2020 will go down in history for the impact that COVID 19 had on the entire world.
Due to the wide reaching impact of the virus, original holiday plans have either been curtailed, revised or cancelled. For many, it is the year of the “staycation”!
Over the last 2 years I have provided a Holiday Reading List. Therefore, regardless if you are going on holiday or not, I know that there has been an increase in reading. So I wanted to share some ideas for 2020.
If you are going to be away from work, you may also want to take a look at the post on “Keeping your projects on track during the summer holidays” for some practical tips. So that all the rest and relaxation from your holiday is not wasted when you return from holiday.
So, here is my list for 2020
Indestractable – Nir Ayal
There are so many channels competing for our attention each minute of every day.
24 hour news, radio, news papers, TV and the real big one – the internet (especially social media).
It is very easy to get caught under the spell of the infinite scroll on the news feed and hours vanish!
This book points out these distractions and provides ways that you can help limit the impact. The positive outcome being that you can become better at focusing on tasks without being distracted.
How to win friends and influence people – Dale Carnegie
This is one of my most favourite books packed with insights that have stood the test of time when it was first published in 1936.
The easy to understand principles and guidance is easy to understand and apply and will benefit anyone both personally or whatever line of business they are in.
I constantly dip back into this book on a regular basis.
Very simply, if you have not read it yet – you must!
The 7 habits of highly effective people – Stephen R Covey
Again this is another of my popular books, again published many years ago in 1989.
The principles are common sense, you might even say is obvious. However, how it is presented does provide an understanding of how we interact with those around us and, more importantly, how we can change for the better.
Working through the principles will help to greater success both in business and personally.
What I really like is that the changes are grounded on living with integrity, fairness and honesty. This really resonates with my moral compass.
The everything store – Brad Stone
Regardless if you love or hate Amazon, their approach to innovation provides many insights.
This covers the story from packing book orders on a kitchen table to global domination.
There are lessons on what not to do. Like when Toys R Us used Amazon to provide their online store as opposed to building their own. Amazon learnt from the data and then set up their own toy section and ceasing the service for Toys R Us.
Using side projects to innovate, like the Recommendations functionality that pops up as part of your search on the Amazon website.
A good all round read with great learnings.
Erebus (Story of a ship) – Michael Palin
This is a great true story about HMS Erebus that was one of the great exploring ships of the 1800’s that disappeared in the Artic in 1848.
The reason for the disappearance was a mystery until it is was found over a 150 years later in 2014.
This is book that really brings to live the brave adventurers who risked it all in the quest of discovery.
So while not a Project book, it is about brave people looking to change the world through discovery!
The PMO Manual – PM Majik
OK, I am biased and personally will not be reading this on the beach.
However, if you do want to use some of your time honing skills or learning about PMO set-up, you can take a paperback copy of my book with you
There are many more books that I have enjoyed. However, I thought this was a good mix of some of the ones that stand out for me.
You can check out the 2018 and 2019 recommendations by visiting Project and Change Book List 2018 and Project and Change Book List 2019.
Tip: if you do not like carrying or reading a book, many of these titles are available in audio format from Audible. This means you can lay and get comfortable on the sun lounger without having to hold pages open. It is also a great way to listen to books when you return from vacation and are on the daily commute as no book to juggle getting on or off public transport.
If you have a book that has inspired you in your change career, why not post in the comments below.
Have a great vacation or staycation…..
PM Majik
