Lexington, KY - For most of us, the summer get-away-from-it-all vacation is a thing of the past. We may be out of the office, but we're never really away from work. We'll be checking our iPhone or Blackberry more often than we squirt on sunscreen.
So, if you have trouble taking a complete break from business, why not try looking at work in a new way? One of the means of doing so is to read. Find a business book that defuses stress, gives new ideas or helps you to come up with changes you may make when you return to the 9-to-5.
To get you started, here's a list of "Seven for Summer." These books range from business classics to latest releases. They're selected for ease of reading between sips of cold beverages. Let this be your summer to bring more than a suntan back from vacation.
1. The Little Big Things: 163 Ways, by Tom Peters
Tom Peters is amazing. From his first bestseller, In Search of Excellence, to this just-released book, he has consistently rocked and rolled the business world with his insights into achieving excellence. This new book is filled with the energy and passion that is his trademark.
This 500-page smorgasbord is divided into bite-size chapters, including crisis, opportunity, attitude, performance and leadership. Read it in increments of 10-minute snacks, or spend a weekend devouring it.
2. Ubuntu: An Inspiring Story About an African Tradition of Teamwork and Collaboration, by Bob Nelson and Steve Lundin
Nelson Mandela first brought the African philosophy of Ubuntu to world attention during the aftermath of Apartheid. In this parable book, Nelson and Lundin, each best-selling authors, collaborate to show the approach's application to business organizations. Ubuntu, with its key components of civility and respect, proves a philosophy with broad applications with the power to transform the workplace.
3. Influencer: The Power to Change Anything, by Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, David Maxfield, Ron McMillan, Al Switzler
If you're an individual who spends vacation thinking about how you'd like to change things back at the office, this is the book for you. It is filled with relevant, well-developed examples of how we can effect change in our families, organizations, the larger world and ourselves. It provides a remarkable analysis of change and how to apply it to any problem. This is an important book of challenge and empowerment; you can influence your life and the world in making change.
4. The 4-Hour Workweek, Expanded and Updated, by Tim Ferriss
How about a book for daydreaming about leaving behind the rat race? Tim Ferris does more than dream - he provides a guide (his book) and an example (his own lifestyle) for doing just that. The revised book has over 100 new pages of content, focused on examples and case studies. If you haven't read this book already, do it now. You may decide to extend your vacation this summer by shortening your workweek - maybe to about four hours.
5. The Go-Giver: A Little Story about A Powerful Business Idea, by Bob Burg and John David Mann
This business parable remains a classic with its simple, results-producing message of putting the other person first. Its focus on service and success is a wonderful, easy read that will renew your trust in the possibilities of business. This modern story centers around "Five Laws of Stratospheric Success," based on shifting focus from getting to giving. This quick-read renders a fresh approach to doing daily business.
6. Purple Cow, New Edition: Transform Your Business by Being Remarkable, by Seth Godin
If you've haven't read Purple Cow, move the new edition to the top of your list this summer. If you've already read it (as you should have if you're in business of any sort), choose any other book by Seth Godin. The most remarkable marketing guru of our time, Godin often gives us the obvious that we overlook. If you want to improve your career, work, or business, follow the purple cow.
7. Think and Grow Rich, by Napoleon Hill
Hill's book first published in 1937 is among the classic motivation books. It has sold over 30 million copies, perhaps the highest-selling book focused on business and personal transformation. Based on a six-step success formula, the book has inspired generations of business people. For a refresher course in believing in your own ability to influence your success, make this required reading once a year.