Last month, a classmate from my Center for Right Relationship coach training wrote to tell me that my newsletter kept him inspired. I was deeply touched. I, too, am constantly in search of inspiration. Mostly, I find it in the courage and commitment of my clients. This month I am excited to share with you two new books by two people who have been inspiring me lately.

The Pollyanna Principles by Hildy Gottlieb
I have been reading Hildy Gottlieb’s blog for some time now and have been drawn in by her no-nonsense belief in community and positive change in our world. She is all about authentic individual connections and grand scale communal change. I have to admit that it took me some time to sit down and finally read the first 4 chapters of her new book that she graciously posted online. Once I started, I was hooked. I immediately ordered the book which is accurately called a “magnum opus” by the CEO of the Charity Channel. Read his compelling review here. Hildy asks us to step away from the imperative of fast results and outcomes we can measure and look toward a more comprehensive, inclusive and even seismic shift. She breathes new life into our expectations of ‘human nature’ and is already on the next hill waving us forward into social change that some of us only dream about. This is a book for everyone.

“To date, as a global people, we have based our decisions on what we could see—what we knew from the past, and what we knew (and usually, what we did not like) about the present. We have made our decisions as if the only possible future was the one we could envision based on what we already know about the past and the present.
What if it were instead possible to create the future we want, for our kids, our grandkids, and their grandkids? What if our decisions and actions were all aimed at that future? What if we had tools and systems that helped us bring that future about?” The Pollyanna Principles, p.6

Find Your Great Work by Michael Bungay Stanier
How many times have you picked your head up from your desk and wondered, “Why am I wasting my time on something I don’t really care that much about?” The subtitle tells almost all you need to know: “Napkin size solutions to stop the busywork and start the work that matters.” This creative and engaging book is already part of my coaching arsenal. Michael knows how to draw on the wisdom of a wide array of people and hone in on what is essential. If you are getting ready to move to your ‘next thing’ or need to really turn up the pilot light on your ‘current thing’ you will want to read this short, and engaging book that will guide you (yes, even without a coach) to where you need to go. You might want to start with the short movie that outlines 5 foundational principles which ground the whole book. (Turn down the volume—the music can get a little annoying.)