Books and music are great sources of inspiration for us, have a look through some of the stuff that does it for us, whether it’s thinking, reflective moments with Alicia Keys in the background or on the way to deliver a presentation to die for with Basement Jaxx to motivate you, we trust you will enjoy!

.01 | Making It
by Lou Gimson and Allison Mitchell (Authors)

Many women have great dreams about owning their own business, yet sadly, it often remains just a dream. The reason? All too often it′s simply lack of confidence and self belief that lets them down and a feeling of being too far removed from the famous women entrepreneurs of today and unable to compete on that level. In truth though, there are thousands of women out there who are just like them, but who do own a business and are living their dreams on a scale they choose, successfully mixing home lives with a business and feeling fulfilled.

Making It is a compilation of inspirational women′s start–up stories that lets you share their accounts of how the businesses came to ′be′ as well as the highs and lows that came along the way. Packed full of hints and tips from the real life experts, this book is guaranteed to inspire anyone towards achieving their goal, and with the powerful NLP exercises included you′ll be able locate your strengths and weaknesses and build up exactly the right attitude for success.

.02 |



Time Management for Manic Mums
by Allison Mitchell (Author)

Where does your day go? Do you feel as though you never have time to breathe in between all those things that need to get done? Swamped with the ever-increasing demands of work and motherhood? Then this book is the book for you! Allison Mitchell, a sought after 'Mum coach', brings relief to all manic mums with this realistic, no-nonsense approach to managing your time better, Offering simple, fast and easy solutions, this dynamic guide offers tools you need to become a calmer and more organised parent. By following Allison's time-management programme, you can really bring balance to you, your children and your home

 

.03 | The Manic Mums Guide to Magnificent Parenting: A 7 Week Plan by Allison Mitchell (Author)

With only seven chapters to read over seven weeks, this book is easily digestible and full of tasty little nuggets of wisdom.

Allison Mitchell specializes in Mum coaching . In 2004 she founded Mums & Dads, and is a co-founder of School Coach , a voluntary body that takes coaching into schools. Allison is trained in Europe s only international coaching federation-accredited (ICF) Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) coach programme. .

.04 | The Elephant and the Twig
by Geoff Thompson (Author)

Have you ever heard the story of The Elephant and The Twig? In India they train obedience in young elephants (to stop them from escaping) by tying them to a huge immovable object, like a tree, when they are still very young. The tree is so large that no matter how hard the baby elephant pulls and tugs it cannot break free. This develops what is known as ‘learned helplessness’ in the creature. After trying so hard and for so long to break the hold, only to be thwarted time and again, it eventually believes that, no matter what it does, it cannot escape. Ultimately, as a fully-grown adult weighing several tons, they can tie it to a twig and it won’t escape, in fact it won’t even try. This is written as a guide through the process of negative thinking that binds us all. It aims to help you to take the plunge to realize your potential, so that you do not have to remain stuck in a social and lifestyle rut as if there is no alternative.

Do you ever feel like this? That you are tied to an immovable object and can’t break free? That you couldn’t possibly give that presentation at work, that you would never be able to go it alone in business, or that you have to remain stuck in a social and lifestyle rut as there is no other alternative? Rubbish! This book shows you that, when it comes down to it, what ties you and prevents you from realising your potential is only a ‘twig’. Geoff Thompson, renowned martial artist and author of the bestselling autobiography Watch My Back, guides you through the process of breaking the negative thinking that binds us all and helps you to take the plunge and properly take on life.

.05 | Screw It, Let's Do It: Lessons in Life
by Sir Richard Branson (Author)

 

Global entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson has built a business empire and made billions and is renowned for his approachability and ability to challenge and succeed against the odds. "Screw It, Let's Do It" reveals the lessons that have helped him through his business and personal life, like believing it can be done and that, if others disagree with you, try and try again until you achieve your goal; or that you must love what you do. These and other lessons, with examples of how he learned them and how he's used them, are included in this stirring and candid look at his lessons from an exceptional life, which will inspire you to make a difference in your everyday life.

Throughout my life I have always strived for success - as a businessman, in my adventures, as an author and a proud father and husband. I want to share the many truths I've learned along the road to success which have helped me to be the best I can. They include: Have faith in yourself; Believe that anything can be done; Live life to the full; Never give up. Learn these and other simple truths, and I hope you will be inspired to get the most out of your life and to achieve your goals. People will always try to talk you out of ideas and say: 'It can't be done,' but if you have faith in yourself you'll find you can achieve almost anything.

.06 | Anyone Can Do It: My Story
by Duncan Bannatyne (Author)

At 30, Duncan Bannatyne had no money and was enjoying life on the beaches of Jersey. He saw a story of someone who had made himself a millionaire, and decided to do the same. Five years later he had done it, and now he is worth 168 million. In this remarkable book, Bannatyne relives his colourful path to riches, from ice cream salesman to multi-millionaire, explaining how anyone could take the same route as he did - if they really want to. Hugely articulate, and with numerous fascinating and revealing stories to tell, this is an autobiography and a business book unlike any other - but then Bannatyne isn't like any other businessman, either.

.07 | The Book of Yo!
by Simon Woodroffe (Author)

This book inspired me to write Making It………I also wanted Capstone to publish my book………many months and a drawer full of rejection letters later success also happened for me in Making It being published by Capstone!

"I'd reached the age of 40 in the music and TV business and had some of the biggest names in pop music as my clients..." The success of The Book of Yo! is that by focusing on the specific - it is also general. The author tells us how he started designing stage sets for touring Rock bands and progressed (and regressed) via estate management into developing the Global Brand that will be Yo!. He shows no fear in admitting personal failures and by going "open" on the reader, Woodroffe is able to show how to expand his own experiences into ones that will benefit the reader. For example in the Chapter "I am serious about my business and at the same time I don't give a damn" he explains how he plays good-guy bad- guy in his own head to avoid stress and to make good decisions. It is a book about personal confidence and business risk, it shows how we all have the opportunity to make that lucky break but we have to train ourselves into recognising it when it is there.

 

 

.08 | The SEED Manifesto: The Feminine Way to Create Business
by Lynne Franks (Author), Ann Field (Illustrator)

Having had the experience of working with Lynne, SEED is an invaluable tool for all.Lynne Franks distills the wisdom of the pioneering "SEED" handbook into 28 simple manifesto points - values that have inspired her and can help you to start a business with a spiritual and values-led philosophy - what she calls "The Feminine Way" to do business."SEED" is a unique concept aimed primarily at women, which provides an inspirational and practical guide to cutting through business jargon and shattering the "glass ceiling". Lynne says: "There is a revolution going on in the world of the sustainable entrepreneurs, mainly women, and it's about personal growth as well as an economic tool." Lynne believes that everyone has a potential entrepreneur inside them and "The SEED Manifesto" should show you the way.

 

 

.09 | Alicia Keys Superwoman
(C) 2008 J Records, a unit of SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT ... Alicia Keys Superwoman R&B Music Video ...

When you are doubting yourself, having ‘thinking’ time, or simply being reflective watch below and be inspired to be who you are!

 

.10 | Basement Jaxx - Do Your Thing
Basement Jaxx - Do Your Thing ... Basement Jaxx Do Your Thing music video dance ...

When faced with a difficult meeting, an large audience to deliver something inspiring to or striking a great business deal my motivation and celebration is usually to listen to upbeat music and sing like no-one is listening, you know, in the shower style singing, this is a personal favourite…..try it, then go do your thing, I dare you!