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Off The Shelf: 10 Motivational Books To Read In 2016

Make this your best year yet!

As we settle in to the new year and get back to our everyday routines, it can be easy to put our motivation and resolutions for a new and improved year into the backs of our minds.

In order to keep our thirst for change, growth and personal development top-of-mind, we've gathered together a range of titles that will inspire, motivate and energize us — mind and spirit. There are titles that encourage creativity and spontaneity, and titles that show us how to find peace in stillness and simplicity. There are titles that can help us develop the skills to finally make that big career change, and titles that enable us to connect with and be inspired by the stories of others.

Whatever you hope to make out of this fresh new year, we're pretty sure that any and all of these titles will help you find the refreshment, encouragement and enthusiasm you need to make this your best year yet.

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The concept of "busyness" has shifted from something we complain about to something we admire. Yet cramming our time with so much to do often means the truly meaningful and essential things in life don't get the attention they deserve. We love the idea of discerning what things are of utmost importance to us, and focusing our valuable time on doing those things, and doing them well.
Chapters/Indigo
From the creator of such beloved shows as "Grey's Anatomy" and "Scandal," Shonda Rhimes' advice is especially poignant for the introverts among us who are often anxious about trying things outside our comfort zones. She resolved to say yes to things she was normally afraid to do, and documented the effect that had on her life and happiness. Whether you're an introvert or extrovert, learning to say yes to new experiences is a great way to create fun, spontaneity and change this year.
A huge part of making real change and sticking to our resolutions is being able to identify and understand our habits. Only then can we effect the change that will enable us to make new and healthier ones. This book by Gretchen Rubin aims to provide a toolkit of strategies for developing new habits, complete with illustrations based on her own self-experimentation.
Chapters/Indigo
Living in a world of constant connection and unstoppable streams of communication and information, we are almost never truly quiet. Pico Iyer's book discusses the idea that, in the midst of the chaos and cacophony that is a constant in our modern lives, unplugging and embracing stillness can be a reprieve, a joy and even an adventure.
Chapters/Indigo
Many of us believe that it is only the artistic or innovative who possess true creativity. But in this book, Tom and David Kelley seek to prove that true creativity is much more diverse, and can be found in all of us if we know how to access it. Their book provides a variety of methods and inspiring stories that illustrate how to unlock latent creative potential, as well as how to use that creativity in all aspects of our lives.
Chapters/Indigo
Sometimes the freshness of a new year can inspire us to consider making a career change. In his book "Do Over," Jon Acuff outlines, with wit and wisdom, how to develop what he calls a "career savings account," focusing on developing and growing crucial resources — skill, hustle, relationships and character. If you feel like 2016 is your year for a career change, we'd say "Do Over" is definitely required reading.
Chapters/Indigo
Elizabeth Gilbert has inspired many of us with her previous best-seller about her travels and self-discovery in "Eat, Pray, Love," but her latest book, "Big Magic," aims to take readers on a more introspective journey. Gilbert shares what she's learned and provides insight on the attitudes and approaches to discovering the latent creativity that lies within us all in various forms – be it with art, music, writing or innovation.
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What a wonderful idea to turn love, normally a thought or a feeling, into outward action. We can't help but be inspired by the truly unique and amazing life of Bob Goff, and his mission to turn love into action, and create a life of impact and intention.
Spark Joy & The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up, by Marie Kondo
Chapters/Indigo
As shown in Marie Kondo's first bestselling book, "The Life Changing Magic Of Tidying Up," the act of organizing, simplifying and decluttering our spaces can have an amazing impact on our state of mind, happiness and stress levels. In her second book, "Spark Joy," Kondo expands on this further, and helps to quite literally illustrate exactly how we can achieve the organization that brings order to our lives and sparks the joy found in simplicity.
Humans Of New York: Stories, by Brandon Stanton
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We are constantly finding inspiration in the amazing and eclectic stories of the "Humans Of New York" blog. There is something about finding connection, humanity and pearls of wisdom from people of all walks of life that is, at once, relatable, uplifting and inspiring.

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