• 1. Thoughts and Feelings (5th Edition by McKay, Davis, and Fanning

This is a collection of tools on how to reduce misery. And, because it provides guidance on how to change “us” and how we think, it doesn’t require anyone else to do anything. We can do it all without input from others. I encourage all to read this carefully (in fact, it’s really only necessary to read the first 60 pages), then do what it says. The result is being able to alter habits of thinking that are causing distressing emotions. Yes, the knowledge it provides can be used to reduce misery.

• 2. Give and Take by Adam Grant

Briefly, Grant showed that people who sacrifice everything in the service of others don’t do well in life. In effect, they finish last. Those who match what others do for them and those who take everything for themselves “finish next”. Then, the all-time winners in life are nice guys–those who sacrifice for others. However, he found that the big-time winners in life are nice guys–those who sacrifice for others. However, he found that the big-time successes in life don’t give up everything. THey know what they want from life, have a plan to get it, and work for it–and they sacrefice quite a lot for others (just not everything). In effect, nice guys finish last–and first.

• 3. Firms of Endearment (2nd edition) by Sisodia, Sheth, and Wolfe

I was truly amazed by this book. I’ve read some incredibly insightful books–this was among the best. It says that being good is highly beneficial to business. The book tells of two quite large studies that these fellows guided that looked at the impact of goodness on business results. This has the potential to be one of the most important books ever written. At present, work in most places is a lousy place to be (5th leading cause of death). It doesn’t have to be that way. It can be a place of growth, healing, and comfort. Those that have reached that level of functioning are getting striking results.

The first book is where I begin the Wonderful Life training/coaching. I encourage people to read the first 60 pages, use that knowledge to build a plan to reduce their misery, then do it.. AND THEN–help others. The second book show that making goodness the ultimate goal (without losing sight of ourselves) is the magic elixir to finding our ultimate life. The third book show that focusing on goodness generates exceptional business results.

In short, that stuff we’ve been hearing about in church all these years is right on the button. By tuning in, we can achieve much less misery in life, have as good a life as we possibly can, and we can generate business results that will support us in having a good life–and further promoting goodness.