Another book, that I'm almost positive you've heard of, is The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron. I say this all the time, but—that book changed my life. Seriously. I am kind of a bit of a poster child for that book, so if you want to know more about it, or why it was so helpful, send me an email. I think mostly, that book showed me that I needed to do art to be myself and to be whole, and it also showed me how to live that reality. The book has a "spiritual/god" slant, and I'm so not religious, but I was able to get past that and really internalize the powerful message, which is, in a nutshell: artists must make art–for themselves and for the world.

@Torrie – Thanks so much for that reminder. When you focus on Changing, it's so easy to think of all the things that are Wrong with you – instead of the things you already have that make you a unique, vital, fabulous, valued person. Jess Constable said in her Spring intro that her purpose for her blog, Makeunder Your Life, is that you are already enough – you don't need to add anything else to make you a better you. In fact, you probably need to shed some Stuff to let The Best You emerge! That really resonated with me a lot this week, & I'm trying to see what that means for me.

@Alexia – Oh totally – I don't think I need to be a Self-Help Guru in order to be a kick-ass life coach. On the contrary, as I'm here to NOT put my thoughts/ideas/viewpoints onto someone else, but instead to bring out my client's own thoughts/ideas/viewpoints. I don't think I'll ever be a self-help junkie, but I would like to expand my knowledge base & have a wider range of inspiration to pull from! Thankfully I already have the arse-kickers

My stomach churned when I read the Celestine Prophecy. I couldn't make it thorough Eckhart Tolle's book. I think The Secret is a bunch of hooey and Positive Thinking is only part of the story.

What I do believe in is doing things anyway. Even if you feel like crap. And surrounding yourself with people who'll kick your arse if you don't do what you said you're going to do.

So even if you never pick up Eckhart Tolle, you'll be just fine as a life coach

I am a self help junkie. I was in the midst of formulating a blog post on this for my blog, when I found your post here, so I have to say something. Self help can be very helpful, but it can also be dangerous, because most of it preaches that you need to strive to be better, you're not good enough RIGHT NOW. There is a point where self help does more damage than good for people. I can attest to this. Thinking that "I'm not good enough" causes me to keep reading this junk and forever searching of the golden nugget that will make me whole. It's ridiculous. I wish there were more books out there proclaiming that it's ok to love your life the way it is, and maybe striving for "progress" isn't always the answer. So, bravo to you for never falling for this gimmick! I would say, stay that way!!

- 9 Secrets of Women Who Get Everything They Want, by Kate White [it's less greedy than the title sounds, more encouraging and fun]

- It's Not How Good You Are, It's How Good You Want to Be, by Paul Arden [emphasis on advertising folk, but great for life in general]

-Entre Nous. I'm only giving you the title b/c I'm totally embarrassed at how much I love this book, given that I tend to hate the concept it's based on. But I find it strangely encouraging and grounding somehow.

xoxo

E

2. I think it's probably worth further exploring your idea of what hippy-dippy is b/c it may be in your market, but just not presenting itself in a traditional way. Isn't wanting to make the world and people's lives better a bit hippy dippy? Isn't falling in love totally punk rock (credit: http://asofterworld.com/index.php?id=20)? What about running a handmade business? Or wanting to be an artist or musician?

3. I love the vlogs. Thank you!

@Anna – I love that you found that many of these authors were all essentially saying the same thing, & you stripped this back to books that are 80 years old! Amazing. I will definitely be picking your brain more on Monday! So looking forward to finally meeting you.

@Joanne – Thanks for articulating that you would still be able to coach a crystal lover. That's important for clients to know, as we're able to support anyone with their unique beliefs & remain nonjudgmental. I think that "Pathfinder" will be next on my list, as I need more career coaching books & I hated "Parachute" too (I threw it across the room after 3 or 4 chapters). The Gremlin one sounds intriguing, as I'm all about slaying those vampires/pouring water on those gremlins. And thanks for the hidden gem! Any book that uses the word "butt" in it's title is good with me.

@Thekla – Ooh, I love me some SARK – she's always super inspiring. I'll make sure to pick that up next. Barbara Sher is someone else I want to look at, since she's all about Scanners & I work with lots of 'em.

Thanks again to you all! It looks like my library card will be getting a mighty good workout.

Eat Mangoes Naked: Finding Pleasure Everywhere (and Dancing with the Pits) by SARK

The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron

Learned Optimism: How to Change Your Mind and Your Life by Martin Seligman

Wishcraft: How to Get What You Really Want by Barbara Sher

I have some more practically oriented time management ones too I could suggest, but I have the impresson you might be looking more for the inspirational sort right now.

Good luck and happy reading!