A couple of years ago, I started setting myself an annual reading goal to inspire me to read more.

In 2018, my goal was 25 – and I hit 27.
In 2019, my goal was 32 – and I managed to scrape in with 32 at the end of December.

This year, in 2020, I aim to read 40 – wish me luck!

(It’s actually amazing how many books you can get through when you limit mindless social media scrolling and borrow 7 day rapid read loans from the local library – with no opportunity to renew)

I’m reading two different books at a time – one fiction and one autobiography, self-development, or business-development book.

As a result, I’ve smashed through some amazing books – with some making a memorable impact on my mindset. So today, I wanted to share 5 books that have made the biggest impact.

You might have read some or all of these. Would love to hear your thoughts over at the Marketing & Me Podcast Facebook group. 

1.The Secret – By Rhonda Byrne

This was the book that started it all for me.

About 12 years ago, I was 22 years old and engaged to the love of my life. I was happy with my personal life but hated my telesales job – and my dream job as a journalist seemed far beyond my reach.

Yes, I know I was young and my career was only just starting. But I’ve always been an ambitious person!

I was just looking at things the wrong way.

It was around that time that a friend recommended I read ‘The Secret’.

Mind blown!

As someone who grew up with a father who always grumbled about one thing or another – love you Dad! – I just naturally thought negative thoughts. If things were going well for me for too long, I felt I was overdue for something bad to happen.

The Secret changed all that. And I’ve considered myself a positive thinker ever since!

It taught me that I can be the driver in my life – and not the passenger complaining about the route we’ve taken.

The Law of Attraction was this amazing new concept and I fell in love. I played around with it and manifested cool things from finding $2 on the ground, to receiving a free cup of coffee, to finding a local freelance journalism course, to getting publishing regularly in a commuter newspaper, to finding the exact amount of money I need for laser eye surgery before my wedding.

I admit that every now and again I forget the power that lies within me. But I’m in re-discovery mode in 2020!

The book taught me things like –

When you allow a thought of doubt to enter your mind, the law of attraction will soon line up one doubtful thought after another. When this happens, release it immediately and tell yourself “I know I am receiving now”.

It’s impossible to feel bad and have good thoughts at the same time.

To attract money, focus on wealth. It is impossible to bring more money into your life when you focus on the lack of it. Tell yourself “I can afford that. I can buy that.”

There are so many other inspirational quotes within this book. And it’s a very easy read. Or – you can choose to watch the movie if you’d prefer!

2. A Happy Pocket Full of Money – By David Cameron Gikandi

Before I delve into this book, there are 3 phrases I’d like you to repeat after me right now.

I am wealth. I am abundance. I am joy.

Let’s say them again.

I am wealth. I am abundance. I am joy.

Anyone who has read this book will know what I’m talking about. These 3 phrases are repeated constantly throughout the papers as a reminder. The aim is to make them ingrained in your brain!

A Happy Pocket Full of Money digs deeper into the money mindset introduced in The Secret – and I’ve underlined so many fabulous statements throughout the book!

Here are some randomly selected gems –
“Expect to experience massive success!”
“Start creating instead of reacting.”
“Peace is the biggest boost to prosperity, and it is in your own interest, for your own prosperity, to promote peace.”
“Do not take life too seriously. Enjoy it! Play with it like a child. Laugh at every corner. Joy is your true nature, and aligning with your true nature boosts your acquisition of wealth.”

It also talks about dreams and vision boards – and re-reading this book is one of the reasons I finally created my own vision board recently!

I’ve already gifted this book to my sister and a friend. I highly recommend it.

3. Lucky Bitch – By Denise Duffield-Thomas

This book was recommended to me a couple of times – but when her course and book were mentioned again in my copywriting community recently, I figured it was time to find myself a copy!

One was available in the library and I devoured it from front to back – okay, not literally – in one weekend.

Denise felt like she was speaking directly to me. Our modest pasts were similar and I’ve also experienced frustrations when my attempts of manifesting didn’t go my way.

I loved her story of how she and her husband made a 6 month around-the-world prize theirs – but it wasn’t all wishful thinking and vision boards. Although, that did play a massive part!
They also worked hard to make themselves visible and get ahead of their competition.

It proved that hard work really pays off.

But my favourite takeaway was about releasing resentment and forgiving. Not just towards others who you feel negatively towards. But also yourself.

Denise has created 4 key phrases for forgiveness –

I forgive you
Thank you
I’m sorry
I love you

In the book she asked us to think about every single person we’ve had issues with – and say those 4 phrases to them. And feel it with every ounce of our being.

And also think about every part of our body – and all the negativity we direct to ourselves – and say those 4 phrases as well.

To repeat, they are:

I forgive you
Thank you
I’m sorry
I love you

Denise emphasises the importance of self care and taking care of ourselves first and foremost. Only then, will the outside world care for us.

So are you overdue for some important health appointments? Such as the dentist, chiropractor, physio, or pap smear?

Make it a priority to do some form of self-care as soon as this podcast episode is over – or even do something now if you’re on your morning walk or lunch break!

There was other interesting information about money blocks – but that’s a whole episode in itself.

My next step is to get my hands on my own copy of the book – so I can re-read it sometime soon and scatter it with pencil markings!

4. Your Dream Life Starts Here – By Kristina Karlsson

I received the Dream Life Journal by Kristina Karlsson (aka the founder of Kikki.K) from my copy buddy, Kate Merryweather, for my birthday last year. After I started flipping through it, I fell in love with the concept of dreaming and immediately downloaded ‘Your Dream Life Starts Here’ on my Kindle.

Kristina says “none of us ever dream big enough. Even if our dreams look big and seemingly impossible when you first write them down, one day you’ll look back and realise you could have dreamed even bigger.”

She talks about giving ourselves the opportunity to daydream on a regular basis, writing it down, and reflecting. We should all aim to have 101 dreams written down in a journal – and they should be looked at often.

I’ve only managed to think of 57 so far. Some of these include learning sign language, running a marathon, going hangliding, and joining an Acapella group (since I’m a Pitch Perfect fan).

So why not give yourself 10 minutes today to take deep breaths, clear your mind, and write down everything – I mean everything – that you’ve ever wanted to do.

You’re not constrained by what anybody else thinks.

Be bold. Be silly. Be childish!

Later, some of these will totally inspire you, some you’ll edit, and some you’ll throw away.

Kristina says she never wants to live the same year twice. She always wants to add something new.

And I’m very much the same. So have a look at your dream list and decide which tasks are going to become your experiences this year!

5. The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod

Personally, I’m a morning person. Once I’m awake, I’m ready to embrace the day!

But that doesn’t mean I don’t experience that internal debate when my alarm goes off.

However, I’ve realised that if I get out of bed on my terms – and not when a child pats me awake and begs for breakfast – I start my day on the front foot.

I’m not starting in responding mode.

The Miracle Morning taught me a process of actions to take every morning to ensure I’m ready to face the day.

Hal calls them SAVERS – Silence, Affirmations, Visualisation, Exercise, Reading, and Scribing.

Let’s break those down –
Silence – So this includes meditation, prayer, or just deep breathing. Just do something to clear your thoughts.
Affirmations – Say some inspiring words to yourself to achieve your goals, overcome fears, and be healthy and happy.
Visualisation – Imagine yourself doing all the things you dream of doing. You could choose one or many of the dreams you’ve written down in your journal.
Exercise – Get the blood and oxygen flowing by moving your body in some way.
Reading – Fill your brain with positive and motivating thoughts by reading a personal or business development book of some kind.
Scribing – Write down or journal your thoughts.

I’ve found that even if I spend a few minutes on each one each day, it makes a massive difference. And you don’t need to wake at the crack of dawn if that doesn’t suit you.

So give it a go and let me know how it helps you.

There you go – 5 books that changed my mindset. Those titles again are:

1. The Secret – By Rhonda Byrne

2. A Happy Pocket Full of Money – By David Cameron Gikandi

3. Lucky Bitch – By Denise Duffield-Thomas

4. Your Dream Life Starts Here – By Kristina Karlsson

5. The Miracle Morning – By Hal Elrod

RESOURCES

The Secret – By Rhonda Byrne

A Happy Pocket Full of Money – By David Cameron Gikandi

Lucky Bitch – By Denise Duffield-Thomas

Your Dream Life Starts Here – By Kristina Karlsson

The Miracle Morning – By Hal Elrod

ABOUT LEANNE SHELTON

Throughout her career, Leanne Shelton has gained vast experience in journalism, marketing, communications, events, and B2B sales. She has worked in both corporate and not-for-profit roles, but since starting Write Time Marketing in 2014, Leanne has found her true calling.

A self-proclaimed English nerd at heart, Leanne is extremely passionate about the written word and loves working with Health & Wellness business owners to prepare effective content marketing strategies to best suit their target audiences. Even though she has dabbled in all forms of copywriting, Leanne specialises in business blogging as she loves the capacity to form ongoing relationships with her clients.

While some business owners choose to outsource their blogs to Leanne to write, others prefer to take the DIY approach and learn about the art via training opportunities online, face-to-face, and her podcast ‘Marketing & Me’.

Outside the office, Leanne enjoys dancing, reading, listening to inspiring podcasts, and spending quality time with her husband, Justin, and two young daughters.

To find out more about Write Time Marketing, visit www.writetimemarketing.com.au

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