Whether you believe in New Year’s Resolutions or not, there is always a need for a personal reset—an annual review of patterns that need to be broken. Whether it’s drinking too much, working too hard, not speaking up in a relationship or at work, smoking, or whatever, you are likely in some patterns. However, it’s important to note that not all patterns are destructive. Some are good, some appear as bad on the surface but are better than the alternatives, and some are just bad for you. You may be aware of them, not aware of them at all, or somewhere in between. It’s not uncommon to feel you are in a bad pattern but not know precisely what it is.

Here are a few suggested readings if the Reset you need is around your work.

1. If you are generally unhappy at work, but don’t really know why – pick up: Reboot by Jerry Colonna – It’s a great book to start identifying what ghosts you may have in your machine.
2. If you feel stuck in your job or your role, pick up: Do Over by Jon Acuff. It’s a book about finding yourself, whether in or out of a job. I’ve read this one a few times, and I’ve always found something within it that propels me forward.
3. If you’re feeling directionless, you can pick up Start with Why by Simon Sinek. There is an easy formula for understanding your purpose. Find Your Why is more personal and human, while Start with Why is more business-oriented. Both are solid reads.
4. If you are consistently getting in your own way at work or beyond, pick up The War of Art by Steven Pressfield. This is a book about the inner battle and overcoming your own personal resistance to success, whatever that may mean to you. It’s an easy read but a heady one.

As always, stay healthy, find happiness, and feel free to kick ass at work. If that needs you to forgive yourself or someone else, that may be a good place to start. Good luck.

Art by Frank Furlong