Before I discovered my passion for life coaching, I hated non-fiction and I wouldn’t have read a self-help book if you paid me! I mean, I knew I wasn’t happy and I knew I wanted more, but I wouldn’t even take the time to read the wisdom of others who had already been there and achieved what I wanted to achieve. In fact, one of the first self-help books I read was one I bought only because the author was a TV star and I went to see her live. I was hoping to get her autograph so I bought the book on the way into the event. I wasn’t even planning on reading it, but just a few weeks later I received the privilege of quitting my job and focusing full-time on my happiness, health, and well-being.

And there it was. The self-help book I wasn’t going to read. So in between bleaching the grout on the kitchen counters and painting the living room, I decided to take a break and read the introduction. That book was part of the beginning of a whole new life for me and I read it two times over front to back before moving on to the next. Since then, I have filled my library with over a hundred self-help books and for a couple of years I read nothing but non-fiction. Today, I simply don’t have the time to read as much as I did in the early days of my career as a Life Coach. But, I know how important it is to keep learning and tapping in to the wisdom of others. In fact, even though I only spend minutes a day reading I am currently reading 3 self-help books. Here’s how I make the time:

1. One book stays in my bathroom and I spend a few minutes each day being amazed and inspired by Barbara Sher’s straight-to-the-point tips in I Could Do Anything If I Only Knew What It Was. I already spend at least a few minutes a day in the bathroom, so I’m not even interrupting my schedule for this one! I don’t think Barbara Sher would be thrilled about being my bathroom reading material, but I know she would be ecstatic about being a part of my daily life and helping me succeed.

2. Another book stays on a table in my office and each time I go to the office before I even turn on my computer, I sit down, read 1 – 2 pages in Making a Change for Good: a guide to compassionate self-discipline and then meditate for 10 minutes. This book and practice has completely changed how I create new products, programs, and seminars. There have been times when I felt like I didn’t have the time for this, but I have learned that I am more productive and creative when I take just a few minutes tapping into my deepest self.

3. The last book stays in my purse and each day on my lunch hour I take a short walk to the plaza outside of my office, sit in the sun, and read a few pages. This practice is critical to my energy and creativity levels. I simply need to get outside, feel the sun on my skin, and relax so that when I return to my office I can work with a renewed spirit. It’s really easy for me to force myself to say inside all day and work straight through from 8am to 5pm. But, I’ve learned that my productivity level goes WAY down when I don’t nurture my spirit during my workday.

Well, there you have it, folks. This is how I spend just minutes a day dedicated to reading, learning, and growing spiritually, emotionally, and professionally. I’ve made a commitment to improving my life and I’ve incorporated it into my daily habits. If you are ready to do the same, then all you have to do is (1) choose to invest in yourself, (2) decide where in your schedule you have 10 minutes, and (3) place your book where it will remind you to follow through. Seriously, investing just a few minutes a day can increase the quality of your life and relationships by leaps and bounds. Are you ready to rock it out?!

Contributed by Coach Cassandra Rae, teen & family coach