18 Must-Reads For Greater Ease, Enthusiasm And Evolution

By Tip Jones

“Early is on time. On time is late. And late will get your ((blank)) laps around the track!,” exclaimed the lieutenant overseeing the ROTC class formation I was awkwardly in during my days at Morgan State University.

I’ve hated being late since I had my own extracurricular activities agenda as a five-year-old and would give my mama the whining blues when she was running behind. So, when I heard this fairly loud sentiment at 17, it resonated with me. I mean, is there anything more endearing than someone being early or at the very least, on time? Well, maybe there are more endearing acts, but this one taps the tippy-tippy top of the chart.

Nonetheless, the act of “being early” is most notable when we extend the gesture to ourselves.

For many of you, the new year is here. January 1st, when the ball drops, is not “go-time” for you like many others across this nation. “Go-time” is now. You are prepping and planning, laying foundations, moving, reviewing and redesigning your lives as this article is being written. That’s understandable. It takes time to change habits and patterns to arrive at greater ease and balance in life. It requires intentional, focused determination to repurpose anxiety and worry and transition to a genuine state of enthusiasm. And we all know transforming our bodies and businesses demand, often, painstaking (but rewarding) efforts to achieve that measurable evolution we’ve been doodling and imagining in our notebooks.

To aid you on your metamorphic personal and professional journeys, the following books are absolute must-reads!

Cheers to you for getting started early! You are planting seeds today; guaranteeing a harvest worth reaping in the next several months.

Blue Mind: The Surprising Science That Shows How Being Near, In, On, or Under Water Can Make You Happier, Healthier, More Connected, and Better at What You Do. Wallace J. Nichols

Business Boutique Christy Wright Competing with Giants Phuong Uyen Tran