Weekend Reading: Books Shaping How I Run My Business
Some weekends are for rest. Others are for inspiration. For me, this one is about leaning into a few books that are shaping how I think about money, time, and the creative energy I bring to my work, and finding ways to put their ideas into action.
I thought I’d share them with you, in case you’re in the mood for a little weekend reading that could spark new ideas for your own business.
As entrepreneurs, we often get so caught up in doing the work that we forget to step back and look at how we’re doing it, and whether we’re even focusing on the right things. These books are helping me be more intentional about my resources — not just money and time, but also creativity, curiosity, and focus — so I can build a business that’s sustainable, profitable, and deeply fulfilling from the start.
1. Profit First by Mike Michalowicz
Why I’m reading it now: Since I’m still in the early stages of my business, I want to set up intentional systems for managing money before I accidentally build habits that don’t serve me or my business. Profitability is one of my non-negotiables, so I’m building my financial systems from the start to reflect that.
And just to be clear, when I say “Profit First,” I don’t mean profit above people, values, or purpose. I mean ensuring the financial health of my business so it can continue to serve others well. In this context, “profit” means making sure I can pay myself consistently, reinvest in my business, and keep the lights on without running myself into the ground.
Big takeaway so far: The method is about paying yourself first and structuring your bank accounts so profit isn’t an afterthought. Instead of hoping there’s “something left over” at the end of the month, you intentionally set aside profit and owner pay before covering other expenses. This creates a financial flow that supports your livelihood, which, in turn, makes the business more sustainable for everyone it touches.
How to bring this into your business: Even small changes — like creating a separate account for profit and owner pay — can give you more peace of mind, more clarity, and more confidence in your numbers. And when you’re paid fairly for your work, you have the stability, capacity, and freedom to serve your clients better, support your life outside of business, and grow in a way that feels sustainable.
2. Buy Back Your Time by Dan Martell
Why I’m (re)reading it now: I read this earlier this year and loved the concept — but now, I’m ready to start implementing it in a deeper, more intentional way. I’ve been taking an honest look at where my time is going and how I can shift more of it toward the work that truly matters most.
Big takeaway so far: This book reinforces something I’ve believed and practiced for years — you don’t just hire or delegate to free up hours, you do it to make space for what matters most, both in business and in life. Sometimes that means outsourcing business tasks that aren’t the best use of your time. Other times, it’s handing off life tasks — like house cleaning, which has been a non-negotiable for me for years — so you have the energy and bandwidth to focus on what lights you up, moves your business forward, and supports you in living a life you truly love.
How to bring this into your business (and life): Buy Back Your Time focuses on identifying the work that creates the most value and finding ways to free up your time for more of it — whether that’s by eliminating, automating, or delegating other tasks. One simple way to put that into practice — and something I often walk clients through — is the Stop–Start–Continue reflection:
Stop the tasks, responsibilities, or habits that drain you and don’t meaningfully move your business forward.
Start adding in actions that align with your bigger vision — whether that’s outsourcing, implementing more efficient systems, or making space for the work you enjoy most.
Continue protecting the things that are already working well and contributing to your success.
Pairing the book’s principles with this reflection creates a clear, values-aligned filter for where your time and energy should go next — in both business and life — so you can create more space for the work, relationships, experiences, and lifestyle that matter most to you.
3. Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
Why it resonated with me: Big Magic is a book about living a creative life fueled by curiosity rather than fear. While it’s written with artists in mind, its lessons apply beautifully to entrepreneurship — because running a business is, in many ways, a creative act.
A few ideas that stood out:
Ideas Have a Life of Their Own: Gilbert writes about ideas as if they’re living entities that visit us — and if we don’t act on them, they might move on to someone else. In business, that’s a good reminder to capture and explore new product ideas, marketing campaigns, or strategies before the spark fades (or someone else runs with it).
Perfectionism Is Fear in Disguise: She calls perfectionism “fear in high heels.” In other words, it’s still fear — just dressed up as high standards. Waiting until something is “perfect” often means waiting forever. In business, it’s better to release, learn, and refine than to hide your work behind the scenes.
Persistence Over Drama: Don’t wait for lightning-bolt inspiration; keep showing up for the work. In business, consistency in marketing, customer experience, and daily operations will always beat sporadic bursts of effort.
How to bring this into your business (and life): Big Magic is a reminder that curiosity, courage, and persistence matter just as much as strategy. The next time you feel fear holding you back — or you’re tempted to wait until everything feels “ready” — take one small step forward instead. Momentum creates clarity, and clarity builds confidence.
To Your Next Chapter
Whether it’s reshaping the way you handle money, reclaiming your time, or letting curiosity lead the way, these books have reminded me of something simple but powerful: the way we run our business shapes the way we live our life.
If any of these sparked something for you, maybe this weekend is the perfect time to lose yourself in a good book — stretched out under the summer sky, swaying in a hammock, listening to the waves, or tucked away in your favorite quiet spot if the clouds roll in. Wherever you are, let the words stir new ideas and open fresh possibilities for how you live and work.
Here’s to building businesses (and lives) that are profitable, spacious, and full of possibility.
With love and light– Pamela
