Resources to Improve Your Life

The great thing about living in the Internet age is that sharing resources is effortless.  A few great resources that others have shared with me, which I now share with you:

• Six TED Talk To Make You Reassess What You Are Doing With Your Life. If you haven't heard about the TED conference, it's an invitation only forum for the best and brightest ideas that will inspire others to connect, converse, and create. Fortunately for the rest of us (who haven't managed to get on the invitation list) there are TED talks that are videotaped and archived. Take time to go through this wonderful compilation of the best of the best. (My thanks to @brettkopf for pointing me to this compilation.)

•  The Female Brand by Catherine Kaputa.   I first met Catherine in 2006, when I interviewed her for a Northwestern University podcast about personal branding, based on her first book, U R a Brand. Having worked for major ad agencies before launching her own business, Catherine has a concise writing style, that is punctuated with vivid stories and practical tools.  In her newest book, she gives a fresh view of how women can leverage their innate talents to get results in the workplace. In the process, the book advocates the use of whole brain thinking. As women, we can play the game using both the feminine and masculine energies. Full disclosure: I'm one of several women profiled in the book, for my work on A Bigger Voice. It was both an honor and a curiosity for me to be interviewed for the book, to see how my story fits into a larger story of women with something to say.

• Who's Got Your Back by Keith Ferrazzi.  This book has a little something for everyone, based on the power of authentic relationships and a mindset of giving to others. Ferrazzi is the author of Never Eat Alone, one of my favorite books on networking. In this newest book, he goes one step further to explain how to create "lifeline relationships," the kind of relationships that can help you succeed in life and work. Ferrazzi starts with attributes of effective 1:1 relationships and expands those attributes to a team/group/organization to improve performance (as well as satisfaction and loyalty.) The ground that Ferrazzi covers is  familiar. Organization development consultants and coaches will resonate with the book's major points. My big insight was the importance of lifeline relationships to my development as an entrepreneur, creating a business that will outlast me. A must for individuals who embrace the idea that entrepreneurship is a team sport as well as those who want a strong network to support their aspirations. Photo by johnthescone.

What have you read or seen lately that can help others improve their lives?  Share in the comments below.

Comments

[Francine Watkins]

As I work with others, my responsibility is to guide them to make their own decisions,decisions that are best for them at that particular time of their lives. That's heady stuff.

I draw on what I have learned through my experiences -- the sweet successes and the glorious failures. I also often draw from several respected resources. Recently,I read The Art of Self Care, by Cheryl Richardson. It turned out to be a perfect resource for a client who needed Richardson's message at exactly that time of her life. If there's a need -- it's a great read.

[Carol Ross]

Thanks, Francine, for the book recommendation. Self-care is highly under-rated and often the last thing on the to-do list for many accomplished individuals. Sounds like a great book to read and re-read from time to time!