Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
Let’s talk about true and enduring love. Not the hearts and flowers stuff, but the love of a great book that has an impact long after you’ve put it down.
Alongside that other thing that’s happening today, it’s also International Book Giving Day. I’ve got 5 suggestions of books for people and how they might be feeling in their business, and in their storytelling. These will last a lot longer than roses, so give someone a real gift of love. Then, please, show me some love and tell me what book you’d give someone and why.
For the person who’s not sure if they can really tell their story, their way
Radical Candour by Kim Scott
I’ve written and spoken a few times about finding your voice and telling your story in a way that sounds like you. It’s the most authentic thing you can do. Anything else is just pretending and likely to get found out.
If you don’t hide anything then there’s nothing to get found out over. Screw up your courage, and be candid. You can’t make everyone happy, but that’s not the aim. We just make the people who get us happy.
For someone who needs to find the purpose of their business
Find Your Why by Simon Sinek
Start With Why is one of my favourite books and often recommend it to people. But sometimes when you’ve read that one, you might need some help on where to go next. This is a good place to start, to gather your thoughts and organise them.
Knowing your why gives everything a focus after that.
For the procrastinator with 100 excuses for not starting
Start Now. Get Perfect Later. by Rob Moore
For many of us, just starting is the hardest part. We want the certainty of everything being perfect in place. But life tends not to be like that. Sometimes it gives you no alternative and you find yourself just having to get on with it. If that’s not happening, then Rob’s book is a good nudge to just get on with it.
Perfection is a never-ending journey. And it’s best done from the inside. In the book giving stakes, this would be one of my safe bets for most people thinking about setting up on their own.
For anyone not sure about the power of having a story
Story Driven by Bernadette Jiwa
I love this book, and pretty much anything that Bernadette has to say. Her blog posts are often short, pithy and insightful. That’s perfection in storytelling to me.
In this book, she shows how you have no competition when you know your story, as no one else has that story. It’s why you should be looking for distinctive, not unique.
For the person who just needs a moment, a laugh, or a reality check
Overheard at Waitrose
Because it can’t be all work. Sometimes we all just need a moment. This is one of my favourite ways to step out of the day to day. And laughter is one of the best inspirations.
Share the book love around today, and every day. Please tell me, what book would you give on International Book Giving Day, and to what kind of person?
