Are you ready to get after it and really start rocking your FabYOUlousness? If so, you’re going to need a few tools in your toolbox to help you as you set out to create your most FabYOUlous life yet.
On this page, you will find a list of the tools that I use on a regular basis to stay inspired, motivated, organized and balanced. These are books, apps, podcasts, products etc. that I use on an almost daily basis so I can personally vouch for their FabYOUlousness. I’m sure that you will find many of these tools to be as beneficial to your quest for FabYOUlousness as they have been to mine.
Oh also…if you’d like a printable PDF of this list, just scroll to the bottom and click on the download link.
Personal Development Books
I am a voracious reader so books are probably my favorite tool in my toolbox. I love to read for pleasure (may I recommend the Black Dagger Brotherhood series by JR Ward–holy wow! Talk about your sexy vampires!) but most of the reading that I do is in the realm of personal or business development. Here is a list of my favorite books for personal development…
1.) How to Live an Awesome Life: How to Live Well, Do Good, Be Happy
This book by Polly Campbell is a quick & easy read but quick & easy doesn’t mean that it isn’t powerful. I swear that I used my highlighter on nearly every single page–there is that much good stuff between its covers.
2.) Tune In: Let Your Intuition Guide You to Fulfillment and Flow
I always tend to be a little skeptical when it comes to things that are “new agey” but this book by Sonia Choquette really did help me learn how to better access my inner guidance system. As it turns out–I tend to be a pretty intuitive individual but until reading this book I was always too scared to actually listen to that intuition and follow its guidance. I’m still not perfect in this respect but I am far better than I used to be thanks to the tips in this book.
3.) The Right Questions: Ten Essential Questions to Guide You to an Extraordinary Life
This book by the late Debbie Ford really helped me to get my life back on track after I went through my divorce and had to reassess the direction that I wanted my life to take. Answering the questions in this book helped me drill down to the values and core beliefs that were most important to me and to use that information to create a new and powerful vision for my life.
4.) Naomi’s Breakthrough Guide: 20 Choices to Transform Your Life
Okay–don’t laugh but I LOVE this book by Naomi Judd even though I am a die-hard, balls to the wall, take no prisoners, rocker chick. I love this book because it isn’t really about Naomi’s experience in the world of country music (though there is some of that in the book). Instead, it is a book about a woman who came from very humble beginnings, went through some truly horrendous experiences and yet still managed to climb to the top of her field and enjoy a life of fulfillment. The choices outlined in the book are ones that anyone can choose to make and in doing so, vastly improve their circumstances. I’ve read this book three times now and still manage to find new nuggets of wisdom with each reading.
5.) Choose the Life You Want: The Mindful Way to Happiness
Since we are on the topic of choices, I wanted to follow up with this book by Tal Ben-Shahar, PhD. I love the way that Dr. Ben-Shahar combines research and real-life stories to explain that the way that we feel is (for the most part) a matter of mindfulness and that the choices (both big and small) that we make every day can contribute to a significantly happier life. The book highlights 101 small choices that have the potential to change your life forever.
6.) Life is Good, The Book: How to Live with Purpose and Enjoy the Ride
You’ve seen the fun “Life is Good” branded t-shirts and bumper stickers–now it is time to read the book. Written by brothers, Bert & John Jacobs (founders of the “Life is Good” company), this book is all about celebrating the power of optimism. The colorful pages are filled with inspiring quotes, fun lists and touching stories that will help you to embrace and grow the good in your own life and recognize it in the lives of others.
7.) How Much Joy Can You Stand? A Creative Guide to Facing Your Fears and Making Your Dreams Come True
This little book by Suzanne Falter-Barns will provide just the kick in the pants that you need to get going and keep going on the pursuit of your dreams. It is filled with funny stories, enlightening anecdotes and the author’s own hard won wisdom. It’s a quick and easy read but it will leave you feeling re-energized and ready to take on the world.
8.) Shut Up, Stop Whining and Get a Life: A Kick Butt Approach to a Better Life
As you can probably tell by the name, this book by Larry Winget (aka the “Pitbull of Personal Development”) isn’t for pansies. The author’s no-nonsense yet hilarious (well, hilarious if you’re not easily offended) approach to self-help boils down success to one simple formula: everything in your life gets better when you get better. This book will hold you accountable and challenge you to get off your butt. It might not be everyone’s cup of tea but I find the author’s approach to be refreshingly honest and in-your-face inspirational.
9.) Creating a Charmed Life: Sensible Spiritual Secrets Every Busy Woman Should Know
We all know women who seem to live a charmed life. Well according to author, Victoria Moran, a charmed life is something that any woman can create by implementing certain practical, spiritual practices. This book is chock full of wisdom on how to nurture your dreams, create miracles and nourish your spirit. This is a book that I find myself returning to again and again whenever I feel the need to get re-centered, re-invigorated and restored.
10.) Better Each Day: 365 Expert Tips for a Healthier, Happier You
This book by Jessica Cassity uses the latest scientific findings from experts in the fields of nutrition, mental health, fitness and psychology to encourage the reader to live the best life possible. With 365 tips for growing confidence, improving relationships, increasing energy etc., this book is one that can be read one entry at a time for a year, or you can read it straight through like I did. My suggestion would be to read it straight through and then commit to re-reading one tip per day to keep you on track. My favorite thing about this book is that the tips are backed up by science but also very easy to implement into daily life.
Business/Professional Development Books
11.) A Life on Purpose: Wisdom at Work
This book was written by a dear friend of mine, Dr. Joan King before she passed away after a long and courageous battle with breast cancer. Just being my friend isn’t enough to land her book on my resources list however; this book makes the cut because it is so, so good. As a renowned neuroscientist, Dr. King shows readers how to interpret the truths that the human body teaches (at a cellular level) and how to apply these truths to discover each person’s unique purpose and to find satisfying work to both, earn a living and express one’s natural abilities and talents. Dr. King was a scientist and yet, this book is very accessible and readable for those of us who are not of a scientific background.
12.) The CEO Difference: How to Climb, Crawl and Leap Your Way to the Next Level of Your Career
I met (and immediately became a fan of) Debra Benton at a gala where she and I were both honored as Colorado Women of Influence in 2015. After getting to know her, I was thrilled when she gave me a copy of her book and asked me to read it. This book is now one that I recommend to anyone that I know who is looking to get ahead in their career. This book provides the reader with valuable information on how to make subtle changes in their presentation, attitude and leadership style that will dramatically increase their effectiveness, differentiate them from the competitors and consequently–help them to more fully enjoy work and life.
13.) Write it Down, Make it Happen: Knowing What You Want and Getting it
This book is one that will benefit both your professional and personal development. Written by Henriette Anne Klauser, PhD., this book explains how the simple act of writing down your goals in life is the first concrete step to making them happen. Klauser’s down-to-earth tips and easy exercises will guide you and get your creative juices flowing. Before long, you’ll be writing your own ticket to professional and personal success.
14.) Why Marry a Millionaire? Just BE One: and While Your’re at it, Change the World
I love books by women who have made it big and and who want to empower other women to do the same. In this book, author Wendy Robbins does just that. In the first half of the book, she offers practical advice on how to make money doing what you love, overcoming fears and doubts and improving your leadership skills. In the second half of the book, she lays out a proven system on how to make money, pitch your ideas to investors and get your business up and running. If you are looking for a book to help coach you in your business endeavors, this one is definitely worth a read.
15.) Confessions of Shameless Self Promoters
Do you feel comfortable actively marketing yourself? If not you are losing too much ground to you competition! The marketing secrets in this book by Debbie Allen will give you the inside scoop from some of the most successful brains in the world. Discover the science and the art of self promotion, how to get tons of free publicity without breaking the law and how to effectively promote your business on a a shoestring budget.
16.) Think and Grow Rich
No professional development library is complete without this classic by Napoleon Hill. In the original Think and Grow Rich, published in 1937, Hill drew on stories of Andrew Carnegie, Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, and other millionaires of his generation to illustrate his principles. In the updated version, Arthur R. Pell, Ph.D., a nationally known author, lecturer, and consultant in human resources management and an expert in applying Hill’s thought, deftly interweaves anecdotes of how contemporary millionaires and billionaires, such as Bill Gates, Mary Kay Ash, Dave Thomas, and Sir John Templeton, achieved their wealth. With practical advice for mastering one’s mindset and modifying one’s behaviors, this book is one that I return to again and again.
17.) The Fire Starter Sessions: A Soulful and Practical Guide to Creating Success on Your Own Terms
I am a huge–make that HUGE–fan of Danielle LaPorte. I love her no-nonsense approach to success and the way that she boldly reframes populare self-help and success concepts. In this book, Danielle challenges the notions of life balance, being “well rounded” and more. Her unconventional approach to personal & professional development is definitley unique and yet it resonates so strongly with me. This book has helped me to get clear on how I want my life to feel and from that, I’ve been able to create a professional life from which I derive a great deal of personal satisfaction.
Brian Tracy is one of those authors that I just can’t get enough of. I devour all of his books but I think that this one is my favorite. This book provides a step-by-step program to transform your thinking and unleash your potential. It will help you to attract the people and resources that you need in order to achieve any goal while also helping you to make the most of your inner resources.
19.) Platform: Get Noticed in a Noisy World
To be successful in the market today, you must possess two strategic assets: a compelling product and a meaningful platform. In this step-by-step guide, author, Michael Hyatt, takes readers behind the scenes, into the new world of social media success. He shows you what best-selling authors, public speakers, entrepreneurs, musicians, and other creatives are doing differently to win customers in today’s crowded marketplace. I love this book because, well, because I want to be Michale Hyatt (or at least a female version of Michael Hyatt) and I have found his advice on how to increase one’s influence and monetize it to be especially helpful as I grow FabYOUlous Life.
20.) The Secret Language of Money: How to Make Smarter Financial Decisions and Live a Richer Life
I love this book because it takes a new and thought provoking approach to money management. Written by David Krueger, M.D., The Secret Language of Money is a guided tour to the subconscious meanings that we give to money, the conflicted ways our brains deal with money, the reasons we tend to make the same money mistakes over and over―and most importantly, how we can change all of that.
A brilliant blend of cutting-edge science and real-world application, this book will help you rewrite your money story and find the elusive balance of wealth, health, and joy that we all seek.
21.) Secrets of the Millionaire Mind: Mastering the Inner Game of Wealth
This book by T. Harv Eker is essentially two books in one. Part one explains how your money blueprint works. You will learn how your childhood influences have shaped your financial destiny. You will also learn how to identify your own money blueprint and “revise” it to not only create success but, more important, to keep and continually grow it. In Part two you will be introduced to seventeen “Wealth Files,” which describe exactly how rich people think and act differently than most poor and middle-class people. Each Wealth File includes action steps for you to practice in the real world in order to dramatically increase your income and accumulate wealth.
22.) Today Matters: 12 Daily Practices to Guarantee Tomorrow’s Success
John Maxwell is another one of those authors of whom I just can’t get enough. I have yet to read one of his books that I didn’t find to be incredibly beneficial. Of all of his books though, I think that Today Matters is my favorite. In this book, Maxwell stresses the importance of today and outlines twelve daily disciplines that can be mastered by anyone and when applied consistently (i.e. daily) can lead to greater achievement and success.
Podcasts
I am a self-proclaimed podcast junkie. I love podcasts because they enable me to be filled with inspiring and motivational content on the fly. As long as I have my iPhone with me, I can listen to a podcast while I’m out for a run, in my car or taking a bubble bath. I appreciate the fact that podcasts (unlike videos) can just be listened to which allows me to also be engaged in other activities as I listen. Here is a list of my favorite go-to podcasts for personal development…
23.) The Chalene Show by Chalene Johnson
I adore Chalene Johnson and her podcast is one of my absolute favorites. This podcast will feel like you’re sitting down to chat with someone who believes in you, adores you and only wants the best for you! The Chalene Show is fit life coaching, personal development, personal growth, priorities, productivity, faith, family, fashion and humor all rolled into one.
23.) This is Your Life by Michael Hyatt
If his name sounds familiar, it’s because Michael Hyatt is also the author of Platform: Get Noticed in a Noisy World (#19 on my resource list). I am also a big fan of his weekly This is Your Life podcast which is all about intentional leadership. The goal of the podcast is to help you live with more passion, work with greater focus, and lead with extraordinary influence.
24.) The Charged Life by Brendan Burchard
Brendan Burchard has so much great, positive energy and in his upbeat podcast he shares insights on motivation, success, high performance, and living a fully charged life.
25.) A Better Life by Rachel Rofe
The first thing that you will love about this podcast is Rachel’s voice–it is so soothing. The next thing that you will love is her inspiring content that will encourage you to have fun, build your fortune and change the world.
26.) The Primal Happiness Show by Lian Brook-Tyler & Jonathan Wilkinson
This engaging podcast will help you to reclaim Your Primal Happiness and discover how to thrive in this crazy, modern world. It includes interviews with top life coaches and valuable content for finding your way back to true happiness.
27.) The Daily Boost by Scott Smith
Discover what makes you happy! Reduce your stress! Get inspired! Master the life skills you need to balance your life and enjoy more success. Specializing in daily motivation to help you stay motivated, Scott Smith brings a unique, straight talking style that is not only fun – but deliver amazing results. The Daily Boost Podcast has been iTunes top-ranked Self-Help podcast since 2006. Give it a listen and see how good it makes you feel!
28.) Glambition Radio by Ali Brown
Women are rewriting the rules for business success, making money, and changing the world. In this podcast, Ali Brown interviews today’s top new thought leaders, passionate business builders, multi-million dollar mavens, and catalysts of change.
This podcast is great for anyone looking to gain clarity, confidence and momentum. I love the fact that Rachel so real and straight to the point. She asks the real deal questions and she doesn’t beat around the bush.
30.) Tiny Leaps Big Changes by Greg Clunis
All big changes come from the tiny leaps that we make every day. On this podcast, Greg shares personal development and self help strategies that you can use as well as the habits that you can develop to get the most out of your life. Everything he shares is backed by research in various fields of science and he ends each episode with a specific challenge to help you integrate that strategy into your life.
31.) Live Happy Now by Live Happy Magazine
This engaging podcast is dedicated to bringing you scientifically proven tips and ideas on how to to live a happier and more meaningful life through interviews with positive psychology and well-being thought leaders.
32.) The Kick-Ass Life by David Wood
Through his own incredible experiences and success and through the wisdom and lessons of his guests, David gives practical ways to make do-able changes in life that you can start implementing today. The amazing teachings are interwoven with David’s fun humor and a deep, heart-felt passion to help you create to the amazing life that you deserve.
33.) Kate’s Take by Kate Erickson
This is a twice per week podcast where Kate shares a behind-the-scenes look at how to run a 7-figure business. If you are looking for step-by-step, in-depth lessons to help you take action and finally start creating, growing and monetizing your business–this is the podcast for you.
Apps/Computer Programs
How did we ever manage before smart phones, laptops and all of the incredible apps & programs that make our lives SO much easier? I for one would NOT want to go back to those days. Here are the apps and computer programs that I love most and use on a regular basis…
34.) Evernote
This app is a modern workplace that syncs across all devices. No matter where you are, Evernote can help you to stay organized and productive. In a nutshell, Evernote helps you to write & organize in an uncluttered workspace, make to-do lists, attach files, organized docs, PDFs and photos, track expenses, organize bills and SO MUCH MORE. There is a premium paid version of the app but even the free version provides an abundance of valuable features.
35.) Relax Melodies
As a bonafide nightowl, I have a hard enough time sleeping. I have an especially difficult time if there are dogs barking, street noises, hubby snoring etc. Strangely enough–I also have a hard time if it is too quiet. Fortunately, the Relax Melodies app has helped resolve both issues. By offering an extensive menu of white-noise/ambiance sounds this app is perfect for sleeping, meditating and yoga. It also offers a timer (if you don’t want it to run all night long) as well as an alarm. I also love the fact that you can choose which mixture of sounds you want to hear and how prominent you want each sound to be. The premium version of the app offers a larger sound selection but I do just fine with the free version.
36.) Canva
As someone who manages a website, I need a simple and reliable program for creating high quality web images and downloadable PDFs. For this purpose, I LOVE Canva. Seriously…Canva couldn’t be easier to use. It provides pre-sized templates depending upon what kind of graphic you are creating, high quality images and easy text editing capabilities. It’s not as extensive as Photoshop but it is still very functional and has a much lower learning curve. Anyone can be up and running on Canva and creating beautiful digital images in 20 minutes.
37.) Dropbox
Access your important digital files, photos etc. anywhere with this handy cloud-based storage app. You can also share files with other Dropbox users. I have a Dropbox account for my personal files as well as one for my business. So far, I haven’t had to upgrade to the paid service because the the storage capacity offered with the free version is adequate for my needs.
38.) Kindle App
As I mentioned earlier, I love books and having the Kindle app on my computer as well as on my smart phone means that I can take my books with me wherever I go. I especially love the fact that the Kindle app will sync across devices so I never lose my place reading even though I switch devices.
Magazines
Just like I’m a sucker for books, I also have several magazines that I read regularly. Here are my favorites…
39.) Woman’s World
One of my favorite rituals is to swing by the grocery store on my way home from work on Friday afternoon and pick up the latest issue of Woman’s World magazine. This weekly magazine is a great resource for recipes, craft ideas, inspiring stories, fashion advice, health tips and so much more. I also enjoy the funny (albeit sometimes cheesey) jokes and cartoons.
40.) Live Happy
Just like its name indicates, this inspiring magazine is chock full of great articles written to help you become happier. With contributions from experts in the field of positive psychology, each issue explores, in great detail, the subject of happiness and offers valuable insight on what it takes to increase the level of happiness in your own life.
41.) Psychology Today
I have always been fascinated with the study of the human mind so I suppose that it should come as no surprise that one of my favorite magazines is Psychology Today. In an effort to better optimize human potential and understand human behavior, I love reading articles about why we behave the way that we do.
42.) iBlog
I blog, therefore I love iBlog magazine. Blogging is a growing industry and this magazine is always on the cutting edge of the trends. If you blog or are thinking of starting a blog, you need to subscribe to this magazine. Articles on subjects like SEO, monetization, platform building etc. make this magazine an indispensable resource for anyone who wants to get serious about the business of blogging.
43.) Thriving Women in Business
This free (yes, you read that correctly–FREE) publication offers SO much in the way of business development and personal development. The articles are written by women business leaders and offer practical advice on growing your business and maintaining a successful personal life. I can’t believe that this bi-monthly magazine is free, but it is so there is absolutely no reason not to subscribe.
44.) Dr. Oz The Good Life
You loved him on Oprah and then on his own show and now you can love him all year long with his new magazine. I love the format of this new magazine because not only does it offer lots of practical health advice, it is also genuinely fun to read.
45.) Success Magazine: What Achievers Read
The name pretty much says it all here. With lots of solid advice to help you achieve your highest level of success, this magazine should be required reading for anyone wanting to take their life to the next level. I also really enjoy listening to the free audio CD that is included in each issue.
Gadgets
While it would be impossible to list all of the tools and gadgets that make modern day living so simple and enjoyable, there are a few things that I especially love and that help me to live a far more FabYOUlous life…
46.) Fitbit
Okay–I’ll admit it, at first I thought that the Fitbit craze was overrated…then I got a Fitbit. Now, I can understand what the hype is all about. Wearing my Fitbit really does cause me to increase my activity levels and therefore, increase my fitness levels.
47.) Kindle Fire
I’m pretty sure this item is called a Fire because it is one of the first things that I would grab if my house were on fire. Seriously, that is how much I LOVE my Kindle. I can do so, so much with this handy little device. I can watch Netflix, read my favorite books, play games and SO much more. If you don’t already own a Kindle Fire, please–do yourself a favor and GET ONE.
48.) Define Water Bottle
One of my goals for this year is to drink less soda and more water. Unfortunately, I think water is so blah tasting. Thankfully, I’ve discovered the Define Water Bottle and now I can enjoy delicious fruit infused water without the mess and hassle of mushy fruit. The Define Bottle’s patented design allows for easy clean up and ultimate taste.
49.) YurBuds
I’m a runner. I’m a runner who likes to listen to podcasts or music when I run. Unfortunately, this isn’t always easy to do because so many ear buds on the market today are terrible when it comes to staying put during strenuous workouts. Thankfully, a friend recommended YurBuds to me and guess what–THEY WORK! These earbuds actually stay put as I run and sweat and they have made my runs much more enjoyable.
50.) Blue Fire Ultrasonic Essential Oil Diffuser
I love using essential oils (doTERRA olis are my oils of choice though I’ve heard that Young Living Oils are good too) and this beautiful diffuser is one of my favorite ways to use them. Just fill the diffuser with tap water and a few drops of your favorite essential oil to begin experiencing the therapeutic benefits of aromatherapy.
Whew! There you have it. The items on this list are ones that I use regularly and have found to be truly beneficial as I have worked to achieve my most FabYOUlous life. As I find new items that I love, I will come back and update this page. I hope that you find this resource page to be helpful and that you’ll check out the items that are listed. Also–don’t forget to sign up for FabYOUlous Life updates (in the sidebar) because you’ll be emailed another wonderful resource–the free 50 Fab-YOU-lous Ways to Energize Your Life e-book.
If you would like to download a free, printable file of this resource list, click here
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