Here’s OUR monthly top picks for you (and your field) for reading, listening to and utilizing in order to stay engaged, informed and one step ahead.
Book / Slow Productivity: The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout
By Cal Newport
Do fewer things. Work at a natural pace. Obsess over quality. These are just a few of the strategies author Cal Newport offers in his latest book to help you pursue meaningful accomplishments without feeling overloaded. As a New York Times, Washington Post and USA Today bestseller, Slow Productivity: The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout redefines how we work and proposes a more sustainable alternative to the aimless overwhelm of this digital age.
AI Tool / Synthesia
With Synthesia, you can quickly and easily create studio-quality videos using AI avatars and voiceovers—in over 130 languages! It’s as easy as building a slide deck. Simply insert text into the prompt and select your avatar and video template to create a presentation out of an otherwise boring PowerPoint or PDF. Videos can be used for training, marketing, customer service and more. A basic account is free; additional capabilities are available with upgraded accounts.
Product / Brick
If you’re addicted to your iPhone (and who isn’t?), the Brick was made for you. This $49 device allows you to decide which apps are distractions and which are useful tools. Simply tap your phone on the Brick to temporarily “lock” yourself out of time-wasting apps. By eliminating these temptations, you can use your phone as a tool until you “unlock” time wasters—no overrides allowed! The Brick is a small 3D-printed square that can fit in the palm of your hand.
Audio Book / Stop Overthinking: 23 Techniques to Relieve Stress, Stop Negative Spirals, Declutter Your Mind, and Focus on the Present
by Nick Trenton
From “What if?” to “How?” and every doubt in between, it’s easy to overthink—especially when we get into new and intimidating situations like starting a business. In his audio book Stop Overthinking, author Nick Trenton explains how overanalyzing is the biggest cause of unhappiness. Through rewiring your brain, controlling your negative thoughts and changing your mental habits, Trenton teaches scientific methods of effectively breaking free from stress and releasing your unlimited potential.
Youtube Channel / HubSpot Marketing
As the leading CRM platform for scaling businesses, HubSpot offers versatile software that helps businesses master inbound marketing, sales and customer service. HubSpot also offers a variety of free tools to entrepreneurs like the HubSpot Marketing YouTube channel. It offers hundreds of expert tips and tutorials to upgrade your team’s digital marketing strategy. Videos skew toward social media hacks, like finding your audience, mastering new algorithms, leveraging AI and understanding influencer strategies.
Social Media Influencer / Noah Kagan
Noah Kagan knows a thing or two about being an entrepreneur. As one of Facebook and Mint’s first employees, Kagan went on to build 20+ startups—eight of which were worth at least $1 million. He chronicles his stories about marketing, starting a business, personal development and productivity across multiple platforms, including his eponymous website, social platforms, newsletter and podcast.
From the July/August 2024 issue of Direct Selling News magazine.
