When it’s cold outside and your snug as a bug in your bed, trying to motivate yourself to go to work isn’t always easy.
The truth is, not everyone enjoys their jobs or gets a great reward out of turning up.
So how do you combat this kind of mindset?
Do you continually change jobs until you’re happy? Or do you simply trundle through the week and live for the weekend?
Well, more often than not, the solution is about establishing the right mindset and focusing on the positives in your career.
Firstly, you have a job – not everyone does.
Secondly, there are usually good elements to your working life – whether that’s the people, the perks or even the pay.
The problem a lot of us face is focusing on these positives and finding the motivation to give the very best of ourselves day in, day out.
That’s why I’ve put together a list of top influential reads you should consider delving into.
In fact, according to research, those who read for pleasure have higher levels of self-esteem, a greater ability to cope with different situations and benefit from better sleep patterns.
All of these elements are very significant in eradicating that early morning “I don’t want to get out of bed” speech.
More seriously though, 36% of adults with low literacy were found to have depressive symptoms, compared to 20% of those with the highest levels of literacy.
The reality is, sometimes you need to switch off the television in the evening or set your alarm in the morning ten minutes earlier and enjoy a bit of reading.
This way, you can start your day off feeling positive and ready for the day ahead.
The Secret by Rhonda Byrne
If you’re having a hard day at the office, this book can really give you a welcome boost of positivity.
It focuses on recognising the failures in life and realising that if something you wanted doesn’t materialise, it’s okay.
Lines like “There is no such thing as a hopeless situation. Every single circumstance of your life can change!” gives you a flavour of what message the book is trying to get across.
Feel the Fear and do it Anyway by Susan Jeffers
Do you get anxious or fear the thought of working some days?
Then you may find great solace in this wonderful read.
Feel the Fear and do it Anyway is a powerful book explaining what fear is and how you can take active steps to avoid letting it from stopping you in life.
Instead of sounding like a parent telling you to “do this, do that”, Susan Jeffers allows you to accept your fears, but gives you the tools to rationalise them.
Using this positive mindset, the book focuses on how you should just throw caution to the wind and go for it.
This might help if you’re nervous to ask your boss something, make a bold move or need that extra bit of support before attending an interview.
Pro recruiter top tip Although Feel the Fear and do it Anyway is about helping you pluck up the courage to take action, there are some things you should consider keeping to yourself. For instance, if you’re talking to your boss there are a few key things you should never say, including:
- “That is above my pay grade”
- “I can’t do that right now, I have to do X”
- “You should give me X”
- “Love you!”
My advice: ask a friend before you go splurging anything out to a boss or colleague. After all, there’s a difference between ignoring your fears and sounding unprofessional.
Linchpin: Are You Indispensable? By Seth Godin
If there was ever a casing example of a piece of literature to inspire the next Sir Richard Branson, this is it.
This self-help book has the power to make you question your role within a business and dares you to break out of your comfort zone.
As employees, it’s easy to conform to the norm and accept your role in the pecking order.
But why?
Seth Godin questions whether you’re simply a cog in the machine or have the makings to be a linchpin.
For the former, he argues the point that you’re essentially replaceable.
Whereas if you lead from the front and show your worth, i.e. be a linchpin, you suddenly position yourself as an indispensable member of a business.
That’s one power statement.
How to Be Yourself: Quiet Your Inner Critic and Rise Above Social Anxiety by Ellen Hendriksen
While this book certainly won’t win any awards for a catchy title, it certainly does contain a winning formula to help you recognise who you are on a deeper level.
Only released in March 2018, this relatively new book focuses on giving you the confidence to simply be your lovely self.
This is especially important in a work environment today, where it’s easy to portray yourself as something that you’re not, just to ensure that you fit in with the crowd.
But why should you?
This brilliant piece of literature is one for the thinkers who constantly criticise themselves and worry about what other people think all the time.
If this sounds like you, give this book a go.
Get reading!
So there you have it.
Hopefully, my list will inspire you to read a bit more and discover a book which really helps you on your path to great success.
What are your favourite inspirational reads? Let us know below.
