So you’ve decided that your present career path isn’t working and it’s time to quit your day job and change your direction — congrats! Changing careers can be both exciting and terrifying, but taking this brave step doesn’t have to be stressful. Take a deep breath, pour yourself a glass of your favorite wine and crack open these books. They’re here to help you find your inspiration, passion and everything else you’ll need for your next venture.
1. I Am That Girl by Alexis Jones ($9): Changing your path can seem a bit overwhelming, especially if you don’t know the first step to take. If you’re struggling to find your voice, add this book to your shopping cart ASAP. It will guide you through those crucial first steps to ensure #girlboss status in the future.
2. Eccentric Glamour by Simon Doonan ($18): Owning one’s career is all about attitude, and Simon Doonan has attitude nailed. If you’re dealing with some confidence issues at home and at work, Doonan offers up some hilarious advice about rockin’ your personal style.
3. Leave Your Mark by Aliza Licht ($17): If you’re in need of a mentorship ASAP, this book was made for you. All 19 chapters are full of helpful tips and lessons, including the kind you won’t learn in a classroom.
4. Yes Please by Amy Poehler ($18): As soon as we heard that our girl Amy P. was releasing a memoir, we knew it would be nothing short of amazing. It’s the perfect mix of advice, essays, poems and memoir — Leslie Knope would definitely approve.
5. The Best Advice I Ever Got by Katie Couric ($13): This book is full of helpful stories and lessons on how to be successful. The most important lesson: Learn to live with your failures and keep going!
6. Bossypants by Tina Fey ($6): If Liz Lemon is writing a book, you’d better believe that we will read it and love every word. Fey takes us back to her early jobs and teaches us that when life starts to pile up and get a little hectic, you can allow it to stress you out, or you can laugh it off.
7. Ask for It by Linda Babcock and Sara Laschever ($13): Feeling a little down at your current job? If you’re having problems gaining the confidence to get what you want, this book can guide you through the unfamiliar process. You never know until you ask!
8. #GIRLBOSS by Sophia Amoruso ($16): Whether you’re looking to start your own business, switch career paths or just get a quick recharge, Amoruso’s refreshing take on management, attitude and everything in between will definitely help you take advantage of this next exciting step in your life.
9. Lean in for Graduates by Sheryl Sandberg ($14): If you were inspired by Sandberg’s TED Talk, this book will definitely resonate with you. Even if your college graduation was years ago, Sandberg’s advice still works for anyone forging a new career path.
10. Mistakes I Made at Work by Cheryl Strayed ($14): If you’re experiencing self-doubt over your career change, this book offers some refreshing advice through 25 personal essays. And if you’ve ever made a mistake at work and wanted to leave and never come back, some of these essays will truly speak to you.
11. Start Something That Matters by Blake Mycoskie ($8): Want to use your new career or business to help others? Check out what the founder of TOMS has in store for you. You’ll find what worked for his company, learning opportunities and the importance of that first step.
Are there any other reads that we missed? Share your favorites in the comments!
It can be intimidating to step out on your own and build a business from the ground up. As part of our collaboration with Office Depot, we're talking with Selfmade alum and solopreneur Colette Lawrence, the faith-based motivator and relationship builder behind The M.E.E. Movement, about ways in which women in business can find success.
B + C: How did you know M.E.E. Movement was your business to start?
The M.E.E Movement represents motivation, empowerment, and encouragement for women. It is what represents me. I did not know at first that it was my business to start, but then the thought of monetizing what I loved came to me. It scared me, however. I registered the business in July 2020 and have been slowly building my wings since.
B + C: What's one strategy that's helped you start your business?
Thinking through and researching what the requirements are to start my business, and then asking questions of people who are in the business. Not all advice worked; however, it helped me to figure out what I needed to do and not to do.
B + C: Did you always know life coaching would be your entrepreneurial path?
(Smiles) No, I did not. I 'stumbled" on it. I knew that people were always coming to me for advice and I found that I loved having conversations with them, especially with women, young and old.
B + C: What was your most valuable takeaway from Selfmade?
My most valuable takeaway was the first day of training: Get out of your own way. There were a lot of great moments and important takeaways from every presenter. However, getting out of my own way, pushing past doubts, was for me my most valuable takeaway. Doing something that I had never done before took courage. If I do not focus on what is happening with me mentally then I cannot deliver to my clients successfully.
B + C: What's one piece of advice you would give to female entrepreneurs on the brink of starting?
Get out of your head. You have something to offer. You have what you need to succeed so go ahead and do it.
B + C: How do you stay motivated?
I stay motivated by listening to music and listening to motivational speakers, and sometimes someone will just reach out and talk about the impact that I made in their life. That adds the extra juice or sauce I need to pummel through the day.
B + C: What's your best organizational tip?
Keep a diary and journal. It's the best way for me to keep organized and it also provides a source motivation as I record not only my "losses" but my wins as well.
B + C: Who inspires you in the entrepreneurial space?
Shirley Toliver – She motivates and empowers and makes me always want to show up.
B + C: What has receiving the Office Depot scholarship to Selfmade done to help you start or grow your business?
The scholarship was a blessing in that all the areas that were covered offered valuable information that I needed, from social media to HR. As a new business owner, I needed to know this to increase my own personal awareness in what it takes to run a successful business. The candidness of the presenters made it easy to see myself in their shoes and helped me to realize that I can also get there.
Thanks Colette! You can follow The M.E.E. Movement on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Want to feel motivated to take the next step for your business? Let Office Depot OfficeMax give you the confidence you need with a suite of business services & solutions to help you put your best foot forward. Make a good first impression with business cards & build the business pitch of your dreams with custom presentations. With Office Depot OfficeMax you'll find the tools to reach new customers with confidence.
Head to Office Depot's Selfmade page to check out even more amazing business resources (and discounts!) to help you accomplish more on your entrepreneurial journey. These offers are available for a limited time only, so be sure to take advantage of all this goodness while supplies last. Want to join the next Selfmade cohort this summer? Check out all of the scholarship details right here.