READING LIST FOR COACHING
Need some motivation or just want an idea of where to get started?
Check out these frequently recommended Books and Articles!
Books
If you’re stuck because you either regret the past or fear you’ll regret your choice to change this is a must read:
The Power of Regret by Dan Pink - https://www.danpink.com/the-power-of-regret/
If you need motivation, I highly recommend Bryan Stevenson’s book plus his ABA Medal Speech where he talks about how law will only move towards justice if lawyers are willing to deal with discomfort and inconvenience. He says that “justice is never comfortable or convenient.” (And for me, that applies to our career choices)
Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson - https://justmercy.eji.org/
Wonder why you feel dissatisfied despite being “great” at what you do? You may be stuck in an “excellence trap” (i.e. mired in doing what you’re validated or rewarded for but do not grow from doing).
The Genius Zone by Gay Hendricks - https://www.geniuszonebook.com/
Wish you could hear your “Calling” or have a clearer sense of purpose? Check this out!
Callings: Finding and Following an Authentic Life by Gregg Levoy - https://www.gregglevoy.com/callings/index.html
Looking back, no one wishes they’d worked more. In fact, they wish they would have been truer to themselves, let themselves be happier or worked less. An essential read if you’re on the fence about a decision in life.
The Top Five Regrets of the Dying by Bronnie Ware - https://bronnieware.com/books/
What feels like a breakdown can allow you to breakthrough to a new level in your career. Maybe there is a new horizon on the other side of your career dissatisfaction or burnout after all…
Breakdown, Breakthrough by Kathy Caprino - https://www.amazon.com/dp/1576755592/?tag=ellicomminc-20 or https://kathycaprino.com/store/
Must-read insights for professionals drawn from coaching pro-athletes and Olympians. The biggest one is that the key difference between athletes and working professionals is that athletes love (and therefore are committed to) their “game”. Use this book to find and harness your own “Love of the Game”.
Train (Your Brain) Like an Olympian by Jean Francois Menard with Marie Malchelosse - https://www.amazon.com/Train-Your-Brain-like-Olympian/dp/B08RGPRWMX/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2ENPX857A0U7I&keywords=train+your+brain+like+an+olympian&qid=1696991976&sprefix=train+your+brain+like+an%2Caps%2C106&sr=8-1
Articles
“Excellence Trap” as described by Gay Hendricks in The Genius Zone (book):
“Moving beyond pessimism (or optimism)” as described by Viktor Frankl in Yes to Life:
https://www.themarginalian.org/2020/05/17/yes-to-life-in-spite-of-everything-viktor-frankl/
“Top 5 Regrets of the Dying” as described by Bronnie Ware (in her book):
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2012/feb/01/top-five-regrets-of-the-dying
“Identity Foreclosure” according to Maya Shankar, who discusses how successful people often unknowingly fall into an identity trap (that can keep them stuck in their careers)
https://www.inc.com/kelly-main/maya-shankar-identity-foreclosure.html
NOTE: Maya has a great TED Talk and Podcast episodes here…