The Top 10 Resources for Improving Your Life and Business in 2014

Does your brain still feel like it’s floating in eggnog? Or, is it just me?

I love the holidays. Like a lot. I’m a handmade girl and enjoy crafting gifts throughout December. And, family time feels like a Caribbean vacation. I know I’m weird—not everyone loves an entire week of family. I consider myself lucky in that respect.

But, I also get excited about goal setting and planning out the year in the beginning of January. It feels like a fresh start. A do over. Reset. Pass go. Collect $200. Wipe the slate clean.

One part of my planning process entails compiling a list of resources I want use and learn from to better myself and business throughout the year.

It includes books, courses, apps, videos, retreats, conferences etc. And, I thought you might like to do the same, so I’ve gathered some ideas for you below.

10. Nicole’s Classes 

Stop boring yourself by studying your camera manual and sign up for a fun photography course that’s made for creatives just like you. Learn how to use Illustrator. Take the ‘Creating an Identity 101’ class and turn your Plain Jane branding into something that wows your target market. Or, have a blast learning a new skill like painting with watercolors or flower arranging. Ooh la la.

9. Death to Stock Photography

Do you waste hours trying to find the right images for your blog posts, newsletters, ebooks, courses, etc.? I recently found this FREE resource of stock photography that’s waaaaaaay better than mainstream stock photography. The pics don’t feel so staged and fake. You get a new batch every month delivered directly to your inbox. It sounds too good to be true, but pinch yourself, cause it’s not a dream, my friend.

8. Crazy, Sexy Kitchen

Want to reset your health this year? Let Kris Carr be your guru and you’ll find yourself with a tighter tummy, prettier skin, and vanishing cellulite. This is a plant-based cookbook filled with delicious, flavorful recipes. Some of my favorites are: Vegetable Sushi Maki Rolls, Greensicle Smoothie, and the Raw Apple Spiced-Rum Shortcake with Maple Vanilla Glaze. Yum!

7. Tara Stiles’ YouTube Channel

Have trouble fitting in an hour sweat session each day? How about making five or ten minutes for yoga that’ll get your body in shape and reduce your stress level? Instead of scarfing down a brownie for energy, turn on one of Tara’s videos for FREE and feel instantly better after a short break.

6. No Excuses Art Journaling: Making Time for Creativity

My goal for this year is to play in my art journal for at least ten minutes every day, because I want to feel more creative. I just got this book and it makes art journaling daily easy and doable. I can’t recommend it enough if you’re looking for an easy way to inject creating for fun {not for profit} into your daily life.

5. The Fire Starter Sessions

Use this book to define success on your own terms. It’ll help you figure out what you truly value and how to get what you want out of life. And, it’ll light a flame inside of you to kick start your inspired life.

4. Turning Pro

If you’re serious about turning your passion into a practice and creating your life’s work, this book should be a monthly read. It’s short but packs quite an inspirational punch. Bam!

Favorite excerpt from Turning Pro: “When we do the work for itself alone, our pursuit of a career (or a living or fame or wealth or notoriety) turns into something else, something loftier and nobler, which we may never even have thought about or aspired to at the beginning. It turns into a practice.”

3. Marketing for Creatives

How could I possibly leave my book off of this list? I can’t. Obviously. If you read it and complete the exercises inside, your business will bend over backwards to thank you and your PayPal account will expand. You’ll learn how to attract people who want to buy your stuff and how to promote your business without feeling icky.

2. Life is Messy Planners or Bootcamp

Why settle for generic planners when you can have some that include a: Super Power Finder, One Page Business Plan, Goal Generator, Trip Planner, Weekly Meal Planner and soooooo much more? Don’t settle. Seriously. You’ll have so much fun filling out this planner {and it’s so pretty} that you’ll stay organized all year. And, the bootcamp will BLOW YOUR MIND.

1. Business Transformation Sessions

Love what you do but wish you could make it more profitable? Need some one-on-one help from someone who’s been there? I’ve got two consulting spots for 2014 open and I’d love to work with you to make your business a screaming success this year. {So, I might be a tad biased in making this number one, but it’s my blog, right?}

Have a favorite resource not listed here? Don’t keep it all to yourself. Share it with us in the comments below.

Happy New Year! I wish you much success and happiness in 2014.

P.S. Some of the links above are affiliate links which means if you purchase through them, I get some dough. As in money, baby. But, I only promote things I have personal experience with and love so much I have to tell the world {or the super awesome people who read my blog} about them.