Unimaginable things happen when a woman takes her fate and the fate of others around her in her own hands and sets goals for reaching farther than the moon. Such a girl boss will prefer taking the ‘No bullshit’ approach over sugar-coating things for you, but at the same time, she will have a warm and an empathetic heart.
If you are a girl boss, you must be aware of all the hard work you have to put into being who you are and getting where you are. There are many aspects of life that require being dealt with in a peculiar manner and there are many people who have different approaches and solutions to apply in such situations. A girl boss must not be a stranger to these disciplines and must know which ones work best for her.
So here’s a round-up of 7+ inspiring books that every girl boss should read in 2018.
1. The Subtle Art of Not Giving A Fuck by Mark Manson
Published on: 13 September 2016
Genre: Self-help
Goodreads rating: 4/5
Why you should read it: Mark Manson has no intention of hiding the bitter truths of life. Most of the times in our lives, we worry about the wrong things and yes, it is a major problem. You need to understand that your fucks are valuable and not everyone or everything deserves them. That is what this book is about. It teaches you to prioritise by explaining how to measure what’s important in life and what’s not by giving real-life examples.
A quote from the book:
“To try to avoid pain is to give too many fucks about pain. In contrast, if you’re able to not give a fuck about the pain, you become unstoppable.”
2. Option B: Facing Adversity, Building Resilience, and Finding Joy by Sheryl Sandberg and Adam Grant
Published on: 1st May 2017
Genre: Self-help/memoir
Goodreads rating: 3.92 /5
Why you should read it: This book is about how to be strong and move forward with your life when life gives you something that you were unprepared for. The author Sheryl Sandberg felt shattered after her husband’s death and Adam Grant, a psychologist, helped her recover from the trauma by guiding her step-by-step to rebuild herself. This book not only teaches a person how to become resilient, but also how to help others around you do the same. It’s definitely a must-read since written by a girl-boss herself.
A quote from the book:
“Building resilience depends on the opportunities children have and the relationships they form with parents, caregivers, teachers, and friends. We can start by helping children develop four core beliefs: (1) they have some control over their lives; (2) they can learn from failure; (3) they matter as human beings; and (4) they have real strengths to rely on and share.”
3. The 5 Second Rule: Transform Your Life, Work, and Confidence with Everyday Courage by Mel Robbins
Published on: February 2017
Genre: Self-help
Goodreads rating: 4/5
Why you should read it: The 5 second rule goes like this- “The moment you have an instinct to act on a goal, you must physically move within 5 seconds or your brain will stop you”.
The author says that it only takes less than 5 seconds for you to develop self-doubt and demotivate yourself from doing a task. Whenever we have a goal in mind, we take years to act on it, or we never act on it. That is what this rule wants to destroy. It’s for motivating yourself to actually move physically and bring your thoughts into action. It will end your habit to procrastinate, remove worrying and self-doubt and be helpful in awakening the girl boss in you.
A quote from the book:
“Hesitation is the kiss of death. You might hesitate for a just nanosecond, but that’s all it takes. That one small hesitation triggers a mental system that’s designed to stop you. And it happens in less than—you guessed it—five seconds.”
4. Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World by Adam Grant
Published on: 2 February 2016
Genre: Self-help
Goodreads rating: 4/5
Why you should read it: This book is all about the originals and innovators and how gigantic of an impact they have on this world by seeing everything differently and exploring where each of their own unique minds take them. Psychologist Adam Grant reveals how even a person’s browser choice can depict how they see the world. He also describes that the less information you have about something, the more imagination you’re forced to use to fill in the blanks which encourages creativity. This book is for the girl bosses out there looking to train their mind to think outside the box.
A quote from the book:
“Practice makes perfect, but it doesn’t make new.”
5. You Are a Badass at Making Money: Master the Mindset of Wealth by Jen Sincero
Published on: 18th April 2017
Genre: Self-help
Goodreads rating: 4.1/5
Why you should read it: Illustrating from her own experience, Jen Sincero, who transformed her life financially from living in a converted garage to becoming a girl boss who travels the world in style, explores how your fears keep you from achieving financial success and how to modify your mind-set to become a badass at making money. The author is constructive as well as entertaining in revealing the concepts behind advancing your finances.
A quote from the book:
“RICH: Able to afford all the things and experiences required to fully experience your most authentic life.”
6. I Could Do Anything If I Only Knew What It Was: How to Discover What You Really Want and How to Get It by Barbara Sher
Published on: 1994
Genre: Self-help
Goodreads rating: 3.8/5
Why you should read it: The author, Barbara Sher, helps you explore your long-term goals and define them unambiguously, so as to help you develop the habits and viewpoints that will help you in acquiring exactly what you have in mind. This book will leave you analyzing your current path and redirecting yourself to reach towards your heartiest dreams.
A quote from the book:
“Every time you have to make a choice about anything, think “Does this go toward or away from what I want?” Always choose what goes toward what you want.”
7. She Means Business: Turn Your Ideas into Reality and Become a Wildly Successful Entrepreneur by Carrie Green
Published on: 21st February 2017
Genre: Self-help
Goodreads rating: 4.4/5
Why you should read it: In a world where entrepreneurship is of severe importance, this book is every girl boss’ guide for turning their vision into reality and advance their ideas and business towards success. Drawing from real life examples, this book is honest, practical and concise about every step of the way to become a successful entrepreneur.
A quote from the book:
“The key is to focus on one thing at a time and to be ridiculously consistent at becoming amazing at it.”
8. Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You about Being Creative by Austin Kleon
Published on: 28 February 2012
Genre: Self-help
Goodreads rating: 3.9/10
Why you should read it:
Everyone has a creative side waiting to be untapped. This books aims to get you in sync with that creative side by using illustrations and exercises. It focuses on being original, exploring your hobbies and realizing that there are no limits to creativity.
A quote from the book:
“If you ever find that you’re the most talented person in the room, you need to find another room.”
9. In the Company of Women: Inspiration and Advice from Over 100 Makers, Artists, and Entrepreneurs by Grace Bonney
Published on: 2016
Genre: Self-help
Goodreads rating: 4.2/5
Why you should read it: If you’re looking for inspiration from people across the globe, this is the book for you. The number of female business handlers and entrepreneurs is increasing at a great speed and this book contains interviews and advice from 100 of such girl bosses who are embracing their originality and adversity, along with portraits of these powerful women of varying age, races, and belonging to different parts of the world. This book just might inspire you to become one of them.
A quote from the book:
“Be relentless, be ambitious, be excellent.” –Roxane Gay, Writer and Professor.
10. Radical Candor: Be a Kick-Ass Boss without Losing Your Humanity by Kim Scott
Published on: 14th March 2017
Genre: Self-help
Goodreads rating: 4.2/5
Why you should read it: It’s difficult to develop a friendly relationship in your work environment and still maintain the hierarchy of the posts. Should you be lenient and make everyone love you? Or should you be aggressive so nobody can open up to you? This book holds the answer to every question you have as a girl boss as to how to deliver your severity and still be empathetic enough to be in the good graces of your juniors
A quote from the book:
“Make sure that you are seeing each person on your team with fresh eyes every day. People evolve, and so your relationships must evolve with them. Care personally; don’t put people in boxes and leave them there.”
What do you think about this article? Don't forget to share your favorite reads in the comments section below.
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