We’re officially 6 weeks into the New Year. So how are you doing on your goals? I ask because with the Super Bowl and Valentine’s Day over and the weather still crappy, this is the time when a lot of people lose their fire and start skipping out on their promises to themselves.

I don’t want this to happen to you, so I’m recommending 3 inspiring little books that can push you forward.  And by little, I mean short, the longest no more than 3/4 of an inch thick. I’ve read them all many times, and I have an extra copy of one I’ll give to one of you.

Illusions, by Richard Bach

1997, 191 Pages

Illusions, The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah, is a story of a barnstorming pilot wrapped in a Buddhist, new-age philosophy. Our hero acquires the Messiah Handbook and sprinkles its Reminders for the Advanced Soul throughout the book.

Instead of being preachy or cloying, the ‘Reminders’ are  inspiring, fun, often tongue in cheek, and very, very Zen. My favorites include:

“There is no such thing as a problem without a gift for you in its hands. You seek problems because you need their gifts.” 

“You teach best what you most need to learn.”

“You are never given a wish without also being given the power to make it true. You may have to work for it however.”

There is some bitter-sweetness to it, but you’ll walk away with a lot of reusable quotes to make your goals feel achievable. Plus, you’ll learn a few things about flying old-school biplanes.

The Choice by Og Mandino

1984, 162 Pages

Og was a fabulous writer of tiny, story-based, inspirational books. He was a man of deep Christian faith, and wove his spirituality into the short parables he wrote. Each book contained some form of affirmation, usually disguised as part of the story, designed to get deep into your head and heart.

Og knew how to build habits based on positive beliefs. He trained his readers to use his affirmations to become their Best Selves, one day at a time. Use his affirmations, or create your own in his style, and you’ll power through your goals with a nice bounce to your step.

The Choice is my all time favorite Og book. I couldn’t put it down. But at 162 pages, it’s one of his longest. The first Og book I read, The Greatest Salesman In The World, is only 111 pages, and I’ve read every one of them at least a dozen times.

The War of Art by Steven Pressfield

2002, 165 Pages

Pressfield was a somewhat successful screenwriter and novelist when he wrote the War of Art. It blew up and became the Bible for creatives, and anyone seeking success in their lives.

Steven defines the Resistance that he struggled through to become a successful writer. It’s all the stuff that prevents you and I from turning our talent into success.

Turning Pro, his philosophy for beating Resistance, can help anyone who has struggled and come up short. It helped me post this tonight, like every other Thursday night for the past 58 weeks.

You will definitely see yourself in this book, and all the sneaky little ways you sabotage yourself. Follow his advice, Turn Pro, and wonder why you set your goals so damn low this year.

I currently own three copies of this fabulous work. I’ll mail the new one to whoever comments below with a woeful tale of self-sabotage.

Inspiration Helps With Goals

I know we’re all supposed to be self-driven, goal-seeking machines. But let’s face it, there’s a huge emotional component to overcoming our daily challenges and striving for more.

That’s why a lot of people don’t even bother. It hurts to want something and not get it. Some folks can’t handle that pain.

But Manic Impressives are the hopeless romantics of optimism. We believe deep down that all that good stuff is possible, if only we can keep at it and get a few breaks along the way.

So an inspirational little book could be just the ticket. Especially since that mangy little groundhog ducked back in his hole and doomed us to another six weeks of nasty El Nino weather…