This book is on Paul’s reading list.

From Amazons description:

As we think, so we become. This fundamental truth, which some have called “The Secret” or the “Law of Attraction,” was clearly and convincingly argued for the first time in James Allen’s masterpiece, As a Man Thinketh.

Allen reveals how our thoughts shape our character, and manifest themselves in our finances, health, appearance, and environment. The choice is yours: either master your thoughts and create the life you want; or remain mired in negativity, frustration, and failure.

I was so moved by “The Road Less Travelled” that when this book came out I had to read it.

This book contains, among other things, Dr. Peck’s model of spiritual growth which I reference in my book Rules Of The Spirit.  That one thing makes this book a worthy read.

The model is Dr. Peck’s condensed version of theologian James Fowler’s “Stages of Faith” – a 7-stage model, and rather a difficult read; it’ll make your head hurt.

Since I reference Dr. Peck’s model frequently, the question often comes up – is one stage better than another.  I liken the question to asking whether it’s better to be a 10 year old, or a 15 year old, or an adult. Is one better than the other?  I would say no, they are just natural stages of growth.  It is good to move along the growth curve, and I wouldn’t really want to go back, but it doesn’t seem appropriate to say that one is better than the other.  Interestingly, “adult” applies, at least legally, to anyone 18 years of age or older, but I bet you’d agree that there is a vast difference between an 18-year-old and a 60-year-old.  The mental, emotional, and spiritual growth doesn’t necessarily stop at 18.

The real benefit of the model is that with an understanding of the model, and being able to identify where another person fits into the model, it becomes possible to modify my own behavior to fit the other person.  Since a Stage 2 Institutional finds peace in their “black and whiteness” it doesn’t help for me to speak in terms of technicolor – it just pushes them into fear, and the fear shuts down communication.  One thing Ann and I have found is that people are where they need to be, spiritually.  It doesn’t help to try to get someone to understand concepts they’re not ready for – when they’re ready they’ll seek it out.  You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink.  When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.  The inverse is true: when the teacher is ready, the student will appear.

This book is on Paul’s reading list.  It was recommended by Teresa Kenny of Flawless Beauty of Charlottesville:

From Amazons description:

Using the science of habits, riveting stories and surprising facts from some of the most famous moments in history, art and business, Mel Robbins will explain the power of a “push moment.”  Then, she’ll give you one simple tool you can use to become your greatest self.

Recommended by Brian Mininger of Bear Creek Outdoor Living: “We build cool stuff, but more importantly we build people.” Decks, Porches, Sunrooms & Backyard Structures built by craftsmen in the Shenandoah valley.

Brian says: “This book is the best thing i have ever read on ‘healthy’ high performance.”

From the Amazon description:

THESE HABITS WILL MAKE YOU EXTRAORDINARY.

Twenty years ago, author Brendon Burchard became obsessed with answering three questions:

1. Why do some individuals and teams succeed more quickly than others and sustain that success over the long term?

2. Of those who pull it off, why are some miserable and others consistently happy on their journey?

3. What motivates people to reach for higher levels of success in the first place, and what practices help them improve the most

After extensive original research and a decade as the world’s leading high performance coach, Burchard found the answers. It turns out that just six deliberate habits give you the edge. Anyone can practice these habits and, when they do, extraordinary things happen in their lives, relationships, and careers.

Which habits can help you achieve long-term success and vibrant well-being no matter your age, career, strengths, or personality? To become a high performer, you must seek clarity, generate energy, raise necessity, increase productivity, develop influence, and demonstrate courage. The art and science of how to do all this is what this book is about.

Whether you want to get more done, lead others better, develop skill faster, or dramatically increase your sense of joy and confidence, the habits in this book will help you achieve it faster. Each of the six habits is illustrated by powerful vignettes, cutting-edge science, thought-provoking exercises, and real-world daily practices you can implement right now.

If you’ve ever wanted a science-backed, heart-centered plan to living a better quality of life, it’s in your hands. Best of all, you can measure your progress. A link to a free professional assessment is included in the book.

Recommended by the “Making Monday Great Again” PRO Business Support group.

From the Amazon description:

Recommended by Michael Noe of Movendi Properties

Mike says:

This is a great book that challenges our preconceptions when communicating with someone we do not know. Many people believe we can read others very fast and know who they are and what motivates them. Malcolm Gladwell shows us example after example of why that is probably not true. The book includes stories about famous and not so famous people and how are preconceptions can lead us astray.

From Amazon’s description:

Malcolm Gladwell, host of the podcast Revisionist History and author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Outliers, offers a powerful examination of our interactions with strangers–and why they often go wrong. How did Fidel Castro fool the CIA for a generation? Why did Neville Chamberlain think he could trust Adolf Hitler? Why are campus sexual assaults on the rise? Do television sitcoms teach us something about the way we relate to each other that isn’t true? Talking to Strangers is a classically Gladwellian intellectual adventure, a challenging and controversial excursion through history, psychology, and scandals taken straight from the news. He revisits the deceptions of Bernie Madoff, the trial of Amanda Knox, the suicide of Sylvia Plath, the Jerry Sandusky pedophilia scandal at Penn State University, and the death of Sandra Bland—throwing our understanding of these and other stories into doubt. Something is very wrong, Gladwell argues, with the tools and strategies we use to make sense of people we don’t know. And because we don’t know how to talk to strangers, we are inviting conflict and misunderstanding in ways that have a profound effect on our lives and our world. In his first book since his #1 bestseller, David and Goliath, Malcolm Gladwell has written a gripping guidebook for troubled times.