Best Business Books to Read Over the Summer Holidays

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.

The Diary of a CEO – Steven Bartlett

Still everywhere for a reason. Raw leadership, mindset, money, health, and growth lessons without corporate fluff. Grab your copy here

Good Power – Ginni Rometty

A powerful read for leaders who want influence without losing their integrity. Get the book here

The Long Game – Dorie Clark

Perfect for anyone playing the long-term success game and tired of quick wins that burn out fast. Read it here

Leading Without Authority – Keith Ferrazzi

If you work with people rather than over them, this book will sharpen your influence instantly. Buy your copy here

Think Again – Adam Grant

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for leaders and business owners who want to challenge their own thinking, stay adaptable, and avoid getting stuck in outdated beliefs.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

$100M Leads – Alex Hormozi

Straight-talking, practical and unapologetically direct. If you want more leads, start here. Get the book here

Company of One – Paul Jarvis

A brilliant reminder that bigger is not always better in business. Read more here

Profit First – Mike Michalowicz

If your business makes sales but your bank account says otherwise, this one is non-negotiable. Grab your copy here

The E-Myth Revisited – Michael E. Gerber

Still trending because people keep building businesses that run them instead of the other way around. Buy it here

Unreasonable Hospitality – Will Guidara

A masterclass in creating unforgettable experiences that keep customers coming back. Get the book here

Atomic Habits – James Clear

Small changes, massive impact. This book earns its hype. Read it here

Feel-Good Productivity – Ali Abdaal

Productivity that actually feels good. No burnout badge required. Find your copy here

The Mountain Is You – Brianna Wiest

Perfect for business owners doing the inner work alongside the outer growth. Buy it here

Hidden Potential – Adam Grant

A powerful reframe on growth, learning, and what really drives success. Get the book here

Four Thousand Weeks – Oliver Burkeman

A must-read if time always feels like it is slipping through your fingers. Grab your copy here

Build a Second Brain – Tiago Forte

Ideal for anyone drowning in ideas, notes, and digital clutter. Read it here

Show Your Work – Austin Kleon

Short, practical, and perfect for anyone building visibility or a personal brand. Get the book here

Brand Brilliance – Fiona Humberstone

If branding matters to your business, this one will change how you see colour and design. Buy your copy here

You Are the Brand – Mike Kim

Personal branding without the awkward self-promotion. Find it here

Storyworthy – Matthew Dicks

Because great storytelling is one of the most underrated business skills. Read more here

The Coaching Habit – Michael Bungay Stanier

A short, practical read that will immediately improve how you lead conversations. Get the book here

Dare to Lead – Brené Brown

Still a standout for leaders who value courage, clarity, and connection. Grab your copy here

Reinventing Organizations – Frederic Laloux

A thought-provoking read for anyone reimagining leadership, culture, and work itself. Buy it here

Work Clean – Dan Charnas

Unexpectedly brilliant for improving focus, flow, and how you work day to day. Find your copy here

Essentialism – Greg McKeown

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.

The Constant Feeling of Imposter Syndrome and Why It Refuses to Leave You Alone

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:

Delay decisions
Over-prepare and overwork
Undervalue your experience
Stay silent when you should speak
Play smaller than your actual capacity
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.

The Energetics of Visibility: Why You’re Not Showing Up Online (and How to Shift It)

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

Fear of judgment
You worry what others will think, or that people from your past will see you online and roll their eyes.
Fear of success
Visibility brings attention, clients, and growth. If you subconsciously fear being overwhelmed or losing freedom, you might sabotage that expansion.
Imposter syndrome
You doubt whether your message or offer is “good enough,” and that energy of hesitation seeps into everything you post.
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

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.
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.
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.
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.
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

Record a 60-second video sharing what lights you up about your work this week.
Post a behind-the-scenes photo of your workspace, morning ritual, or project in progress.
Share a client story (with permission) that shows transformation in action.
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.

Why You Feel Like You’re Doing Everything but Still Not Getting Anywhere

by Anne Clark | Jun 22, 2025 | Business, CEO, Online Business Manager

The truth behind the overwhelm (and how to finally shift it)

If you’re a solopreneur who’s working non-stop but still feels like nothing is moving forward, you’re not alone.

You’re ticking off tasks, replying to emails, creating content, onboarding clients, updating your website, brainstorming your next offer… and yet you end the week wondering:

“Why does it still feel like I’m behind?”
“Why am I always in reactive mode?”
“Is this what running a business is supposed to feel like?”

Let’s get really honest — doing everything is not the same as leading your business.

You’re Working In It, Not On It

Most service-based business owners start by wearing all the hats — it’s how we build momentum. But eventually, doing all the things becomes the very thing that holds us back.

When you’re constantly inside the day-to-day delivery, there’s no space for strategy, reflection or growth. You stay stuck in the cycle of busyness, even though what you really crave is clarity.

If your calendar is full but your vision feels fuzzy, this is your wake-up call:
You don’t need to do more. You need to lead differently.

The Real Problem: No Clear CEO Role

You’re the heart and brain of your business, but have you ever defined your actual role?

When your to-do list includes everything from admin to ads, it’s no wonder you feel exhausted.

As a CEO, your role is to:

Set the direction of your business
Make high-level decisions
Protect your energy
Focus on what actually moves the needle

But when you’re buried in Canva graphics and invoice reminders, there’s no space for that.

The Sneaky Cost of Doing It All

Here’s what I’ve seen over and over in my work with clients:

They feel scattered and unsure of what to prioritise
They underprice their services because they’re constantly in survival mode
They create more offers instead of refining the ones that work
They resent their business (but feel guilty about it)

None of that is your fault. But it is your responsibility to change it.

The Shift: From Doer to Digital CEO

This shift is more than mindset — it’s structural.

You need:

Systems that support you
A calendar that reflects your energy
Offers that scale instead of drain
A business that makes sense on paper and feels right in your gut

And most of all? You need to reclaim your role as the one driving the business forward — not the one constantly chasing your tail.

Ready to Make That Shift?

That’s exactly why I created The Digital CEO Playbook.

It’s your roadmap to building a business that runs with structure, intention and flow — so you can stop managing chaos and start leading with clarity.

Inside the playbook, you’ll learn how to: