We live in a digital world of Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat. We are very good at putting filters on things and presenting a life that looks amazing. To the outside world it looks like you’ve got it all figured out, but in reality your dying to break out on your own and become the next Elon Musk (Founder of Tesla), Sundar Pichai (CEO of Google), Indra Nooyi (CEO of PepsiCo) or even J K. Rowling.

Author, motivational speaker and marketing consultant, Simon Sinek believes that the existing generation in the workplace, lacks the understanding that fulfilment and satisfaction within our careers takes time and hard work. Whether that is sticking at a job for more than 8-months or taking the time to engage with your team to create meaningful workplace relationships. “Millennials of today seek purpose, the ability to ‘make an impact’ (whatever that means), free food and bean bags… yet as a generation they still aren’t happy”, says Sinek.

As part of a generation born into a world of immediate gratification, whether that’s through technology, environment or our parents instilling in us that we can have whatever we want, whenever we want. Perhaps we are missing the concept of ‘it takes time’. “Today, if you want to buy something, you don’t have to make the effort of travelling into town – you head over to Amazon and get Prime next day delivery. Need a confidence boost? Simply check out your likes on Instagram, or ‘swipe right’ and you’ve got a date”, says Sinek. These are all things that previously would have taken time to cultivate and some of us we are taking this expectation of immediate gratification into the workplace.

So, as we enter into spring, we prepare to embrace both the sunshine and the season of new beginnings. So what better way to spend your Easter break, than by feeding your inner-entrepreneur with one of the titles from our must-read list. These inspirational reads are impactful and useful insights into how you can create your own success, learn from struggle and understand that success takes time and dedication.  Chesamel is an agency with a hunger to learn, engage and discover new and innovative ways to create success. We’ll definitely be passing these around the Head Office book club.

Crush It!: Why NOW Is the Time to Cash In on Your Passion By Gary Vaynerchuck  –

Do you have a hobby you wish you could indulge in all day every day? An obsession that keeps your brain up at night? Now is the perfect time to take that passion and make a living doing what you love. In Crush It! Why NOW Is the Time to Cash In on Your Passion, Gary Vaynerchuk shows you how to use the power of the Internet to turn your real interests into real businesses. Gary spent years building his family business from a local wine shop into a national industry leader. Then one day he turned on a video camera, and by using the secrets revealed here, transformed his entire life and earning potential by building his personal brand. By the end of this book, readers will have learned how to harness the power of the Internet to make their entrepreneurial dreams come true. Step by step, Crush It! is the ultimate driver’s manual for modern business.

 Pitch Anything: An Innovative Method For Presenting Persuading And Winning The Deal By Oren Klaff –

One truly great pitch can improve your career, make you a lot of money―and even change your life. Whether you’re selling ideas to investors, pitching a client for new business, or even negotiating for a higher salary, Pitch Anything will transform the way you position your ideas. According to Klaff, creating and presenting a great pitch isn’t an art―it’s a simple science. Applying the latest findings in the field of neuroeconomics, while sharing eye-opening stories of his method in action, Klaff describes how the brain makes decisions and responds to pitches. With this information, you’ll remain in complete control of every stage of the pitch process.

Negotiating for Success: Essential Strategies & Skills By George J Siedel –

We all negotiate on a daily basis. We negotiate with our spouses, children, parents, and friends. We negotiate when we rent an apartment, buy a car, purchase a house, and apply for a job. Your ability to negotiate might even be the most important factor in your career advancement.

This book is designed to help you achieve success in your personal negotiations and in your business transactions. The book not only covers negotiation concepts, but also provides practical actions you can take in future negotiations.

The Lean Start Up By Eric Ries –

A new approach to business that’s being adopted around the world. It is changing the way companies are built and new products are launched. The Lean Startup is about learning what your customers really want. It’s about testing your vision continuously, adapting and adjusting before it’s too late.

“This guy has revolutionised business ethics and strategy more than anyone else, with his MVP (minimal viable product) and small batch mantra”, explains Daniel Goaillard, Director of DS Water. “Everything I have done over the last 12-months is because of Lean Start Up, the MVP concept cuts out the unnecessary from business”.

Very Good Lives: The Fringe Benefits of Failure & The Importance of Imagination By J K. Rowling –

In 2008, J.K. Rowling delivered a deeply affecting commencement speech at Harvard University. Now published for the first time in book form, Very Good Lives offers J.K. Rowling’s words of wisdom for anyone at a turning point in life, asking the profound and provocative questions: How can we embrace failure? And how can we use our imagination to better both ourselves and others?