This is a list of some of my favorite life and career books that will make great gifts for any graduate as well as anyone else who wants to live an unconventional, creative, fulfilling life based on who they are and who they are meant to be.
Do What You Are: Discover the Perfect Career for You Through the Secrets of Personality Type by Barbara Barron-Tieger
Personality types should NOT be used as an excuse or as a tool to stuff you into a little box. Personality types should be used as a tool for greater personal awareness. This book is not just about careers, but how your personality helps you learn more about how you ‘live and move’ in the world.
Zen and the Art of Making a Living: A Practical Guide to Creative Career Design by Laurence G. Boldt
This 700 plus page volume is a wonderful source of stories, exercises, philosophies, inspiration and resources that will make you think about your vocation in the full context of your life.
The Career Guide for Creative and Unconventional People by Carol Eikleberry, PhD
This book provides some wonderful tips to creating work around what you love to do and what you are good at.
The Success Principles(TM): How to Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be by Jack Canfield
An easy to read, common sense guide to finding success both in your life and in your career. This book is filled with stories about real people that will inspire you and includes a ton of exercises to help you get clear on what you want and how to get it.
Make the Impossible Possible: One Man’s Crusade to Inspire Others to Dream Bigger and Achieve the Extraordinary by Bill Strickland
An inspirational read for anyone who thinks their background is an obstacle to becoming who they want to be, or who they were meant to be. Bill Strickland proves that following your heart is the only way to achieve your dreams, even the ones you haven’t acknowledged yet.
The Artist in the Office: How to Creatively Survive and Thrive Seven Days a Week by Summer Pierre
An excellent choice the the artist or creative soul who takes a conventional job to help make ends meet. Great advice on how to avoid losing sight of your art and your calling as an artist.
Live the Life You Love: In Ten Easy Step-By Step Lessons by Barbara Sher
and
Wishcraft: How to Get What You Really Want by Barbara Sher
Both of these books are filled with inspiring stories, exercises and insights that will help you create the life and work you could have only imagined.
To Build the Life You Want, Create the Work You Love: The Spiritual Dimension of Entrepreneuring by Marsha Sinetar
This book is out of print, but you should be able to find a used copy. It is an excellent book that blends the choice of right livelihood and vocation with personal growth and becoming a self-actualized individual.
Making a Living Without a Job, revised edition: Winning Ways for Creating Work That You Love by Barbara J. Winter
This is one of the first books I ever read that talked about the link between personal growth and work and career. Barbara goes against conventional thought and proposes that work and life are one and she makes it sounds fun and exciting. This is an inspiring book filled with stories, tips and exercises to help you launch the life and career of your dreams.
hey sandy! thanks! going to my nephew’s grad on friday and was wondering what to get him. any one of a few of these would be a perfect gift. great suggestions:)