2017 held way more than 4 seasons for me! Parenthood sure is a wild ride. And although we had 4 kids last year, it felt like a lot more this year. While there was a lot of growth in business, progress made in fitness, a huge addition completed onto our home, family-life just felt down right CRAZY. It was like a major adjustment day after day.
We became personal development junkies about 2.5 years ago. Since then I listen to podcasts while cooking & prepping food & in the car, when we’re without the big kids. Or until they notice. We read or watch videos every night. All that added up is a pretty significant amount of improvement! Right?! And yet I still feel like I could be tipped into the sticky-swap of motherhood if someone else sneezed on me.
Point is feeding a positive mindset creates resiliance. What I really need is a steel suit, but until then I’ll be readin’. And here’s how I bettered myself in 2017:
Essentialism
I listened to this on Scribd & had wished I got an actual book for it. There was so much I wanted to take notes on! You know, so I could have them…somwhere…This encourages us to apply quality over quantity in all aspects! Cut out the noise, focus on what matters & do what counts really, really well. Chances are we have a lot more time & space in our day than we’re actually using to it’s fullest potential.
Available on Amazon
Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
This book was pretty “woo-woo” & not so easy for me to get through. BUT if you are a creative, spiritual creature, you would totally dig this, man. The part that resonated most with me was that this life is “all just instinct, and an experiment and a mystery, so begin.” Go forward fearlessly!
Available on Amazon
You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero
Oh how I adore straight talking, foul mouthed humor! It really helps to get the point across sometimes. If you’re easily offended, there are plenty of other self help options. This is book is one big giggly pep talk. You’re about to feel awesome about yourself & all the amazing things you’re going to get started on after reading this.
Available on Amazon or Target
Grit to Great by Linda Kaplan Thaler & Robin Koval
Super quick read! This book claims you don’t need to be brilliant or incredibly talented to bcome hugely successful. With grit almost any goal is possible. “If you fall over keep on getting up.” That’s grit.
Available on Amazon
The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy
I had the honor of listening to Darren Hardy speak this Summer! I decided it was only right to read his book beforehand. The Compound Effect goes over the build up of both good & both habits, over time. The basic everyday habits can take you in either direction! This book hold such a significance I send it to every new coach on my team!
Available on Amazon
The Whole Brain Child by Daniel J. Siegel, M.D. & Tina Payne Bryson, Ph.D.
This book was suggested to us. And Greg & I each read our own copy. We really had no idea what we were getting into when we became parents. But are pretty sure that brilliant children are the most difficult to parent. This book provided so much insights & applicable techniques. Highly recommended, but we need to keep reading on the subject. All 4 of them.
Available on Amazon
Hungry for Happiness by Samantha Skelly
This book resonated so deeply with emotional eating, I decided to host a book club for it! If you need some insight on connection with the games you play, diet cycles or the way we often turn to food for comfort, read this. Like now.
Available on Amazon
Unfu*k Yourself by Gary John Bishop
This book! Ahh. Simple, no BS, ‘what kind of life do you want, lady?’ kind of book. I had this thing filled with notes, pages flagged & folded. Hands down the best book I read this year! And on my way to London I left it in the seat pocket after finishing it. Truly hoping the lucky person who found it takes the time to read it! It could seriously change the way they think.
Available in Delta One seat 6A or on Amazon
You Are a Badass at Making Money
Struggle with believing you are worthy of abundance? Money is NOT the root of all evil. When we stop limiting our own beliefs we expand our earning potential!
Available on Amazon & Target
The Magic of Thinking Big
These concepts could be applied EVERYWHERE. And shouldn’t they?! Get the most out of life. Discover a way to think bigger, act more & creat habits. All in the name of thinking big.
Available on Amazon
The 5 Second Rule
Call me impatient. I felt like parts of this was repetitive, especially considering the title. The book encourages us to act instead of overthinking & procrastinating by counting down 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. GO. Mel Robbins also explains why hitting the snooze button is a no-no in life! She talks a lot about anxiety & why we waste time worrying & putting things off.
Available on Amazon OR 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 listen on Audible
You are capable of living a big life! Invest in yourself & strengthen your belief in the new year. Wishing you big things in 2018!
Monica McCann 