Summer reading isn't just for kids! Sitting by the pool, in the backyard, or on a patio with a great book is one of my favorite ways to spend the summer. Sometimes I opt for an audio book while I walk the dog or take a longer drive. For me, reading books by authors outside of the ABA field is one of the many ways I attempt to find balance as a BCBA.
I firmly believe that continuous learning and personal growth are vital for maintaining a balanced and fulfilling life. In this post, I want to share with you my top 10 book recommendations that align with our mission of promoting a strong sense of personal identity alongside our professional roles. These books cover a wide range of topics, including self-care, mindset, vulnerability, and giving back. So, let's dive into our Balanced Behavior Analyst Summer Reading List!
Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle by Emily Nagoski and Amelia Nagoski: This book delves into the concept of burnout and offers practical strategies to manage stress, complete the stress cycle, and prioritize self-care. It reminds us that taking care of ourselves is essential for maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
The Power of Full Engagement: Managing Energy, Not Time, Is the Key to High Performance and Personal Renewal by Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz: This insightful book challenges the notion of managing time and focuses on managing energy instead. It provides strategies to enhance performance, achieve work-life balance, and nurture personal well-being.
The Happiness Advantage: The Seven Principles of Positive Psychology That Fuel Success and Performance at Work by Shawn Achor: Shawn Achor explores the link between happiness and success, offering practical tips to cultivate a positive mindset, increase happiness, and improve performance. It's a must-read for those seeking to find joy in their personal and professional lives.
Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown: Greg McKeown challenges the idea of doing it all and encourages us to focus on what truly matters. This book provides insights on setting priorities, making choices, and creating a more fulfilling and balanced life.
Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear: James Clear dives into the power of habits and offers practical strategies for developing positive habits while eliminating negative ones. It's a valuable resource for fostering personal and professional growth.
The Four Tendencies: The Indispensable Personality Profiles That Reveal How to Make Your Life Better (and Other People's Lives Better, Too) by Gretchen Rubin: This book explores different personality tendencies, helping us understand ourselves and others better. It offers insights on how to work effectively with different personality types, fostering relationships and personal growth.
Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck: Carol Dweck explores the concept of a growth mindset versus a fixed mindset and provides strategies for cultivating a growth mindset. This mindset shift can help overcome challenges, embrace learning, and achieve personal and professional success.
Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead by Brene Brown: Brene Brown's book encourages us to embrace vulnerability as a strength. It explores how vulnerability impacts different aspects of our lives and offers insights into fostering connections and cultivating resilience.
Give and Take: Why Helping Others Drives Our Success by Adam Grant: Adam Grant explores the power of giving back and how helping others can lead to personal and professional success. It provides strategies to develop a giving mindset, contributing to a more fulfilling and balanced life.
Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World by David Epstein: In "Range," David Epstein challenges the notion that specialization is the only path to success. Drawing from research and real-life examples, he makes a compelling case for the benefits of a broader range of experiences and knowledge. This book encourages us to embrace our diverse interests, pursue varied experiences, and cultivate a well-rounded approach to our personal and professional lives.
As a book lover, BCBA, and mom, I have found immense value in these ten books for maintaining a balanced life as a behavior analyst. Each of these books offers unique perspectives, practical strategies, and valuable insights to support personal growth, self-care, and a healthy work-life balance.
I'd love to hear your thoughts on these books as well as any books you'd add to the list!