Life Coaching - Best books for 2009

Hey, Jay here,

I have been asked by many of my clients recently for a good book list for 2009. Here is this year's must read list and some handy links to Amazon for each title. Please let me know what you think of my 12 for this year or perhaps add your own list!

1. January: I could do anything - If only I knew what it was - by Barbara Sher

A great read for anyone wanting to find their passion. Barbara Sher offers the reader a step-by-step guide to finding more meaning, direction and joy specifically in your career.



2. February: The Power of Now - by Eckhart Tolle

The Power of Now is written to help the reader get the most out of every single moment of life. This is a great text to help you manage anxiety and get more out of every experience. A great basis from which to start the year.



3. March: Getting it Together - by Noel Whittaker

A simple but effective guide to unlocking your financial potential. Aimed at young people, this is equally applicable to all age groups and in particular small business owners. It's an absolute pearler. Having met Noel in 2005, I can vouch for his wonderful and curious mind. I urge all those out there who would like to attain financial independence to read this book as part of your journey.



4. April: Figuring Out People - by Dr L Michael Hall

This book is aimed at helping the reader to better understand their own (and other's) unconscious drive and motivation. Why do we do the things we do? Why don't we always behave we want to behave? Find out in this wonderful text from Dr L. Michael Hall



5. May: Frogs into Princes - by Richard Bandler and John Grinder

This is an absolute timeless classic. Recommended by Daniel Goleman as the best emerging discipline "A readable, practical, and entertaining book about a challenging, original and promising new discipline. I recommend it."



6. June: Time For a Change - by Richard Bandler


A self guide to change. Bandler is audacious, hilarious and practical in this wonderful and informative text. Bandler looks at beliefs, self hypnosis and therapy in a brand new light - A highly recommended read!



7. July: See Jane Lead - 99 way for women to take charge at work - by Lois P Frankel

For women who want to empower themselves through their career, there is no better guide available today. While this book is written for women who want to unlock their leadership potential, it is equally pertinent to men who want to nurture and grow their leadership potential. In fact, there are some concepts and elements that are a must read here for men as well as women.



8. August: Systems Sensitive Leadership - by Michael C Armour & Don Browning


While the content of this book is about empowering diversity without polarising the church, the lessons here are easily transferable to any organisation or institution. Mike Armour brings to life Claire Graves values systems methodology. A must read for leaders or the leader within.



9. September: Whale Done - by Ken Blanchard

A wonderful story (metaphor) about the lessons of great leadership, whether you are leading in business, parenthood or life. A delightful read.


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10. October: The E-Myth (revisited) - by Michael Gerber

For those of us who dream of starting and running our own business - this book is an absolute must. Michael is a genius and through this wonderful text, will save you thousands of hours of time and thousands of dollars with his practical business advice.



11. November: E-Myth Mastery - by Michael Gerber

Take the next steps and master the learnings (the how) of the E-Myth (revisited). Master your financial systems, your marketing and sales systems, your people systems and so on and so forth.



12. December: Unleashed - A guide to your ultimate self-actualisation - by Dr L Michael Hall

Celebrate Christmas with this guide to unleashing your potential. Everybody talks about self-actualisation, but how does it actually work and what can we do to actualise our potential? A must read!



Suggestions for Reading:

1. Buy a book of post-it tags and tag all the references and pages that stand out for you (so you can easily return to them at another time)
2. At the end of each chapter take the time to stop and note how you can apply the points made my the author
3. Consider purchasing downloadable books (say to your iPod). You can then listen to your books while working out or on the train or bus etc.
4. Review the author on Google or YouTube and see if you can find videos or other references about what he or she has done in the past.
5. Start up a blog about your favourite author and share your experience of their texts with others!

As always, I hope this helps

Life Coaching and Career Coaching