The 11 Laws of Likability by Michelle Tillis Lederman

Seeing the title of this book, I did wonder if it would be a manipulative, “Get people to like you so they buy what you’re selling”.  Instead, the focus is on building genuine relationships with people. Traditional networking is exhausting if it’s not authentic and people probably won’t do business with people they don’t like or who are not genuine.  Lederman addressees these ideas in “The 11 Laws of Likability”.

Building relationships should not be about the transactional - “what can I get”? - but rather should be about forming real, meaningful connections.  If these connections are built authentically, then yes, down the road, you may find a way to help each other.  It’s important though to focus on the connections you want to have, rather than connections you feel you should have.   Not only is constantly operating on the “should” a tiring way to live your life, but you’re also spending time with people you may not like!  Why waste your time?  

Every Day a Friday by Joel Osteen

Joel Osteen is a happy guy who’s actually been criticized for smiling too much. In “Every Day a Friday”, he shares what’s behind that smile and why he is so positive.  One of the first things he tells readers is that we choose whether or not to be happy.  Feelings are not something done to us, rather it's something we choose to experience. 

He understands we don’t have control over everything that happens to us, however, he points out that we always have control over our reactions and how we respond.  By not responding to the negative, we’re freeing up energy to focus on the positive and the things that truly matter in our lives. ( Some of these ideas are very similar to the advice Joyce Meyer gives in “Battlefield of the Mind” and "Living beyond your feelings".)

Crystal Death by Nate Hendley

Nate Hendley’s book on methamphetamine use in this country is shocking.  The cover alone is enough to make people think twice before using drugs.  The drastic images show before and after pictures of a woman using meth for only a few years.

“Crystal Death” is fact-based and makes a strong case for not using, without lecturing.  The statistics alone are a scare tactic.  Once people read about the environmental hazards of meth labs and the ingredients, such as battery acid (yes, battery acid), I would be surprised if anyone educated about the facts would make a decision to use.

Living beyond your feelings by Joyce Meyer

Is your day determined by how you feel when you wake up in the morning?  In Joyce Meyer’s new book, she encourages people to not let feelings determine if it will be a good day or a bad day. Talking about how you feel increases the intensity of those feelings.  Very simply, speak negative things and you’ll feel worse.  Talk positively and you’ll feel better.  Although it’s okay to talk with others about our concerns, nothing good comes from constantly complaining.

Meyer also warns people against allowing feelings to influence behavior.  Wise choices can be difficult to make at times, especially when we are stressed or angry, but thinking long-term and looking at our desired outcome will help us do the right thing.  Don’t get caught up in how you feel in the moment. Think before doing or speaking.  In other words, don’t let your feelings have a vote!  

Winning the Customer by Lou Imbriano & Elizabeth King

Your business and its revenue is about your customers.  Winning the Customer shows you how to turn them into fans in order to increase profits.  Imbriano and King stress the importance of really getting to know them in order to cater to their needs.  

Once you know your customers, you can treat them the way they want to be treated rather than the way you think they should be treated.  Remember, the relationship with your customers is not about you.  Treat them right and you’ll reap the benefits.

18 Minutes by Peter Bregman

Drawing from his Harvard Business Review columns, Peter Bregman offers advice to those of us who have too much to do.  He points out that paying attention to every single thing we come across takes time away from focusing on the things in our lives that truly matter.  Many of his tips - such as  not responding to things immediately - seem to be common sense, but how many of us truly apply this when we’re caught up in our daily activity?

To focus on the “right” things, Bregman encourages us to slow down.  By delaying reactions to demands, we can make sure we’re reacting the right way and taking on tasks that align with our goals.  Think through things carefully and react to the desired outcome instead of the event.  What’s the ultimate result you want?