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Books That Help You Get What You Want in Your Career

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Are you an assistant? An associate? A VP with unlimited vacation? It doesn’t matter. Because no matter where you are at in your career, you will always have goals that keep you learning. 

The Ignite Your Potential coaches have rounded up 8 books that will advance your career. Each one focuses on a different set of skills, beliefs, or values that are important to the growth-oriented person—at work and in your life. They will motivate you, inspire you, and help you shake up a stale work routine.

So, give the fiction a (short) break, and dive into these titles that will give your career a boost based on what you want right now!

If You Want to Take Your Career to the Next Level

In Maximize Your Potential: Grow Your Expertise, Take Bold Risks & Build an Incredible Career, from the 99U series and Jocelyn Glei, some of today’s leading minds offer their advice to take your career to the next level. A detailed how-to book, you’ll learn how to create new opportunities, build relationships in the workplace, and unleash your creative potential.

If You Want to Fall in Love with Your Job

Let’s face it: Work is more fun when you enjoy what you do, right? Love Your Job: The New Rules for Career Happiness is a guide written by Kerry Hannon to help you transform your boring job into something meaningful. For people struggling to get through the day, Hannon’s tips will help you change your habits and your attitude, so you’ll love your job again in no time at all.

If You Want Work-Life Balance

Thrive: The Third Metric to Redefining Success and Creating a Life of Well-Being, Wisdom, and Wonder by Arianna Huffington reminds us that there is more to life than earning a ton of money. The constant pursuit of more (and more) has been a one-way ticket to burnout for too many. Huffington encourages people to incorporate self-care into their daily lives. Throughout the book, she also shares personal anecdotes about her struggles with time management and prioritizing her career and family life.

If You Want to Change Your Money Mindset

Have you ever wondered how Andrew Carnegie, Henry Ford, and many of the other successful businesspeople of the 1900s earned their fortunes? Well, my friend, the secret is within Think and Grow Rich, the 1937 classic from Napoleon Hill. Not only will you learn what they believed was the key to their riches, but you’ll also get Hill’s 13-step program that will put you on the track to achieve wealth and success.

If You Want to Recover From a Career Failure

The truth is, we all face failure in life, whether it’s in our careers or personal lives. What matters is how we handle it. But how can you become one of those people who turns his failures into learning experiences? Business blogger Megan McArdle explains just that in her book, The Up Side of Down: Why Failing Well Is the Key to Success. You’ll read stories from people in all different career paths (medicine, education, finance—to name a few,) and their examples will help you see your missteps in a different light.

If You’re Feeling Stuck in Your Career

In Moving the Needle: Get Clear, Get Free, and Get Going in Your Career, Business, and Life, Joe Sweeney provides a detailed system for people who feel stuck and want a plan to make a change. It’s a perfect read for those who crave actionable advice. Bonus: These lessons can be applied to personal aspirations as well.

If You’re Ready to Pivot into a Different Career

Laura Berman Fortgang shares exactly how she has helped her clients successfully make big changes in their lives. If you’re looking for a new job or questioning what you’re meant to do with your life, Now What?: 90 Days to a New Life Direction will help you find the answers in just three months!

If You Want to Start Your Own Company

If you haven’t read #GIRLBOSS by Sophia Amoruso yet, what are you waiting for? The founder of fashion retailer Nasty Gal, Amoruso opens up about her troublesome past and how she turned her life around to become an insanely successful CEO. Even if you’re not passionate about the fashion industry, you can benefit from this inspirational story.
Our award-winning coaches at the Ignite Your Potential Centers offer a complimentary 25-minute phone session to help you get what you want in your career. We are the #1 career coaches in San Francisco and Los Angeles, let us show you how we earned that praise.

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7 Awesome Companies You’ll Love

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How do you know a job is The One? Alongside the fact that your role fits your personality, strengths, and your well thought out requirements. You also can’t stop smiling and talking about it with friends and family. Your heart flutters on your 1,000th day the same way it did on your first. You know that all your hard work matters.

If you think that kind of connection is rare, look carefully at the 7 companies below. These businesses and organizations have an impact, mission, or culture that’s sure to make you swoon.

1. Clearlink

Clearlink combines digital marketing and sales conversion services to add value to a brand’s customers by offering a holistic service approach. Established in 2003, Clearlink employs over 1,500 marketers, technologists, and sales professionals. They partner with some of the world’s leading brands—including AT&T, CenturyLink, Travelers, Safeco, and DISH—to extend their reach and deepen customer insights.

2. AT&T

AT&T is excited to announce the expansion of its entertainment and content services. The company is the largest provider of pay-TV in the United States and is among the largest in the world. The company utilizes its broad media footprint and high-speed services to reach over 60 million locations to deliver primetime shows, sporting events, and movies to customers around the globe.

3. GLG

GLG is helping its clients change the world every day by connecting them with the smartest experts. With a global presence across 22 offices in 12 countries, and more than 2,000 talented, passionate professionals, GLG is powering smarter business for a world that works better.

4. VRBO

Vrbo, a world leader in the vacation rental industry, is the place to book beach houses, cabins, and condos with more than two million places to stay in 190 countries. The site makes it easy to find and book the perfect vacation rental for any getaway, often for less than the cost of traditional hotel accommodations. Vrbo is part of the Expedia Group family of brands.

5. Boxed

Boxed was founded in 2013 by an experienced group of tech pioneers with a simple idea—make shopping for bulk easy, convenient, and fun. Today, Boxed is a late-stage startup delivering a first-class e-commerce experience for everyday essentials across the country. Boxed values tech and innovation and is passionate about creating a delightful and personalized online shopping experience for each and every customer.

6. eMarketer

Established in 1996, eMarketer is the first place to look when you need data on digital. eMarketer offers data and insights essential to effective performance in the digital world, with a focus on understanding how consumers spend their time and money and how marketers can best communicate with them via digital channels.

7. Johnson & Johnson

In the next ten years, healthcare is predicted to radically transform more than any other industry, with old models being disrupted in favor of new methods to make the world a healthier place for everyone. Johnson & Johnson has long excelled in times of transformation. Its history of firsts—from Band-Aids to feminine care to treatments for HIV, cancer, Ebola, and, most recently, Alzheimer’s—demonstrates how J&J combines passion, science, and technology to create game-changing innovations.

Do you need help finding a job that is The One? Our award-winning coaches at the Ignite Your Potential Centers offer a complimentary 25-minute phone session that will help you find the perfect company for you. We are the #1 career coaches in San Francisco and Los Angeles, let us show you how we earned that praise.

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Lacking Motivation? Ask Yourself These Questions

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Are you feeling uninspired, unmotivated or just generally off track? It’s time to figure out where you are, where you’re going, and why you’re not there yet. Everyone wants to get out of a slump, but sometimes it takes a little push to start the change. Action is the mortal enemy of career slumps. Taking action and doing something to change your situation can have incredible results. To kick off your change, ask yourself these three questions:  

1. What is Missing? If you’re stuck in a slump, questioning what is missing in your professional life can provide the solution you need to bring back your career mojo. By doing this, you’ll have a targeted point of change that you can use as a jumping-off point for your new, motivated self. Not feeling challenged enough? Kick-off your new inspiration by asking your boss for new responsibilities or even go for a promotion. Give yourself a new challenge it may be just what you need to get re-engaged.   

2. Where’s the ‘Why’? Focus on bringing your thinking back to the reason you do what you do. 1.What makes you truly happy? 2.Where do you add the greatest value? 3.Why did you begin this job in the first place? Going back to basics and figuring this out for yourself can provide you with the answers you need to get your engagement back. If you’re failing to see the reasons why you’re in your current role, it may be time to consider a career pivot.  

3. How do I Get Motivated? Whether it’s applying for a job, asking your boss for a raise, or some other goal, just committing yourself to do it will make a huge difference. Everyone wants to get out of a slump, but sometimes it takes a little push to start the change. Action is the mortal enemy of career slumps. Taking action and doing something to change your situation can have incredible results.  Do you need advice on getting motivated? Our award-winning coaches at the Ignite Your Potential Centers offer a ​complimentary 25-minute phone session​ that will help you find your motivation again. We are the #1 career coaches in San Francisco and Los Angeles, let us show you how we earned that praise. 

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5 Inspirational TED Talks for Anyone Having a Rough Day

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Check out our 5 favorite TED Talks for the next time things are not going your way.

1. If You’re Feeling Sorry for Yourself: Living Beyond Limits 

Amy Purdy talks about the power of imagination. She explains how our lives are not determined by what happens to us, but by the choices we make. Imagination allows us to break down borders, to move beyond our circumstances, to create and constantly progress.

2. If You’re Feeling Drained: Your Elusive Creative Genius

“Eat, Pray, Love” author Elizabeth Gilbert muses on the impossible things we expect from artists and geniuses — and shares the radical idea that, instead of the rare person “being” a genius, all of us “have” a genius. It’s a funny, personal and surprisingly moving talk.

3. If You’re Feeling Sad: The Three A’s of Awesome

Neil Pasricha’s blog 1000 Awesome Things savors life’s simple pleasures, from free refills to clean sheets. In this heartfelt talk from TEDxToronto, he reveals the 3 secrets (all starting with A) to leading a life that’s truly awesome.

4. If You’re Feeling Negative: The Surprising Science of Happiness

Dan Gilbert, the author of “Stumbling on Happiness,” challenges the idea that we’ll be miserable if we don’t get what we want. Our “psychological immune system” lets us feel truly happy even when things don’t go as planned.

5. If You’re Feeling Stressed: How to Make Stress Your Friend 

Stress. It makes your heart pound, your breathing quicken, and your forehead sweat. But while stress has been made into a public health enemy, new research suggests that stress may only be bad for you if you believe that to be the case. Psychologist Kelly McGonigal urges us to see stress as a positive and introduces us to an unsung mechanism for stress reduction: reaching out to others.

We hope that at least one of these video can get you through your bad day. Our award-winning coaches at the Ignite Your Potential Centers offer a complimentary 25-minute phone session to help you find cope with tough days. We are the #1 career coaches in San Francisco and Los Angeles, let us show you how we earned that praise.

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Turn Your Bad Day Around

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“So you had a bad day. Don’t let it spiral you into a mindset of doom and gloom. Get back in your power. Remember you are who you choose to be.”-Karen Salmansohn

Bad days happen. However, if you start to label too many days disagreeable this can cause a lack of productivity. At Ignite Your Potential we often recite the phrase “don’t let a bad 10 minutes ruin your entire day.” Letting a negative moment define a whole day is not only unfair, it can lead to missed opportunities, and distract from your day’s purpose. Continue reading to discover strategies that can improve your rough days. 

Accept Reality

Accepting the reality of your situation doesn’t mean you’re stuck or a failure. The sooner you acknowledge the problem the faster you can find a solution. Denying or pushing away the negative feelings you are experiencing will only delay the process. 

Consider Repeating Out Loud:

  • I acknowledge this is my situation
  • Even though I have a problem, I am okay
  • I have the power to change my situation 

Change Your Point of View

After you’ve accepted your current situation, attempt to transform your viewpoint into one that benefits you. For example, if you’ve been taking punch after punch all day. You may begin with a negative outlook at think something like, “This is happening to me because I’m not good enough.” Change your perspective by reframing your internal dialogue, “This can make me stronger, more resilient, and prepared to turn challenges into future success.” Small changes, like a reframe, will make a substantial difference in your ability to conquer bad days.

Consider:

  • Asking yourself: is this productive thinking? Does it serve me?
  • Visualize other perspectives
  • Focus on what is in your power
  • Use productive and positive language when you’re talking to yourself

Take a Break 

Attempting to work while your mind is overflowing with negative thoughts is ineffective and will reduce productivity. A study conducted by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign concluded that brief diversions from a task can dramatically improve one’s ability to focus on that task for prolonged periods. Time off is necessary to regroup to get your mind back on track.

Consider:

  • Talking to a friend or family member
  • Meditating 
  • Moving your body, go for a walk, stretch, exercise

Socialize

There are many studies that show the emotional support you give and get during connections with friends and family enhances psychological well-being. When you are feeling down, reach out to the people who love and want to support you. 

Consider:

  • Visiting your neighborhood coffee shop
  • Making plans with friends or family
  • Volunteering

Are bad days seem to be occurring more often? Ignite Your Potential Center coaches will provide you with emotional support and skills that will help you achieve your goals. We are the #1 coaches in San Francisco and Los Angeles, let us show you how we earned that praise. All of the award-winning coaches at the Ignite Your Potential Centers offer a complimentary 25-minute phone session, see if we are the right fit for you.

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Take a Risk: 10 Inspiring Quotes

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Ignite Your Potential coaches want you to experience all life has to offer. You will never know where you can succeed if you stay within your comfort zone, so be brave and take a chance at the possibility of uncovering your life’s purpose. To find self-love and confidence, learn something new and discover unknown opportunities, consider some strategic risk-taking. Embracing positive risks will change your life in unexpected ways.

Need some inspiration? Read these fuel firing quotes:

  1. “Don’t be too timid and squeamish about your actions. All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better.” ― Ralph Waldo Emerson
  2. “I believe that the most important single thing, beyond discipline and creativity, is daring to dare.” — Maya Angelou
  3. “…If there is no risk, there is no reward.” ― Christy Raedeke
  4. “I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” ― Michael Jordan 
  5. “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t–you’re right.” -Henry Ford
  6. “Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore.” – Andre Gide
  7. “Never let the odds keep you from doing what you know in your heart you were meant to do.” — H. Jackson Brown, Jr.
  8. “Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far it is possible to go.” — T.S. Eliot
  9. “The biggest risk is not taking any risk…In a world that’s changing really quickly, the only strategy that is guaranteed to fail is not taking risks.” ― Mark Zuckerberg
  10. “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor, catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” — Mark Twain

Whether it is investing in a property or applying for a job that you feel unqualified for, we hope this list of inspirational quotes inspired you to take some risks. Don’t want to take this adventurous journey alone? Ignite Your Potential Center coaches can be by your side every step of the way. We are #1 in San Francisco and Los Angeles, let us show you how we earned that praise. Remember, all of the award-winning coaches at the Ignite Your Potential Centers offer a complimentary 25-minute phone session to help you meet your life goals and career goals.
We challenge you to step out of your comfort zone today.

3 Alternatives if a Career Change Is Not an Option

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Just because you don’t want a total career change doesn’t mean you have to toil away in misery without getting closer to what is a good fit for you. Your Ignite Your Potential career coaches have curated three options that aren’t major career changes, but can provide an up level for your career.

  1. Keep Your Job, Change Your Industry

A smart strategy when you want to change careers is to start by pivoting either your role (what you do) or your industry (the field you work in,) rather than trying to do both at the same time. For example, if you hate your job in pharmaceutical sales, could you put your selling skills to work in a completely different field. Yes, it takes effort to network your way into a new industry and convince hiring managers you’re worth the opportunity—but it is easier than starting from scratch.

     2. Make a Move Within Your Company

If you work for a large company, look around. Are there other roles that seem more appealing than the one you are currently in? If so, start talking to these people. Learn the ins and outs of their jobs, understand the skills required to do their work, and ask for advice on breaking into their world. Ask to lend a hand on upcoming projects. This may not work everywhere, but if you show that you are interested in a different type of work and start building the transferable skills required, your employer may be willing to help you make the transition.

3. Negotiate

If you are unhappy there may be a chance that you can figure out how to tweak a few things about your responsibilities, the projects you work on, the people you work with the most, etc. If you can figure out what you need in a role to really thrive, which is something we help clients with all the time, then there is a chance you can pitch these changes to your boss or influence these changes over time on your own. Sometimes it’s possible to make the changes you need within the role you’re currently in.

     4. Reconsider These Options

OK, this isn’t an alternative to changing careers, but you do owe it to yourself to revisit this topic and make sure your “I really can’t change careers” stance is still valid. Maybe the answer will stay the same. But what if you find that one day, this changes to a maybe. And when that day comes, you can start considering the options above or talk to an Ignite Your Potential coach to help make your dream a reality.

Consider giving career coaching a try, we have a hunch you’ll be pleasantly surprised. And remember, all of the award-winning coaches at Ignite Your Potential Centers off a complimentary 25-minute phone session to help you meet your life goals and career goals. We are the #1 career coaches in San Francisco and Los Angeles, let us show you how we earned that praise.

 

The Best Pep Talk You’ll Get All Day

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This exhortation by Kid President is just the boost you may need.

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