5 Books to Help You Rediscover Your Inner Spark
Last week, I held my How to Rediscover Your Inner Spark workshop for Rotman Alumni (University of Toronto's business school). Two hundred and eighty-eight people signed up. I sent out a survey in advance and seventy people responded.
One of the questions I asked was, "How would you rate your current spark level on a scale of 1-10?"
The average answer was...five.
FIVE.
Here is what is seriously wrong with that - you're not just waking up in the morning feeling like a five. You're also bringing that five with you when you interact with your family, your team or clients at work and even with your friends. You're solving problems from that five. You're making decisions from that five.
Now imagine how you would show up for your family, work, friends if you were at an 8, 9 or even 10?
Your family and friends need your spark. The world needs your spark!
There are many ways to elevate your spirit and your spark. I developed a workshop focused on specifically that and I'm working on a longer program with the aim of creating more lasting change. But for now, I am sharing a list of five books that will help you rediscover your inner spark!
1. The Untethered Soul, by Michael A Singer. This book is about stepping back from the incessant chatter of your mind to understand that you are not your ego. You can let things happen as they do, even take them in stride, while feeling free to pursue your boldest dreams. If you are in need of perspective, this book will provide it. I've read it multiple times (the first time was after my husband passed away) and my copy is dog-eared with whole paragraphs underlined.
2. Big Magic, by Elizabeth Gilbert. Although this book is about creativity, it is not meant exclusively for those that identify as "creative types". This book speaks to how to let your creativity drive while allowing fear, which often tags along whether we like it or not, to ride along as a passenger, without ever taking the wheel. In other words, feel the fear but do it anyway!
3. The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho. If you haven't read this book yet, you may just be in the minority at this point - over eighty million copies have been sold worldwide. This classic is a mystical tale of a boy in search for "treasure" which is really a metaphor for his purpose. It is a beautiful read full of wisdom, guidance and inspiration.
4. The Four Agreements, by Don Miguel Ruiz. Another beautiful classic, this book is an easy-to-read guidebook to a better life. Each "agreement" is a simple but powerful principle by which to live life more authentically. I've always found that the quickest paths to inspiration are found when you come home to yourself.
5. Tools of Titans, by Tim Ferris. This book is slightly different from the others on the list. Tim Ferris (of The 4-Hour Workweek fame) interviewed more than two hundred world class performers on his podcast and gathered some of the most impactful learnings into this book. It's the kind you can pick up whenever you need a pick-me-up.
If you have read or read any of these books, I'd love to hear what you thought! Send me a note at kena@allyouare.ca. If you liked this post and would like to sign up for my Sunday Newsletter, you can do so here.
With love,
Kena xo
Kena Paranjape, Founder, All You Are