January is always a time of new beginnings. Here’s to 2021 being a better year. It’s always a good time to start new goals We’re hesitant to call them resolutions because for some reason these always tend to fail. We’re going to call this list New Beginnings. And January couldn’t be a better time to learn something new or to learn a new skill. Change occurs by a single step and these books are great reads to look at if you are trying to make changes in your life and in your plans.
When you want to create new habits…
Atomic Habits
James Clear
Summary:
No matter your goals, Atomic Habits offers a proven framework for improving–every day. James Clear, one of the world’s leading experts on habit formation, reveals practical strategies that will teach you exactly how to form good habits, break bad ones, and master the tiny behaviors that lead to remarkable results.
If you’re having trouble changing your habits, the problem isn’t you. The problem is your system. Bad habits repeat themselves again and again not because you don’t want to change, but because you have the wrong system for change. You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems. Here, you’ll get a proven system that can take you to new heights.
Clear is known for his ability to distill complex topics into simple behaviors that can be easily applied to daily life and work. Here, he draws on the most proven ideas from biology, psychology, and neuroscience to create an easy-to-understand guide for making good habits inevitable and bad habits impossible. Along the way, readers will be inspired and entertained with true stories from Olympic gold medalists, award-winning artists, business leaders, life-saving physicians, and star comedians who have used the science of small habits to master their craft and vault to the top of their field.
Learn how to:
* make time for new habits (even when life gets crazy);
* overcome a lack of motivation and willpower;
* design your environment to make success easier;
* get back on track when you fall off course;
…and much more.
Atomic Habits will reshape the way you think about progress and success, and give you the tools and strategies you need to transform your habits–whether you are a team looking to win a championship, an organization hoping to redefine an industry, or simply an individual who wishes to quit smoking, lose weight, reduce stress, or achieve any other goal. — Goodreads.com
When You Want to Learn How to Cook…
How to Cook Everything: Simple Recipes For Great Food
Mark Bittman
Summary:
Great Food Made Simple
Here’s the breakthrough one-stop cooking reference for today’s generation of cooks! Nationally known cooking authority Mark Bittman shows you how to prepare great food for all occasions using simple techniques, fresh ingredients, and basic kitchen equipment. Just as important, How to Cook Everything takes a relaxed, straightforward approach to cooking, so you can enjoy yourself in the kitchen and still achieve outstanding results. — Goodreads.com
When you want to learn to how to take better care of yourself…
The More or Less Definitive Guide to Self-Care
Anna Borges
Summary:
Some days you need a pick-me-up, some days you need a life preserver.
“For most of us,” writes Anna Borges, “self-care is a wide spectrum of decisions and actions that soothe and fortify us against all the shit we deal with.” You may already practice some form of self-care, whether it’s taking an extra-long shower after a stressful day, splurging on a ~fancy~ dinner, or choosing Netflix over that friend-of-a-friend’s birthday party. But when life gets so overwhelming that you want to stay in bed, some more radical care is crucial to maintain your sanity.
The More or Less Definitive Guide to Self-Care is here to help you exist in the world. Borges gathers over 200 tips, activities, and stories (from experts and everyday people alike) into an A-to-Z list—from asking for help and burning negative thoughts to the importance of touch and catching some Zzz’s. Make any day a little more OK with new skills in your self-care toolkit—and energy to show up for yourself. — Goodreads.com
When you want to fix something in your house….
100 Projects Anyone Can Do
The Family Handyman
Summary:
100 do-it-yourself simple projects, requiring only basic tools, precut lumber and standard materials.
Build fashionable, functional, inexpensive indoor and backyard furniture—even if you’re a complete beginner. These are realistic projects for the average weekend warrior that require no great skills, just normal tools you already have and easy-to-buy materials available at any home store.
Here’s a small sample of what’s inside:
Build a simple-but-stylish bookcase
Cut garage clutter with oversized shelves
Double your closet space with easy accessories
Build a rock-solid workbench in 3 hours
Maximize kitchen storage with clever cabinet inserts
Build backyard furniture, a garden arbor, planters and more!
Benches, garden and deck chairs
Outdoor storage
Quick projects like bird houses, handy hints, and more — Goodreads.com
When you want to tame your anxiety…
Tame Your Anxiety: Rewire Your Brain For Happiness
Loretta Graziano Breuning
Summary:
Anxiety is natural. Calm is learned. If you didn’t learn yesterday, you can learn today. It’s not easy, of course. Once your natural alarm system is triggered, it’s hard to find the off switch. Indeed, you don’t have an off switch until you build one. Tame Your Anxiety shows you how. Readers learn about the brain chemicals that make us feel threatened and the chemicals that make us feel safe. You’ll see how your brain turns on these chemicals with neural pathways built from past experience, and, most important, you discover your power to build new pathways, to enjoy more happy chemicals, and reduce threat chemicals. This book does not tell you to imagine yourself on a tropical beach. That’s the last thing you want when you feel like a lion is chasing you. Instead, you will learn to ask your inner mammal what it wants and how you can get it. Each time you step toward meeting a survival need, you build the neural pathways that expect your needs to be met. You don’t have to wait for a perfect world to feel good. You can feel good right now. The exercises in this book help you build a self-soothing circuit in steps so small that anyone can do it. Once you learn how it’s done, and how it can help ease your anxiety, you will learn how to handle situations in which you feel threatened or anxious. Understanding the underlying mechanisms will help you stop them before they get ahead of you. — Goodreads.com
When you want to learn how to write a book…
No Plot? No Problem: A Low Stress, High-Velocity Guide to Writing a Novel in 30 Days
Chris Baty
Summary:
You’ve always wanted to write, but . . . just haven’t gotten around to it. No Plot? No Problem! is the kick in the pants you’ve been waiting for.
Let Chris Baty, founder of the rockin’ literary marathon National Novel Writing Month (a.k.a. NaNoWriMo), guide you through four exciting weeks of hard-core noveling. Baty’s pep talks and essential survival strategies cover the initial momentum and energy of Week One, the critical “plot flashes” of Week Two, the “Can I quit now?” impulses of Week Three, and the champagne and roar of the crowd during Week Four. Whether you’re a first-time novelist who just can’t seem to get pen to paper or a results-oriented writer seeking a creative on-ramp into the world of publishing, this is the adventure for you.
So what are you waiting for? The No Plot? approach worked for the thousands of people who’ve signed up for NaNoWriMo, and it can work for you! Let No Plot? No Problem! help you get fired up and on the right track — Goodreads.com
When you want to learn to manage your money better…
Debt 101
Michelle Cagan
Summary:
Get out of debt and use credit wisely with this easy-to-understand, comprehensive guide to making your debt work for you.
The key to borrowing, managing, and paying off debt is understanding what it is, how it works and how it can affect your finances and your life. Debt 101 is the easy-to-follow guide to discovering how to pay off the debt you have plus learning how to use debt to your advantage.
Debt 101 allows you to take control of your money with strategies best suited for your personal financial situation—whether you are buying a home or paying off student loans. You will learn the ins and outs of borrowing in a simple, straightforward manner, managing student loans and credit card debt, improving your credit score, understanding interest rates, good debt vs. bad debt, and so much more. Finally, you can get ahead of the incoming bills and never let your debt intimidate you again! — Goodreads.com
