Hey Shelf Improver! 💙

Do people actually know what you do... or are you giving them so much information that they're left completely confused? 👀

This week we're continuing our dive into Daniel Priestley's Key Person of Influence, and it's certainly got our brains whirring!

We explore the five things Daniel believes you need to become a Key Person of Influence, before getting stuck into the first one: your PITCH.

And this sparked a very honest conversation for both of us.

What happens when you have multiple businesses, passions and interests? Do you really have to niche down? How do you talk about everything you've achieved without simply listing job titles? And are you actually communicating the difference you make to people... or just telling them what you do?

We talk about building a reputation, being known for something, finding the thing that genuinely lights you up, creating a message people remember and why being liked by everyone might actually be a sign that you're playing it too safe.

We also turn the lens on ourselves, looking at our own businesses, careers and pitches and realising there are definitely a few things we need to change! 😬

One of our favourite lessons from this week's discussion?

Clarity creates opportunity.

If people don't clearly understand who you are, what you stand for and how you can help them, how can they know when you're the person they need?

Whether you're building a business, developing a personal brand, changing careers or wondering why you're not getting the opportunities you want, this episode might make you completely rethink how you introduce yourself.

Grab a cuppa and join the conversation. ☕💙

Next week we're continuing through the Key Person of Influence method, looking at publishing content, products, profile and partnerships.

📚 Not reading along in real time? No worries! We've covered 40+ amazing books. Pick one that resonates and jump in anytime.

💛 Our community is always open, It's never too late to join. Connect with like-minded people, raise your vibes, and get inspired. Links below!

🔗 Ways you can support our show:

If you have found value, enjoy our show and would like to support us please like, share and rate our podcast with your friends and family (its free :))

You can also if you would like to support us even further you can support us by buying us a coffee via Ko-fi - https://ko-fi.com/shelfimprovementbookclubpodcast

📱 Join here to be on our email list for updates: Shelf Improvement Community 📘 Facebook: Shelf Improvement Podcast 📩 Email: [email protected] / [email protected]📸 Instagram: @shelfimprovementbookclub

https://linktr.ee/shelf_improvement_podcast

Enjoy the episode, and we'll catch you next week!

Holly & Anna X

Hey Shelf Improver! 💙

New month, new book! 📚

This September we're diving into Key Person of Influence by Daniel Priestley, and this one has already got us looking at our own careers and businesses VERY differently.

Do you really need to work harder, gain more qualifications and have years of experience to become successful? Or is it more about becoming known for something?

In this first episode, we explore why being great at what you do isn't always enough, the power of finding your niche (or even your micro-niche!), why passion and authenticity matter, and how your own experiences might already hold the clues to what you should be known for.

We also put some of Daniel's exercises into practice and look back over our own careers to spot the themes that have followed us throughout our working lives. And there were definitely a few lightbulb moments! 💡

Whether you run a business, are building a personal brand, want to change direction or simply feel like you're working far too hard without getting the recognition you deserve, there's plenty to take away from this one.

Grab a cuppa and join the conversation. ☕💙

And next week, we'll be getting further into the nitty-gritty of becoming a Key Person of Influence.

📚 Not reading along in real time? No worries! We've covered 40+ amazing books. Pick one that resonates and jump in anytime.

💛 Our community is always open, It's never too late to join. Connect with like-minded people, raise your vibes, and get inspired. Links below!

🔗 Ways you can support our show:

If you have found value, enjoy our show and would like to support us please like, share and rate our podcast with your friends and family (its free :))

You can also if you would like to support us even further you can support us by buying us a coffee via Ko-fi - https://ko-fi.com/shelfimprovementbookclubpodcast

📱 Join here to be on our email list for updates: Shelf Improvement Community 📘 Facebook: Shelf Improvement Podcast 📩 Email: [email protected] / [email protected]📸 Instagram: @shelfimprovementbookclub

https://linktr.ee/shelf_improvement_podcast

Enjoy the episode, and we'll catch you next week!

Holly & Anna X

Hey Shelf Improver!

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Another month, another book finished! 📚💙

This week we're wrapping up The Courage to Be Disliked with the Fifth Night and our biggest takeaways from the book as a whole.

And what a book it's been! There were ideas we loved, ideas that really made us think... and a few that had us wanting to argue back at the audiobook. 😂

We explore what it really means to live in the here and now, happiness, purpose, letting go of other people's expectations and why your past doesn't have to decide who you become next.

So, did The Courage to Be Disliked actually give us the courage to be disliked? 👀

PLUS... we're revealing September's book! 🥳

Next month we're diving into Daniel Priestley's Key Person of Influence, exploring how to become more influential and recognised in your industry and turn what you know into greater opportunities.

New month. New book. New conversations. 💛💙

🎧 Grab a cuppa, pop your headphones in and join us for another very real Shelf Improvement conversation.

📚 Not reading along in real time? No worries! We've covered 40+ amazing books. Pick one that resonates and jump in anytime.

💛 Our community is always open, It's never too late to join. Connect with like-minded people, raise your vibes, and get inspired. Links below!

🔗 Ways you can support our show:

If you have found value, enjoy our show and would like to support us please like, share and rate our podcast with your friends and family (its free :))

You can also if you would like to support us even further you can support us by buying us a coffee via Ko-fi - https://ko-fi.com/shelfimprovementbookclubpodcast

📱 Join here to be on our email list for updates: Shelf Improvement Community 📘 Facebook: Shelf Improvement Podcast 📩 Email: [email protected] / [email protected]📸 Instagram: @shelfimprovementbookclub

https://linktr.ee/shelf_improvement_podcast

Enjoy the episode, and we'll catch you next week!

Holly & Anna X

Hey Shelf Improver!

How much of your life is shaped by what YOU want… and how much is shaped by what other people might think? 👀

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This week we dive into Nights 3 & 4 of The Courage to Be Disliked, and these chapters definitely got us talking!

We explore the idea of separating tasks: knowing what's actually your responsibility and what belongs to somebody else. From parenting and relationships to work, friendships and even making your husband's lunch 😂, we ask whether stepping back from other people's choices could actually give us more freedom.

Then we get into the BIG one: the courage to let people dislike you. Not deliberately upsetting people, but letting go of the need for praise, approval and recognition so you can stop shrinking yourself to fit other people's expectations.

Night 4 takes us even further into community, connection, contribution and purpose, and why being part of something bigger than ourselves might matter more than being recognised for what we do.

As always, we don't agree with everything in the book, and there are definitely a few moments where we question whether the philosopher is contradicting himself! 🤯

So ask yourself…

Whose life are you actually living?

🎧 Grab a cuppa, pop your headphones in and join us for another very real Shelf Improvement conversation.

📚 Not reading along in real time? No worries! We've covered 40+ amazing books. Pick one that resonates and jump in anytime.

💛 Our community is always open, It's never too late to join. Connect with like-minded people, raise your vibes, and get inspired. Links below!

🔗 Ways you can support our show:

If you have found value, enjoy our show and would like to support us please like, share and rate our podcast with your friends and family (its free :))

You can also if you would like to support us even further you can support us by buying us a coffee via Ko-fi - https://ko-fi.com/shelfimprovementbookclubpodcast

📱 Join here to be on our email list for updates: Shelf Improvement Community 📘 Facebook: Shelf Improvement Podcast 📩 Email: [email protected] / [email protected]📸 Instagram: @shelfimprovementbookclub

https://linktr.ee/shelf_improvement_podcast

Enjoy the episode, and we'll catch you next week!

Holly & Anna X

Hey Shelf Improver!

*]:pointer-events-auto [content-visibility:auto] supports-[content-visibility:auto]:[contain-intrinsic-size:auto_100lvh] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id= "c6baffbb-92a7-408c-8b60-ef0a0e527d6f" data-testid= "conversation-turn-2" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-turn= "assistant">

This week on The Shelf Improvement Podcast, we're back with Night Two of The Courage to Be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi & Fumitake Koga... and this conversation hit home. 💭

How much of your stress comes from comparing yourself to everyone else? Are you chasing someone else's timeline? Seeking approval? Waiting until you're "ready" before taking action?

We explore why comparison steals confidence, how the stories we tell ourselves become our reality, and why so many of us unknowingly create barriers that keep us exactly where we are.

From property investing and business to friendships, parenting, social media and everyday life, this episode is packed with honest conversations, personal experiences and thought-provoking questions that might just change the way you see yourself... and everyone around you.

✨ Maybe the only person you were ever meant to compete with was yesterday's version of you.

Come and join the conversation. We think this one will stay with you. 💙📚

📚 Not reading along in real time? No worries! We've covered 40+ amazing books. Pick one that resonates and jump in anytime.

💛 Our community is always open, It's never too late to join. Connect with like-minded people, raise your vibes, and get inspired. Links below!

🔗 Join us here: 📱 WhatsApp & email updates: Shelf Improvement Community 📘 Facebook: Shelf Improvement Podcast 📩 Email: [email protected] 📸 Instagram: @shelfimprovementbookclub

https://linktr.ee/shelf_improvement_podcast

Enjoy the episode, and we'll catch you next week!

Holly & Anna X

Hey Shelf Improver!

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New month, new book... and this one has already sparked one of our biggest debates yet! 🔥

This week we're diving into Night One of The Courage to Be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi & Fumitake Koga, where a philosopher and a young man begin a five-night conversation that challenges almost everything we think we know about happiness, trauma, confidence and personal change.

Can your past really define your future? Do we choose our behaviours more than we realise? And how much of the story you tell yourself is actually keeping you stuck?

We don't agree with everything in this week's chapters, and that's exactly what makes this discussion so fascinating. Join us as we unpack Adlerian psychology, courage, identity, limiting beliefs and why the life you want might begin with questioning the story you've been living.

🎙️ If you've ever wondered whether change is really possible, this episode is for you.

📚 Not reading along in real time? No worries! We've covered 40+ amazing books. Pick one that resonates and jump in anytime.

💛 Our community is always open, It's never too late to join. Connect with like-minded people, raise your vibes, and get inspired. Links below!

🔗 Join us here: 📱 WhatsApp & email updates: Shelf Improvement Community 📘 Facebook: Shelf Improvement Podcast 📩 Email: [email protected] 📸 Instagram: @shelfimprovementbookclub

https://linktr.ee/shelf_improvement_podcast

Enjoy the episode, and we'll catch you next week!

Holly & Anna X

Hey Shelf Improver!

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Well, that's another incredible book finished! 📚

This week we're wrapping up Can't Hurt Me by David Goggins, diving into the final chapters and reflecting on everything we've learned throughout the month.

We explore Goggins' powerful message around discipline, resilience and pushing beyond your limits... but we also ask some honest questions along the way.

💭 Is relentless discipline always the answer? 💭 Can ambition go too far? 💭 Where do we draw the line between growth and burnout?

In this final episode we discuss: ✨ Why failure can become one of your greatest teachers ✨ The importance of taking ownership of your life ✨ Self-belief versus self-punishment ✨ Finding balance whilst still challenging yourself ✨ What "What if?" really means for your future ✨ The lessons we're taking away... and the ones we'll be leaving behind

As always, we don't just review the book. We share how these ideas relate to our own lives, businesses, relationships and personal growth, giving our honest thoughts on what resonated most with us.

Whether David Goggins inspired you, challenged you, or left you questioning everything, this episode brings together our biggest takeaways from an unforgettable book.

📚 Next Month's Book Club Pick

Next month we're diving into one of the most recommended mindset books of recent years...

📖 The Courage to Be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi & Fumitake Koga

What if true freedom isn't about getting everyone to like you?

Inspired by Adlerian psychology, this book explores confidence, boundaries, people-pleasing, happiness and why so much of our stress comes from worrying about what others think.

If you've ever struggled with self-doubt, saying "no", comparing yourself to others or feeling responsible for everyone else's happiness... this is a book you won't want to miss.

Grab a copy (or listen on Audible) and join us next month as we work through it together, one chapter at a time.

📚 Not reading along in real time? No worries! We've covered 40+ amazing books. Pick one that resonates and jump in anytime.

💛 Our community is always open, It's never too late to join. Connect with like-minded people, raise your vibes, and get inspired. Links below!

🔗 Join us here: 📱 WhatsApp & email updates: Shelf Improvement Community 📘 Facebook: Shelf Improvement Podcast 📩 Email: [email protected] 📸 Instagram: @shelfimprovementbookclub

https://linktr.ee/shelf_improvement_podcast

Enjoy the episode, and we'll catch you next week!

Holly & Anna X

Hey Shelf Improver!

*]:pointer-events-auto [content-visibility:auto] supports-[content-visibility:auto]:[contain-intrinsic-size:auto_100lvh] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id= "c6baffbb-92a7-408c-8b60-ef0a0e527d6f" data-testid= "conversation-turn-2" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-turn= "assistant">

Is pushing yourself always the answer... or can determination become an obsession?

This week we're diving into Chapters 7-9 of Can't Hurt Me by David Goggins, exploring his famous 40% Rule, the power of mindset, and what it really means to become "uncommon amongst the uncommon."

But as always, we don't just summarise the book...

We ask the bigger questions.

💭 Is there a point where ambition costs too much? 💭 Can success become your new comfort zone? 💭 Is balance just an excuse... or is it actually the secret to long-term success?

Along the way we chat about:

• The Cookie Jar mindset and pushing beyond what you think you're capable of
• Why talent isn't the deciding factor, but consistency might be
• The importance of celebrating your wins instead of always chasing the next goal
• Accountability coaches... do we really need them?
• Time blocking, building better habits and finding time for what matters
• Why we've started questioning hustle culture and what balance now looks like for us

We also compare Goggins' philosophy with ideas from books like Atomic Habits, Beyond Wanting and The Let Them Theory, sharing where we agree... and where we respectfully disagree.

🎬 Film recommendation: If you enjoy this discussion, Holly's recommendation is War Machine starring Alan Ritchson, which captures many of the leadership, resilience and military themes we talk about in this episode.

Whether you're training for a marathon, building a business, or simply trying to become a little better than yesterday, this conversation will leave you thinking long after the episode ends.

🎧 Listen now and let us know... Is David Goggins inspiring... or just a little too extreme?

📚 Not reading along in real time? No worries! We've covered 40+ amazing books. Pick one that resonates and jump in anytime.

💛 Our community is always open, It's never too late to join. Connect with like-minded people, raise your vibes, and get inspired. Links below!

🔗 Join us here: 📱 WhatsApp & email updates: Shelf Improvement Community 📘 Facebook: Shelf Improvement Podcast 📩 Email: [email protected] 📸 Instagram: @shelfimprovementbookclub

https://linktr.ee/shelf_improvement_podcast

Enjoy the episode, and we'll catch you next week!

Holly & Anna X

Hey Shelf Improver!

*]:pointer-events-auto [content-visibility:auto] supports-[content-visibility:auto]:[contain-intrinsic-size:auto_100lvh] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id= "c6baffbb-92a7-408c-8b60-ef0a0e527d6f" data-testid= "conversation-turn-2" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-turn= "assistant">

There comes a point in every challenge where giving up feels easier than carrying on...

This week we're diving into the next chapters of Can't Hurt Me by David Goggins, exploring resilience, discipline, the famous "Cookie Jar" method, and what it really takes to keep going when your mind is telling you to stop.

But this isn't just a conversation about ultra-endurance.

We share our own honest experiences with ADHD, fitness, business, weight loss, difficult clients, confidence, procrastination, and the small mindset shifts that have helped us push through life's challenges.

Whether you're trying to build healthier habits, grow a business, overcome fear, or simply stay consistent with your goals, this episode is packed with relatable stories and practical takeaways you can start using today.

Because sometimes the biggest battle isn't against the world... It's the conversation happening inside your own head.

🎧 Join us as we unpack Chapters 4-6 of Can't Hurt Me and discover how resilience is built one choice at a time.

📚 Not reading along in real time? No worries! We've covered 40+ amazing books. Pick one that resonates and jump in anytime.

💛 Our community is always open, It's never too late to join. Connect with like-minded people, raise your vibes, and get inspired. Links below!

🔗 Join us here: 📱 WhatsApp & email updates: Shelf Improvement Community 📘 Facebook: Shelf Improvement Podcast 📩 Email: [email protected] 📸 Instagram: @shelfimprovementbookclub

https://linktr.ee/shelf_improvement_podcast

Enjoy the episode, and we'll catch you next week!

Holly & Anna X

Hey Shelf Improver!

*]:pointer-events-auto [content-visibility:auto] supports-[content-visibility:auto]:[contain-intrinsic-size:auto_100lvh] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id= "c6baffbb-92a7-408c-8b60-ef0a0e527d6f" data-testid= "conversation-turn-2" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-turn= "assistant">

New Month New Book!

This week we begin one of the most recommended books we've ever covered... Can't Hurt Me by David Goggins.

These first 3 opening chapters are raw, emotional and, at times, difficult to hear. We explore David's traumatic childhood, the power of taking accountability, why our past doesn't have to define our future, and how facing uncomfortable truths can become the first step towards real growth.

Along the way, we share our own experiences with therapy, self-sabotage, visibility, confidence, journaling and learning to look ourselves honestly in the mirror. This isn't just a conversation about David Goggins' story. It's about the stories we all tell ourselves... and how we can begin to change them.

If you've ever felt stuck, held back by your past, or wondered what you're truly capable of, this episode is one you won't want to miss. 💙📚

📚 Not reading along in real time? No worries! We've covered 40+ amazing books. Pick one that resonates and jump in anytime.

💛 Our community is always open, It's never too late to join. Connect with like-minded people, raise your vibes, and get inspired. Links below!

🔗 Join us here: 📱 WhatsApp & email updates: Shelf Improvement Community 📘 Facebook: Shelf Improvement Podcast 📩 Email: [email protected] 📸 Instagram: @shelfimprovementbookclub

https://linktr.ee/shelf_improvement_podcast

Enjoy the episode, and we'll catch you next week!

Holly & Anna X