I’ve been really into mindset lately. You know—reframing, visualization, perception vs. reality. It’s interesting that with a simple shift in how you think, you can dramatically change what you experience. As a health coach, you know better than most people that adjusting your clients’ outlook can lead to incredible results. But how about your own mindset? What would happen if you changed the way you thought about yourself, how you coach your clients, and even how you structured your day?
In today’s post, I’m sharing 10 books that will transform your health coaching business (four of which I can’t stop re-reading).
1. Atomic Habits by James Clear
What it’s about: Want to your break bad habits and create good ones? James Clear, one of the world’s leading experts in habit formation, says you’ve got to think small. In his newest book, he shows us how making incremental changes can have a huge impact. It’s not enough to want to book 50 new clients or write a best-selling book on ancestral nutrition. Having a goal is great, but the reason most people fail is because they don’t have a good system in place—they’re just repeating bad habits and not forming new ones.
Who it’s for: Anyone who does the same thing over and over again hoping for different results.
2. Start With Why by Simon Sinek
What it’s about: Have you heard Simon Sinek’s TED Talk, How Great Leaders Inspire Action? The third most popular TED video of all time? If you haven’t, check it out, then read his book, Start With Why. Like we talk about in the Primal Health Coach Institute curriculum, your WHY, or your deep down reason for doing what you do, is what will set you apart from other health coaches. It doesn’t matter what your why is—it only matters that you have one. After all, people don’t buy what you do, they buy why you do it.
Who it’s for: Health coaches who want to find their passion and hone in on a specific niche.
3. You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero
What it’s about: I’ve read the book You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life three times already, and every time I do, I’ve done something amazing and completely out of my comfort zone. If that’s not enough to make you buy it, read on. If you like irreverent writing and don’t mind the occasional swear word, you’ll love the way Jen Sincero breaks down concepts from ancient philosophers, forward thinkers, and self-help gurus to help you push past your limitations and live a life you’re excited about.
Who it’s for: Those who like the self-help stuff without the touchy-feely attitude.
4. Motivational Interviewing in Health Care by Rollnick, Miller, and Butler
What it’s about: Behavior change is essential when it comes to getting results, whether it’s convincing your clients to swap out grains for whole foods or convincing yourself to be more comfortable posting on social media. Getting a good handle on our clients’ (and our own) reasons for wanting change starts with understanding the motivation and mindset behind it. This book shows real world strategies, tips, and techniques for using Motivational Interviewing (MI) in your health coaching practice and in your life. Check out this blog post we wrote about MI a few months ago.
Who it’s for: Health coaches who aren’t seeing results from their clients.
5. The 4 Keys: How to Win in Your Business, Body, Relationships, and Mindset by Andrew Sillitoe
What it’s about: Business psychologist, speaker, author, and Primal Health Coach Andrew Sillitoe shows us how devoting equal time to our work, body, family, and mindset can bring balance back into our lives. In his book, he says if you’re hyper-focused on work, your health will deteriorate, your relationships will become toxic, and your business will suffer. He adds that “to achieve all your goals, you need to stop neglecting the stuff that happens outside the office.”
Who it’s for: People who are known to burn the candle at both ends.
6. How to Be Here by Rob Bell
What it’s about: Rob Bell is a storyteller, which is to be expected since the New York Times best-selling author is also a popular pastor. His book is simple, but filled with tons of truths about being present, avoiding overwhelm, and falling down and getting back up. Through his own stories (and a few religious references) he makes a case for why it’s important to acknowledge the greatness of who you are and why you’re here on this planet. I recommend listening to him read the book on Audible. Like I mentioned, he’s a great storyteller.
Who it’s for: Anyone who’s not living in the moment.
7. The Entrepreneur Roller Coaster by Darren Hardy
What it’s about: This book is a road map for the wild ride of entrepreneurship. Darren Hardy, who’s interviewed everyone from Steve Jobs and Jeff Bezos to Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk, shares his insights on why so many small businesses fail—and it’s not for the reasons you might think. He says that failures tend to be mostly internal, and shows us essential strategies for surviving the emotional ups and downs of entrepreneurship, including overcoming your fears and doubts, protecting yourself from the naysayers, and building underdeveloped skills like self-motivation and accountability.
Who it’s for: Health coaches who are (or are considering) working for themselves.
8. The 5 Second Rule by Mel Robbins
What it’s about: In The 5 Second Rule, you’ll learn the science behind why we constantly talk ourselves out of great ideas, and learn an easy-to-implement strategies to increase your confidence and live the life you’ve always dreamed of. Mel Robbins, who’s also a speaker, CNN commentator, and former attorney, says the secret to overcoming the things that hold us back is to activate the non-emotional part of our brains by counting backwards from 5, then take action. It sounds simple, because it is. And it’s a game changer.
Who it’s for: Over-thinkers who tend to stop themselves before they start.
9. Do the Work by Steven Pressfield
What it’s about: Here’s another good resource for all the self-doubters and procrastinators out there. If you want to find out the real reason you struggle to complete tasks, or make tons of excuses for why you haven’t finished your website, booked more clients, or even completed your health coaching education, give Do the Work a read. Author Steven Pressfield says it’s not about lack of preparation or desire—the real enemy is resistance. This book is from 2011, but it’s filled with tons of relevant insights on how to complete tasks.
Who it’s for: Anyone who has a laundry list of to-dos that aren’t getting done.
10. The Power of When by Michael Breus, PhD
What it’s about: Ever wondered why you have more productive client sessions in the afternoons or better workouts after dinner? In The Power of When, you’ll learn that the key to unlocking your full potential is to get back in sync with your biological clock. Using the science of chronobiology, Dr. Breus helps you figure out your own personal chronotype so you can be the most efficient at everything you do. He says it’s not about what you’re doing or how you’re doing it, instead, the thing that makes the biggest difference is knowing when to do it.
Who it’s for: People looking for fun and easy life hacks to get more out of their day.
Review these Must-Have Reads
With so many valuable books out there, it’s hard to narrow it down. But give a few of these titles a read and see how they transform your life—and your health coaching business!
- Atomic Habits
- Start With Why
- You Are a Badass
- Motivational Interviewing in Health Care
- The 4 Keys
- How to Be Here
- The Entrepreneur Roller Coaster
- The 5 Second Rule
- Do the Work
- The Power of When
If you haven’t already, check out these top reads too, plus see which ones are Mark’s Sisson’s favorites.
