When I decided I didn't want to live my life the way other people expected me to, I turned to books to help guide me out of those expectations. I had no idea what to do, where to go, how to start, so naturally I turned to the bookshelves for guidance. I was at a point where I knew there was more out there and that life wasn't just about collecting a paycheck. These books helped me move from the typical 9-to-5 life to the life I always dreamed of.
1. Your Money or Your Life: 9 Steps to Transforming Your Relationship with Money and Achieving Financial Independence by Vicki Robin
This was a pivotal book in my transition and transformation. I picked it up when I realized I was shopping to fill a gap. Almost everyday I'd go out and buy something: shoes that never got worn, lingerie that got stuffed in the already overflowing dresser drawer, clothes, makeup, house decor, and on and on.
I was buying all this stuff, but I wasn't happy. In fact, after most shopping sprees I'd just sit in the car with a horrible ache in my stomach.
I realized I wasn't happy sitting at a desk doing work for other people. I realized I wasn't happy feeling trapped in a lifestyle society designed for me. I realized money was taking hold of me and I needed out, a.s.a.p.!
Your Money or Your Life helped me see that money and materialism wasn't important. The quest for more money and more things was doomed to fail and I'd always be unhappy if that was my goal.
If you're interested in freeing yourself from the money hold and finding what's really important in life (i.e. experiences, freedom, life outside of a day job), this book is for you.
1. Your Money or Your Life: 9 Steps to Transforming Your Relationship with Money and Achieving Financial Independence by Vicki Robin
This was a pivotal book in my transition and transformation. I picked it up when I realized I was shopping to fill a gap. Almost everyday I'd go out and buy something: shoes that never got worn, lingerie that got stuffed in the already overflowing dresser drawer, clothes, makeup, house decor, and on and on.
I was buying all this stuff, but I wasn't happy. In fact, after most shopping sprees I'd just sit in the car with a horrible ache in my stomach.
I realized I wasn't happy sitting at a desk doing work for other people. I realized I wasn't happy feeling trapped in a lifestyle society designed for me. I realized money was taking hold of me and I needed out, a.s.a.p.!
Your Money or Your Life helped me see that money and materialism wasn't important. The quest for more money and more things was doomed to fail and I'd always be unhappy if that was my goal.
If you're interested in freeing yourself from the money hold and finding what's really important in life (i.e. experiences, freedom, life outside of a day job), this book is for you.
In Your Money or Your Life, Vicki Robin shows readers how to gain control of their money and finally begin to make a life, rather than just make a living.
2. Escape From Cubicle Nation: From Corporate Prisoner to Thriving Entrepreneur by Pamela Slim
In this book you'll get the nitty-gritty from Pamela Slim on entrepreneurship. She writes about the realities (different ways to be self-employed, choosing a business idea, business plans, brand spirit, rethinking your life), making your money work for you (finances and insurance), and making the leap.
It's down to earth, but inspiring and helped me see the realities of moving from day job to dream life.
In this book you'll get the nitty-gritty from Pamela Slim on entrepreneurship. She writes about the realities (different ways to be self-employed, choosing a business idea, business plans, brand spirit, rethinking your life), making your money work for you (finances and insurance), and making the leap.
It's down to earth, but inspiring and helped me see the realities of moving from day job to dream life.
In her groundbreaking book, based on her popular blog Escape from Cubicle Nation, Slim explores both the emotional issues of leaving the corporate world and the nuts and bolts of launching a business. Drawing on her own career, as well as stories from her coaching clients and blog readers, Slim will help readers weigh their options, and make a successful escape if they decide to go for it.
3. Making a Living Without a Job: Winning Ways for Creating Work That You Love by Barbara Winter
Another awesome career book that helps rebel souls become what Barbara calls joyfully jobless. Everything from finding your lost passions and overcoming obstacles to creating multiple profit centers and marketing ideas is covered.
I especially enjoyed the chapter on "Enjoying Your Spaghetti Days." It's not always easy, but it's definitely worth it.
Another awesome career book that helps rebel souls become what Barbara calls joyfully jobless. Everything from finding your lost passions and overcoming obstacles to creating multiple profit centers and marketing ideas is covered.
I especially enjoyed the chapter on "Enjoying Your Spaghetti Days." It's not always easy, but it's definitely worth it.
Newly revised and updated, Barbara J. Winter’s guide to successful self-employment is now more relevant than ever before. Drawing on the techniques and ideas of her popular seminars as well as her own thirty years of business expertise and that of other successful entrepreneurs, Winter offers the practical, proven way to launch your own profitable venture. Her indispensable advice ranges from why creativity is more important than capital to how to avoid the most common pitfalls of self-employment and how to develop multiple profit centers.
4. The Art of Non-Coformity: Set Your Own Rules, Live the Life You Want, and Change the World by Chris Guillebeau
I actually bought this on audio book and listened to it during a three-hour road trip. I remember nodding my head at everything Chris explained. This book was another pivotal one for me and helped transform what I thought about society, my role in it, and inspired me to live a much bigger life.
I actually bought this on audio book and listened to it during a three-hour road trip. I remember nodding my head at everything Chris explained. This book was another pivotal one for me and helped transform what I thought about society, my role in it, and inspired me to live a much bigger life.
If you've ever thought, "There must be more to life than this," The Art of Non-Conformity is for you.
Based on Chris Guillebeau's popular online manifesto "A Brief Guide to World Domination," The Art of Non-Conformity defies common assumptions about life and work while arming you with the tools to live differently. You'll discover how to live on your own terms by exploring creative self-employment, radical goal-setting, contrarian travel, and embracing life as a constant adventure.
5. Caught Between a Dream and a Job: How to Leave the 9-to-5 Behind and Step Into the Life You've Always Wanted by Delatorro McNeal II
I definitely felt caught between my dream and a job and at certain times felt like there was nothing I could do about it. That's where this book came in to play.
It's practical, but inspiring, and I especially love that Delatorro brings spirit into the mix. He writes about destiny, purpose, and stepping into your dreams. He also describes how one can use her day job to catapult her into her dream job.
Come to think of it, I think this was the last book I read before I made the big leap!
I definitely felt caught between my dream and a job and at certain times felt like there was nothing I could do about it. That's where this book came in to play.
It's practical, but inspiring, and I especially love that Delatorro brings spirit into the mix. He writes about destiny, purpose, and stepping into your dreams. He also describes how one can use her day job to catapult her into her dream job.
Come to think of it, I think this was the last book I read before I made the big leap!
Delatorro McNeal wants to help you move from “just a paycheck” to a life of significance, meaning, and excitement; a life of hope and expectation. Through the interactive questions and activities, motivating quotes, and realistic and doable transition strategies. Caught Between a Dream and a Job will help you discover all that is possible for you.
What are your favorite rebel-soul books? Have any suggestions? I'd love to know - I'm always devouring books!
