TIB 56: 3 inspiring short books to get unstuck in life (that I bet you haven’t read yet!)

Full disclosure: While there are links to Amazon, there are no affiliate links in this post. I want to make crystal clear that I genuinely enjoy these books and believe that can be a powerful force for good in your life. I feel that putting in affiliate links to make a quick buck, might taint that.

Sometimes we feel stuck in life, we do things that make us unhappy, we know it, but we do it over and over again anyway. We’re unsure how to break out it.

If you dream of living your life aligned with your values and having more control over your limited time, especially in your work, this post is for you.

There are times when we find ourselves stuck. Maybe you keep putting off the work that truly matters to you, or you struggle with making decisions or trying to be perfect. Perhaps you delay taking care of your health, sorting out your finances, or making other important changes in your life.

But here’s the thing: I can assure you, from my own experience, that it is possible to get unstuck.

In my life, I’ve faced many moments of feeling stuck, but I’ve discovered that there’s always a way to break free. The key is not to avoid or ignore the feeling of being stuck but to face it head-on. You have to go through it. Embrace the feeling and let it unravel itself.

To help you leverage that momentum, I want to share with you 3 books that each had a massive influence on my life’s biggest decisions.

Their mere physical presence on my bookshelf provide a level of comfort and trust that I will be able to get unstuck.

Each book is nice and short and can easily be read during a vacation. None of these are of the traditional “Self help” section though. They all speak to that deep inner drive you have.

I’ll provide a short summary for each, but none suffer from these spoilers. If the summary sounds interesting, please read the whole book. Each one is worth your time. In fact, I’ve read most of these books multiple times.

So, without further ado, let’s dive in:

Book 1: “Jonathan Livingston Seagull” – Richard Bach

Who this is for: If you want to break free, because you have a “There has to be more in store for me”-feeling.

Length: 127 pages

Key ideas:

1. Following your dreams and not letting others bring you down.
2. Perseverance and never giving up.
3. Finding meaning and connection in life.
4. Embracing your uniqueness and being true to yourself.
5. Inspiring others to reach for greatness.

Summary:

This is an exciting book about a seagull named Jonathan who wants to do more than just survive. He dreams of flying really high and really fast, way beyond what other seagulls think is possible.

But Jonathan faces some problems along the way. The other seagulls make fun of him and tell him to be like everyone else. They don’t understand his desire to be different. Even so, Jonathan keeps practicing and getting better at flying.

During his adventure, Jonathan meets other seagulls who also want to be great flyers. They become his friends and teach him important lessons about being brave and never giving up. He learns that he can be more than what others expect him to be.

Eventually, Jonathan discovers something amazing. He reaches a special place where he learns about life, love, and how everything in the world is connected. He becomes wise and comes back to his flock as a teacher. He shares his knowledge with them, inspiring them to be more than just ordinary seagulls.

“Jonathan Livingston Seagull” teaches us to believe in ourselves, follow our dreams, and never stop trying. It shows that being different is okay and that we can achieve great things if we work hard and stay determined.

Book 2: “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho

Who this is for: You’ll be inspired by this book if you value the journey of fulfillment and courage to achieve your dreams.

Length: 208 pages

Key ideas:

1. Following your dreams and pursuing your Personal Legend.
2. Listening to your heart and paying attention to the signs around you.
3. Embracing the present moment and finding meaning in the journey.
4. Discovering the value of life’s lessons and experiences.
5. Finding fulfillment by following your true purpose.

Summary:

Santiago is a shepherd boy who dreams of finding a hidden treasure. One night, he has a recurring dream about a treasure hidden at the Egyptian pyramids. This dream leads him to embark on an exciting quest to fulfill his destiny.

Leaving his flock of sheep behind, Santiago meets a wise old man who encourages him to follow his dreams and pursue his Personal Legend. Along his journey, he encounters various people who teach him valuable lessons about life, love, and the pursuit of one’s dreams.

Santiago learns about the language of the universe, known as the “Universal Language.” He discovers that by listening to his heart and paying attention to the signs around him, he can better understand the world and find his true path.

During his travels, Santiago meets an Englishman who is seeking the secrets of alchemy. Together, they learn from an alchemist who imparts wisdom about the importance of following one’s own journey and embracing the present moment.

Ultimately, Santiago reaches the Egyptian desert, where he faces challenges and tests of his determination. Through these trials, he discovers that the treasure he was seeking was not actually material wealth but rather the lessons and experiences he gained throughout his journey.

“The Alchemist” teaches us the importance of pursuing our dreams, listening to our hearts, and embracing the journey rather than just focusing on the destination. It emphasizes the idea that each person has a unique purpose in life and that by following our passions, we can discover true fulfillment.

Book 3: “The War Of Art” by Steven Pressfield

Who is this for: A must-read for anyone aspiring to overcome creative blocks, unleash their inner potential, and conquer resistance on the path to success.

Length: 190 pages

Key ideas:

1. Understanding and facing resistance in creativity.
2. Being disciplined and having a routine to beat resistance.
3. Taking creativity seriously, like a professional.
4. Listening to our intuition and being open to inspiration.
5. Seeing creativity as a way to connect with something greater.

Summary

“The War Of Art” talks about ‘resistance’, which is when we feel stuck or scared when we try to be creative. The author explains that resistance can make us procrastinate or doubt ourselves, stopping us from doing what we love, like writing or making art.

The book has three parts. In the first part, the author tells us what resistance is and how it shows up in our lives. He talks about different ways resistance can stop us from being creative.

In the second part, the author gives us tips to beat resistance. He says we need to be disciplined and stick to a routine. He also tells us to take our creative work seriously, like a professional.

The last part of the book talks about the spiritual side of being creative. The author says we should listen to our intuition and be open to inspiration. He tells us that creativity connects us to something bigger than ourselves.

“The War Of Art” gives us advice and motivation to overcome the things that stop us from being creative. It teaches us to be disciplined, take ourselves seriously, and be open to inspiration.

That’s it for this one. If you decide to read one or more of these books, I hope it gets you motivated and inspired. I hope it helps you find your path in life with renewed energy and courage to keep finding ways to succeed.

Onwards! 🚀