Once in awhile a book comes along at just the right time you need it and completely changes your entire outlook. As an avid reader since I was a little girl, I have read many books over my lifetime but there were few that really left an impression on me and helped shape the course of my leadership as a woman in business. As successful leaders we must be aware of and ready to face all difficulties and hardships that we inevitably encounter along our path. We must learn to navigate them with inner fortitude and above all grace. Today, I am sharing five books that have reshaped my thinking when it comes to prosperity and abundance. I highly recommend them as a must read for all inspiring leaders.
#1 – Real Magic by Wayne W. Dyer
In 1997 during my last year in college when I was living in Spain, by chance I found a book called Real Magic by Wayne Dyer. After graduating college, I faced a deep crisis, not knowing what exactly I wanted to do next. I studied Law and Economics but had no clue what I wanted to do in my career. After going aimlessly from one internship to another, it was the book Real Magic that helped me to believe that I deserved something better in my life. I believed that I could have a job and do work that I have passion for. It was through this belief system that led me to my dream job in New York City.
What I love about this book is how the author walks us through the power that we all have to create the life we want. This book teaches us about true inner transformation of the mind and how what we think manifests into what you want.
Real Magic was considered “new age” back then but now, is widely shared by entrepreneurs and business moguls that have applied these techniques that Dr. Dyer teaches in the book.
#2 – The Magic by Rhonda Byrne
The Magic is the follow up to the popular book The Secret by Rhonda Byrne. It is my favorite of the series and I’ve read it several times. I read it at a time of a major shift in my life back in 2012 when I was fired from my job. It was very traumatic experience. That same year I made the transition to become an entrepreneur. This book was essential in helping me move through some of the most painful times of that transition.
One of the lessons that stands out in this book is gratitude. It teaches us to always be in a state of thankfulness for what we have and what we want to have even if we don’t yet have it. True to its name, this book really operated its magic in my life. I continue to apply the principles I learnt in this reading to my life and work and continue to see how an attitude of gratitude brings prosperity.
#3 – Ask and It Will Be Given by Esther & Jerry Hicks
As a trained lawyer and business woman, admittedly when I first came across this book I thought it was a little too spiritual. I tried several times to connect with it, apply the techniques, and really understand the ideas that it laid out. It took six years before I finally grasped the wisdom and insight it contains. Now it has become one of my go-to books.
The premise of Ask and It Will Be Given is that, when you change the way you see things, the things you look at change. It teaches that our emotions are the indicators of our reality and the system of allowing what we want (and don’t want!) to flow into our lives. It offers the idea that our thoughts or feelings can either move us closer to or farther away from our goals. Our emotions become guide centers for our decisions, behavior, attitude, and reaction to events in our life. The book offers some really practical guidance and is a reliable source for emotional awareness and mental wellbeing.
#4 – Bhagavad Gita
This book holds a lot of meaning in my life because I was very young, maybe 14 or 15 years old when I first read it. My father had that book at home and I was forced to read it one summer. I did not understand a word of it or make any sense out of it.
They say the master appears when the student is ready! This book resurfaced again in 2014. It was Christmas in Spain with my family and before heading back to the states I stopped in an old book store where I saw this book again. It practically called my name! This book really reappeared in my life when I was ready to understand it. The timing could not be more perfect as my business was about to take a turn early 2017 that I didn’t expect and this book was my saving grace to navigate a new direction.
The Bhagavad Gita teaches you the joy of being a lifelong student. It shows us how we can use any situation in our lives to truly learn about ourselves and grow from it. It also teaches us how to manage fear and doubt in the face of adversity and uncertainty. All entrepreneurs who want to learn self-mastery, be a better problem solver and business leader should read. I highly recommend it!
#5 – The Dynamic Laws of Prosperity by Catherine Ponder
I think of this book as the bible to learning prosperity and true wealth. The author has a wonderful way of explaining prosperous thinking and it’s applications. She actually uses the bible as a framework to explain the laws of prosperity and stresses the idea that prosperity is our divine birthright.
It contains prayers and meditations that are very useful in moments of despair, worry or when we feel stuck. Something we all face when it seems that there is no movement or progress in our lives. We may experience this in our careers, in our personal life, our finances, our relationships, and our environment. Not only does the book help you to make more money but how to have a wealthy life in all areas of your life. You’ll find yourself reading it more than once as you find it to be a useful tool for growth and expansion.
I hope you enjoy learning from these books just as much as I did. What books would you add to this list? Share in the comments!
Article originally published in Bisila Bokoko’s LinkedIn profile.