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As a voracious reader, I’m often asked to share book recommendations, and habits have been a game-changer for me over the last 30 years as an entrepreneur. 

Remember- success doesn’t happen by accident; it happens by implementing small, consistent, positive habits.

<Success according to what it is for you...>

Here are five of my favorite books on one of my favorite topics, habits. 

Enjoy-

Atomic Habits:

An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones
by James Clear 

My biggest takeaway from this book: Tipping the scales

We don’t need to have 100% of our actions and beliefs line up perfectly to start shifting our behavior, our habits, towards being the person we want, or need to be, to achieve the results we want (be it financial, physical, spiritual, emotional…). 

We just need to start being consistent a majority of the time, as in a mere 51/49 percent, to tip the scales towards consistently choosing more of what we want…and less of what we don’t. 

The ONE Thing:

The Surprisingly Simple Truth About Extraordinary Results
by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan

My biggest takeaway from this book: Not everything matters equally 

As Gary Keller says, “Success is sequential, not simultaneous.” There are so many things we can and want to do, but we can’t do them all at once. 

The authors share how to move our endless To-Do list to a Success list using the Pareto Principle, otherwise known as the 80/20 rule. Studies show that approximately 80% of our results come from 20% of our activities…so No, not everything matters equally. As you create your action list for the day or week, ask yourself, “Is this a 20% activity that will drive 80% of my results?” If not, it doesn’t make the success list. 

Essentialism:

The Disciplined Pursuit of Less
By Greg McKeown

My biggest takeaway from this book: Focus on the tradeoff

It comes back to Newton’s 3rd Law of Physics, “For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.” When we say YES to one thing, we say NO to something (or someone) else. Time is a nonrenewable resource. 

Essentialism helps you to discern the vital few from the trivial many by understanding the tradeoff your “YES” and “NO” bring. 

A Minute to Think:

Reclaim Creativity, Conquer Busyness, and Do Your Best Work
by Juliet Funt

My biggest takeaway from this book: The importance of white space on our calendar 

One of the most essential elements of a successful leader is scheduling time to think during the day. It is NOT booking back-to-back meetings and trying to fit in just. one. more. thing. 

Our calendars never used to be this full. When we don’t have time to think…how do we clarify our goals and our priorities, and the actions we need to take to reach them? Add the habit of putting white space on your calendar 

The Power of Full Engagement:

 Managing Energy, Not Time, Is the Key to High Performance and Personal Renewal
By Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz

My biggest takeaway from this book: The importance of recovery time.

Our personal and professional lives are not mutually exclusive; each impacts the other. The authors share stories and strategies that highlight the importance of focusing on our energy to help us perform better, whether at home or work, so that we can be more effective, productive, and successful. And, happy. 

I’d love to know, what are you reading these days?