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In today’s work environment, the lines between our professional and personal lives are blurred more than ever before. Whatever is happening to us outside of our workplace—whether stressful, painful, or joyful—follows us into work as well. We may think we have to keep these realities under wraps and act as if we “have it all together.” But as Mike Robbins explains, we can work better, lead better, and be more engaged and fulfilled if—instead of trying to hide who we are—we show up fully and authentically. Mike, a sought-after motivational speaker and business consultant, has spent more than 15 years researching, writing, and speaking about essential human experiences and high performance in the workplace. His clients have ranged from Google to Citibank, from the U.S. Department of Labor to the San Francisco Giants. From small start-ups in Silicon Valley to family-owned businesses in the Midwest. From what he’s seen and studied over the years, Mike believes that for us to thrive professionally, we must be willing to bring our whole selves to the work that we do. Bringing our whole selves to work means acknowledging that we’re all vulnerable, imperfect human beings doing the best we can. It means having the courage to take risks, speak up, have compassion, ask for help, connect with others in a genuine way, and allow ourselves to be truly seen. In this book, Mike outlines five principles we can use to approach our own work in this spirit of openness and humanity, and to help the people we work with feel safe enough to do the same, so that the teams and organizations we’re a part of can truly succeed. “This book will offer you insights, ideas, and tools to inspire you to bring all of who you are to the work that you do—regardless of where you work, what kind of work you do, and with whom you do it. And, if you’re an owner, leader, or just someone who wants to have influence on those around you—this book will also give you specific techniques for how to build or enhance your team’s culture in such a way that encourages others to bring all of who they are to work.”

Approximately seventy years ago my great-grandfather wrote a book to guide the youth of America. Originally published in 1941, the book offered perspective and inspiration to a country amidst war and social unrest. Today, America faces comparable political, economic and social challenges-yet, I feel confident that my great-grandfather's fundamental principals continue to resonate with truth. Diligence, self-reliance, altruism--and most importantly-unity, remain the solution to a brighter youth and a better America. It is my great privilege to share with you in its original format, Making the Most of Yourself written by, James E. West. My great-grandfather, James E. West, was a man who, despite adversity, dedicated his life to cultivating the Boy Scouts of America. His courage and devotion to this cause helped shape the group into the great organization it is today. Given the pervasive sense of uncertainty and insecurity plaguing the country today, I firmly believe both America and Scouting need this book more than ever. My great-grandfather's indefatigable spirit has served as my model and source of inspiration throughout my life, beginning when my mother read these quips to me as bedtime stories. I hope these short, simple chapters provide you with the same level of faith, motivation and will to ceaselessly strive towards achievement. Most importantly, I hope these short, simple stories provide you with the strength to maintain pure ideals amidst obstacles; for when man strives to improve himself, he strives to improve his country. Yours Truly, Andrew D. West Great Grandson - James E. West James E. West was a founding father and the first Chief Scout of the Boy Scouts of America, serving from 1911-1943. Upon his retirement from the BSA, West was given the title of Chief Scout. In the words of President Theodore Roosevelt: "James E. West was one of those disinterested and patriotic citizens to whom this country stands under a peculiar debt of gratitude." He devoted his life to the youth of American and BSA despite several physical conditions that left him nearly crippled. Through hard work and a lifetime of devotion, he helped to pioneer the Boy Scouts of America from a group of just a few people to an organization of magnificent proportions. Today he is remembered for the ideals and the vision behind the Boy Scouts of America.

When did we stop loving ourselves? Throughout their lives, women have been told to put others first and to judge themselves based on what others think. Too many women race desperately through life, trying to please others. Author Shivani once lived that life. She became an engineer, but that life didnt fulfil her. To make matters worse, she was in an unhappy relationship. Despite a successful career and her work as an international keynote speaker, Shivani, like many women, struggled with issues of self-esteem and self-love. During a trip to Nepal, Shivani realised that in order to know happiness, she had to learn to put herself first. Now a successful speaker author and mentor, she seeks to inspire every woman who has endured low self-esteem, abuse, betrayal, and more. Loving yourself is not a selfish act. By investing in your own selfworth, you can become a better mother, partner, grandmother, businesswoman, or employee. By putting yourself first, you can actually help others more effectively and joyfully. Women who truly love themselves are a great benefit and gift to their families, children, employers, and communities. The relationship you have with yourself is the longest and most important relationship you will have in your life. Are you ready to truly let go of your past? Are you ready to truly believe in yourself? Are you ready to evolve into the loving woman youve always wanted to be?

Most of us believe that we are unique and coherent individuals, but are we? The idea of a "self" has existed ever since humans began to live in groups and become sociable. Those who embrace the self as an individual in the West, or a member of the group in the East, feel fulfilled and purposeful. This experience seems incredibly real but a wealth of recent scientific evidence reveals that this notion of the independent, coherent self is an illusion - it is not what it seems. Reality as we perceive it is not something that objectively exists, but something that our brains construct from moment to moment, interpreting, summarizing, and substituting information along the way. Like a science fiction movie, we are living in a matrix that is our mind. In The Self Illusion, Dr. Bruce Hood reveals how the self emerges during childhood and how the architecture of the developing brain enables us to become social animals dependent on each other. He explains that self is the product of our relationships and interactions with others, and it exists only in our brains. The author argues, however, that though the self is an illusion, it is one that humans cannot live without. But things are changing as our technology develops and shapes society. The social bonds and relationships that used to take time and effort to form are now undergoing a revolution as we start to put our self online. Social networking activities such as blogging, Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter threaten to change the way we behave. Social networking is fast becoming socialization on steroids. The speed and ease at which we can form alliances and relationships is outstripping the same selection processes that shaped our self prior to the internet era. This book ventures into unchartered territory to explain how the idea of the self will never be the same again in the online social world.