Sometimes, it is hard to find books in the “self-help” category that are applicable to a career in the healthcare industry. That seems to be even more true for the veterinary healthcare industry. Some of the topics of popular leadership and business books are just too far fetched when trying to apply the concepts to our daily lives.
How are we supposed to hire an executive assistant or delegate any of our responsibilities? There aren’t any good “life-hacks” for surgical procedures. It isn’t exactly like we can work remotely, either. The concept of “The Four Hour Workweek” may be applicable to you if you are an accountant, lawyer, IT professional, or PR pro. But for me, a veterinarian, itis so frustrating to be excited about a new book and then read on to discover that the main concepts don’t relate to my professional life at all. I want to spare you the frustration of wasting your time on inapplicable books.
Here are the five best leadership or “self-help” books that I have read that can be applicable to veterinarians (or anyone, for that matter):
- “Your Best Year Ever”- By Micheal Hyatt
- “Living Forward”- By Micheal Hyatt and Daniel Harkavy
- “High-Performance Habits”- By Brendon Burchard
- “You Are A Bad Ass”- By Jen Sincero
- “Entreleadership”- By Dave Ramsey
Do any of these books sound interesting to you? I think that they could be life-changing. Keep reading to hear my short summary of why you should read these five great works.
Disclaimer: This post was edited on 1/10/2020 to include amazon affiliate links. The Amazon Services LLC Associates Program is an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. This original post was published without amazon affiliate links. I only recommend products and books that I believe in and think that my readers can benefit from!
#1- Your Best Year Ever, By Micheal Hyatt
I would be lying if I didn’t admit that I am a huge Micheal Hyatt fan. He has an amazing podcast, a great blog and platform, and pumps out 1-2 books a year like clockwork. Although his newer stuff tends to be more specific toward leaders in executive-type settings, this book is a must-read for any leader. In it, Micheal breaks down how to achieve your dreams by using the SMARTER framework. I read this book every single year, at the end of the year, to prep for the upcoming New Year and to remind myself why I should make and how I should make goals that I will actually accomplish in the upcoming year.
#2- Living Forward, By Micheal Hyatt and Daniel Harkavy
This is another book that I think should be required reading for every person (not just leaders) who want to make a difference in the world. I highly recommend that you read “Your Best Year Ever” and “Living Forward” back-to-back. “Living Forward” helps you design your life-plan which is a foolproof blueprint to help you achieve the things you want from your life and avoid drifting. If you read “Your best year Ever” and don’t know how to get started with your goals because you don’t know what you want with your life, this is the place to start. Oh, and don’t worry. Creating a “LifePlan” isn’t nearly as cheezy as it sounds.
#3- High-Performance Habits, By Brendon Burchard
Brendon Burchard is the energizer bunny of self-help books and high-performance coaching. This man has dedicated the majority of his life to finding out why, what, and how about the world’s top performers. This book will radically change your mindset and the way you approach things. Be warned- it is quite a hefty read compared to the other books on this list. I read it through the first time, but even now I listen to the audiobook frequently to help jog my memory on the highlights. If you don’t have time for a serious read, I highly recommend the audiobook.
#4- You Are A Bad Ass, By Jen Sincero
Jen Sincero is…. well, a total badass. This book is the self-help book for people who don’t like self-help books. There’s cursing in the book, some seriously funny anecdotes, and more. Also, Sincero has also written a book called “The Stright Girl’s Guide to Sleeping With Chicks,” so that’s cool too. This book really spoke to me because, as a fairly new vet, I suffer from imposter syndrome, and this quick read is a great, positive reminder that you can do anything you set your mind to.
#5- Entreleadership, By Dave Ramsey
If you put Dave Ramsey and me in a room together, we probably wouldn’t have much to talk about. I don’t agree with this guy on some of his financial philosophies (I don’t think it would have been possible for me to become a veterinarian if I had listened to advice from his previous books, The Total Money Makeover and The Complete Guide To Money,) but I still respect the man and think that he has guts and grit when it comes to leadership. Ramsey calls this work a “PlayBook,” and that is exactly what it is- a no-nonsense, yet thorough guide to those in small business or any leadership role.
I hope you guys enjoyed reading my abbreviated reviews and recommendations. I invite you to read these books and let me know what you think! Have you already read any of these books? If so, what were your overall impressions? Did you agree with the messages? Did you feel that they applied to your career and lifestyle? Please comment below, I’d love to hear your thoughts.
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