This story was written in collaboration withForbes Finds. Forbes Finds covers products and experiences we think you’ll love. Featured products are independently selected and linked to for your convenience. If you buy something using a link on this page, Forbes may receive a small share of that sale.
Got the message?
Getty
Your time is incredibly limited, but you still want to power through a book or two to stay on top of your game. Rather than give up on sleep to get your mental stimulation, I have the perfect solution: come back from a long weekend in the right mindset by reading an inspirational book or two.
In just a weekend or a few weekday evenings, you can devour at least one of these works. The average person reads at the speed of a page a minute, so sparing just two hours each day should get you through these fast-moving selections. Bonus: You’ll have read 20% more that weekend than several notable book devotees do in a week.
Whether you’re coming back from a relaxing getaway or just craving some new motivation, you’ll get a little brain food to fuel the next phase of your career.
Boss Up! by Lindsay Teague Moreno
Thomas Nelson
Boss Up! by Lindsay Teague Moreno
Having ambitious dreams can make you feel selfish. As a lifelong entrepreneur, I know the guilt that can come from worrying that your aspirations will somehow hurt your family or other relationships. But Lindsay Moreno quashes the notion that you shouldn’t try to have it all, explaining what I’ve known for a long time: When you’re doing something you love, it has a huge chance of being positive on plenty of levels, even if it seems scary at first. I’ll keep Boss Up! nearby to nudge me toward my next big plan. Shop Now
Ultralearning by Scott H. Young
HarperBusiness
Ultralearning by Scott H. Young
I’m no Nostradamus, but I would bet money you’re a self-learning enthusiast. (Otherwise, you wouldn’t be perusing this list for inspirational reads.) In Ultralearning, Scott Young argues that in order to stay relevant at anything, we all must push our learning abilities to the max. Not sure how to boost your brainpower? No problem: He shares homegrown methods to acquire significant knowledge without classrooms or student loans. I’ve already started putting his principles to the test with exciting results.
On the Clock by Emily Guendelsberger
Little, Brown and Company
On the Clock by Emily Guendelsberger
We’ve all had at least one soul-sucking job in our lives. Emily Guendelsberger’s held a multitude of them and describes in humorous detail why they’re ruining our national mellow. Not that On the Clock is a complaint fest. Instead, the author leverages her unpleasant experiences to brainstorm fascinating solutions that would lessen the need for early- and mid-career professionals to accept low-paying jobs. I have a deep interest in AI and found her ideas about machine learning powerful points to ponder.
People Fuel by John Townsend
Zondervan
People Fuel by John Townsend
Burnout has become ubiquitous in modern life, so much so that many of us regard it as inevitable. Yet when stress threatens to overwhelm you, taking a personal day or eating better isn’t the only answer. Instead, Dr. John Townsend believes the trick to overcoming high anxiety lies in the bonds we make with others. I tend to go at breakneck speed. You might, too. Let’s make a pact to take time to strengthen our relationships by sating our intrinsic need for emotional food.
So You Want to Start a Podcast by Kristen Meinzer
Amazon
So You Want to Start a Podcast by Kristen Meinzer
Hosting a podcast has been incredibly rewarding. It’s also been a challenge because I didn’t have Kristen Meinzer’s book, So You Want to Start a Podcast, to guide me when I took up the role of host. Not only does she lay out a proven method to get your podcast up and running, but she inspires you to constantly improve your game. Use her success as a springboard to build a podcast that attracts listeners while giving you a platform to spread your message. I will absolutely lean on several of her suggestions moving forward.
The Coffee Bean by Jon Gordon and Damon West
Amazon
The Coffee Bean by Jon Gordon and Damon West
Into every life, a little hot water will spill. The Coffee Bean illustrates how life’s challenges—the figurative boiling H2O—can soften you like a soggy boiled carrot, harden you like an egg, or transform you (like a coffee bean) into something richly robust: The choice is yours. I’m always looking for ways to turn seemingly negative situations into opportunities for positive change. If you share my passionate search for optimism, you’ll be eager to apply this book’s lessons to make yourself a more resilient individual on and off the job.
The Innovator’s DNA by Jeff Dyer, Hal Gregersen, and Clayton M. Christensen
Amazon
The Innovator’s DNA by Jeff Dyer, Hal Gregersen, and Clayton M. Christensen
Weren’t born with the renegade genius of a Steve Jobs? Breathe easy and carry on: Disruption’s a learned attribute. As long as you’re willing to experiment, test, fail and relive the cycle, The Innovator’s DNA can teach you the science of rattling cages and reinventing products, processes and more. I’ve spent a career trying to hone my innovation skills. Investing a bit of time in this book just fueled my desire to add an extra dose of radical thinking to my daily work.
