Growth is a mindset.
Not an activity.

You may be one of the millions who when asked how you’re doing, just say “fine”. Mel has written a terrific book, a hands-on guide to help you identify where and how your life has gone stale and how to win back the energy and passion that you know sits within you.

The Compound Effect is based on the principle that decisions shape your destiny and little, everyday decisions will take you either to the life you desire or to disaster by default.

The 5 Second Rule is a simple, one-size-fits-all solution for the one problem we all face – we hold ourselves back.

Following our theme this month of taking a break and recharging I recommend you take a copy of this book on vacation.

A terrific little book, written 25 years ago by a martial arts expert, that describes the learning path to mastery. The description of what’s happening when we reach a plateau in our performance is particularly enlightening.

What does it take to be an influential communicator in today’s information-overload, attention deficit, and distraction-driven world? Do you have to morph into a superhuman communicator to keep people tuned into your ideas when you’re face to face?

My copy of the book is crammed full of colored markers, there are just so many great tips. If you’re seriously trying to up your relationship building game then this is a book I highly recommend to you.

The key focusing question in the book is “What’s the one thing I can do such that by doing it everything else will be easier or unnecessary?” That’s a great question to think about and this book is an excellent read if you have an interest in simplifying your life and focusing on what is truly important to you, personally and professionally.

I’ve been reading this book over the last couple of weeks and it’s filled with excellent advice around personal development. As you reflect on your career path (or life path) to date, you will see that where you are today is due to a series of decisions and actions you’ve taken.

While traditional leadership success involves a strong combination of professional competence and interpersonal skills, Susan Colantuono believes there is a third element, “the missing 33 percent” that holds women back from reaching the highest levels in business.

This book is an excellent read for everyone in business, not just those in Sales. If your professional life feels challenging and a struggle at times, direct your focus outwardly towards others instead of inwardly towards yourself. The shift in mindset will pay big dividends.

This is a fascinating book that delves into the reasons behind our inability to be consistently successful in wealth, work, and love, i.e., for your wealth, work and love to always be great, not just okay.

Executive presence has three universal dimensions: how you act (gravitas), how you speak (communication), and how you look (appearance). Gravitas is the core characteristic with appearance being the minor component.

I have given a presentation to a number of Women’s Networks that focuses on being overloaded, overwhelmed and overlooked and ways to avoid these challenges. One of the key ways is to learn to say “no” and Greg McKeown and I are on the same page on that.

John Browne’s book is a fascinating insight, from him directly as well as many others, into what life is like when you’re among a minority in business. I found many parallels in the issues and challenges he described and those felt by women in business.

A good read about women in leadership that is based on five years of research from two McKinsey & Co consultants, Joanna Barsh & Susie Cranston. The research involved interviewing over 100 women leaders and the insights gained led them to identify five dimensions to their success:

The latest book from Arianna Huffington, published in April this year, looks at the impact of sleep deprivation on our lives, on our health, job performance, relationships, and happiness. Being tired is a huge issue that’s taking its toll on way too many people.