These are our top reading recommendations for creators to cozy up with this holiday season.
Are you much of a reader? Whether it's articles, magazines, romance or great mystery novels, there's a genre for everyone out there. But beyond reading for pleasure, there's reading for business success, so the Willa team has put together our very best suggestions. These are the titles with the intel you need to grow professionally and deliver the outcomes you're looking for in your business.
GIVEAWAY ALERT: Watch our Instagram for our upcoming giveaway where you'll have the chance to win a free copy of the book you'd most like to read from this list.
Summary:
In You Have More Influence Than You Think social psychologist Vanessa Bohns draws from her original research to illustrate why we fail to recognize the influence we have, and how that lack of awareness can lead us to miss opportunities or accidentally misuse our power.
Why We 💜 It:
OK, a book that literally has influence in the title has to relate to the influencer industry, right?! The best takeaway from this book for creators actually isn't about gaining power or audience, though—it's that even when you're actively trying to influence people, it's hard to control the exact ways in which that happens and the outcomes, so a mindful approach is always helpful.
Summary:
In The Art of Gathering, Priya Parker argues that the gatherings in our lives are lackluster and unproductive--which they don't have to be. We rely too much on routine and the conventions of gatherings when we should focus on distinctiveness and the people involved. At a time when coming together is more important than ever, Parker sets forth a human-centered approach to gathering that will help everyone create meaningful, memorable experiences, large and small, for work and for play.
Why We 💜 It:
Every creator relies on their community and as a community leader, an intentional understanding of group dynamics is essential.
Summary:
Licensed therapist and mental health writer Dr. Kathleen Smith offers a smart, practical antidote to our anxiety-ridden times. Everything Isn't Terrible is an informative and practical guide -- featuring a healthy dose of humor -- for people who want to become beacons of calmness in their families, at work, and in our anxious world.
Why We 💜 It:
This book is something of a personal obsession for us, because it teaches you how to stop taking emotional responsibility for other people. Oh, what's that? You had a healthy childhood and don't have anxiety? Well it's still relevant for creators because having a platform online means dealing with trolls, and knowing how to protect your mentality is essential to your health and ability to last in the business.
Summary:
We Should All Be Millionaires details a realistic, achievable, step-by-step path to creating the support, confidence, and plan you need to own your success and become the millionaire the world needs you to be.
Why We 💜 It:
While this book is written with the lens of empowering women, we think it's an important read for creators of all identities, because it teaches actionable steps towards business growth and a mindset that you DESERVE success, no matter where you come from. Author Rachel Rodgers also has the awesome message that it's about EARNING more, not spending less, and who doesn't love that!?
Summary:
Creativity is about capturing those moments that make life worth living. Legendary psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi uses his famous flow theory to explore the creative process. He discusses such ideas as why creative individuals are often seen as selfish and arrogant, and why the "tortured genius" is largely a myth. Most important, he explains why creativity needs to be cultivated and is necessary for the future of our country, if not the world.
Why We 💜 It:
Let's back up for a second: if you haven't read Flow, by the same author, we highly recommend that as an incredible look at the state of productive work (a freelancer must). But this look at how to understand and master creation is also 🤌
Summary:
Presenting twelve breakthrough practices for bringing creativity into all human endeavors, The Art of Possibility is the dynamic product of an extraordinary partnership. The authors' harmoniously interwoven perspectives provide a deep sense of the powerful role that the notion of possibility can play in every aspect of life.
Why We 💜 It:
Believing in new possibilities is a daily gamble all creators must take, and if you want to create but struggle to find that inner ability to believe, this insightful look at how people become inspired to create new things will open your eyes to new, well...possibilities.
Summary:
In this “must-read for women everywhere” (Lori Harder, author of A Tribe Called Bliss), the New York Times bestselling authors of I Had a Nice Time and Other Lies and Nice Is Just a Place in France and founders of Betches.com give us a guide on how to thrive professionally, get ahead in the workforce, and basically become the Beyoncé of whatever you aspire to do.
Why We 💜 It:
Another book that caters to women on the surface, we also think this guide is important for people of all identities right now. Though it's comedic, the Betches' lessons about working smarter, not harder, and getting ahead by doing less, are a Gen Z gospel. Shed the guilt trip, reclaim your personal time, and find more success than ever? We're in!
Summary:
In this ground-breaking book, author James Clear reveals exactly how minuscule changes he calls atomic habits can grow into life-altering outcomes. He uncovers a handful of simple life hacks and delves into cutting-edge psychology and neuroscience to explain why they matter.
Why We 💜 It:
This classic is an essential for any freelancer trying to establish a self-employed routine and fund success as a business owner.
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