Whitney Nic James

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Lifestyle | What I Read in 2017 + What I Plan to Read in 2018

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I always enjoy sharing my favorite books! So much so that on Instagram, I created the #wnjreads hashtag. I also share a lot of my favorite quotes on social media, as well as through my newsletter. Most of these quotes are actually from whatever book I’m reading at the moment. That said, I want to share 5 of my favorite books from 2017, as well as 3 quotes from each book. I’m also sharing 5 of my must-read books for the New Year. This list could also be called, 10 Books to Grow Your Faith and Business in 2018. Either way, take a look and let me know what you think!

Related: How to Choose Your Word of the Year

My Top 5 Books of 2017

1. Instinct, T.D. Jakes

  • “We need to fail boldly if we want to succeed extravagantly.”
  • “When ideas hang out with influence, income will always emerge.”
  • “You can’t take everyone with you just because they were with you in the beginning.”

2. The Four Agreements, don Miguel Ruiz 

  • “God is life. God is life in action.”
  • “Doing your best is taking the action because you love it, not because you’re expecting a reward.”
  • “Respect your body, enjoy your body, love your body, feed, clean, and heal your body. Exercise and do what makes your body feel good.
“We need to fail boldly if we want to succeed extravagantly.” ~ T.D. Jakes

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3. Cultivate: A Grace-Filled Guide to Growing an Intentional Life, Lara Casey

  • “She believed she couldn’t, so God did.”
  • “We can’t do it all, and do it well. But, we can choose to cultivate what matters.”
  • “You don’t have to be perfect or have it all together. God has it, and His abundant grace is yours for the taking.”

4. You Are a Badass at Making Money: Mastering the Mindset of Wealth, Jen Sincero

  • “If you’ve made a backup plan, you haven’t made a decision.”
  • “Get yourself in the position of bringing in money and deal with the fine-tuning later.”
  • “When it comes to changing your life, if you’re not scared, you’re doing something wrong.”

5. I am Number 8: Overlooked and Undervalued, but Not Forgotten by God, John Gray

  • “Your job is not to try to knock someone else out of your position, but to maximize your position as best you can.”
  • “The anointing that has your name on it, the calling, the gift that has your name on it, is irreversible and irrevocable.”
  • “So many people want the platform, but they don’t want the process. They want the position, but don’t want the pain.”
“If you’ve made a backup plan, you haven’t made a decision. ~ Jen Sincero”

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My Top 5 Must-Reads in 2018

  1. Higher is Waiting, Tyler Perry
  2. Soar: Build Your Vision from the Ground Up, T.D. Jakes
  3. Abundance Now: Amplify Your Life & Achieve Prosperity Today, Lisa Nichols
  4. The Four: The Hidden DNA of Amazon, Apple, Facebook, and Google, Scott Galloway
  5. Rise & Grind: Out-Perform, Out-Work, and Out-Hustle Your Way to a More Successful and Rewarding Life, Daymond John
10 Books to Grow Your Faith and Business in 2018

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So tell me, what were some of your favorite books from last year, and what do you plan on reading in 2018? Let me know below!

As always, thanks for reading and commenting and until next time, be blessed and stay safe.

Love & light…xo!

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Lifestyle | 5 Books to Read in 2017

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Every year I make it known that I want to read more. Sounds good, right? Well, I’m happy to report that this year I took action and read a lot more than usual. Thanks to Audible– no, this post isn’t sponsored – I’ve been able to read several really good books this year. I’ve also gone the old school route and read through a few hardback and paperback books as well. I’ve always been a fan of reading, but this year my urge to read and research was like no other. That brings me to today’s post. I want to share a few books that I think you should add to your 2017 reading list. That said, here are 5 books to read in 2017.

Related: What I’ve Been Reading Lately

Books to Read in 2017

1. Purpose Driven Life, Rick Warren | I’ve read this book twice and each time, I received something different. I plan to read through it again in 2017, but this time my husband will be joining me. If you’re looking for a better understanding of what your purpose is and you can use it to serve others, this book is for you.

2. The Power of I am, Joel Osteen | Packed with uplifting affirmations, an in depth look at some of your favorite characters in the Bible and a little humor, this audio-book has given me life for the past week! I’ll be done this book by the end of the year and I highly suggest you give it a read/listen. Joel has a way of helping you remember that you’re not only God’s gift, but you were born to do GREAT things. Simply put, everything you need to be GREAT is already inside of you – it’s up to us to activate that greatness. This book will help you do just that!

3. The Bible | I’m telling you, this is the best book ever written. It should’ve been #1 on this list, but I digress. This year, I made the decision to commit to strengthening my relationship with the Lord. Thanks to the New King James Version of the Life Application Study Bible, pictured below, I was able to really dive in and dig deep into The Word. I am still and will always be a work in progress, but to see my relationship and faith grow stronger every day is something I’m really proud of.

Related: 5 Things You Need to Survive 2017

Books to Read in 2017

3. The Entrepreneur Roller Coaster, Darren Hardy | I think I listened to this audiobook in less than 8 days. Yea, it was that good! Written by former publisher and editor of Success Magazine, Darren Hardy candidly shares the ups and downs of his entrepreneurial journey. Throughout the book, he provides easy to digest tips on how to navigate through the crazy, scary, yet rewarding world of entrepreneurship. It’s a great audiobook to listen to while riding in the car, as well as during your lunch break. I suggest getting the hard copy of the book too. Not only can you highlight the important messages and write your own notes in the margins, but it’s also a great resource to refer back to through your journey.

5 Books You Need to Read in 2017 #wnjreads

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4. I’m Judging You, Luvvie Ajayi | While reading through this book, I could not stop laughing and nodding my head. This collection of essays, coined the Do-Better Manual, is raw, honest and so necessary…and not to mention hilarious. It’s one of those books that makes you take a look at yourself, your friend-circle, your family, social media and the whole world in general like, “DANG! We really DO need to do better!” If you’re up for reading some humorous and witty life lessons, mixed with a bit of side-eye and harmless judgment, this book is a must read for you in 2017!

5. Rich B*tch, Nicole Lapin | I listened to this audio-book throughout the entire year. If your goal is to get your finances and credit together in the New Year, this book is worth a read. The author gives practical and straightforward advice, in small doses, on how to get your finances in order. She also clears up a lot of credit and finical myths/rumors. I found that very helpful!

So tell me, have you read any of these books? What are some books you think are worth reading in 2017? Let me know!

I can’t wait to read your suggestions! Be sure to let me know if you plan to read any of the books I suggested as well. Until next time, be blessed and stay safe…XO!

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Lifestyle | A Few of My Favorite Things Lately

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Remember a few posts ago when I told you this was my season of preparation? Well, that season has really set in and I’m finally embracing it. Mentally, physically, financially and spiritually I am preparing for greatness. I have a few personal goals for the above mentioned areas that I plan to achieve by the end of the 1st quarter, as well as a few others I plan to take care of within the next few months.

As I travel through this season, something has come to my attention – I haven’t been posting as much. Instead I’ve been enjoying my free time with my husband, family, catching up with girlfriends, as well as working (tirelessly) behind the scenes on my #FearlessWomanIam project. I felt bad about the lack of posting, but realized I needed to embrace this season and fully enjoy these moments. I’ve also made time to enjoy a few good reads, which brings me to today’s Favorite Things.  

Favorite Things

I’ve always LOVED to read. I remember zipping through B-more Careful and The Coldest Winter Ever back in high school in just one night! My favorite novels, Catcher in the Rye and 1984, were also consumed rather quickly during my high school days. Once I entered college I swooned over Eric Jerome Dickey and Terry McMillian novels, and also caught the magazine subscription bug. From Essence, Ebony, Honey, Vibe – all magazines I longed to work for during my print journalism days – InStyle, People, Time and even National Geographic, I was obsessed with magazines! Now that I’m a little older, and I have to pay for these things myself, I’ve lessened my magazine purchases and I’ve gone the audiobook route, as far as novels.

Reading is fundamental at any age. What have you been reading lately? #wnjreads

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But lately I’ve been falling back into my old ways and picking up certain magazines here and there. I’ve also purchased a few (hard copy) books too, a few of which I plan to in depth reviews on in the coming months. All in all I’ve realized that I’ve missed reading and taking sometime during the day and weekends to do nothing but catch up on magazine and book reading. Granted life gets busy and we all have things to do and places to be, but there’s nothing like reading a good book or magazine article every now and then.Favorite Things

I’ve made it a point to take at least 20 minuets during the week to read…SOMETHING. And not just blog posts and social media statues, although you can learn a lot from them too. I mean reading something that interests me and something I can possibly learn from. It’s nice to take a little break sometimes to enjoy a bit of reading. And if you can learn a thing or two in the process, that’s a win-win!

Take at least 20 minutes a day to ready, SOMETHING. It’s worth it. #wnjreads

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Here’s a list of some of my current favorite reads:

Magazines 

  • Essence
  • Success
  • Entrepreneur
  • Fortune
  • InStyle

Books 

So tell me, what are some of your favorite things lately? Have you read any good books or magazine articles? If so, let me know!

Thanks for reading and be sure to share your comments and suggestions below! More in depth reviews on the books mentioned above coming this and next month, as well as a few other fun and helpful posts. Until next time, be blessed and stay safe…XO!

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#WNJReads | What You Should Be Reading to Keep You Motivated

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A few days ago someone asked what I’ve been reading, so I posted a few of my reads on Instagram. I wanted to share here on the blog as well; I think it’s a great topic to discuss as we prepare for the New Year. Hopefully these suggestions will give you some ideas and in turn, you can send some suggestions my way! There are a few more books on my to-read list (by January 31st), but these are the few I’ve been focused on at the moment. Check out the video and description of each below! 

1. Our Daily Bread | I’ve been reading this devotional for years and I suggest it to just about everyone who asks for an inspirational read suggestion. It’s a daily devotional, filled with short stories, practical applications and references a story in the Bible to tie it altogether. I get them mailed to my home and I also use the app several times a week. If you’re looking for an easy and impactful daily devotional, check it out!

2. Destiny, T.D. Jakes | This book is a must read if you’re searching for a your purpose and trying to figure out why you’re here. This book is truly life changing and came at the perfect time. Not only did I have the pleasure of meeting the author, but he also encouraged me to continue pursing and living my purpose. Powerful moment, for sure. If you get a chance to read this book let me know. I’d love to hear your thoughts!

3. ZAG, Marty Neumeier | Thanks to my Mom I found out about this book. This is yet another “on time” read, as far as where I am in my blog and business journey. It’s an easy and straightforward read on how to stand out from your competition and how to “zag” when everyone else is doing the same thing. GREAT read!

T.D. Jakes - Destiny

4. Essence Magazine (October & November Issue) | I’ve been a subscriber to Essence Magazine for years. These 2 issues, one with Kerry Washington on the cover and the other with Taraji P. Henson, did not disappoint. Both were filled with very useful financial, life and beauty tips/info, geared towards the African American Woman. If you can get your hands on these issues, you won’t be sorry!

5. Self (October Issue) | Although I’m not a subscriber, I often purchase this Self Magazine (and others)  when one of my favorite celebrities is on the cover. I mean let’s be honest, imagery draws everyone in right? I’ve been a fan of Jessica Alba for a while and I admire her as a business woman, wife and mother. Seeing her on the cover, I knew I had to purchase this issue. She talked a lot about building her billion dollar brand while being a woman, mom and wife. She also let readers know a few of her woman inspirations. Check it out if you can.

6. O Magazine (November Issue) | I’m a fan of O Magazine and this issue was not only visually appealing, but uplifting as well. My favorite part of the issue, aside from Oprah’s 70’s inspired outfit, was the pocket size quotable inspiration cards.  You can pop out these cards and add them to your vision board, keep them in your wallet or mirror as daily reminders.

What You Should Be Reading

So tell me, what do you think about what I’ve been reading? What books, magazines or devotionals have you been reading lately? Let me know?

Thanks for reading and be sure to check out the video for an even more in-depth look at what I’ve been reading. Be sure to subscribe to my YouTube Channel for more videos! Also, be sure to enter the Kate Spade #FearlessWomanIAM giveaway, HERE. Until tomorrow, be blessed and stay safe…XO!

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#WNJReads | 5 Reasons Why I Love Audiobooks

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I’ve always enjoyed reading books, but the older I get the more I realize I don’t make the time to actually sit down and read anymore. I have great intentions when it comes to reading books, really. But there’s something stopping me from sitting still long enough to indulge in a good read. If it’s not a blog post, a daily devotional or the Bible (app on my phone/iPad), it’s hard to make time to sit down and read. Thankfully I’ve been introduced to the world of audiobooks. Here are 5 Reasons Why I Love Audiobooks.

5 Reasons Why I Love Audiobooks

1. Great for multitasking. | Sure, it would be ideal to just sit and read a book for about 30 minutes to an hour a day. While I’m sure I can make the time to do so, I prefer listening to a book being read to me. I find that soothing. If I’m folding clothes or preparing dinner and I don’t want to watch TV or listen to music, listening to an audiobook is a GREAT go-to for multitaskers like me.

2. Perfect driving companion. | As a die-hard music lover, I thought it’d be difficult to stop listening to music on the way to work in the mornings. But I was wrong. Listening to audiobooks is a great morning boost; especially if you purchase uplifting or motivational reads. I purchased Oprah’s This I Know for Sure audiobook from Walmart a few weeks ago. It’s been a great pick me up on the way to work.

5 reasons why you should give audiobooks a try. #wnjreads

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3. It saves space. | Let’s be honest – books tend to take up space and if you’re anything like me, you find it hard to get rid of things so easily. We had a bookshelf in our living room that was filled to capacity with old books from grade school to college. They sat there, collecting dust and taking up space. Investing in audiobooks eliminates finding a place to store yet another book on your bookshelf.

4. Perfect for traveling. | I used to pack at least 3-4 books with me before going on vacation. Thanks to my new found love for audiobooks, I don’t have to worry about carrying heavy books in my carry-on. If I want to catch up on a good book, I go to my audiobooks.com app and press play. If I’m going on a road trip, I pop in the audiobook CD and voilà! 

5. Good for note taking. | I’m a habitual note taker and when reading a (good) book, I jot down points, phrases, and other nuggets all the time. Listening to audiobooks makes it easier to record notes because, for one, you can pause the book and make the notes right in the “notes app” on your phone. Sometimes I have my journal nearby as I’m listening to a particular book and I find it so easy to walk over, jot down a note, and get back to what I was doing. I can easily refer back to the notes whenever I want.

 So what do you think about audiobooks? Are you a fan? Have you downloaded an app or purchased any good audiobooks lately? Let me know! 

As always, thanks for reading! I hope this post gave you a new perspective on reading. As I said before, if you have any recommendations, please let me know. Until tomorrow, be blessed and stay safe…XO!

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