Hello,
Welcome back! The holidays are all behind us – no carols, eggnog, or fireworks. However, do you just love that New Year smell? 2016 is all fresh and clean, just waiting for us to put our mark on it. The beginning of the year is the time when we start new goals, new projects, and dare I say new resolutions. However, what if you just cannot get your rumpus in gear? I have just the ticket, three motivational reads to light a fire in you to get ish done! These books are all very different in their topics and approach, but each one will definitely help you get clear on moving forward in 2016. Now I did not read all three, I love Audible and actually listened to two of them via Audible! Nevertheless, the lessons learned were pretty darn good, take a read…
Lessons Learned
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing by Maria Kondo
1 – The things – all the stuff we have is tied to our emotions. We keep things not because we use them or even plan to use them, but because they elicit an emotion. So keep only those things that elicit THE emotion – joy! If that thing does not make you feel massive amounts of joy, toss it or donate it!
2 – Do it all at once. So if you desire to get your clothes tidy, pull all the clothes from all the drawers and closets. When you do this, you can see everything and get it all done in one fell swoop!
3 – If you use the rolling up method to store clothes in your drawers, stop it now. Rolling clothes up in the drawer takes up a whole lot more space. The laundry folder is a life changer. It will free up so much space in your drawers.
It’s Not How Good You Are, It’s How Good You Want to Be: The world’s best-selling book by Paul Arden
1 – Keep your word – do whatever it is you committed to do. Undersell when possible so that when things work out, you are the (s)hero.
2 – Understand and accept it is okay to make mistakes. Do not go through life trying to be right all the time, this type of thinking will impede your growth. To grow, you must fail sometimes and that is perfectly fine.
3 – Share your knowledge and expertise freely and watch how others share their knowledge and expertise with you. Do not covet what you know, share, and share often.
Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand In the Sun and Be Your Own Person by Shonda Rhimes
1 – Say “Yes” to doing things that scare you. Saying “No” to scary stuff keeps you in the dreaded comfort zone. Get uncomfortable as often as possible. Try it for a week or a month and see how much easier it becomes to say Yes!
2- Do more, dream less. Do not get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with having dreams, we all dream. However turning a dream into a reality is the goal. Take some affirmative action towards your dream – even a small step is better than no step at all.
3- Badassery is a thing – toot your own horn. Celebrate your talent, your successes; do not dim your light for other people. My Mom has always said, “It’s a sad dog that doesn’t wag his own tail.” Wag your tail!!!
I really enjoy reading self-help, motivational type books – adding more to my library. I just loved all three of these and they have motivated me in some way to set and take actionable steps to achieve some important goals for 2016. I loved them so much, I am giving away all of them to a lovely reader. Just enter using the Rafflecopter below!
Linking with these lovely bloggers.
Love this post.
Love the inspiration.
I just recently saw The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing somewhere out there in social media land and wanted to see what it was about so thanks for the insights into that book.
Yes, I am all for the do more dream less. I have a picture of a hummingbird in my kitchen that I drew with the words “Be doing” written on it. It’s my silent motivator to do more and dream less if you will.
Thanks for stopping by my blog! That was inspiration right there.
Have a good week!
Hi Tonya, we all need a little inspiration. I love that “Be Doing”, that’s good stuff!
I am ALWAYS looking for good book recommendations. Thanks for these!
Beckey
http://reallyreallyrealhousewives.blogspot.com
http://queenbsbusywork.etsy.com
Beckey recently posted…What Is The Goal for January?
Hi Beckey, you won’t be disappointed in any one of these!
I’ve been wanting to read the first one. I keep hearing about it and I am really trying to declutter more this year. I also want to read Year of Yes, I love Scandal and I would love to learn more about Shonda.
Hi Sonya, yep of the 3 Shonda’s was my favorite!
I am waiting on my Library to stock Shonda Rhimes book and I will be reading it then. I also want to read “If someone says you complete me Run” by Whoopie Goldberg. But right now I am reading the One Year Bible and Mary B Morrison latest. Live your Dream in 2016 my Sista!
Neti* recently posted…U Covered
Hi Neti,
Yes it is a good read for sure. Whoopie’s book sounds good too!
I’ve never heard of the One Year Bible. Thanks for the recommendation. I’m going to have to buy at least four of these for myself and family!
Oh that’s a great idea Mary! Thanks for stopping by!
Sounds like great reads! I keep seeing the one from Shonda Rhimes. I need to check these out.
Stacie recently posted…New Year, New Me!
Yes ma’am it is a good read!
Yes, Yes, and Yes!!! I have been meaning to pick up the book from Shonda Rhimes, and The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying up is probably a necessity for me right now! lol
Kyla, the tidying book is so interesting. A different way to look at keeping things in order!
Thanks for the reading inspo… I love books… I’m always in the middle of a good read!
Currently reading #GIRLBOSS. Have you read it yet? I’m loving it! Very inspiring.
♥
Amber
All the Cute
Today’s Post: Destroyed Denim
Hi Amber, yep another good one!
So glad I read this post today!! I have been wanting to read The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing by Maria Kondo. This just sold me on reading it.
Oh good Laura, let me know how you like it!
Hi Robin!
I am currently reading PEACE FROM BROKEN PIECES. I want to read The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing by Maria Kondo.
I tend to keep a lot of things that I know I will never use. I have a hard time throwing things away because of the way I was brought up. BUT, I will make an effort to give those that are in good conditions away.
Thanks for this post, love!
nerline recently posted…Inside My Influenster 2015 Jingle VoxBox
I do too Nerline, slowly getting rid of stuff and making space for the things I really love!
Thanks for these recommendations, reading at least one book each month is one of my 2016 goals. The Year of Yes has made many of my friends must read lists so with it making yours too, I think I need to make a trip to the book store. What do you plan to say yes to this year?
Tia #BLMgirl
Yes Tia, it is super good, you will laugh and even tear up in some points! Enjoy!
I want to read Shonda Rhimes book. I just finished reading Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert. It was awesome. #BLMGirl
Hey Starkey, oh Big Magic, let me check that one out too!
This is an awesome giveaway! I just started reading “The Year of Yes” today and I have The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up on my wishlist. I’m adding the one by Paul Arden as well.
Hey Drea, I hope you like them as much as I did!
Sooo we obviously must think alike because I’ve read two of the three and the other is on my list to read. LOL
Shanti recently posted…A Weekend in Destin, Florida
Absolutely! Looking for some more good reads!