Following is a list of resources which have informed and influenced my life and work. Depending upon intended outcomes, I refer my clients to these and other useful resources.

The Luck Factor: Changing Your Luck, Changing Your Life: The Four Essential Principles
(Dr. Richard Wiseman) — Do you feel lucky? Believe it or not, the way that you answer that question is a predictor of your level of success and joy in life. Dr. Richard Wiseman, head of psychology research at the University of Hertfordshire in England, was curious about people who are consistently blessed with good fortune. As a result of his research with 400 people who considered themselves either particularly lucky or unlucky, he has proved scientifically that luck isn’t a coincidence. Lucky people think and act with specific behaviors that open the way for good things to happen, and his findings are as valuable for business as they are for life in general.
(Read an article on this subject.)

The Paradox of Success: When Winning at Work Means Losing at Life (John R. O'Neil) — With heart-breaking frequency, many executives feel that the cost of their victories outweigh the rewards. Their accomplishments often invoke the envy and resentment of others. Their power often leads to arrogance, isolation and stagnation. The good news is, it doesn’t have to be that way! Readers learn how to sustain personal development over the long haul, through self-observation, deep learning, and regenerative retreats.

Emotional Intelligence (Daniel Goleman) — At last, an expanded definition of ‘smart’! Beyond IQ tests, Goleman’s model puts emotions at the center of aptitudes for living. Using self-awareness, self-discipline and empathy, we learn the wisdom of managing our emotions and learning how to express them, as Aristotle said, "to the right person, to the right degree, for the right purpose, at the right time."

Business as Unusual (Anita Roddick) — The CEO of The Body Shop chronicles the decade-plus history of a global retail enterprise, and provides a manual for all wannabe business radicals. It outlines one individual's attempt to marry the often impersonal wants of a successful business with the very personal needs of a successful businessperson.

The Artist’s Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity (Julia Cameron) — Every person on the planet has an unending capacity for creative thought and expression. Expanding that capacity makes you a better businessperson, parent, friend, and citizen. Regardless of your spiritual orientation, this empowering book outlines a way to recover your creativity from a variety of blocks, including limiting beliefs, fear, self-sabotage, jealousy, guilt, addictions, and other inhibiting forces, replacing them with confidence productivity and fun.

The Diamond Cutter (Gesha Michael Roach) — The author co-founded a diamond cutting business with fifty thousand dollars, which today has annual sales in excess of one hundred million dollars. Much of his success came from applying the ancient wisdom of Tibetan Buddhist principles in every-day situations. If your eyes roll even at the thought of reading “Seven Habits . . .” or “The One Minute Manager,” this book is for you. It’s refreshingly original, practical and grounded.

The Life We Were Given: A Long-Term Program for Realizing the Potential of Body, Mind, Heart, and Soul (George Leonard & Michael Murphy) — A book that presents practical lessons of how powerful integral practices (those of mind, body, heart and spirit) can be used in transforming lives.

You Are What You Say: The Proven Program That Uses the Power of Language to Combat Stress, Anger, and Depression (Matthew Budd, MD) — The power of language to build up or tear down is undisputed. This book is written by a Harvard teacher and physician who outlines Ten Linguistic Viruses that short change potential and damage lives. Then, he outlines practical ways to combat the ravages of anger, perfectionism, depression, and anxiety by changing the script of what you say to yourself and to others.

Start Where You Are: A Guide to Compassionate Living (Pema Chodron) — This is a good book to read when discouraged or overwhelmed. The author shows us how to work openheartedly with life just as it is. Acceptance is favored over self-improvement.

Transitions: Making Sense of Life's Changes (William Bridges) — By identifying the three stages of transition, this book provides very practical and valuable recommendations.

The Hoffman Quadrinity Process — A powerful one-week residential retreat for identifying and eliminating negative patterns inherited from your family of origin.

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