The Good Stuff

A Few Tips

I’ve always been convinced that most things can turn around on a dime if you hang in there, get help, and above all work on your perspective. All of the resources below are my treasures. For most of my life, I was not in a position to rely on help from other people (because my role was “helper,” “the fixer,” “the wise one.” Now I know how important it is to reach out to professionals who can provide support. But before that, I spent 35 years with my nose in books. Those were my go-to source for answers. They were my midnight friends, my comforters, and in some cases, my salvation. Podcasts, videos, and other resources have now been added to my toolbelt.

I’ve found that physical books provide a respite from distraction and let me sink into the ideas and journal about them. If I pair that experience with a good cup of coffee, a nice view, and a lounge chair then I’m in heaven. Podcasts paired with walking is also a magic combination. As my body moves, so does my mind, and if I catch an idea that resonates, I’ll open a notetaking app on my phone, or screenshot the podcast episode title and timestamp so I can locate the idea later. YouTube videos I save for night time. This is when I do my microlearning sessions. In between watching entertaining clips, I’ll sandwich in a short video that will help me keep my tech skills current, or teach me a new skill or idea. I hope you enjoy this list and find something below that will change your life!

Books – Finding Yourself / Life Design:

Designing Your Life: How to Build a Well-Lived, Joyful Life, by Bill Burnett

Finding Your Own North Star: Claiming the Life You Were Meant to Live, by Martha Beck

How to Be Everything: A Guide for Those Who (Still) Don’t Know What They Want to Be When They Grow Up, by Emilie Wapnick

Hero on a Mission: The Power of Finding Your Role in Life: The Path to a Meaningful Life, by Donald Miller

Renaissance Soul: How to Make Your Passions Your Life – A Creative and Practical Guide, by Margaret Lobenstine

Refuse to Choose!: Use All of Your Interests, Passions, and Hobbies to Create the Life and Career of Your Dreams, by Barbara Sher

Wishcraft: How to Get what You Really Want, by Barbara Sher

It’s Only Too Late If You Don’t Start Now: How to Create Your Second Life at Any Age, by Barbara Sher

I Could Do Anything If Only I Knew What It Was: How to Discover What You Really Want and How to Get It, by Barbara Sher

Books – Habit Formation

Atomic Habits: An Easy and Proven Way to Build Good Habits and Break Bad Ones, by James Clear

Tiny Habits: The Small Changes That Change Everything, by B.J. Fogg

Books – Out of the Box

Reality Transurfing. Steps I-V, by Vadim Zeland

Books – Develop Self Agency

Codependent No More: How to Stop Controlling Others and Start Caring for Yourself, by Melody Beattie

Books – Spiritual Rejuvenation

Bitten by a Camel: Leaving Church, Finding God, by Kent Dobson

Post-Traumatic Church Syndrome: One Woman’s Desperate, Funny, and Healing Journey to Explore 30 Religions by Her 30th Birthday, by Reba Riley

Tech Tools:

Chat GPT: This is a free web-based tool, or advanced language model by OpenAI, that excels at rapidly generating coherent text, engaging in natural conversations, and providing information on diverse topics. Many people use it for content creation, correspondence help, and virtual assistance. Others use it for tutoring, writing help, and personal tasks. It is a great time-saver. In a life coaching context, it is perfect for generating journaling prompts, researching solutions, and exploring ideas.

Podcasts:

The RobCast Podcast by Rob Bell: topics include spiritual and personal growth, creativity, authenticity, and other ideas that liberate and elevate the mind and soul.

The Codependummy Podcast by Marissa Esquibel: great information for anyone raised, reinforced, and rewarded to put the needs of others above their own. End the misery and exhaustion of being needless and wantless in order to please others. Learn to undo that wiring, get to know yourself, and start taking up space!

YouTube – Microlearning:

Tech Sessions, by Cyber-Seniors: tutorials on tech basics like how to use smartwatches, shop with Instacart, clear a cache.

Yoga with Adrienne: practice self-care for free at home! Try the easy “Restorative Yoga” videos that are gentle and relaxing.