I love the fresh start of the new year. The beginning of January is one of my happiest times of the year. I set my goals and intentions the last few weeks of December, and seeing them in action gives me so much satisfaction and joy.
#shelfie
A theme that’s already started emerging for me this year is help and coaching. It’s harder to accomplish goals in a vacuum. One of my self-care goals for Q1 of the year is to get our youngest sleep-trained by the end of the month. If you know us, you know that we are incredibly lackadaisical about kiddo routines, which has backfired! After three years running of sleep deprivation, I finally bit the bullet and hired a sleep consultant. I don’t want to jinx it, but so far, it's been a game-changer.
Books to me are like consultants that live in your bag. They are such low-barrier ways to access expertise and a fresh perspective. No better time to start a reading kick than in the new year. My January reading list:
Work
- Built to Last: Successful Habits of Visionary Companies – this past year, I have gotten so into business books. Maybe I should go to business school? So far, this book has been a game-changer for me in how I view organizations. I've been marking it up like crazy.
- The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People - habits are everything when it comes to consistent progress (my intention this year). The last time I read this was in high school, so it’s time to revisit.
- The 4-Hour Workweek – this book has popped up time and again on my various feeds, so I’m finally pulling the trigger on reading it.
- The Power of Habit - another tool in my January toolkit.
Lifestyle
- A Simplified Life: Tactical Tools for Intentional Living – the title says it all. Who doesn’t want that?
- Womenonomics: Work Less, Achieve More, Live Better – yup. Plus, this is only $3.99 on kindle right now.
- How to Not Hate Your Husband After Kids – I listen to the Best of Both Worlds podcast and saw this book rec on Sarah Hart-Unger’s blog. I love my husband, for the record, but the title cracked me up. I’m game for actionable advice on co-parenting and partnership.
Home
- Remodelista: The Organized Home – this book is crack for your organizing addiction. It’s inspired me to clean out my pantry, re-organize my kitchen cabinets, and clean out my hall closet. Win.
- How to Eat – Cookbooks are actually one of my favorite things to read, and this is an incredibly readable one. The recipes in this book are simple, which has been helpful for me as I rethink meal-planning for our family this year. And have you tried Nigella Lawson's caramel croissant pudding? Amazing.
- Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat: Mastering the Elements of Good Cooking – going back to the basics here.
Spiritual
- She Reads Truth Bible – I have it in the Navy LeatherTouch and love it - it feels so special.
- The Soul Tells a Story - all about the discipline of writing and the practice of creative pursuit - motivating and inspiring.
What are you reading? I'd love to know!