by Anne Clark | Dec 18, 2025 | Business
Summer holidays do something magical to our brains. The inbox goes quiet, the calendar loosens its grip, and suddenly we can think again. Big thoughts. Brave thoughts. The kind of thinking that usually gets drowned out by meetings, notifications, and “just one more thing.”
That is why summer is prime time for business reading. Not the dense, nap-inducing kind. The good stuff. Books that stretch your perspective, challenge how you lead, sharpen how you grow, and quietly plant ideas that come back swinging in the new year. The right book read at the right time can change how you run your business, how you see success, or how you show up altogether.
This curated list brings together 25 business books that are genuinely trending right now. These are the titles business owners, leaders, and creatives are actually talking about, highlighting, and recommending, not dusty classics collecting shelf guilt. Grab one for the beach, one for the plane, or one for a slow morning with coffee. Your future self will thank you.
Still everywhere for a reason. Raw leadership, mindset, money, health, and growth lessons without corporate fluff. Grab your copy here
A powerful read for leaders who want influence without losing their integrity. Get the book here
Perfect for anyone playing the long-term success game and tired of quick wins that burn out fast. Read it here
If you work with people rather than over them, this book will sharpen your influence instantly. Buy your copy here
A brilliant read for leaders and business owners who want to challenge their own thinking, stay adaptable, and avoid getting stuck in outdated beliefs. This book is all about the power of rethinking, unlearning, and staying mentally flexible in a fast-changing world. Get the book here
Straight-talking, practical and unapologetically direct. If you want more leads, start here. Get the book here
A brilliant reminder that bigger is not always better in business. Read more here
If your business makes sales but your bank account says otherwise, this one is non-negotiable. Grab your copy here
Still trending because people keep building businesses that run them instead of the other way around. Buy it here
A masterclass in creating unforgettable experiences that keep customers coming back. Get the book here
Small changes, massive impact. This book earns its hype. Read it here
Productivity that actually feels good. No burnout badge required. Find your copy here
Perfect for business owners doing the inner work alongside the outer growth. Buy it here
A powerful reframe on growth, learning, and what really drives success. Get the book here
A must-read if time always feels like it is slipping through your fingers. Grab your copy here
Ideal for anyone drowning in ideas, notes, and digital clutter. Read it here
Short, practical, and perfect for anyone building visibility or a personal brand. Get the book here
If branding matters to your business, this one will change how you see colour and design. Buy your copy here
Personal branding without the awkward self-promotion. Find it here
Because great storytelling is one of the most underrated business skills. Read more here
A short, practical read that will immediately improve how you lead conversations. Get the book here
Still a standout for leaders who value courage, clarity, and connection. Grab your copy here
A thought-provoking read for anyone reimagining leadership, culture, and work itself. Buy it here
Unexpectedly brilliant for improving focus, flow, and how you work day to day. Find your copy here
If doing less but better sounds like your 2026 goal, start here. Read it here
Summer reading tip from your CEO sidekick
Do not try to read all 25. Pick 3 to stretch your thinking, 1 to calm your nervous system, and 1 purely because it feels fun. Business growth loves rest, reflection, and a good book by the pool.
by Anne Clark | Dec 16, 2025 | Boundaries, Business, Spiritual Entrepreneurs, Spirituality
It only takes one.
One client.
One colleague.
One conversation.
Suddenly you are replaying emails in your head, second-guessing your experience, questioning decisions you were confident about yesterday, and wondering if maybe you are not as capable as you thought.
This usually does not happen because you lack skill, integrity, or professionalism.
It happens because someone expected everything for nothing.
Why This Situation Happens So Often
People who expect more than what was agreed, without respect for boundaries, often operate from entitlement rather than alignment.
This can show up as:
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Constantly pushing scope
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Ignoring agreed processes
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Undermining decisions
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Dismissing your expertise
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Expecting instant access, instant fixes, or emotional labour
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Making subtle comments that erode confidence
These behaviours are rarely about your competence.
They are about control, insecurity, or a lack of understanding of the value of what you bring.
Why It Hits So Deeply
When someone questions your abilities unfairly, it can feel deeply personal. Especially if you are conscientious, heart-led, or someone who genuinely cares about doing good work.
It can make you feel:
Over time, this chips away at confidence and disconnects you from your natural rhythm and intuition.
The danger is not the person.
The danger is believing their narrative.
The Subtle Trap People Fall Into
When faced with this behaviour, many capable people respond by:
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Giving more for free
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Over-delivering to prove worth
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Explaining instead of standing firm
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Taking responsibility for someone else’s dissatisfaction
This does not fix the problem.
It reinforces it.
People who expect everything for nothing rarely become satisfied. They simply move the goalposts.
What Is Actually Being Triggered
Often, this situation activates old conditioning.
You might have learned early that:
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Keeping the peace was safer
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Being liked mattered more than being respected
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Saying no felt uncomfortable
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Proving yourself was how you stayed secure
That is why one person can destabilise you more than ten supportive ones.
This is not weakness.
It is awareness asking to evolve.
How to Protect Yourself Without Hardening
Protecting yourself does not mean closing your heart or becoming cold.
It means anchoring into clarity.
Here are grounded strategies that work both practically and energetically.
Return to facts, not feelings
When doubt creeps in, come back to what is real. Your experience, your agreements, your results. Write them down if needed.
Re-establish boundaries calmly and clearly
Boundaries are not punishments. They are information. Clear communication protects both parties.
Stop absorbing emotional responsibility
Someone else’s frustration does not mean you have failed. Their expectations are theirs to manage.
Notice energy leaks early
If you feel dread, tightness, or heaviness before interactions, pay attention. The body knows before the mind catches up.
Anchor into your values
Ask yourself, am I acting from fear or from alignment? Adjust from there.
Protecting Your Energy Is Not Optional
Energy protection is not spiritual fluff. It is nervous system care.
This can look like:
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Creating clear start and stop times
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Not responding immediately out of obligation
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Grounding yourself before difficult conversations
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Releasing the need to be understood by everyone
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Detaching your worth from outcomes you do not control
You do not need to convince someone of your value if they are committed to misunderstanding it.
Keep Showing Up as Your True Self
One difficult person does not get to rewrite your story.
Do not let misaligned expectations dim your confidence.
Do not let entitlement override your self-trust.
Do not abandon yourself to keep someone else comfortable.
Your true form is not louder, harder, or more defensive.
It is steadier.
Clearer.
More self-led.
And the more you stand in that energy, the less power these situations have over you.
The Quiet Reminder
People who respect you do not ask you to shrink.
They do not drain you.
They do not confuse you.
If one person makes you question everything while others feel supported and uplifted by your presence, the data is clear.
Trust yourself.
Protect your energy.
Keep showing up as you.
That is how you stay aligned.
That is how you keep moving forward.
And that is how your work continues to matter.
by Anne Clark | Dec 16, 2025 | Business, Spiritual Entrepreneurs, Spirituality
There is a quiet voice many capable, intuitive, and intelligent people live with every day.
It whispers things like:
Who do you think you are?
Soon they will realise you are not as good as they think.
You are one mistake away from being exposed.
This is imposter syndrome. And if you feel it constantly, not occasionally, you are not broken. You are usually growing.
What Imposter Syndrome Really Is
Imposter syndrome is not a lack of ability. It is the fear of being seen clearly.
At its core, imposter syndrome is the disconnect between who you are becoming and the version of yourself you still identify with. Your external life has expanded, but your internal identity has not fully caught up yet.
You might be experienced, qualified, intuitive, successful, or deeply knowledgeable, yet still feel like you are pretending.
That feeling does not mean you are a fraud. It means you are standing on the edge of expansion.
Why We Feel It So Strongly
Imposter syndrome does not come from nowhere. It is usually shaped by a mix of past conditioning, expectations, and identity shifts.
Some common roots include:
You were praised for being capable early
When your worth was tied to being reliable, clever, or the one who had it together, you learned that mistakes were dangerous. Success felt safe only if it stayed small and manageable.
You have outgrown an old identity
Your soul evolves faster than your self-image. When you step into new work, leadership, visibility, or purpose, your nervous system scrambles to keep you familiar and safe.
You are intuitive in a logical world
If you work or live in a way that blends intuition, creativity, healing, or non-linear thinking, imposter syndrome can flare. Especially if you were taught that proof must be external, measurable, or validated by others.
You are doing soul work, not ego work
Soul-aligned paths rarely come with neat rulebooks. When you are led by inner knowing rather than external permission, doubt often shows up first.
Why It Shows Up Right Before Alignment
Here is the truth most people do not hear.
Imposter syndrome intensifies right before a breakthrough.
It appears when you are stepping into visibility.
It shows up when you are about to be seen.
It gets louder when your work actually matters.
Why? Because the ego is designed to protect familiarity, not fulfilment. It would rather keep you small and safe than expanded and exposed.
Your soul, however, wants movement.
So the tension builds.
How Imposter Syndrome Blocks Your Path
When left unchecked, imposter syndrome does not just affect confidence. It quietly reroutes your life.
It can cause you to:
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Delay decisions
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Over-prepare and overwork
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Undervalue your experience
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Stay silent when you should speak
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Play smaller than your actual capacity
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Avoid opportunities that feel too aligned
Over time, this creates stagnation that feels confusing because on the surface, things look fine. But internally, something feels stuck.
That stuckness is your soul asking you to trust yourself.
How to Navigate Imposter Syndrome Without Fighting It
The goal is not to eliminate imposter syndrome. The goal is to stop letting it drive.
Here are grounded ways to work with it, not against it.
Name it when it appears
Instead of believing the thoughts, notice them. Say quietly, this is imposter syndrome speaking. Awareness weakens its grip immediately.
Separate fear from truth
Fear is loud and repetitive. Truth is calm and steady. Ask yourself, what do I actually know to be true about my experience, skills, or path?
Anchor into embodiment, not thinking
Imposter syndrome lives in the mind. Come back to the body. Slow breathing, grounding, walking, or placing a hand on your chest brings you back into safety.
Stop asking for permission internally
Many people wait to feel ready, confident, or validated before acting. Alignment comes after action, not before it.
Reframe doubt as a sign of growth
Instead of asking why am I doubting myself, try asking what am I being invited to step into?
When Imposter Syndrome Is a Soul Signal
Sometimes imposter syndrome is not asking you to push harder.
It is asking you to realign.
If the doubt feels heavy, draining, or soul-tiring, it may be highlighting that you are trying to force a version of success that is no longer aligned.
Your soul does not need you to prove yourself.
It needs you to trust yourself.
The Quiet Truth
You do not feel like an imposter because you are unqualified.
You feel it because you are becoming someone new.
And every evolution comes with a moment where the old identity tries to pull you back.
Do not let it.
Your path does not require perfection.
It requires presence.
It requires courage.
It requires you to keep walking, even when the voice gets loud.
Especially then.
Because the voice fades.
And the path opens.
Right on time.
by Anne Clark | Oct 29, 2025 | Business, CEO, Spiritual Entrepreneurs, Spirituality
You know you should be showing up more online.
You have the skills, the story, the expertise, and the heart.
Yet every time you go to post, record, or promote your work, something holds you back.
It might sound like “I don’t have time,” “I’m not ready,” or “I’ll start when things slow down.”
But beneath those excuses sits something deeper — an energetic block around being seen.
Why visibility feels scary
Being visible isn’t just about marketing strategy.
It’s about vulnerability.
When you put yourself out there, you’re not just sharing information. You’re allowing people to see you — your energy, your voice, and your essence. For many spiritual entrepreneurs and heart-led business owners, that level of exposure can feel unsafe.
You may have past experiences where being seen or speaking your truth led to rejection, judgment, or criticism.
Your nervous system remembers that, so it protects you by keeping you “busy” with behind-the-scenes work instead of showing up where your audience can actually find you.
That’s the energetic root of invisibility — a subconscious pattern trying to keep you safe.
Common energetic blocks around visibility
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Fear of judgment
You worry what others will think, or that people from your past will see you online and roll their eyes.
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Fear of success
Visibility brings attention, clients, and growth. If you subconsciously fear being overwhelmed or losing freedom, you might sabotage that expansion.
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Imposter syndrome
You doubt whether your message or offer is “good enough,” and that energy of hesitation seeps into everything you post.
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Energetic disconnection
You post from obligation instead of alignment, and your audience can feel the lack of authenticity. Energy doesn’t lie.
How to shift your energy and show up confidently
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Ground before you create
Take a few deep breaths, drop into your heart, and remind yourself of your purpose. Ask, “Who needs to hear this today?” That intention immediately shifts your energy from fear to service.
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Release perfectionism
Done is better than perfect. Your audience doesn’t want polished — they want real. Allow your humanity to be part of your brand.
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Connect before you sell
Energy flows where connection grows. When you focus on building genuine relationships, visibility feels less like self-promotion and more like soul communication.
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Balance strategy with spirit
Pair your intuition with structure. Plan your content, but leave space for inspired moments. You’ll stay consistent without feeling boxed in.
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Do the inner work
Visibility is a mirror. When resistance shows up, look at what it’s reflecting. Healing that pattern is the true secret to sustainable growth.
FLOW - Align Your Business with the Universe in 2025
Discover how to create soulful, aligned content and marketing strategies using the power of astrology, lunar cycles, and cosmic energy.
Practical ways to get visible right now
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Record a 60-second video sharing what lights you up about your work this week.
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Post a behind-the-scenes photo of your workspace, morning ritual, or project in progress.
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Share a client story (with permission) that shows transformation in action.
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Write a post straight from your heart — no overthinking, no filters.
Each time you show up, you tell your energy body that it’s safe to be seen. Over time, that becomes your new normal.
Remember this
Your visibility isn’t about vanity.
It’s about service.
Someone out there is waiting to hear your message in your voice, through your energy, and in your unique way.
When you hide your light, they stay stuck in the dark.
Showing up online isn’t about algorithms or aesthetics — it’s about alignment.
And when your energy, message, and action come together, your visibility becomes magnetic.
by Anne Clark | Sep 20, 2025 | Business, Customer Journey
Too often I hear business owners say, “I want to grow my business” and then… silence. No clarity, no action plan, no roadmap. Wanting growth is one thing, but without a defined strategy or end goal, you are just wishing, not building.
So, let’s start with the obvious questions:
- How do you want to grow it? Is it through more sales of digital products, more coaching clients, or more service offerings?
- What funnels do you have in place to lead people to take those actions?
- How are you showing up so that people can actually find you?
We are not living in the movie Field of Dreams. You can’t just build it and expect them to come. Your job is to showcase, educate, and guide your audience toward the outcome you want them to take. Assuming people just “get” what you want them to do only leads to one thing: disappointment.
Think of Your Business Like a Street Map
Picture your business as a map. You know the destination you want to reach, but there are many routes to get there. You need to create and support those different pathways so that your customers can safely arrive where you want them to go.
For example:
- A coach says they want more clients but only posts randomly on Instagram. Without a funnel, the posts lead nowhere, so bookings stay flat.
- A digital product creator spends weeks building a gorgeous sales page, but never runs ads, creates emails, or shares it with their audience. No one buys because no one knows it exists.
Both had destinations, but no clear routes to get there.
This is a Customer Journey
Your customer journey is not a straight line. You need to ask:
- Where are they coming from?
- What pain point or problem are you solving?
- How will you show them you are the expert they need in their life?
Once they arrive, what happens next? Do they continue with you? Do they step away and return later? What points of the journey keep them connected to you?
The more clearly you can picture their journey, the more you can design and nurture those touchpoints. This is what keeps people supported and talking about you to others.
Start Mapping Today
Here are three steps to get you moving right now:
- Define your growth goal — Do you want more clients, more digital product sales, or more visibility?
- Map your funnel — What lead magnets, offers, or pathways exist to guide people to your goal?
- Show up consistently — Choose how and where you will educate, guide, and attract the right people.
Growth Comes From Relationships
Remember, your focus should not always be on chasing new customers. Your existing clients are your biggest asset. I have built much of my business through referrals because I always aim to go above and beyond. People remember that.
Sometimes the journey does not unfold the way we desire, and that is okay. Every experience is an opportunity to refine the path and make sure it works for you, not against you, moving forward.
The truth is simple. You cannot grow your business if you don’t have a strategy or an end goal. Define the path, nurture the journey, and show up as the guide your customers need.
FREE Customer Journey Mapping
👉 Download a copy of my new ebook & workbook on Customer Journey Mapping to help you visualise, design, and refine your own business roadmap. It will walk you through how to map your customer’s journey from start to finish so you can grow with clarity and purpose.
by Anne Clark | Aug 5, 2025 | Business, Spiritual Entrepreneurs, Spirituality
Letting go of a client is never easy, especially when you pour your heart into your work and take pride in delivering to a high standard. But sometimes, the hardest decisions are the most necessary ones.
This wasn’t a decision I made lightly. In fact, I fought with both my head and my heart over it. I wanted to finish the project. I wanted to honour my commitment. I wanted to maintain my professional integrity. But I also couldn’t ignore how their energy was beginning to compromise mine.
Their constant pressure and lack of space for creativity started creeping into every part of my process. Instead of collaborating, they hovered. Instead of trusting, they micro-managed. And instead of flowing, I found myself second-guessing every step, doubting my capabilities, and even, uncharacteristically, making mistakes.
That’s not me. I’ve built my business over the past 14 years by being the calm, confident one behind the scenes. The one who delivers, creates, and supports with integrity and clarity.
And yet, I was shrinking.
Looking back, the signs were there early. I saw them. I felt them. But I talked myself out of them because this client came through a referral from someone I truly admire. So I ignored the red flags, and that’s on me.
Working with them felt less like a professional partnership and more like being stuck in a chaotic dating scenario where one person is so desperate to make it work, they bulldoze everything in their path. They threw every possible idea at me with no real strategy. They wouldn’t take my advice, even though I’ve been doing this a long time. Their words didn’t match their actions. And instead of co-creating, they had me doing everything—messaging, content, strategy, you name it. That’s not what I was hired for, and I’m not an expert in their field. I’m an expert in mine.
Still, I showed up. I delivered. I researched. I stretched myself. I gave them my best.
And yet, it wasn’t enough for them.
The turning point? I woke up one morning and didn’t want to start work on my own business.
That was the moment I knew something had to change.
Because I love what I do. I’ve worked long, hard hours over the past 14 years, but I’ve never resented it. I’m fuelled by passion, purpose, and the amazing people I get to support. But this one client was dimming that light, and worse, they were affecting how I showed up for the clients I do love working with.
So I chose me. I chose my energy. I chose my business.
I let them go.
And here’s what I’ve learned (or rather, relearned): Your energy is your most valuable business asset. You can’t do your best work in an environment that doesn’t feel safe, aligned, or respectful. And no amount of money, referral, or obligation is worth sacrificing your peace for.
If you’re a service provider reading this and you’re stuck in a client relationship that makes you feel small, compromised, or creatively blocked, this is your permission slip.
You can be professional and still protect your peace. You can be committed and still draw a line. You can love what you do and still choose to walk away.
And most importantly, you can always choose you.
