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Hi everyone!

It’s officially summer here in Upstate New York. I feel like the week of 4th of July marked the shift to long, hot days with humidity to complain about and blazing sunshine.

Cue cool drinks on the patio, sunglasses and floppy hats by the pool.

Remember how in the dead of winter we all swore we would NEVER complain about the heat and humidity of summer, if it would only be warm again? 😉

I’m so thrilled to have the humidity to complain about! Bring it on!

So today I have a list of my favorite summer reads for you. These are either about business-building or personal growth, since I tend to feel like the two topics are closely intertwined for most entrepreneurs.

I personally love books that help me understand how I operate. Knowing myself (my strengths and weaknesses, for example) has been an important factor in making big strides in my business! I hope you feel the same.

And don’t forget to check out my other book lists for acupuncturists:

• The Definitive List of Acupuncture Marketing Books
• 8 Non-Acupuncture Marketing Books Every Acupuncturist Should Read
• 5 Books to Help You Move Past Your Money Blocks

Enjoy!

Summer Reading List for Acupuncturists & Wellness Entrepreneurs:

1. Emotional Agility: Get Unstuck, Embrace Change, and Thrive in Work and Life by Susan David

This book is so powerful. Susan David explains how to be emotionally flexible during difficult times and how this skill will serve us in every aspect of our lives.

Her approach is that we’re better at navigating difficulty when we are connected to our core values. She helps you identify your values so that you can make decisions based on them – decisions that will continue supporting your life and business as you move forward.

If you’re experiencing ups and downs in your professional or personal life (and who isn’t at one time or another?), I highly recommend her book to help you better understand how you operate in times of stress, so that you move forward with confidence.

The advice and wisdom in this book has brought balance to my life many times when I needed it. I hope you love it!

2. Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain

I may have recommended this one already in the past, but it’s a perennial favorite of mine. As an introvert I used to feel like I wouldn’t ever be good at marketing, because it was difficult to feel “visible” and talk about myself.

I felt bad that my introverted nature might be preventing me from helping more people – until two things happened.

One, I found success in marketing by focusing on methods that made me comfortable and letting go of what didn’t work for me (which is what I always teach in my online marketing courses for acupuncturists).

And two, I stumbled across this book, which made me realize in a BIG way that there are profound benefits to being an introvert. And these things serve us well not only in our personal lives, but as entrepreneurs and acupuncturists as well. If you’re an introvert, please read this book!

For more, check out this article I wrote about my favorite marketing tips for introvert acupuncturists.

3. Abundance Now: Amplify Your Life and Achieve Prosperity Today by Lisa Nichols

I adore Lisa Nichols! Her positivity and joy for life are contagious, and that supportive nature spills over into her book. She’s a New York Times Bestselling Author and has been featured on the Today Show and the Steve Harvey Show many times – she’s the real deal.

Her motivational approach is about addressing our mindsets and how to make change. I know “mindset” is a hot topic (literally everyone’s got something to say about it) but she really does a great job of connecting how our thought processes impact the way we take action in our life and work. She looks at mindset through the lens of her “4 E’s” – Enrichment, Enchantment, Engagement, and Endowment and how digging into each of these areas can bring abundance for any person. So highly recommended!

I first discovered Lisa in this interview she did on LewisHowes.com. Enjoy!

4. Onward: How Starbucks Fought for Its Life without Losing Its Soul by Howard Schultz

Such an interesting read! Before this book I had no idea of the struggle that Starbucks faced during the economic downturn of 2008. I had always pictured it as the rock-steady powerhouse brand that we know today.

There’s something reassuring about the idea that even huge businesses have their rocky moments – making me a bit more gentle on myself when something in my own business doesn’t go as planned.

Written in a sort of memoir style by Starbucks’ CEO, this is a good read with lots of forward momentum and a positive feel at the end. Schutlz emphasizes that you CAN have business success and do it the right way – keeping the soul of your business and your passion in tact through turmoil to find success.

Highly recommended. A fascinating peek inside the Starbucks empire and the mind of it’s creative, dedicated leader.

5. Girl Code: Unlocking the Secrets of Success, Sanity and Happiness for the Female Entrepreneur by Cara Alwill Leyba

I love the collaborative vision of this book. Cara Alwill Leyba dives deep into why females in business no longer need to fear each other (and that we never needed to in the first place).

Her approach is that there’s more than enough room for all the women who want to be at the top of their game. The days of failing to support other women in business are over, and Cara brings a sassy attitude to her storytelling.

I thoroughly enjoyed this and found it uplifting and hopeful. It’s a “girl-power” book through and through.

If you’ve already read this one (which came out in 2017), you’ll also enjoy Cara’s more recent book for women in business, Like She Owns the Place (2018).

6. Present Over Perfect: Leaving Behind Frantic for a Simpler, More Soulful Way of Living by Shauna Niequist

Every entrepreneur should read this book! If you’re anything like me, you feel a constant pressure to “hustle” and be busy and always be building something new. I really love this book because it’s a powerful reminder that we are all “enough” right this very moment. Our worth is not based on our productivity, income, or other outward measures of success.

Shauna Niequist advocates a slower pace of life. After attaining huge success in her career, she found herself exhausted and felt that she’d lost touch with the things that were most important to her – her sense of self and her family.

This book shares her journey of hitting the brakes, stepping back a bit from the stress of her career, and taking time to really get to know herself again. She rediscovered what she really wanted and restructured her life around that.

This read is a little scary on the surface for hard-driving entrepreneurs because slowing down is an alarming thought. But it’s an eloquent and down-to-earth reminder about why we build businesses in the first place – to support us, not to give our entire lives over to them.

7. Playing Big: Find Your Voice, Your Mission, Your Message by Tara Mohr

I really enjoy Tara Mohr’s soulful approach in this book. It’s maybe the most woo-woo of all the books I’ve recommended here, but I loved it.

If you liked Cheryl Sandberg’s Lean In, this is a great choice. Mohr uses Sandberg’s ideas as a springboard and presents you with practical ways to lean in – in your business and your personal life.

The big message is that too many women are playing small and hiding their gifts or big dreams for fear of being “too much” or coming across too strong.

Mohr walks you through various activities, journal prompts, and visualizations to help you take the next step towards “playing big.”

I listened to this one in the car as an audiobook and then ended up buying a hard copy so I can go through it again later with pen to paper! Definitely recommended if you like introspective questions and activities.

8. Wellpreneur: The Ultimate Guide for Wellness Entrepreneurs to Nail Your Niche and Find Clients Online by Amanda Cook

Amanda Cook’s book is all about how to use the internet to get new patients. She does have a heavy focus on online coaches – so she walks you through her step-by-step system for generating more online revenue. So if you’ve been thinking of breaking into the online space and selling a digital product online, Cook is your girl.

At the same time, much of her advice can be applied for brick and mortar businesses, too, because it’s all about generating page views and interaction with your potential patients.

She also emphasizes ways to get more bang for your marketing buck – i.e., how to get more clients while spending less time on marketing. I think we can all get behind that!

She also has a companion workbook called the Wellpreneur Planner if that’s more your style.

9. Profit First: Transform Your Business from a Cash-Eating Monster to a Money-Eating Machine by Mike Michalowicz

A unique take on bookkeeping and money management for your business. Mike Michalowicz’s entire premise is that profit should be the first and last thing on your mind anytime you make a business decision.

In fact, he advocates that you should take your profit first, and then pay everything else for the business with what remains.

The goal is that you will shift the way you allocate your spending and eventually become much more efficient with the money available in your business.

I haven’t tried this approach yet in my own business but I’ve heard from other entrepreneurs online that it works for them.

Dying to know, if anyone else had this, what did you think? Definitely a good read if the nitty-gritty aspects of running your business fascinate you!

And summer should be playful, right? I know as entrepreneurs we often feel like we have to be working nonstop – even our free time has to be filled with “educational” or motivational reading. I totally get that.

But I encourage you to make some time for fun books, too. Books you can read on the beach, or on the back porch with a glass of wine – my favorite is semi-dry riesling!

Here are a few of my recent favorite “just-for-fun” books:

1. Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore: A Novel by Robin Sloan

I loved this one! I got totally swept away. Who can resist secret book societies and tech geeks coming together to solve an incredible historical riddle? Definitely recommended!

2. Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier

A haunting romantic classic from 1938. This one so good that it’s sold over two million copies since its publish date and has NEVER gone out of print. Don’t miss it – it’s timeless and creepy, and the plot twist at the end is totally unexpected! 🤯

3. And I’m currently reading: Less, by Andrew Sean Greer

Winner of the Pulitzer Prize, this one is SO beautifully written. I’m a sucker for imaginative, lyrical prose, and this one has it in spades. Plus, it’s so witty! What more could you ask for. It’s about an author who goes to pretty great lengths to avoid an awkward wedding. Totally recommended!

I hope you find these books empowering, enlightening, and just plain fun 😘 Enjoy the dog days of summer, my friends!

xo,

Michelle