“Books, films, people, places…anything that inspires and motivates people to be their best.”

Books

Books

• Changing for Good by James Prochaska et al
• Authentic Happiness by Dr Martin Seligman, father of the Positive Psychology movement - which is about studying what’s right with people rather than the traditional psychological approach which is to ask ‘what’s wrong with you?’ – is academically thorough and at the same time readable by non-psychologists. This has been a revealing read for clients who’d never quite been content or understood what makes for a personal and lasting sense of happiness. However, I’m confident everyone reading this gets something from and the anecodotes and practical examples make it particularly readable.

• The Rough Guide to Happiness by Dr Nick Baylis
• Learning From Wonderful Lives by Dr Nick Baylis is an insight into what people do that have lives that go well. From finding enjoyable work and learning to thrive in the face of adversity, through to developing satisfying relationships and the best ways to nourish and nurture our minds and bodies. This tops my list of books for people who want to make the absolute best of themselves or less optimistically, those who wouldn’t wish their life on another. Dr Nick Baylis is a lecturer at Cambridge University and is one of the UK’s foremost pwellbeing psychologists.

• Your Best Year Yet by Jinny Ditzler is a handy place to start when you want to reflect on where you are now and where you are going. Particularly useful if you like to structure your thinking as it contains simple exercises and opportunities to think and respond to specific questions. She poses 10 questions and your responses form a personal plan for the next 12 months. A great September read to tie-in with that unshakeable back-to-school feeling or in March when spring’s coming and we feel like dusting ourselves down. Clients have used this as a starting point for our coaching relationship.

• The 7 habits of Highly Effective People by Steven Covey is a seminal book that continues to be something I quote in many of the corporate workshops I deliver, because of it’s pervading relevance to how we operate. It’s an holistic, integrated and principle-centred approach to becoming the kind of person you’d like to have as your parent, boss or partner.

• Random Acts of Kindness, Join Me and Yes Man by Danny Wallace are three inspiring and empowering reads about one man making a difference but mainly going on a social adventure.
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• Just a Little Run Around The World by Rosie Swale Pope charts her 20,000 mile solo run around the world in memory of her husband who died of cancer. Gripping and awesome mind fooder/soul food.

• The Mind Gym: Give Me Time by The Mind Gym is about doing things in new ways and the old joke about not having time to read a time management book needn’t apply as it’s designed to be dipped in and out of. It’s light, humorous and readily applicable.

• The No Diet Diet by Prof Ben (C) Fletcher and Prof Karen Pine goes beyond weight loss and having coached one of my (obese) clients using the principles outlined here, I know it works. Reading and living the simple-to-implement ideas is fun which makes it my recommended book for people struggling with weight and the attached low self-esteem and low confidence issues. I am going so far as to recommend it to the “Books on Prescription” project many local libraries are now running for health issues. Having heard Chris Evans (Radio 2 DJ) and The Daily Telegraph give high praise for Professor Fletcher and Dr Pine’s work I am in good company. My client had this to say about or work together, where the ‘Do Something Different’ theme was a constant thread: “You are an inspiration. I was always re-energised to take on the world, and all my demons, after our sessions. They were inspiring and encouraging and really helped me focus. I want to bottle it and give myself a mini-session each and every morning to make sure I get the most out of the day… you’ve provided me with the tools and techniques to new ways of thinking, approaching things, shaking things up etc to help me achieve what I want.”Quite simply, if weight’s been a constant problem in your life and it’s dragged you towards depressive and/or low-confidence tendencies, this book will make more of a difference than anything else you’re likely to have tried.

Experiences & Events

The School of Life is a movement and a shop in London, encouraging life-long learning. Fab concept, cool courses (‘how to have better conversations’ and ‘how to find a job you love’ are two of them) and lots of opportunity to inject some fresh thinking into your life. If you’re into books I thoroughly recommend the bibliotherapy session.

More to Life Than Shoes is a club for women who want to help each other get on. Affordable, monthly meet-ups and online networking for women who want to, or are, switching careers, seeking skills or starting businesses. Buy the More to Life Than Shoes book.

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