When I was a little girl, my sister and I used to read so often that my grandmother would shoo us out of the house just to get us to do anything other than read. As I got older and life got busier, my reading time was replaced with business errands, tasks, and chores. Eventually, I stopped reading all together and it became that thing I used to love…
Last year, a friend introduced me to audio books and it completely rocked my world. Suddenly all of those long hours spent driving or traveling could be used to effortlessly learn and feel inspired by the books I previously neglected to read. If there is one recommendation I can make to every single creative in the new year – it is to make reading a priority. It completely revolutionized my business and guided many of my strategies + choices last year.
If you are so busy running your business that you fail to take time to learn, innovate, and invigorate your mind… Listen up. This year things need to change. You need to set aside busy work to invest in yourself. You genuinely deserve to study areas that interest you, learn new techniques, and feel inspired to sprint forward towards success.
My Top Three Books from 2015
Who Should Read This: Anyone building a business or creating a community. This book, hands down, was my favorite read last year. Seth Godin is a marketing genius who truly understands how to build a tribe, how to inspire them, and genuinely serve them well!Â
Who Should Read This: Anyone interested in consumer behavior and runs a business. Dan Ariely is one of my favorite behavioral economists (his TED talk has been viewed millions of times) and I love how relatable this book is. You don’t need to have an MBA to fall in love with his stories and learn something!
Who Should Read This: Anyone who is a giant nerd, who loves understanding the brain, and is curious about the science behind persuasion in the marketplace. I genuinely think this book may be my all time favorite and I could read it a dozen times before I truly absorbed all of Dooley’s genius!
My Next Six Books in 2016
- Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert
- The Art of Work by Jeff Goins
- Start: Punch Fear in the Face, Escape Average, and Do Work that Matters by Jon Acuff
- Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live by Brené Brown
- Contagious by Jonah Berger
- The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business by Charles Duhigg
If you’ve read any of the books above, let me know your thoughts!Â
I’m currently halfway through The New New by Michael Lewis that Huey and I started yesterday on our drive to the Creative at Heart Birthday Bash in Richmond. I think next up is The Art of Work followed by Contagious.  And just a reminder that the links above are affiliate links that help to fund the free content that’s provided on Tech-Talk Tuesdays!
If you need a little encouragement and someone to hold you accountable, consider signing up for a book club or starting one of your own! I absolutely love Nancy Ray and she is starting up a Book Club this month. Be sure to check it out.
I’ve been wanting to read The Art of Work! It’s definitely on my 2016 list. Big Magic was fantastic!! Such an inspirational (and honest) book about the creative process! Start is awesome… and incredibly motivational. Contagious is fascinating and a great read!
Thanks for these recommendations! And I think you’ll love Big Magic. Loads of advice in Elizabeth Gilbert’s funny, yet deeply intuitive voice.
Audiobooks are absolutely my jam! Currently enjoying all of the Harry Potters as they were just released on Audible and it’s amazing! I can’t wait to listen to some of these! Seth Godin & Jon Acuff are always favorites of mine! Thanks for sharing!
I read Contagious about a year and a half ago and I loved it! Super interested in Brainfluence after reading your snippet. I might pick that up today! Thanks Natalie!
Thanks for the refs Natalie! Always looking for interesting reads. This winter I’m on classics – reading through a bunch of F Scott Fitzgerald novels 🙂
I must admit, I hardly read…ever! But I totally agree that books hold a wealth of information and eye-opening content, which is key to growing not only your business, but you as a person! When I do actually sit still, curl up on the couch and read, it’s amazing the things I learn and I see what I’m missing out on. I just need to carve out the time to do. Maybe audio books would be best like you said!
I needed a freah list of books for 2016. Thanks!
I love this list! Thanks for the recommendations. I have been putting together a list of books to read this year, so this is great. Now I just have to find the time to read!
One of my goals this year – get back into reading and your list is the perfect place for me start.
I’m gonna look into them, thanks!
Adding all of these books to my list right now!
Agree that Audible is amazing. Currently listening to Big Magic and love that Elizabeth Gilbert is also the narrator. Thanks for the recommendations – I have added them all to my wish list! 🙂
I’ve been wanting to read Predictably Irrational so bad. I’m so glad to have this list, will help flesh out my 2016 book list! Thanks!
Love this! I’m currently reading Big Magic. You will eat it up! So good!
Daring Greatly and Tribes are on my list of ‘need to reads.’ I’m also guilty of referring to reading as something I used to love to do. We’re about to have our first baby and will be forced to take a break from all the hustling. Thanks for the suggestions!
Halfway through Big Magic! Will definitely be checking out your other recommendations!
Thanks for these recommendations! Can’t wait to check out Predictably Irrational. As a wedding planner, I see every client make anywhere from a dozen to 50+ purchasing decisions, and it’s intriguing to observe how and why they make the choices they do. I hope this book will lend some insight!