Motivation Information

Recommendations for the Best Personal Growth Books


I can't stress this enough: You've got to motivate yourself in order to motivate your team. You don't motivate people, they motivate themselves (or they don't). If you model motivated behavior, so will your team! Read on for a few suggestions on books to help you make it great!

You Can Experience...A Purposeful Life James Emery White

I recently finished this book, and I strongly recommend it. Pastor White does a fantastic job of reminding us that our call to serve the Lord can come in many shapes, sizes, and colors. I think the biggest thing I learned from this book is that you don't have to be a pastor to serve the Lord and make a difference in the world. By focusing on serving the Lord, you can, as the title says, experience a purposeful life. I know it's definitely helped me re-focus my energies on the right things, instead of just things.

21 Indispensable Qualities of Leadership: Becoming the Leader Others Will Follow John C. Maxwell

From Amazon.com's review: Why do some people consistently inspire others to follow their lead? In The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader, Maxwell identifies these top traits as character, charisma, commitment, communication, competence, courage, discernment, focus, generosity, initiative, listening, passion, positive attitude, problem-solving, relationships, responsibility, security, self-discipline, servanthood, teachability, and vision--and then defines them in ways that readers can absorb and utilize.

I can't say it much better than that. The way Maxwell breaks down leadership qualities into easy to understand character qualities is absolutely fantastic. Character is what defines a leader, and these traits are what people of character have. A must-read for leaders in any position.

Now, Discover Your Strengths Marcus Buckingham

It's great to read a book that helps you find what you're strong in and encourages you to work to make those stronger, instead of working against what you know you're good at. You have to buy this book to take the personal survey. A great follow-up to First Break All the Rules, and one I encourage anyone who isn't sure where her/his strengths are. I would encourage you to even buy a copy for each of your team, so they can take the StrengthsFinder test.

Five Patterns of Extraordinary Careers Spencer Stuart

A remarkable book about how to stand out from your peers and have a better career. My favorite lesson: It's better to ask for forgiveness after the fact than it is to ask for permission ahead of time.

Who Moved My Cheese? Spencer Johnson

Of course, what book list would be complete without this book all about CHANGE (or is it just about cheese?) Another book that is well worth the listen, but also worth reading.

7 Habits of Highly Effective People Steven Covey

Another must have in your leadership library. If you read a lot of books, you're practicing one of Covey's habits, "sharpening the saw." I'm also looking forward to reading about the 8th Habit but I haven't picked it up yet.

How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci Discover Your Genius: How to Think Like History's Ten Most Revolutionary Minds Michael Gelb

I've met Michael, and he is so on the mark with his writings. Learn how to think more creatively and be more artistic (yes, that is important no matter what your position, or what you family or bosses tell you)

The Brand You 50 Re-imagine Pursuit of Wow! Tom Peters

Tom Peters is a new favorite author of mine, and one who is has motivated me to work on many new projects in 2005.

What Should I Do With My Life? Po Bronson

A book that tells us that it's okay NOT to know what you want to do, and that even the people we think are completely happy may not be, but also that we make our own happiness, it all depends on how you deal with it. Buy the paperback because it has 7 new stories!

Rhinoceros Success Scott Alexander

This was recommended to me by my last manager, and is an incredibly quick read. It's all about leading, and how sometimes you have to do the unpopular (change usually) to make a difference and stand out as a leader. Be a rhino!

Advanced Rhinocerology Scott Alexander

This books is a nice sequel to Rhinocerous Success and I enjoyed it a great deal. A few things it reminded me of is that leaders are often under attack from all sides, and it's important to watch your own back because often nobody else will.

Phil Gerbyshak leads a team of IT help desk professionals in Milwaukee, WI, and finds that sharing his knowledge is a crucial component in his success as a leader and as a person. Phil's personal philosophy is paraphrased from Tim Sanders' fantastic book Love is the Killer App: "Share your knowledge, your network, and your love. The rest will follow." Read more of Phil's musings at http://makeitgreat.blogspot.com


MORE RESOURCES:

Seminar on motivation at work place
The Statesman, India - Aug 20, 2008
He emphasised that motivation is the phenomenon which enables the human resource to achieve results that were earlier considered unattainable. ...


Jarvis uses size as motivation
ESPN - 5 hours ago
At the same time, I just use that as motivation. Every game I go out with a chip on my shoulder trying to prove people wrong." Jarvis rushed for 1669 yards ...


Auf’d Designer Daniel: My Motivation Died A Little
People Magazine - 2 hours ago
I definitely got scared, so the motivation died a little inside of me. After the Olympic challenge, it was like, “Whoa Daniel — just play it safe here. ...


United Press International

US women have plenty of motivation
NBC13.com, AL - 11 hours ago
By AP BEIJING (AP) - The US women's basketball team doesn't need any extra motivation to try and win its fourth straight Olympic gold medal. ...
US juggernaut rolls into semifinal matchup with Russia Minneapolis Star Tribune
all 302 news articles


Muna Lee uses 100 disappointment for 200 motivation
Boston Herald, United States - Aug 19, 2008
By Mechelle Voepel / McClatchy Newspapers BEIJING - The 100 meters certainly was disappointing for Muna Lee. But she’s trying to look on the good side of it ...


Motivation to catch the reading bug hard to swallow
KTKA.com, KS - 22 hours ago
"It's totally worth it. If I can get more kids to read, it's really worth it," Flanders said. "It was pretty interesting. It was crunchy and disgusting...," ...


Motivation Weight Management Clinic, Waterford celebrates 1 Year ...
Waterford Today, Ireland - Aug 20, 2008
The Motivation Weight Management Clinic Waterford first opened its doors in July 2007 on Canada Street in Waterford. Since then it has yielded fantastic ...


Quick takes on health: Motivation for exercise; allergies
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, NY - Aug 20, 2008
Lack of motivation is a common reason for lack of exercise. But motivation is something you create for yourself, says Jean Angililli, certified wellness ...


David Beckham: Hottest Abs in Hollywood
Just Jared, NY - 2 hours ago
And personally, I’ve found that there’s no better motivation that knowing I’m going to be practically naked in front of millions of strangers every week. ...
The 10 hottest abs in Hollywood New York Daily News
all 2 news articles


West Islip = Consistency
Newsday, NY - 41 minutes ago
That's the motivation behind this year's West Islip squad. They are tired of being beaten in the county final or the semifinals. They want more. ...

Motivation - Google News

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