ARTS & CULTURE
Books Jan-21
Self help and strategy books are not for everyone, and with so many on the market aimed at so many walks of life you almost need a self help book to help you choose the right one. Here are a few of our favourites, old and new, to set you on the right path.
By Andrew Hirst
Big Magic: Creative living beyond fear
by Elizabeth Gilbert
Offering insights into the mysterious nature of inspiration, Elizabeth Gilbert asks us to embrace our curiosity and let go of needless suffering. She shows us how to get to grips what we most love, and how to face down what we fear most. Gilbert discusses the attitudes, approaches, and habits we need in order to live our most creative lives. Balancing between soulful spirituality and cheerful pragmatism, she encourages us to uncover the “strange jewels” that are hidden within each of us. Whether we are looking to write a book, make art, find new ways to address challenges in our work, embark on a dream which has been long deferred, or simply infuse our everyday lives with more mindfulness and passion, Big Magic cracks open a world of wonder and joy. Gilbert strikes a playful and conversational tone, but make no mistake, this is all straight talk. Her no BS attitude helps do away with the unrealistic expectations and unnecessary melodrama attached to the concept of “creative living”.
Dare to Be You: Defy self-doubt, fearlessly follow your own path & be confidently you!
by Matthew Syed
The title of the book is almost a chapter on its own, but don’t let that put you off. The book is aimed at children and is an excellent alternative to the bedtime read. From the bestselling and award-winning author of You Are Awesome comes Matthew Syed’s much-anticipated follow-up.
Drawing examples from sport, science and even business, Dare to Be You empowers young readers to follow their own path, love what makes them different and question the world around them. With his trademark mix of hilarious text, stylish illustration, personal insights and inspiring real-life examples, including Greta Thunberg and Malala Yousafzai, Syed introduces children to the power of diverse thinking. This ground-breaking, practical and positive book will help kids develop the inner confidence to grow into happy adults who know – and, more importantly, LIKE – themselves.
The Infinite Game
by Simon Sinek
From the best selling author of Start With Why and Leaders Eat Last comes the exploration of a simple question of, “Do you know how to play the game you’re in?”
In finite games, like football or chess, the players are known, the rules are fixed, and the endpoint is clear. The winners and losers are easily identified. In infinite games, like business or politics or life itself, the players come and go, the rules are changeable, and there is no defined endpoint. There are no winners or losers in an infinite game; there is only ahead and behind. Sinek is widely known and has a huge following with interesting YouTube videos covering these and other topics. We recommend you watch how he makes comparisons of marketing between a homeless person and Microsoft and ultimately concludes they are the same, how good and bad marketing can work and how changing the narrative constructs incredibly different outcomes. This book will help leaders of business large and small think differently about how to develop the company in directions that go beyond its traditional business model.
The First 90 Days: Critical success strategies for new leaders at all levels
by Michael D. Watkins
This incredibly succesful book has, since its first release become the bestselling globally acknowledged bible of leadership and career transitions. In this updated and expanded 10th anniversary edition, internationally known leadership transition expert Michael D. Watkins gives you the keys to successfully navigate your next move—whether you’re on-boarding into a new company, or being promoted internally, or embarking on an assignment.
Outlining proven strategies that will dramatically shorten the time it takes to reach what Watkins calls the “breakeven point” when your organisation needs you as much as you need the job. This new edition includes a substantial new preface by the author on the new definition of a career as a series of transitions; and notes the growing need for effective and repeatable skills for moving through these changes.