Book 'Em

I have mentioned that I have piles and piles of books that I haven't read...but once upon a time (and still from time to time) I have read some good ones.

Much of my non-fiction reading for the past few years has focused on trying to find our what I want to be when I grow up. Two problems with that: a) Not sure I truly want to grow up and b) There are apparently no books that say what I personally should do, and how specifically to do it.

Can't find that book.

But here is a list of a few that helped open my mind to other options for work beyond the corporate world of cubicles and long commutes. Waiting until you are 65 to start living your "real" life just doesn't seem all that reasonable to me anymore.

Which isn't to say that I won't someday go back and get a J-O-B...but I hope I can maintain some perspective about where work fits in the big picture. If you'd like to gain that same sort of perspective - here are some good resources:

Making a Living Without a Job: Winning Ways For Creating Work That You Love

It's Only Too Late If You Don't Start Now: How to Create Your Second Life at Any Age

Live the Life You Love: In Ten Easy Step-By Step Lessons

Living Your Joy: A Practical Guide to Happiness

Live What You Love: Notes from an Unusual Life

I Don't Know What I Want, But I Know It's Not This

Ladies Who Launch: Embracing Entrepreneurship & Creativity as a Lifestyle

I also recommend joining the newsletter at ChangingCourse.com. Valerie does a great job of helping to see what it would be like to make your work fit your life (rather than the other way around!) Mike and I went to one of her workshops a couple of years ago and came away all fired up to do new things!

I have to say, although this entrepreneur thing hasn't worked out quite the way I had hoped, (please buy something...) the idea of building work that is more fluid and tailored to my interests and lifestyle is awesome.

I am still hoping I can get there eventually!

Booked

At one point a little while back, I made a list of all of the business related books that are piled up next to me that I haven't read.

I still haven't read them.

I also didn't get to finish reading the book for my book club (which met tonight).

I didn't finish the last book I was reading just for fun.

But I manage to check People.com about 50 times a day. I read the entire People magazine when it comes each week (although I AM allowing my subscription to lapse, so soon I won't be reading that either). I also read multiple blogs and obsessively check my e-mail.

I need to re-prioritize my attention. There isn't that much of it, and I don't think I am using it all that effectively.

I bet there is a book that would tell me how.

A little light reading

On the pile of books on the shelf next to me (which I am not currently reading, but fully intend to maybe someday when I get around to it and nothing good is on TV):

Inspiration to Realization
Streetwise: Low Cost Website Promotion (which when I skimmed over it suggested using social networks like blogging, so maybe I don't have to read it?)
Working Solo
Working from Home
Public Relations for Dummies
Run Your Business Like a Girl
The Girl's Guide to Starting Your Own Business
Smart Women Take Risks
Live the Life you Love
It's Only Too Late if You Don't Start Now
Starting an On-Line Business

Why can't it be that just having them imparts some wisdom? Besides the wisdom that perhaps I shouldn't be spending so much on books I will never (maybe possibly) read?