I hope that this finds you well and that your July is in full swing.

With all the demands you have on your time and energy - from the responsibilities of your business to your family, friends and more - it's possible the last thing that it may seem you have time for is to read a book, especially a book that relates to your business. Today I am sharing a quick list of five of my favorite books. One of the secrets to my success is that I make a habit to read a non-fiction book for at least 15 minutes a day. Some times I can only sneak in a few minutes first thing in the morning with my two kids cuddled up on my lap before we start the hustle and bustle of the day. It's in those moments that I draw inspiration or insight for the day with everything from creative marketing ideas to management tips and much more.

My hope is that you can find a few minutes to re-energize and recharge this summer, these books will lift your spirits and your business. And the great news is that almost all of these titles can be found as hard cover, soft cover, audio books, and more. So it's easier than ever to surround yourself with uplifting and energizing content!

Here goes...

If you want personal motivation and inspiration to never give up..."Three Feet From Gold: Turn Your Obstacles into Opportunities" by Sharon Lechter & Greg Reid. Each of us will face our ups and downs in life and in business and it's my hope that if you're looking for some motivation to keep going and see that you really are 'three feet from gold' you'll read this book .

If you want to transform your relationship to failures, let downs or disappointments... "Failing Forward: Turning Mistakes Into Stepping Stones For Success" by John Maxwell is a book that will make a difference for you both personally and professionally. I personally find myself at times stopped by perfectionism and the nuggets of wisdom in this book have allowed me to grow my business by leaps and bounds.

If you want to make quick changes in relationships, creativity, procrastination and more... "59 Seconds: Think a Little, Change a Lot" by Richard Wiseman is a very helpful book. I found this book to have practical real-life tips on ways to literally change my relationship to stress, creativity, parenting and beyond. It's one of those books you can refer to over and over again.

If you want to transform your fear, doubt or worry related to your business -or about starting one..."What If and Why Not: How to Transform Your Fears Into Action and Start the Business of Your Dreams" by Jen Groover. Personally the chapters in this book about handling the fear of competition, people stealing your ideas, and standing out from the crowd have both helped me personally and in the work I do with the dance studio owners all over the world who are just getting started.

If you want to get more students, grow your business, and have marketing success without a big budget..."The Referral Engine: Teaching Your Business to Market Itself" by John Jantsch is a must read. This book, by far has been my favorite read in 2010 and John gets right to the heart of how the economy, social media, and word-of-mouth marketing has changed the way people do business. Dance studios especially can benefit from the tips in this book - applying even a few of the techniques can make a big difference.

Thanks for letting me share a few books that I really believe will help you lift your spirits and your business this summer! I'd love to hear what your favorites are...you can connect with me on Facebook and our members connect on our forum.

P.S. --> I wanted to share my 'proud mom moment' my 3 year old daughter from her first dance recital on June 26th. Thought you'd like to see... http://bit.ly/cQCkJG

How to Prevent Burnout: Part 1 of Studio Owners Who Do Too Much

The problem with doing it all and how to prevent burnout.. Most studio owners take on too much, leaving no time for rest, relaxation or even family. It's understandable to want to be in full control of your business--after all, it's your livelihood...

http://www.dancestudioowner.com/public/109.cfm