An End-of-Year Reading List to Change Your Life
by Julie Turpin, Chief People Officer at Brown & Brown Insurance
I grew up in a trailer park. My father was a musician, and we barely scraped by.
And yet regardless of what was in the bank, dad always prioritized the importance of reading. We started with sections of the newspaper and then moved on to reading books together.
The written word became my guide as I developed a strong sense of compassion through stories about different people and experiences. Reading became a great escape from my surroundings; a new world where a better life existed.
As an adult, I’ve found books to be the key to personal transformation as well. Particularly in the way I think and how I view the world and circumstances around me.
Books unlock my ability to be consistently happy.
I talk a lot about the equal importance of mental and physical health when it comes to supporting our teams throughout the year. But this also includes our own health and well-being as well. We can only be great leaders when we take the time to nurture and strengthen our own thinking.
13 books that will change your life this holiday season (in no particular order)
As you step away from your computer and find quiet times of reflection over the coming weeks, I hope the following books offer you the solace and growth they offered me. Within each book, you’ll find practical resources for harnessing the power of your thoughts for positive impact.
- You Can Heal Your Life, by Louis Hay – The works of Louis Hay have played a big role in helping me build a loving relationship with myself, and develop My Foundational 5. In this book, she demonstrates how our thoughts impact our experiences, and how taking control of our thoughts can heal our biggest afflictions.
- Women Who Run with the Wolves, by Clarissa Pinkola Estes Ph.D. – I’ve reread this book multiple times, each time taking away a new insight into the power and resilience of women. Once you read this, you’ll never be able to look at your culture’s myths, fairy tales, and other stories the same.
- A Return to Love, by Marianne Williamson – The end of the year is a time filled with love, and we often think of love as an outward action toward other people or things. This book shows you the internal healing power of love and how practicing love can drive inner peace.
- Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life, Dr. Wayne W. Dyer – Really, I recommend any of Dr. Dyer’s books (he’s a force of nature!), but this one is special because of the way he breaks down human thought patterns and applies the ancient wisdom of the Tao Te Ching to our world today.
- Man’s Search for Meaning, by Viktor Frankl – A classic, this book reminds us about the power of the mind. When we cannot control our external circumstances, we can always find meaning in the control of our own thoughts. I’ve found practicing gratitude to be a great way to find meaning and recenter my thoughts in challenging times.
- Loving What Is, by Byron Katie – This recommendation is for those looking for a simple process to immediately implement into their lives. Called The Work, this process is four questions that you can apply to any problem you’re facing to change your perspective. When you start holding yourself accountable for how you feel, you’ll see challenges in a whole new light!
- It’s Never Too Late to Begin Again, Julia Cameron and Emma Lively – Like her other bestseller, The Artist’s Way, this book zooms in on the importance of creativity in times of change (specifically retirement or downtime). Personally, I find the idea that it’s never too late to start a new creative pursuit really energizing.
- The Universe Has Your Back, by Gabrielle Bernstein – This author’s personal story is one of transformation and redemption. In her book, she teaches how you can do the same when you’re feeling utterly powerless.
- Unshakeable, by Tony Robbins and Peter Mallouk – Most of my recommendations so far have focused on owning your thoughts to create inner peace. This book takes the same principles but demonstrates how they can help you reach your financial goals.
- Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself and Becoming Supernatural, by Dr. Joe Dispenza – I’ve been lucky enough to attend seminars by Dr. Dispenza, but his books are the next best thing. While science and spirituality are often seen as opposing practices, Dr. Dispenza shows how you can bring them together to change your life.
- Think Like a Monk, by Jay Shetty – It’s easy to get swept away by end-of-year craziness, but this book will show you how to slow down, find mindfulness, and think like a monk.
- The Four Agreements, by Don Miguel Ruiz – It can be hard to admit, but we sometimes cause our own suffering. If we can change the way we think, we can avoid this pain and find joy. This book provides practical ways to find this emotional freedom.
- Sacred Contracts, by Caroline Myss – Why am I here? What is my purpose? If you are anything like me, you look for a bigger meaning in everything, especially your existence. This book helped me identify my archetypes or spiritual energies. Through these archetypes, I’ve been able to better understand my life’s purpose and how to live my life to its greatest potential.
The end of the year is the perfect time to prioritize yourself and build habits that will bring you more love and joy in the new year.
I challenge you to not only read one or more of these books this holiday season but to create a plan for how to use what you learn to make 2023 your best year yet. I wish all my friends and teammates a Happy Holiday and a great New Year!
PurposeFULL Leadership
How Personal & Professional Growth Can Help You Lead A Fullfilled Life
by Julie Turpin, Chief People Officer at Brown & Brown Insurance
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