing editor to Outside magazine, scoured the latest science while traveling the world for examples. 

In The Nature Fix, Williams explores how Scotland offers “ecotherapeutic” therapy for people who are mentally ill, and in West Virginia, being outside has been found to help children with ADHD. Williams is an elegant yet witty writer, and she makes a terrific guide.

4. The Future of Happiness: 5 Modern Strategies for Balancing Productivity and Well-Being in the Digital Era

By Amy Blankson

Technology makes us more productive, but it comes with a cost: multitasking, 24-hour availability and the incessant sensation that we are falling further behind. In The Future of Happiness, Amy Blankson says there’s good news. Technology also gives us the tools we need to find balance, and even happiness, amid the distractions of the digital age.

Blankson proposes five strategies for managing a coherent 21st century life: Stay grounded because distraction is a choice; think smaller and use technology to understand the world; train your brain to use emerging technologies to cultivate a positive mindset; create a habitat for happiness and declutter your space and your mind; and be a conscious innovator to make today’s technology shape the future you want. The wise use of technology can help us achieve happiness right now, she says, not in some distant future.

Professional development books for entrepreneurs

1. Crushing It! How Great Entrepreneurs Build Their Business and Influence—and How You Can Too 

By Gary Vaynerchuk

Crushing It provides you with incredible ideas from a super influential social media sensation, motivational speaker and author. Vaynerchuk pulls no punches in his live and social media events, and the same is true in this entertaining book.

Vaynerchuk tells some of the best stories from entrepreneurs who continue to add to their wealth and influence. This includes offering principles that readers can implement in their own lives and businesses. The book breaks down each social media platform to make it easy to understand how it can be used to build your empire.

2. Superconnector: Stop Networking and Start Building Relationships That Matter 

By Scott Gerber and Ryan Paugh

You might not want to hear that the approach to networking you’ve been accustomed to is in need of an overhaul, but Gerber and Paugh show you why it doesn’t work and how to look for a different type of connection: the superconnector. Superconnectors make things happen by leveraging the power within social platform communities.

The authors also teach you how to become a superconnector yourself, offering advice on practicing habitual generosity and the importance of open communication and Google-proofing your reputation, all of which can help pave your path to success.

3. What’s Your Presentation Persona? Discover Your Unique Communication Style and Succeed in Any Arena

By Scott Schwertly and Sunday Mancini

Science used to indicate you were stuck with the brain you were born with. Actually, it is possible to rewire the brain through practice to support healthier habits, eliminate bad habits and give yourself lifelong learning. “Neuroplasticity can even make it possible to retrain your brain’s physical abilities simply by imagining those changes,” the authors write in What’s Your Presentation Persona? So don’t give up on that air guitar just yet.

We live in a golden age of public speaking. The thing is, most speeches are delivered to small groups and are known as “presentations” or “sales pitches.” Co-author Scott Schwertly, founder of Ethos3, a presentation design and training boutique in Nashville, Tennessee, offers a proprietary test to determine each individual’s strengths. By classifying you in one of several categories, from scholar to scientist to entertainer, Schwertly promises to hone your presentation skills. You can even become a well-rounded presenter by trying other personas.

4. Win at Losing: How Our Biggest Setbacks Can Lead to Our Greatest Gains

By Sam Weinman

Sports reporter Sam Weinman didn’t know how to guide his sons through losses at school and on the field. To learn more, he interviewed high-profile achievers who had survived public defeat, including athletes, entertainers, politicians and executives. Weinman learned that real success comes not in spite of but because of loss, humiliation and rejection.

Weinman says, being a good loser “implies perspective and resilience and the quiet confidence that the world will not crumble around you because of a fleeting setback.” In Win at Losing, he supports the point with the stories of golfer Greg Norman, politician Michael Dukakis, actress Susan Lucci and others.

Professional development books for managers and founders

1. Brave New Work: Are You Ready to Reinvent Your Organization?

By Aaron Dignan

Wherever he goes, organizational consultant Aaron Dignan meets workers and leaders who are frustrated by pressure to grow, deliver and execute, all while being hamstrung by endless emails and meetings.

“This isn’t the way it has to be, or even the way it always was,” Dignan writes. “Our way of working was created, brick by brick, by gurus, industrialists, robber barons, unions, and universities—generations of managers and workers who came before us. We can thank them for what is still serving us, and we can change the rest.”

In Brave New Work, Dignan offers a number of solutions. Not all of his advice will be popular with everyone: Dignan’s idea to eliminate bonuses likely wouldn’t go over well in some offices, for example. He invites you to use what you can and what you need and to experiment in your workplace. Dignan presents his ideas in an accessible manner with worksheets, checklists and questionnaires to help. 

2. Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In

By Roger Fisher, William Ury and Bruce Patton

Everyone needs to have negotiation skills. Most people think of negotiation as an “us-versus-them” situation. But Getting to Yes by Roger Fisher, William Ury and Bruce Patton shows how you can find common interests that lead to great outcomes for all parties. 

This is an excellent book for business owners who want to have a better relationship with their partners and customers.

3. The Replaceable Founder

By Ari Meisel

The Replaceable Founder by Ari Meisel begs the question: How much notice do you need to give your team to take a last-minute vacation? How much notice would they need to give you? If the answer is more than 48 hours, this is a red flag and means there are bottlenecks within your company that are preventing you from communicating effectively and having redundancy and safety in the organization.

4. The Making of a Manager, What to Do When Everyone Looks to You

By Julie Zhuo

Sometimes we’re asked to become leaders regardless of whether we’re ready for it. That was the case for Julie Zhuo, who at 25 found herself a first-time boss with more questions than answers.

“This is the book that’s here to tell you that your fears and doubts are normal,” Zhuo writes. “And, like me, you’re going to figure it out.” Using clear-cut examples of how great leadership looks in the workplace, Zhuo creates a practical guide. One example is the art of feedback and how to make it as effective as possible for bosses and their reports. Feedback should be specific, clarify what success looks like and inform next steps, she explains.

Although most of The Making of a Manager focuses on leading others, Zhuo also writes about leading yourself. Whether you’re a first-time boss or you’ve been doing this for a while, there’s something to take away from the book, including tips on growing a team and a culture. And, as a designer, Zhuo uses illustration to creatively explain some of her most important points. 

5. Radical Candor: Be a Kickass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity

By Kim Scott

Alice Roosevelt Longworth is famously connected to the phrase, “If you can’t say something good about someone, sit right here by me.” But that’s not what consultant Kim Scott means by “radical candor.” No, she’s talking about the “unnatural act” of delivering honest criticism—and praise—to employees. Praise sounds patronizing, Scott says, and criticism can be brutal. As a result, most bosses avoid genuine open communication altogether, which makes them bad bosses.

Scott has worked as a CEO coach at several Silicon Valley outfits, including Google, Dropbox, Twitter and Apple. She has developed three simple principles for hitting the “Goldilocks” zone between obnoxious aggression and ruinous empathy: Make it personal, get [stuff] done and understand why it matters. In Radical Candor, Scott shows how to receive criticism as well as give it and how to encourage multidirectional feedback.

6. Good People: The Only Leadership Decision That Really Matters

By Anthony Tjan

In Good People, Anthony Tjan brings a timeless human question into the modern business world: What is goodness? In the workplace, goodness is often limited to competence and productivity. Tjan says real goodness includes integrity, compassion, generosity, gratitude and kindness. Sometimes dismissed as “soft,” these characteristics actually enable leaders to create business cultures of real value and longevity.

7. The Inspiration Code: How the Best Leaders Energize People Every Day

By Kristi Hedges

Executive coach Kristi Hedges says that just as any child can grow up to be president, any employee, manager, or CEO can become a real inspiration to others. The behaviors that make for the kind of active listener and motivational conversationalist people want to follow are not a matter of born talent. They’re the result of skills that can be learned.

In The Inspiration Code, Hedges argues that inspirational leadership comes from a few consistent routine behaviors: investing in each conversation with full attention, speaking authentically, displaying the emotion and energy appropriate to each situation and helping others find meaning in their place within the big picture. Hedges refutes common myths about executive leadership. She says what really moves people to action is genuine communication. With this message, Hedges delivers an exceptional leadership book.

8. Performance Partnerships: The Checkered Past, Changing Present and Exciting Future of Affiliate Marketing 

By Robert Glazer

As a leader in affiliate marketing, Robert Glazer understands how this concept has been misunderstood and dismissed over the years. Yet he continues to focus on this marketing tool because his decade in the industry has produced actual quantifiable results that he shares in this book.

In Performance Partnerships, Glazer goes beyond the surface of affiliate marketing. He delves into the history of the field and how it has evolved into a results-oriented form of direct-to-consumer digital marketing. The book is filled with incredible advice on how to tap into the power of affiliate marketing. This is the year to add it to your marketing strategy.

9. Never Lose a Customer Again: Turn Any Sale Into Lifelong Loyalty in 100 Days 

By Joey Coleman

Joey Coleman is a business consultant and public speaker who has woven his theory of customer loyalty throughout this book. He believes companies that cultivate customer loyalty will reap the benefits for years to come.

In Never Lose a Customer Again, Coleman walks readers through each of the emotional phases customers experience within the first 100 days after they have made a purchase. This examination of the customer journey can help you identify what you can do to ensure buyer’s remorse doesn’t set in. The book gives you the tactics to create the type of memorable experiences that will keep customers coming back for more.

10. Inspired: How to Create Tech Products Customers Love 

By Marty Cagan

Everyone wants to create the next iPhone. It’s the dream of every startup founder to build a successful company that rivals brands like Apple, Google and Tesla. This book tells you how to approach technology product development and management in a way that directs everything you do around what the customer would want.

In Inspired, Marty Cagan covers every factor that counts, such as talent, skill sets, market research, customer input and more. He bases all his insights on his own personal stories, as well as stories from Adobe, Apple, BBC, Google, Microsoft and Netflix.

11. Shortcut Your Startup: Speed Up Success With Unconventional Advice From the Trenches 

By Courtney Reum and Carter Reum

The faster you get your startup going, the faster it can grow and offer a return, right? But it often feels as though it can’t go fast enough. That might be because you have not yet discovered all the ways you don’t have to reinvent the wheel. In Shortcut Your Startup, brothers Courtney and Carter Reum, former Goldman Sachs investment bankers and investors, have delivered a helpful guide full of shortcuts you can use to accelerate your startup’s development.

They leverage their experience of investing in more than 130 companies to give you shortcuts and tips that will help you speed past certain steps, avoid specific mistakes and take advantage of particular partnerships to piggyback on others’ resources. The book is intended for all kinds of entrepreneurs at every stage in the startup process.

12. Build Your Dream Network: Forging Powerful Relationships in a Hyper-Connected World

By J. Kelly Hoey

The world has never been so tightly knit, thanks to digital technology, but as we all know, connections on social media can be superficial and unsatisfying. In Build Your Dream Network, J. Kelly Hoey shows us how to master the new tools. 

She’s been a columnist for Inc.com and a commentator on CNBC and was named among “25 of the Smartest Women on Twitter.” She’s also learned the hard way that good old-fashioned quality relationships are as important as ever, and she’s devised a detailed plan for building them in our brave new electronic world.

13. Extreme Teams: Why Pixar, Netflix, Airbnb and Other Cutting-Edge Companies Succeed Where Most Fail

By Robert Bruce Shaw

Consultant Robert Bruce Shaw isn’t the first to examine successful 21st-century teams, but his observations are fresh and insightful. The trick is hiring the right people to create the right atmosphere and maximizing profits by choosing to not make profits what matters most. Extreme Teams shows you how. According to Shaw, Pixar uses constant feedback, whereas Whole Foods fosters super-autonomous teams. What all these successful businesses have in common is the willingness to toss conventional wisdom overboard to make room for innovation.

14. Let the Story Do the Work: The Art of Storytelling for Business Success

By Esther K. Choy

Leadership expert Esther K. Choy says everyone knows a story is a great way to hook attention and convey a message people will remember. But it’s hard. In Let the Story Do the Work, Choy illustrates the skills that make storytelling work: giving raw experiences narrative shape, finding the right structure and ending on the right note. A few basic storytelling techniques, she says, will aid in a range of situations, from interviews to fundraising and from changing minds to establishing strong relationships.

15. Excuse Me: The Survival Guide to Modern Business Etiquette

By Rosanne J. Thomas

When Steve Jobs traded a coat and tie for turtlenecks and jeans, he gave too many younger professionals the idea that the only etiquette that matters anymore is be-yourself casual. This is a huge miscalculation. Etiquette in business is more important than ever, warns Rosanne J. Thomas, founder of Protocol Advisors, an etiquette-training consultancy. Sure, it might not be the same as in the day of the gray-flannel-suit crowd, but good manners are indispensable for avoiding confusion and social blunders in today’s fast-paced workspaces.

The collapse of clear-cut rules of etiquette and the advent of open-plan offices and increasing connectivity spur energy and creativity. At the same time, the chance of unintentionally offending someone (even your boss) can skyrocket. In Excuse Me, Thomas offers guidance on such up-to-the-minute issues as cellphone use in meetings, proper office attire, electronic manners, business dining, telecommuting and more.

16. Earning It: Hard-Won Lessons From Trailblazing Women at the Top of the Business World

By Joann S. Lublin

Only 4.6% of Fortune 500 CEOs are women, and Joann S. Lublin, former management news editor for Wall Street Journal, includes many of them, as well as other female business leaders, in Earning It. 

Most were “firsts,” just as Lublin, in 1969, became the first female summer intern at Wall Street Journal’s Washington bureau. “They dismantled the old boys club, destroyed myths about the capabilities of female leaders and continue to serve as role models.” Lessons are to be learned, but Lublin, a first-rate writer, makes the stories of this “unique elite” a pleasure to read.

17. UnBranding: 100 Branding Lessons for the Age of Disruption

By Scott Stratten and Alison Stratten

Given the shiny tools of the digital age, it’s easy to be distracted from those things that, shockingly, have not changed. In UnBranding, the husband-and-wife duo Alison and Scott Stratten explain that no new app can fix bad customer service, poor products or damaged branding. New business technologies and strategies work better when they are married to certain timeless values.

18. The Geography of Genius: A Search for the World’s Most Creative Places From Ancient Athens to Silicon Valley

By Eric Weiner

Renaissance Italy was a hotbed of creativity and innovation. Viennese coffee shops of the 19th century hosted a generation of intellectuals, such as Sigmund Freud. Ancient Greece birthed philosophers aplenty. Why? “Certain places, at certain times, produced a bumper crop of brilliant minds and good ideas,” writes Eric Weiner, author of the best-selling The Geography of Bliss. 

In The Geography of Genius, Weiner takes readers on a delightful armchair road trip to visit these genius “clusters” and learn about the relationship between culture, creativity, geography and history. Weiner’s snappy writing and unique observations round out the enjoyable adventure.

19. The Healthy Workplace: How to Improve the Well-Being of Your Employees—and Boost Your Company’s Bottom Line

By Leigh Stringer

Everyone would like to promote employee wellness, but does it really boost your bottom line? Leigh Stringer, a workplace strategy expert and founder of WomanUp, marshals impressive evidence that it does. Studies, she says, show that staring at computer screens, eating unhealthy meals at a work desk, long hours, stress and other consequences of squeezing employees too hard is bad strategy. Not only does it result in time and productivity lost to sick days, but it also reduces workers’ efficiency when they are on the job.

While vast numbers of workers “are already trying hard to be healthy at work,” most companies remain “fairly reactive when it comes to employee health.” In The Healthy Workplace, Stringer uses herself as a guinea pig, trying new techniques, nutritional ideas and up-to-date behavioral science. It’s a fun trip, but it’s also an effective way to provide lots of research and information. Stringer concludes with a detailed chapter called “The Business Case for Health” that convincingly argues that proactive health strategies result in an impressive return on investment.

20. Make Your Own Waves: The Surfer’s Rules for Innovators and Entrepreneurs

By Louis Patler

Surfers have produced a number of innovative products and successful businesses, including the GoPro camera. Louis Patler, who is both a consultant and surfer, offers a 10-point plan on how to develop the characteristics successful surfers and entrepreneurs share, beginning with learning to swim. The other nine include getting wet; deciding to ride; always looking outside; committing, charging and shredding; paddling back out; never turning your back on the ocean; daring big; never surfing alone; and staying stoked. These metaphors prove to be surprisingly powerful teaching tools that stick in the mind in Patler’s book, Make Your Own Waves.

21. Platform Revolution: How Networked Markets Are Transforming the Economy and How to Make Them Work for You

By Geoffrey Parker, Marshall Van Alstyne and Sangeet Paul Choudary

The authors of Platform Revolution, two academics and an analyst, argue that digital platforms will continue to disrupt legacy businesses for the foreseeable future. They acknowledge that this is not altogether good and can lead to unemployment, such as when Craigslist demolished newspaper classified advertising. But the shift will also generate billions in value and provide unforeseen opportunities for those who know how it works.

22. Scaling Lean: Mastering the Key Metrics for Startup Growth

By Ash Maurya

Just as almost no one waits for yesterday’s news to arrive on the doorstep, startups in the digital age cannot afford to rely on yesterday’s metrics. Ash Maurya, creator of the one-page business modeling tool Lean Canvas and author of the startup guide Running Lean, subjects every angle of business measurement to rigorous inquiry. The result is Scaling Lean, a book of efficient tools for entrepreneurs to measure the feasibility of their business models.

23. Simplify: How the Best Businesses in the World Succeed

By Richard Koch and Greg Lockwood

The prescription Richard Koch delivers in Simplify boils down to two tactics. The first, “price simplifying,” means ease of manufacture, minimal product variety and the widest sales distribution possible. For example, at the beginning, McDonald’s shrank the traditional diner menu to nine items, eliminated waitstaff and co-opted customers into clearing their own tables. Henry Ford and IKEA are well-known price simplifiers too.

The second principle, “proposition simplifying,” has three components—a product should be intuitive, useful and beautiful. The master of this was Steve Jobs, who famously simplified Apple products by removing controls, leaving out software features and discarding interface options. Other companies that have used this principle include Uber and Google. Simplify is a practical book that can help entrepreneurs improve their business.

24. Superbosses: How Exceptional Leaders Master the Flow of Talent

By Sydney Finkelstein

Sydney Finkelstein possesses a big brain, gaudy credentials (consultant, speaker, professor of management at Dartmouth College’s Tuck School of Business) and a clear, entertaining writing style. Perhaps the most striking thing about Superbosses is how optimistic—even sunny—Finkelstein’s tone is. An influential restaurateur and chef, Finkelstein spent 10 years investigating business leadership in search of patterns across a range of industries.

And he found them. A superboss is not what Finkelstein calls a “bossy boss,” the Donald Trump-style of outsized personalities who “crack the whip and push employees to their limits.” A superboss, regardless of other qualities, is someone who develops talent. Finkelstein identifies 18 primary superbosses and a few dozen “likely superbosses,” including comedy’s Lorne Michaels and Jon Stewart, musician Miles Davis, NFL coach Bill Walsh and fashion’s Ralph Lauren. Each has spawned generations of talented leaders. What’s more, Superbosses is that rare business book that does more than inform. It’s positively hard to put down.

Photo credit: PIC SNIPE/Courtesy of Shutterstock

The post 45 Professional Development Books to Level Up Your Career and Your Life appeared first on SUCCESS.

You may have seen Krueger’s TikToks and reels. Krueger is the chief meteorologist at CW39 Houston, but he is also a social media sensation. His schtick is that he sneaks song lyrics into his weather forecast, mostly at the request of his fans. His TikTok account has grown to 1.9 million followers and has 27.3 million likes, and videos of his stealthy forecasts have been shared by Snoop Dogg, Lil Wayne and Metallica. 

It started with Wordle

Krueger and his coworkers are Wordle fans, and he started out sneaking the puzzle’s solution into his forecast for the day. 

“The joke around the office was you couldn’t talk about the Wordle of the day without spoiling it for someone else,” says Krueger. “As a nod to the people at work that already solved it, I would just stick the Wordle in my weather [forecast] at some point over the course of the morning. No matter what the word was, I would do it. Sometimes that takes some kind of creativity to weave it into my forecast.” 

Krueger started a TikTok account where he showed how he used the daily word in the weather. He would always post it the next day, as not to ruin the puzzle for anyone. Eventually, he started getting requests. 

“A few people online thought it was fun and that was going for a few months,” says Krueger. “It was my followers that steered it to what it is now. They’re the ones that suggested trying movie quotes or song lyrics.” 

Adam Krueger: Weatherman to TikTok sensation

This isn’t the first time Krueger has gone viral for his weather forecasts. During the pandemic, he was working at a TV station in Austin and everything had gone virtual. 

“I figured out a way to use my backyard as a giant green screen and would film myself walking around on the weather maps,” says Krueger. “I created this whole series I called ‘Weather on the Lawn’ where I was able to interact with the graphics and stand on certain cities and walk with a storm line across my yard.” 

Krueger never studied media production. Television weather forecasters have to get a degree in meteorology, which is heavy in math and science. 

“There was a minimal amount of required communication classes in college,” says Krueger. “Early in my career, I felt very shy. Public speaking was probably my No. 1 fear in life, and it took a while to warm up just to be on camera.” 

Even after a long career in television weather forecasting, Krueger says he still felt shy when he created his social media following.

“It was initially very uncomfortable to do—planning out some lyrics to say in the weather felt wrong,” says Krueger. “I kind of got over that, and that was a hurdle that felt good to clear. Now it’s like I look at it as a creative outlet, and it’s kind of like a brain exercise to figure this out.” 

“Weather Adam” becomes a sensation

When Krueger found out some of the artists whose lyrics he used were reposting his content, he was shocked. 

“My first really big one was when Snoop Dogg reposted my video and he commented ‘weatherman on one,’” says Krueger. “That just blew me away. When I first saw it, I thought it was like a fake Snoop account or something—no way this actually happened!” 

Krueger has noticed likes and comments from other artists including one from the Backstreet Boys and one from the Jonas Brothers. Comedian Taylor Tomlinson also made his forecast into a game show on her late-night comedy show, After Midnight. 

“I think the biggest ones for me are Snoop Dogg and Lil Wayne,” says Krueger. “Lin Manuel commented on the Hamilton one. There’s people that I’m a big fan of that suddenly know who I am. It just feels weird to say that out loud.” 

It’s a team effort

Luckily, Weather Adam’s workplace is in on the joke and have actually been able to leverage Krueger’s newfound fame. CW39 Houston maintains a collection of the “WeatherAdam” videos on their website. 

“My general manager at the TV station saw my very first video that I posted with the Wordle word and he was like, ‘That was cool,’” says Krueger. “He knew what the word was the next day when he saw me and he’s like, ‘I don’t know how you’re going to do today’s word. Good luck with that.’

“From there on forward, they’ve been very cool with everything I’ve done,” says Krueger. “Once it started getting really popular when the song lyrics were going in, I revisited it with him, and I was like, I just want to make sure [we’re still good with it] because this is getting a lot of traction online… [and] he said he trusts that I’m going to be responsible and not do anything ridiculous.” 

Although it looks like his forecasts are heavy on the lyrics in his video clips, Krueger’s lyric insertions are spread out over several hours of news broadcasting, so they are not as obvious when you watch the weather report on TV. 

“My No. 1 priority is still the weather,” says Krueger. “On days where there’s severe weather or something big going on, I don’t mess with any social media videos of this nature.” 

Adam Krueger’s unique branding

Krueger declined to comment on whether he has monetized his social media pages, but he did say that he has done some brand partnerships. 

“I’ve had a lot of partnership opportunities reach out to me,” says Krueger. “I have done a few, and they are mostly weather-related. I did one with solar eclipse viewing glasses, and I’ve done one with Tostitos where they wanted specifically weather people.” 

Mainly, Krueger is just blown away by his surprise fame. 

“I’ll go places and people know me even outside of the city I live in,” says Krueger. “I was in Colorado not long ago at a weather conference, and someone’s like, ‘Hey! Weather Adam from TikTok!’”

Photo courtesy of CW39 Houston.

The post How Adam Krueger, AKA “Weather Adam,” Became a TikTok Sensation appeared first on SUCCESS.

But some workplace experts are speaking up and encouraging employees to do just the same in 2024; perhaps the only “resolution” you will need this year is some real talk. 

Unlearning Silence by Elaine Lin Hering

It’s a concept Harvard Law School lecturer Elaine Lin Hering, an expert in negotiation, influence and conflict management skills, explores in her upcoming book, Unlearning Silence: How to Speak Your Mind, Unleash Talent, and Live More Fully. She pushes readers to explore how we’ve learned to be silent, how we’ve benefited from silence, how we’ve silenced other people—and how we might choose another way.

“Only by unlearning silence can we more fully unleash talent, speak our minds and be more complete versions of ourselves… and help other people do the same,” she writes in her book.

She asks people to examine the costs of staying silent: “We unlearn being silent by recognizing and wrestling with the silence we’ve learned. What assumptions do we hold about where and when we’re allowed to speak up? What have we experienced as the costs of speaking up in the past? How are those costs the same or different in our current life or work situation?”

A 2020 survey found that 17.5% of employees surveyed don’t speak up at all at work when it comes to difficult topics. It’s easy to see why: In a constantly fluctuating market with an unpredictable economy, it can feel much safer to be quiet and do your job. But at what expense? Workplace environment and happiness, in some cases.

“Encouraging employees to be real in the workplace involves creating an environment where open communication is valued, diverse perspectives are welcomed and feedback is constructive rather than punitive,” says Carla Bevins, assistant teaching professor of business communication at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. “This can contribute to a positive work culture, increased employee satisfaction and ultimately, improved organizational success.”

Here’s what to know before you open your mouth to reveal a bit more than you usually do.

Learning how to speak up more at work isn’t easy at first

If you are used to being more reserved or holding your thoughts to tell your work bestie at your next coffee break, it can feel a bit daunting or out of character to start sharing how you really feel. You also might not be immediately met with positive feedback, as it can be hard for those around you to start hearing what you’ve been thinking, especially if it isn’t all rosy.

“People often face challenges, such as fear of repercussions, a lack of psychological safety or concerns about damaging relationships,” Bevins says. “Workplace hierarchies, communication barriers and a fear of being perceived as disruptive can also impede open dialogue.”

It can help to give it a go when you are in a room with more trusted colleagues and work friends, rather than starting in your most tense meetings. 

Unlearning silence has a greater impact on women

Especially in a male-dominated profession, some women might struggle to speak up and voice their concerns more than men. 

“Speaking up can be more challenging for women due to historical gender norms that discourage assertiveness,” Bevins says. “Women may fear being labeled as aggressive or confrontational. It is essential to promote inclusivity, mentorship and leadership training to empower women to voice their opinions confidently.”

Women, or anyone, who is hesitant to get started can try speaking up more outside of work. “Try speaking up in low-stakes situations with strangers about issues that you don’t care deeply about: a coffee shop where the barista gets your name wrong or with a cab driver you likely won’t see again, versus someone with whom you have an ongoing relationship… where the stakes are high,” Hering says.

How to speak up at work and broach hard-to-address topics

Once you get a bit more comfortable speaking up, you can broach harder topics with compassion and honesty for meaningful change at work.

“Sensitive topics like mental health, workload concerns and interpersonal conflicts are often challenging to address openly,” Bevins notes. “Employees may hesitate to express dissatisfaction with management decisions or voice opinions that go against the prevailing norm.”

But sometimes, it’s worth the work to shed light on those thoughts and opinions, and speaking up results in lasting positive change. 

“I worked for an international company whose main headquarters was in another country. We had a small office in California run by someone I had worked with for years. He ran the office like a tyrant and bullied several people in the office, including me, but no one would say anything to HR in the other country,” says Analei Samasei’a, CEO of Think Brilliantly, a marketing firm in Salt Lake City, Utah. 

“I did complain but was never taken seriously, so I thought,” Samasei’a continues. “Finally, he was traveling and headquarter’s HR came out and interviewed everyone in the office to see how things were going. No one said anything about the tyrant and bullying. When it was my turn, again I spoke up and gave examples of both, and it turned into a huge investigation in the company. The California office employees were brought back in and asked specifically about this. They all finally spoke up. The tyrant was removed from the office, and we all enjoyed the rest of our time together.”

Don’t just complain—come with a solution

It’s one thing to learn to voice concerns and another to voice both the concern and the potential solution. Bosses will love the latter a lot more, and they will be more likely to respect your voice on the issue and future ones as well.

“Developing the skill of speaking up involves active listening, choosing the right time and place, framing feedback constructively and offering solutions,” Bevins explains. You might even be part of building an environment where everyone can more openly bounce ideas around and feel they are in a safe space to disagree. “Encouraging a culture that values feedback and dissent can make it easier for individuals to express their thoughts without fear of backlash.”

How to speak up for yourself at work: Use some psychology for better results

Don’t just start blabbing. Study the people you work with first to determine what makes them tick and what strategies would work best to impact and persuade them. “That means starting from the perspective of how can I influence this person? Why do they do what they do? What’s motivating and animating them? [What are] their underlying interests?” says Timothy J. Vogus, faculty director of the Leadership Development Program and professor of management at Vanderbilt University. 

Then, once you have a better understanding of that, Vogus says it’s time to start offering feedback in a way that is actionable and specific, outlined as follows: “‘What am I observing? When does it occur? What is the evidence that it is a problem? What is a better approach and a willingness to help?’”

4 steps to unlearning silence according to Elaine Lin Hering

If you know why you are speaking up, you are more likely to succeed, Hering says. 

“What matters more to you than your own discomfort with speaking up? Is it justice? Is it someone’s dignity? Is it making sure this same thing doesn’t happen to other people?” she says. Here’s how she recommends doing speaking up:

1. Start with your why. 
2. Connect the dots. “Connecting the dots means explaining your thought process and data, because you do have reasoning and data to back up your perspective that is likely different than how someone else sees it,” she says.
3. Make the ask clear.
4. Embrace resistance. “Knowing that resistance is to be expected takes some of the sting out of it. You’re less likely to be surprised when people get defensive, push back or attack,” Hering says. “Instead, it’s ‘ohh there it is. There’s their resistance.’ And then if you want, engaging with the resistance to understand what new information you might learn from it.”

What companies can do across employee teams

Bosses can also facilitate more open conversation, encouraging whole teams to express themselves better. 

“One tool I use in my teaching is what is sometimes referred to as a ‘personal user manual,’ whereby students assemble into teams, describe their preferred styles of working and communicating…their ‘pet peeves,’” Vogus says. “By making what is typically tacit and learned through experience (if at all) explicit, it creates a foundation for empathic understanding and for more honest conversation and real learning to occur.” 

While building a positive workplace culture might seem like a lofty goal, it should be discussed in the same vein as profitability, along with retention goals. Nobody wants to work somewhere they are frequently silenced, either overtly or discreetly.

“This is a crucial issue, because honest communication fosters a positive work culture, encourages innovation and resolves conflicts efficiently,” Bevins says. “When employees feel heard and valued, they are more engaged, leading to increased productivity and overall job satisfaction.”

Photo by fizkes/Shutterstock.com

The post Unlearning Silence in the Workplace: How to Speak Up at Work appeared first on SUCCESS.

I decided I was ready to share my struggle with OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder, which is a chronic anxiety disorder). I hear these letters get tossed around casually when labeling (or judging) others’ behavior, but let’s consider what it means in a clinical sense: “The cycle of OCD persists through operant conditioning, where compulsions are behavioral responses that reduce anxiety. The effectiveness of the compulsion is what negatively reinforces that behavior in response to obsessions,” according to Dr. Menije Boduryan Turner. She explains that having OCD “greatly affects a person’s life due to intrusive thoughts, anxiety and uncertainty. OCD obsessions are intrusive and can be triggered at any time.”

According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, approximately 2.3% of the population has OCD, which is about 1 in 40 adults and 1 in 100 children in the U.S., so you never know who may be going through this experience. I was diagnosed several years before the pandemic and had been managing it well until then. But at that point, my OCD began to manifest itself in different ways. The medications I was on and the behavioral therapies I had been taught were no longer working. 

The internal communications manager who I worked with on my weekly emails sent me a draft, and as usual, I made a few tweaks. But this time, I added two paragraphs of my own that described what I was going through. I sent the marked-up document back to her. 

A few minutes later, she sent me a message in Slack, our shared online workspace, and said, “Are you sure you want to include the paragraphs that you added?” 

I sat back and thought for a moment, asking myself, “Is there any reason I should not share this?” The answer was no, so I told her to hit send. It was liberating. This is me!

Looking back on it now, at that moment I wanted employees to know the real me. I was about to discover that there is power in that. 

My email went out as usual on Thursday morning with my additional paragraphs, and I went about my typical workday. 

Later that afternoon, I had a break between Zoom meetings, so I got a chance to catch up on emails. Within that short window, I had gotten about 400 or so new emails. More than usual, needless to say! I started to scroll through them. Most of them were from employees showing support. Some employees shared that they had OCD as well and how they were managing during the pandemic. Others shared that they had other mental health issues. A lot of employees shared their appreciation and were surprised that an executive would share such personal information. 

The power of embracing vulnerability in leadership

When I first started to learn about diversity and inclusion, I would say, “Here is the way I think about people. We are all books, and we each have many chapters. These chapters make us who we are.” 

There are things in our life that have shaped the way we think about something, how we are hard-wired or why we have a certain reaction to something. It’s not until you open the book and read those chapters that you understand why someone thinks or behaves as they do. This can help explain why someone may have a visceral reaction to a word, phrase or action. When someone shares, seek to understand and empathize with what they have said. “Be curious, not judgmental.” (I love that quote, which has been attributed to several people.) Those are words we should all live by.

I am a book, and I have an OCD chapter. Changing life circumstances sent it out of control for a bit. It is better now. The emotional part of me as a leader is not absent. The day after my email disclosing my struggles with my OCD and anxiety was sent, I was in a Zoom meeting and an employee said, “I just want to start by saying ‘thank you.’” 

I must have looked perplexed because she said to me, “You have no idea what you did, do you?” 

I said, “No.” 

She responded with, “You made a lot of us realize that executives are just like us.” 

It was then that I realized the true power of vulnerability. No company or team can function at its highest capacity without vulnerable leaders. So, now you know Paul; you have had a peek at a chapter in my book. If I am having a bad day or act in an unusual manner, perhaps you will understand what is going on and remember that I am human, too. What a powerful tool. Demonstrating who you are and receiving affirming feedback.

This article is excerpted from Paul E. Wolfe’s book, Human Beings First. Photo copyright: Saami Bloom / studio: INDIVIDUAL.

The post I Shared My OCD Struggles with 11,000 Employees—Their Responses Showed Me the Importance of Vulnerability in Leadership appeared first on SUCCESS.

Best time management books

Part of struggling with time management is deciding which tasks to focus on each day. With seemingly unlimited options and distractions, finding your priorities can be challenging. 

Below, we look at 10 of the best time management books, both classics and current bestsellers, each with its own system of prioritization and structure. Take a look and find one with time management strategies that will work best for you.

1. Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World

By Cal Newport

In Newport’s Deep Work, readers learn how to find and cultivate a capacity for deep focus on important tasks. The book’s first part makes a case for how we have lost the ability to focus on complex problems and allow too many things to distract us. The second part offers strategies to help increase your deep work while maintaining your busy schedule. Instead of saying that all distractions are bad, Newport focuses more on incorporating intense focus when required by implementing four rules that help readers transform their habits. 

2. Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals

By Oliver Burkeman

The premise of Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals is that if you live to 80, you’ll have 4,000 weeks to accomplish your goals and priorities. We all know we have limited time, so Burkeman argues that we should focus more on how we will fill our (hopefully) 4,000 weeks with meaning rather than just to-do lists, emails and distractions. Although the book focuses on a spiritual and philosophical approach to time management, it offers tools for constructing a meaningful life and rejecting the idea that we can, or should, do it all.

3. Stress-Free Productivity: A Personalized Toolkit to Become Your Most Efficient and Creative Self

By Alice Boyes, Ph.D.

If a one-size-fits-all approach to time management doesn’t feel like it would be helpful, give Stress-Free Productivity a try. In it, Boyes argues that everyone has their unique productivity quirks that help them accomplish tasks. And because everyone has their own way of being effective, rigid systems probably won’t work. Instead, Boyes offers a framework to help you develop a personal system from the latest research on productivity and provides quizzes to help you find your productivity strengths.

4. The One Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results

By Gary Keller and Jay Papasan

Many think time management means widening their focus to do as much as possible. Keller and Papasan argue that successful people focus on one thing at a time. Once you establish your main priority, whether career, family or financial goals, you can remove distractions that don’t move you closer to your “one thing.” The book covers tips on learning how to say no, building momentum, staying on track and finding what matters most because discovering your “one thing” can help you find more time for what counts in life. 

5. Time Management

By Brian Tracy

In his book, Tracy focuses on practical time management tips to accomplish big tasks. Many people wish for just an extra hour or two in their day, but most of us don’t believe it’s possible to achieve. However, Tracy provides 21 strategies to help people find up to two hours daily using tips like batching tasks, avoiding procrastination and identifying key result areas. At just 112 pages, it’s a quick read to help you get a little more done each day.

6. 168 Hours: You Have More Time Than You Think

By Laura Vanderkam

Vanderkam is well-known for her time management strategies. Her first of several books, 168 Hours is a classic for those looking to maximize their accomplishments. While everyone has the same 168 hours in a week (24 hours in a day, seven days in a week), Vanderkam noticed that successful people use their time differently. Rather than let important tasks like exercise or family time slip when daily life gets in the way, they use their 168 hours effectively to fit everything into their day. By rearranging your schedule, you’ll have more time for what matters most.

7. Eat That Frog!: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time

By Brian Tracy

Tracy’s second time management book on our list focuses on reducing procrastination so you can get more done. The title comes from a quote often attributed to Mark Twain: “If it’s your job to eat a frog, best do it first thing in the morning.” Whether or not Mark Twain said it is up for debate, but tackling your most significant problem or most important task (i.e., your “frog”) first thing in the morning to get it out of the way can be a helpful strategy. Tracy provides techniques like breaking a task into smaller pieces and focusing on a single aspect to help you manage your daily “frogs.”

8. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change

By Stephen R. Covey

A classic in personal development and time management, this book details daily habits for readers to incorporate into their lives. The seven habits include being proactive, putting first things first, beginning with the end in mind and sharpening the saw. With Covey’s principles, readers can learn to handle change, take action, develop proactive responses and become more effective in their personal and professional lives. 

9. Stop Procrastinating: A Simple Guide to Hacking Laziness, Building Self Discipline, and Overcoming Procrastination

By Nils Salzgeber

Severe procrastinators may find this time management book helpful. Salzgeber helps people overcome procrastination and the guilt that can come with it. He explains the difference between procrastinators and non-procrastinators and offers more than 20 strategies to help get things done—even when you don’t feel like it. If you’ve ever felt criticized or beaten yourself up for procrastinating too much, this book can help you rethink your struggle and find the motivation to complete necessary tasks.

10. Tranquility by Tuesday: 9 Ways to Calm the Chaos and Make Time for What Matters

By Laura Vanderkam

If the last few years have taught us anything, it’s that the world and life are unpredictable. In Vanderkam’s book Tranquility by Tuesday, she argues that if you want something to happen, you must design your life to make it happen. While you can’t predict every work crisis, child emergency or car repair, you can lay the groundwork to help you prioritize critical tasks. By developing a resilient schedule instead of a perfect schedule, you can prioritize what’s essential and handle the chaos of everyday life.

Bottom line

While each book focuses on different time management techniques, most have the common themes of determining your priorities and establishing a system that works for you. As you read these books, look for a time management system that resonates with you and work on adapting it to fit your life.

Photo by LightField Studios/Shutterstock.com

The post 10 Time Management Books to Help You Get Ahead appeared first on SUCCESS.

There’s a reason why only 36 people have survived a fall off the Golden Gate Bridge. The bridge is about 245 feet above the water—equivalent to a 25-story building—and the four-second drop has you hitting the water at around 80 miles per hour. Regretting his decision in the millisecond his hands left the rail, Hines managed to position himself so that his feet hit the water first. Then, as if in some fractured fairy tale, a sea lion kept him afloat until the Coast Guard arrived. 

The Kevin Hines story

A lot has changed since that fateful day, but Hines’ commitment as an advocate for mental health has never faltered. In his work as a global public speaker, author and award-winning documentary filmmaker, Hines uses the power of storytelling to empower people to seek the help that will save their lives. His documentary film, Suicide: The Ripple Effect, which he co-wrote and starred in, won the award for Best Story at the Nice International Film Festival in 2018, and his story has reached hundreds of millions of people around the world. 

Hines experienced the power of storytelling first-hand, shortly after his attempt off the Golden Gate Bridge. When Hines gave his first talk—speaking to a group of 120 seventh and eighth graders—he had no intention of sharing his story with anyone. “I was so embarrassed for what I did, and how much I hurt my family and friends with what I did, that I was ready to keep silent for the rest of my life,” Hines recalls.

Yet, immediately following that talk, Hines recalls how several students raised their hands and asked intuitive and empowering questions about mental health. The students were later encouraged to send letters to Hines, and in six of those letters, students wrote about their active suicidal crises. As they were minors, parents and teachers screened those letters and could take action. “Those kids were given the help they needed, and they’re alive today,” Hines notes. 

Kevin Hines’ new book: The Art of Being Broken

Most recently, Hines released the second in a three-part memoir series entitled, The Art of Being Broken: How Storytelling Saves Lives. In his first of the series, Cracked, Not Broken: Surviving and Thriving After a Suicide Attempt, Hines delves into the factors that contributed to his attempted suicide and the fallout that followed. As Hines describes, his first memoir tells the story of his life journey and how, despite being placed in foster care and later adopted, he was diagnosed with the same brain disease (bipolar depression) that both his biological parents had. 

Available now, The Art of Being Broken: How Storytelling Saves Lives centers on how people can manage their hurt to become unbroken. In addition to Hines sharing more of his personal journey toward recovery, he gives voice to six other contributing authors who also share their stories of triumph over incredible adversity. “These contributing authors are genuine out there doing the work to change the lives of other people every single day,” Hines explains. 

Giving other storytellers a platform creates a ripple effect in which Hines’ message can reach as many people as possible. As Hines shares, stories are 22 times more memorable than statistics or facts, and when somebody tells their story—whether on a podcast, in an article or some other medium—their brains sync up with the storytelling, and the neurons and synapses in the brain fire in the same way. “You’re feeling a sense of empathy that is visceral and palpable, and that’s why I wrote this book with these contributing authors—because their stories are just as important as mine,” he says. 

When the emotional pain is overbearing

In his teachings, Hines stresses that suicide does not end the pain; it just takes away the entire possibility for things to change or get better. For those who are experiencing suicidal ideations, Hines advises to first look into a mirror and say, “My thoughts do not have to become my actions,” and second, to turn to someone near you—whether you know them or not—and say four simple words: “I need help, now.” 

“You may be in the greatest lethal emotional pain you’ve ever experienced right now, but just because you’re in a world of pain today does not mean you don’t get to have that beautiful tomorrow,” he shares. His biggest motto is “Be here, tomorrow.”

Visit www.suicide.org for suicide awareness, prevention and support.

Photo courtesy of Kevin Hines.

The post Kevin Hines’ New Book Shares How Storytelling Can Save Lives appeared first on SUCCESS.

FIRE stands for Financial Independence, Retire Early. It’s a movement that helps people take control of their financial independence by making trade-offs, such as extreme saving and budgeting early in their careers, to retire earlier in life—often decades ahead of a conventional retirement plan.

What is the FIRE retirement movement?

The primary goals behind the FIRE movement are to reach financial independence and retire early, often in your 30s and 40s. To achieve this, people use extreme saving techniques, sometimes living on 50% or less of their annual income for years and investing the remaining amount. 

Many people see FIRE as “an alternate path to traditional retirement that’s based on financial freedom and pursuing your passions, rather than just accumulating wealth for the sake of accumulating wealth,” according to hosts Kiersten and Julien Saunders in an episode of their rich & REGULAR podcast.

Although the movement feels relatively new, the ideas of the FIRE approach were originally outlined in a book first published in 1992 called Your Money or Your Life, written by Vicki Robin and Joe Dominguez. Many blogs shared the ideas of FIRE retirement in the mid-2000s, and the movement gained mainstream attention in the 2010s when major news sources and publishing houses released articles and books about how to achieve early retirement through different methods.

How does FIRE retirement work?

Reaching financial independence and early retirement is usually achieved by people who are willing to go to extreme lengths to cut their expenses. Many looking for an early retirement with FIRE often forgo driving newer cars, living in bigger houses or taking expensive trips. 

All the extra funds are invested, usually aggressively, in a mix of savings accounts, tax-advantaged retirement plans and brokerage accounts.

Members of this retirement movement will often talk about their “FIRE number,” which is the total dollar amount they want to have invested before they feel safe quitting their jobs and retiring early. While the definition of “enough” is unique to each individual, many set a goal of at least $1 million before seriously considering leaving the workforce or changing to a lower-paying career. 

FIRE retirement calculator

There are a variety of rules or best practices that FIRE participants use to ensure their money lasts well into the future. 

One popular method is the rule of 25x, which multiplies your annual expenses by 25 to reach your FIRE retirement number. If your yearly expenses are $75,000, multiply that by 25. You’ll see that you need roughly $1.875 million saved to achieve financial independence safely.

Another popular idea is the rule of 4%. It says that retirees can safely withdraw 4% of their savings balance in the first year of retirement and adjust their withdrawal rate based on future inflation.

While these are relatively popular rules in the FIRE retirement movement, it’s important to note that both were developed for more conventional retirements designed to last up to 30 years (from age 65 to 95, for example). They don’t factor in unexpected costs like rising health care, periods of high inflation or other factors that can impact a retirement account balance. 

If you’re trying to reach your FIRE number as quickly as possible, it’s a good idea to work with a certified financial planner, preferably one familiar with the FIRE retirement movement. That way you can ensure you’re on the right path and have accounted for all potential significant expenses.

Who is a good candidate for FIRE?

Most people can benefit from using some of FIRE’s financial independence, retire early principles. However, the ideal candidate is someone relatively young, with a high salary, who prioritizes saving for the future over spending money on non-essential items. 

However, people from different backgrounds and income levels can successfully use FIRE principles. Reducing your spending, maximizing your tax-efficient retirement savings and investing for the long term are all principles of the movement that nearly everyone can take advantage of without taking extreme measures or having to earn an outrageous salary. 

Are there different types of FIRE retirement?

Many of the original FIRE advocates may have been rigid about ruthlessly cutting expenses. However, the movement has evolved into different philosophies, each with varying degrees of rigid cost cutting and extreme saving. 

Lean FIRE

The Lean FIRE movement is for those who plan to live frugal lives in retirement and save enough to cover only their basic needs. These individuals may even embrace a minimalist lifestyle in general. While they still save aggressively during their working years, people planning on Lean FIRE are often more focused on retiring early. They’re willing to live on less in retirement so they can leave a standard job sooner. 

Fat FIRE

People who plan for Fat FIRE retirement want to save a lot of money so they can enjoy themselves in retirement. Depending on their interests, these people may want to travel or enjoy some luxury without worrying about every penny. Fat FIRE generally requires a more significant savings goal, so a higher income or potentially delaying your retirement to reach your FIRE number may be required. 

Barista FIRE

If you don’t mind working but don’t necessarily want to spend all your time at a job, Barista FIRE might be a good option. With this version of FIRE, the goal isn’t to stop working altogether in retirement. Instead, people save only enough money to cover part of their living expenses. They make up the rest with a side hustle or part-time job, like being a coffee barista. 

Coast FIRE

Those who choose Coast FIRE have reached the point where they’ve contributed enough to their retirement plans that their portfolio will grow and compound into a healthy balance without additional contributions. These individuals may still work, but can “coast” into retirement, letting time and compound interest work for them. They’ll use their paycheck to cover living expenses but typically not contribute further to their retirement accounts. 

Slow FIRE

This version of FIRE retirement is about enjoying the process of reaching financial independence. Slow FIRE, or Slow FI, aligns more with a traditional path to retirement. These individuals embrace living the life they want right now rather than focusing solely on retiring as soon as possible. 

What should I keep in mind with FIRE retirement?

Early retirement sounds like a great idea, especially when the alarm goes off on a Monday morning. However, there are a lot of factors to consider before you take the leap into FIRE retirement. As you think about leaving the workforce, no matter your age, consider the following do’s and don’ts:

Know your numbers

Even if you don’t plan to retire in your 30s or 40s, calculating how much it would take to retire comfortably, whatever your definition is, can be a great way to ensure you’re on the right path. Be sure to account for costs like rising health care, inflation and unexpected expenses when calculating your projected retirement costs. 

Use a FIRE retirement calculator to help you find your specific number. Be sure to rerun the numbers periodically to ensure your financial goals are still accurate.

Create a plan

Since saving for retirement is a decades-long process, staying on track and maintaining focus can be challenging. Create a budget to ensure you’re saving enough and develop milestones to help you break a large number into manageable chunks. Although it can be tempting to leap into extreme savings, temper that with some planned fun to keep you motivated. 

Invest wisely

Use any tax-advantaged retirement accounts offered through your work, and consistently save up to the yearly contribution limits. It’s also a good idea to diversify your retirement savings accounts with a Roth IRA or other type of after-tax retirement plan to help ensure you have a good mix of taxable and non-taxable income in retirement. Although everyone’s risk tolerance is different, research the available retirement plan options, so you understand the pros and cons of each, along with any transaction or account fees on any investments you consider.

Don’t go overboard

You might be ready to jump into a FIRE retirement lifestyle with both feet. But remember that part of life is about living along the way. Saving for a retirement date years or decades in the future is smart but so is enjoying the time you have right now. 

Find a balance between saving enough to help you meet your goals and enjoying a few treats or luxuries. Not only will you find a better balance, but you’ll likely make it easier to stick to your savings and investment goals if you give yourself a little splurge now and again.

Bottom line

It can be easy for some people to get caught up in the extreme methods of FIRE’s financial independence, retire early. Even if you have no plans to retire early, adopting some of the principles of the FIRE retirement movement, like frugality, prioritizing saving for the future and long-term investing, can help ensure you’re on the path to achieving financial independence—no matter when you plan to retire. 

Rich & REGULAR is no longer releasing new episodes on the SUCCESS Podcast Network, but you can still listen to the full conversation below.

Photo by Maridav/Shutterstock.com

The post Can I Go into Retirement Early With FIRE? appeared first on SUCCESS.

• Increase self-awareness
• Regulate emotions
• Become more motivated
• Increase your empathy
• Develop stronger social skills

Collectively, these five components of emotional intelligence can reduce inhibitions, increase confidence and help you enter a new level of leadership.

While diving into the 10 best emotional intelligence books, consider taking a few minutes to also explore some of the best EQ tests found online. They will help pinpoint some of your EQ strengths while providing insights on areas for further personal development!

1. Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ

By Daniel Goleman, Ph.D.

This New York Times bestseller popularized the concept of emotional intelligence for mainstream audiences worldwide. Considered a classic among EQ books, Goleman’s Emotional Intelligence draws from cutting-edge brain and behavioral research to explore why high IQ alone is no guarantee of success. From self-awareness and leadership to family relationships and the cost of emotional illiteracy, psychologist Goleman’s work continues to provide a fresh understanding of what it means to “be smart.”

2. Emotional Intelligence Habits

By Travis Bradberry, Ph.D.

Building positive mental habits can change your entire outlook and enhance your life. Bradberry uses this concept as a practical method to help others develop emotional intelligence. Following up his bestselling book Emotional Intelligence 2.0, Bradberry delivers a practical framework that guides readers in breaking bad habits, developing good ones and increasing their EQ in the process. Benefits include greater self-awareness, social awareness, relationship management and much more.

3. Getting Along: How to Work With Anyone (Even Difficult People)

By Amy Gallo

Have you ever gained a new knowledge or skill and, over time, felt surprised or even frustrated that others hadn’t as well? The same applies to increasing your EQ. Working with emotional intelligence means, at least in part, that you will work with lower EQ associates and social contacts. Some of them might even be considered “difficult.” Workplace expert and podcaster Gallo has solutions. Called “a practical and empathetic guide to taking the high road” by Publishers Weekly, Getting Along provides a practical roadmap for navigating relationships with compassion and encouragement.

4. The EQ Edge: Emotional Intelligence and Your Success

By Steven J. Stein, Ph.D., and Howard E. Book, M.D.

Authors Stein and Book provide one of the most comprehensive guides to emotional intelligence with their book The EQ Edge. Opening chapters offer a comprehensive examination of what EQ is and an exploration of EQ vs. IQ as it relates to your success. But far beyond that, this guide provides valuable insights to help readers develop emotional self-awareness and self-regard and express themselves more authentically. It even tackles issues of problem solving and self-control, making it a valuable tool for professionals in any industry.

5. Emotional Intelligence for the Modern Leader

By Christopher D. Connors

While emotional intelligence serves personal and professional benefits for anyone, organizational leaders find it critical. Connors is globally recognized as a leading emotional intelligence expert and keynote speaker. In this concise yet comprehensive guide, he teaches today’s leaders the pillars of high-EQ leadership, which help drive thriving work cultures and organizational success. Leaders will learn step-by-step the skills and tools needed to enhance their own emotional intelligence in the modern workplace.

6. The Language of Emotional Intelligence

By Jeanne Segal, Ph.D.

Subtitled The Five Essential Tools for Building Powerful and Effective Relationships, Segal’s book provides more than an EQ development guide. The author delivers a comprehensive program to help you build strong relationships with virtually anyone you know both in and out the office. Through simple exercises, revealing quizzes and proven techniques to increase calm, she explores self-development at a practical and actionable level. Readers of this emotional intelligence book will learn how to make powerful connections, defuse conflicts, overcome feelings wounded in the past and much more.

7. Permission to Feel: Unlocking the Power of Emotions to Help Our Kids, Ourselves and Our Society Thrive

By Marc Brackett, Ph.D.

A better society depends on both ourselves and our children. We coexist, and we impact each other emotionally. Few understand that as well as Brackett, a professor in Yale University’s Child Study Center and founding director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence. His book seamlessly blends scientific rigor with heartfelt compassion to assist children and adults grappling with difficult emotions and feelings of shame. Brackett offers a clear, cogent framework to reverse course and change the narrative underlying emotional struggles.

8. What Happened to You? Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing

By Oprah Winfrey and Bruce D. Perry, M.D., Ph.D.

This No. 1 New York Times bestseller provides the reader with an emotionally charged and science-driven account of what drives our behaviors. Co-authored with a renowned brain trauma expert, Winfrey provides deeply personal anecdotes to illustrate how past traumas affect self-image and awareness throughout our lives. In doing so, she provides a renewed understanding of how we value ourselves and one another while also offering a guide to help readers better self-regulate their internal emotions and external behaviors.

9. Effective Communication and Empathy

By Richard Garraway

Effective communication skills and empathy serve as the foundation of EQ. Delivering a blend of theoretical insights and practical methods, Garraway focuses on communication and understanding to help readers develop greater relationship management skills. This book on emotional intelligence equips readers with the strategies required to manage social anxiety, communicate more effectively and harness the powers of both cognitive and emotional empathy.

10. Emotional Intelligence 

By Morten Johnson

Your brain and behavioral skills are deeply connected to EQ. Johnson’s book first provides a solid introduction to all major aspects of emotional intelligence. From there, he delivers a strong, strategic guide to better understanding and controlling behaviors and emotions through greater self-awareness. Lastly, Johnson provides a deeply practical and actionable guide to better communicating with others. Taken together, readers come away with the keys to unlock success while building stronger, more meaningful relationships.

Photo by Dean Drobot/Shutterstock.com

The post From Awareness to Mastery: 10 Best Emotional Intelligence Books to Transform Your Life appeared first on SUCCESS.

You might be gearing up for Q4 at the office or on the prowl for a new role amid the September Surge. While you’re getting your priorities in order and running through a mental checklist of everything you need to do, self-doubt or overwhelm might begin to creep in.

Before you let those intrusive thoughts reach for the helm, take a minute to reconsider your fears and doubts. To get you started, we’ve compiled a list of five, recently published books to build your confidence. These titles offer strategies to help you break free from negative thought patterns and habits to pursue the success that lies just on the horizon.

5 books to build confidence this fall

1. It Will All Work Out: The Freedom of Letting Go 

By Kevin Hart 

Written by award-winning comedian and No. 1 New York Times bestselling author Kevin Hart, this short but sweet 44-page memoir tells its audience an inspirational story about how control issues can manifest and wreak havoc on one’s life. 

In both our professional and personal lives, most of us are all too familiar with the tendency to micromanage every decision we make and the outcomes that occur. Hart coins this obstacle to happiness and fulfillment as the “Control Monster.” If left unchecked, this beast can quickly lead to stress buildup, alienation from friends and family and even avoidance of what we know we truly deserve: love and success. 

2. The Mountain is You: Transforming Self-Sabotage into Self-Mastery

By Brianna Wiest 

As we progress through life and hit the expected milestones—graduating from college, going to graduate school, securing our first job or starting our own company—many of us experience imposter syndrome: those nagging, unpleasant thoughts in your mind telling you that you aren’t good enough and that the only reason you’ve gotten this far is because of sheer luck. 

International bestselling author Brianna Wiest addresses these tendencies to self-sabotage in this book—why we do it, when we do it—and how to stop doing it for good. She details a fresh and thought-provoking way for stepping out of our own way and fulfilling our highest potential: We need to build emotional intelligence to gain a better understanding of our brains and bodies before we face the external hardships of life. 

3. Maybe You Should Give Up: 7 Ways to Get Out of Your Own Way and Take Control of Your Life 

By Byron Morrison 

Sometimes, it really feels like we are our own worst enemy. Byron Morrison, bestselling author and mindset performance coach, knows this feeling all too well. It began when he noticed and vowed to finally address a negative pattern involving self-doubt and self-sabotage. To create the life he wanted for himself, Morrison knew that there were certain habits he needed to give up, including comparison to others, living in the past and putting off his happiness. And it worked. 

Over the past eight years, Morrison has worked with CEOs, entrepreneurs and business leaders around the world to help them reach their full potential. Through extensive research, he discovered there are seven mental barriers we struggle with. These barriers prevent us from taking the necessary actions to create the life we want. Maybe You Should Give Up will help you identify and break through these barriers in easy-to-follow steps as you reflect back on your own life experiences and tendencies. 

4. Unstuck (For Women) 

By Christy Holt 

For those struggling with overthinking or negative thought patterns that interfere with your daily life and relationships with others, this debut book is for you. Personal development and happiness expert Christy Holt provides a practical yet fun guide towards happiness and empowerment for women. 

As women, we often become accustomed to doing everything we can for others,mwhile also trying to fulfill the roles of mother, sister, partner or coworker. But when was the last time we allowed ourselves to feel seen and supported? This highly emotional burden can lead to burnout. This is unsustainable to our physical and mental health in the long run. 

Holt takes a personalized approach to help you develop a toolbox of strategies to break free from living your day-to-day life in survival mode. She describes how to implement her Spiral Stopper Method in your own life to overcome negative self-talk and build your self-confidence.

5. The Neutral Advantage: How to Stop Being Negative, Stop Overthinking, Break the Habits of Negative Self-Talk, and Win Control of Your Life 

By Mark W. Mayhew 

In this unique and transformative self-help book, Mark W. Mayhew compiles extensive research, historical anecdotes and practical exercises to help guide you toward a more balanced mindset. 

We often approach life in one of two extremes: either a negative or positive attitude. However, Mayhew turns this binary mindset on its head by introducing the power of neutral thinking. This type of thought process involves focusing on objective truth and facts, rather than allowing oneself to be led astray by personal biases and overthinking. He argues that negative thinking is destructive, while positive thinking will only get you so far. 

Throughout this book, intended to build confidence, Mayhew includes eye-opening stories on the origins of negative thought patterns. He also shares inspiring anecdotes from individuals who achieved long-lasting changes in their life by following the steps outlined in The Neutral Advantage.

Photo by rudi_suardi/iStock.

The post Uncertain? Overwhelmed? Snag These 5 Books to Build Confidence and Face Your Fears appeared first on SUCCESS.