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Goddesses get their groove on at 'yoga and more' retreat - TribLIVE

Does it seem like everyones talking about yoga these days? Thats because its the most popular type of fitness class in Denver right now, according to the fitness subscription service ClassPass.

But with so many yoga classes in the city, it can be hard to find the best one for you. So, Hoodline teamed up with ClassPass to find the top classes those that consistently draw bigger crowds, yet still have enough space to meet the demand. And because variety is the spice of any workout routine, were bringing you offerings from multiple venues around Denver.

If youre ready to give this workout a try, heres the info to help you find the right session, in the right place, on your terms.

Protip: Joining ClassPass gives you access to these and thousands of other studios, gyms and wellness offerings where you live, where you work and where you travel.

3041 Zuni St., Highlands and other metro locations

C2 strengthens, balances and detoxifies your entire body and mind as you move through more challenging postures and connected breath, CorePower Yoga writes on ClassPass. Set to an energizing playlist, youll power up your yoga practice like never before.

With an average class size of 15 but accommodating up to 66 at peak times, according to ClassPass data C2 is both a popular offering and one that you can still actually get into.

First-timers alert: Plan to show up at least 10 minutes early. Most locations close the doors at the start of class, the studio writes on ClassPass, because the instructors who check in users also teach. Because its a yoga class, remember your mat, towel and water. CorePower Yoga studios offer mat and towel rentals, as well as bottles of water for purchase.

C2 is offered seven times each weekday and runs for one hour. Beat the rush by checking out the off-hours: the 5:30 a.m. and 9 a.m. starts are generally less crowded. SeeClassPassto sign up you can also learn more onTwitterandFacebook.

1947 S. Broadway, Platt Park and other metro locations

Vinyasa will build your inner and outer strength, improve your balance, and reduce stress while increasing vitality and athleticism, according to the ClassPass page for Kindness Yoga. Most classes feature several elements of traditional Ashtanga yoga including sun salutations, standing poses, preparation for arm balances, dynamic stretching, and pranayama (breathwork).

An average class has 12 students, with the number growing to 39 at peak times. Vinyasa 1-2 is offered up to three times on weekdays at this location; the others vary. The 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. starting times are often less crowded, ClassPass data show.

What should you bring? The venue suggests a yoga mat and a water bottle, and to show up at least five minutes early.

To sign up for the one-hour class, visit the ClassPass site, and check out the venue on Instagram (kindnessyoga) and Facebook.

5004 E Hampden Ave., University and other metro locations

Another offering at CorePower Yoga locations, HPF blends balance, core strengthening and flexibility, the venue writes on ClassPass.

Hot Power Fusion combines the meditative, detoxifying qualities of hot yoga with the intensity of power yoga to help you deepen your yoga practice, CorePower Yoga notes. Set to motivating music, youll focus on yoga postures that open the shoulders, hips and spine while strengthening your core and upper body.

Pack a bottle of water, towel and a yoga mat. Suggested attire is fitted workout clothes, ideally ones that wick away moisture. Temperatures run 100-103 degrees, with added humidity.

HPF is offered three times each weekday at this and other locations, with an average class size of 10. The 3:30 start time is often less crowded, according to ClassPass data. To book a spot, visit the ClassPass site.

Hoodline, a Nextdoor company, offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities and neighborhoods. Links included in this article may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions.

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Yoga is Denver's hottest workout here's how you can try it out - Hoodline

Lenovo recently refreshed its 14-inch ThinkPad X1 line with the X1 Carbon Gen 7 and X1 Yoga Gen 4. The former is its premier clamshell laptop while the latter is its premier 2-in-1 and both received some significant updates in the latest generation.

While the ThinkPad X1 Carbon is a refined version of the traditional ThinkPad build and aesthetic, the ThinkPad X1 Yoga represents a significant departure with new metal chassis and stand-outlook. Which is the better example of a modern ThinkPad?

The ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 7 received a serious slimming down this time around, with smaller bezels resulting in an overall smaller chassis and about a millimeter shaved off its thickness. It retains that iconic ThinkPad aesthetic. Its all-black except for some red accents in the ThinkPad and X1 logos and the red TrackPoint nubbin in the middle of the keyboard.

Only the 4K version of the X1 Carbon has any splash, adding a woven carbon fiber pattern that adds some elegance.

The ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 4 underwent an even more significant design overhaul, eschewing the magnesium allow and carbon fiber making up the X1 Carbon and moving instead to an aluminum chassis. It, too, is slimmer and smaller than the previous version, and the gunmetal grey aesthetic is also broken only by the usual ThinkPad red accents.

Youll have a harder time recognizing the X1 Yoga as a ThinkPad, at least from a distance, but we do like the conservative look. The X1 Yoga feels more robust thanks to its cold, hard metal, though both are solid devices.

Because theyve both been slimmed down, their keyboards are identically less deep than previous generations specifically, with 15mm of travel compared to the 18mm of travel with older models. ThinkPad aficionados will notice the difference, but any touch typist will be able to get comfortable with these keyboards thanks to their snappy and precise mechanisms.

The TrackPoint and touchpad performance on both are equivalent and excellent, with the touchpads both supporting Microsoft Precision drivers and Windows 10 multitouch gestures. The X1 Yoga wins out in offering a touch display with active pen (included) support, which the X1 Carbon does not.

Another area of similarity is in their display options, where both offer Full HD (1,920 x 1,080) displays to go with a 4K (3,840 x 2,160) panel that offers a wider color gamut, more accuracy, higher brightness, and greater contrast. The latter display offers Dolby Vision high dynamic range (HDR) support. The ThinkPad X1 Carbon and Yoga are the first of Lenovos 14-inch ThinkPads to offer a 4K option, and both make for great Netflix binging thanks to excellent HDR streaming support.

Unsurprisingly, both laptops enjoy the same connectivity, with two USB-C ports with Thunderbolt 3 support, an Ethernet/docking station connector (requiring an optional adapter, alas), two USB-A Gen 1 ports, and a full-size HDMI port.

In whats becoming a theme for this comparison, both the X1 Carbon and the X1 Yoga offer the same 8th-gen Intel Core processor options (soon to be updated to Intels 10th-gen parts). In our testing, the laptops performed within a few percentage points of each other. One might be tempted to suspect that these are the same machines inside, with the X1 Yoga merely offering a 360-degree hinge and some extra components for touch and pen input support.

The bottom line is that both laptops are plenty speedy for productivity work, and you can get a boost of power beyond the admittedly average speed by selecting Performance mode on the Windows 10 power slider.

That gives you a very real choice between quiet and cool operation and higher performance and we do like that Lenovo built that into the Windows utility rather than requiring a separate utility as do vendors like HP and Dell.

The X1 Carbon and X1 Yoga are also similarly sized in width and depth with small side bezels but rather bezels along the top and bottom, and theyre both 0.59 inches thick. The X1 Carbon is lighter than the X1 Yoga, at 2.4 pounds versus 2.99 pounds, thanks to the latters heavier metal chassis. But, neither will weigh you down.

And, youll be shocked to hear that in our testing, the 4K models also showed roughly equivalent battery life with equal 51 watt-hour batteries in both. That is, neither is likely to get you through a full working day away from a charge. We tested the X1 Yoga with a Core i5 and a low-power Full HD display, and it roughly doubled the battery life, and the X1 Carbon with the same display can be expected to perform equally well.

Both of these laptops are expensive laptops. The ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 7 starts at $1,462 for a Core i5-8265U CPU, 8GB of RAM, a 256GB PCIe SSD, and a non-touch Full HD display. You can spend as much as $2,561 for a Core i7-8665U CPU, 16GB of RAM, a 1TB PCIe SSD, and a non-touch 4K display.

The ThinkPad X1 Yoga is priced a bit more aggressive at $1,142 on sale for the same entry-level configuration (although the Full HD display is touch-enabled). It maxes out at $1,880 for the same high-end configuration.

Both laptops perform well, have great build qualities, and have great display options. But the ThinkPad X1 Yoga is a more modern design that feels better in hand, and it offers extra 2-in-1 functionality.

See the original post here:
ThinkPad X1 Yoga vs. ThinkPad X1 Carbon - Digital Trends

CHESHIREPracticing yoga in the water provides a popular form of low impact exercise. Many people find water soothing, both physically and mentally.

This past Friday, the Cheshire Community Pool offered a free Yoga in the Water class to anyone in the community, not just limited to Cheshire, taught byLisa Cammuso of Southington.

The free trial served as a preface to a Yoga in the Water series Cammuso and Cheshire Community Pool Director, Shelia Adams, hope to continue offering.

When asked about the facilitys safety protocols Adams said, If we are open, lifeguards are here.

The pool has multiple cascading stair entrances and a ramp.

During the class, attendees stood in about 4 feet of water and were not required to submerge themselves entirely.

Cammuso recommended attendees bring a bathing suit. She also said the facility has flotation devices available for participants.

At the beginning of class, Cammuso gathered attendees into a huddle and sat at the edge of the pool to give instructions.

Cammuso gave participants a rundown of how the class would be structured and then advised them to find their own space where they could comfortably move their limbs around.

We usually start with meditation, then we warm up and go through some flow and then lead up to Shavasana, said Cammuso.

For Shavasana, participants were invited to float on their backs and pay attention to their breath.

Being in the water presents new challenges for people who feel out of their comfort zones.

When I teach, I always try to tell people to be aware of whats happening within their body, said Cammuso.

Cammuso said something as small as a stubbed toe can impact balance during yoga poses.

I always ask people to practice self-awareness said Cammuso.

As with yoga on land, there (are) always challenges if youre working with injuries. said Cammuso.

She said that its important to let the instructor know of any injuries that may inhibit you from doing certain movements

Cammuso added that instructors could offer modifications to participants for certain poses.

The Cheshire Community Pool has aqua jog belts, noodles, and other water aerobics equipment available to participants.

Its really a nice alternative for those with injuries, perhaps those with joint issues,Cammuso said.

Practicing yoga in water gives participants a new perspective on their favorite yoga poses and provides the opportunity for them to try poses they otherwise may not.

You find that you can perhaps get into a pose in the water where you might not have been able to do so on land, said Cammuso.

Aqua exercise can help participants improve strength and flexibility while relieving joint pressure.

Its just really beneficial in so many ways, Cammuso said.

To learn more about Yoga in the Water offered at the Cheshire Community Pool visit:

https://www.facebook.com/pg/cheshirecommunitypool/posts/?ref=page_internal

Kristen Dearborn is a Wallingford native, NASM certified personal trainer and author of the blog dearfitkris https://dearfitkris.com/

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HEALTHY LIVING: 5 things to know about water yoga in Cheshire - Meriden Record-Journal

A daily yoga practice is a great habit in theory: strengthening for your body, relaxing and restorative for your mind. Making it work in practice can be another story. Sometimes even a 10-minute flow feels like more than you can manage, and that's OK. When I don't have time for a full flow, folding into just one of my favorite poses can relieve some of the stress and soreness I've been carrying around.

With that in mind, I wanted to know: if a yoga teacher could recommend just one pose a day, something that relaxes your body, unknots tension, and helps you stay loose, what would it be? In response, I got not just one but 15 gentle, rejuvenating moves to choose from, any one of which would be a great choice for some fast relief. Next time you're decompressing from a stressful day or just looking to get in a quick stretch, grab one (or two!) of these poses, sink in for a few seconds, and feel some of the soreness ebb away.

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Melt Into One of These Expert-Recommended Yoga Poses Each Day to Release Stress and Sore Muscles - POPSUGAR

Following the release of its recent HOME collection, Off-White has now dropped an all-new yoga mat. The homeware-meets-wellness piece is not a part of the HOME division however, and is instead a Virgil Abloh-designed lifestyle accessory.

Measuring at 173cm x 61.5cm, the Off-White yoga mat is covered edge-to-edge in the labels archetype quotation branding, denoting what it is and who designed it. On the reverse, you can find a large, cursive woman text print alongside the usual OFF-WHITE c/o VIRGIL ABLOH stamp.

The padded yoga mat is brought together in a neat wrap thanks to a SHOELACES tie similar to those found on the designers footwear offerings and is kept secure with toggle fastenings. Take a look at the Off-White yoga mat in the gallery above and pick one up for yourself from retailers such as Revive for $255 USD.

In case you missed it, here are 15 of the best design pieces you need to upgrade your home.

Read more:
Off-White Yoga Mat Release Information - HYPEBEAST

In times of economic stress, it is good to know the basics of personal finance.

Many people turn to books for help, so we decided to go back and review three of the most popular finance books of the last 15 years: Suze Ormans The Nine Steps to Financial Freedom (Currency, $16.99); Dave Ramseys The Total Money Makeover (Nelson Books, $26.99); and Robert T. Kiyosakis Rich Dad, Poor Dad (Plata Publishing, $8.99).

They all have something worthwhile to offer, but after rereading them, I found that all had a glaring omission: a lack of substantive advice on investing. You will have to go elsewhere for an in-depth discussion of how to set up a portfolio and choose among stocks, bonds, exchange-traded funds or mutual funds.

What all three books do emphasize is the need to buttress your finances by doing such things as reducing debt and expenses. And they share a constant refrain: You are ultimately responsible for your own financial success.

The authors have different takes on how to succeed, though. Ms. Orman says trust your instincts. Mr. Ramsey says relentlessly eliminate every last shred of debt. And Mr. Kiyosaki says emulate the rich, who have figured out how to have money work for them.

Oddly, for books centered on bolstering wealth, all three advocate contributing to charity. They say this is the right thing to do in itself, but they also say its worth doing on a spiritual level: The more you share with the universe, they contend, the more the universe will share with you.

Why have the books been so popular? The spiritual content may account for some of it. But the powerful media presence of all three authors has certainly helped.

Ms. Orman had a show on CNBC for more than a decade and now makes corporate speeches on personal finance. Mr. Ramsey has a syndicated radio show, and Mr. Kiyosaki appears frequently on television and conducts seminars.

As for quality, Ms. Ormans book is the best of the three for standard financial issues, though each has an undeniable appeal.

The good things about Ms. Ormans book start with her ability to reduce financial planning to its basics, and with her sensible suggestions on how to reach your personal goals.

Unrealistic budget cuts, like unrealistic diets, never work, she writes. Pare back modestly here and there, she says, rather than try to make big trims. And Ms. Orman emphasizes often-overlooked aspects of adult life like writing a proper will and appointing someone who will be able make health care decisions for you, in case, at some point, you cant.

While she doesnt offer detailed financial advice here, Ms. Orman, a former stockbroker, does recommend that you own index funds and diversify your holdings.

Unfortunately, the book is a bit out of date. It was first published in 1997, hasnt been revised since 2012 and contains references to events like the Dow closing at 11,000. That last happened in 2010.

Her tone is supportive and intimate, and it frequently veers into the ethereal.

Most unconventional idea: Money is a living entity and it responds to energy exactly the same way you do. It is drawn to those who welcome it, those who respect it.

Questionable advice: Even if you own just one mutual fund, your money is still quite diversified, because you own a little of everything theyre invested in.

That depends on the fund you own. If your only holding is an actively managed small-cap mutual fund, all you own are parts of small-cap companies preferred by that fund manager. You are far from diversified.

Representative sentence: When it comes to money, freedom starts to happen when what you do, think and say are one.

Mr. Ramsey has one major theme, which he hammers home until you want to scream. To the exclusion of virtually everything, he says, eliminate debt.

The only possible exception he allows is a small mortgage that you can easily afford (even then he urges that you pay that off quickly).

If you have any debt, even if your employer will match the first 3 percent you put into your 401(k) annually, Mr. Ramsey says, you should not take advantage of the match. He says it is better to put that money toward what you owe.

Financially, that makes no sense, unless you are paying interest charges of greater than 100 percent on what you borrowed. If your employer is matching your retirement contribution, you are getting a 100 percent return on what you put in. Yet Mr. Ramsey says that while he understands the math, being debt-free is more important.

I dont agree. Advising people to forgo their companys retirement match is one of the many things I didnt like about the book, which was originally published in 2003 and has been updated several times since. The last revision was in 2013.

Mr. Ramsey seemed to have trouble finding enough to say. On the bottom of every page you will find this line: If you live like no one else, later you can live like no one else.

That epigram would be just fine, if stated once. But the constant repetition seems contrived to fill space, as does the unusually large type. (Yes, it was nice that I did not have to use my reading glasses, but still.) Even with those features, the book is barely over 200 pages, not counting 20 pages of worksheets and an index.

His tone is consistently stern and no-nonsense.

Most unconventional idea: Pay off your smallest debt first, even if the other money you owe has a higher interest rate. The quick wins will help you build momentum.

Questionable advice: You can withdraw 8 percent of your retirement savings annually and not outlive your money.

Most experts say a safe annual withdrawal rate is much lower, no more than about 4 percent or, using careful rules, perhaps 5 percent.

Representative sentence: I was given a calling: to show people the truth about debt and money and to give them the hope and tools necessary to set themselves free financially.

Mr. Kiyosaki reminds me of Ayn Rand. He says you should focus relentlessly on achieving total independence from the crowd financial independence, in Mr. Kiyosakis case.

He presents his financial tenets in a narrative structure that resembles a novel, contrasting what he learned from his biological father (get a secure job, work hard, play it safe) and his other dad, a rich entrepreneur who forged an independent financial path while living below his means.

The book was first published in 1997 and updated, most recently, in 2017. As it unwinds, you see Mr. Kiyosaki, who served in the military, shift from a job as a Xerox salesman to his vocation as an investor, ending up squarely on his rich dads path. He soon buys real estate to minimize his dependence on a paycheck and begins to shelter income and minimize taxes by setting up corporations.

Own things that generate wealth, he says. In addition to income-producing real estate, he says, that includes stocks, bonds and royalty-generating intellectual property (inventions, books and the like).

Despite the brisk narrative, the book has a ponderous tone: It reads like a lecture from an economics professor.

Most unconventional idea: Dont focus on your job or career. Think primarily about building personal wealth.

Questionable advice: With low interest rates, and an uncertain stock market, the old adages of saving and investing for the long term make no sense.

Saving and investing for the long term are exactly what most experts say you should do.

Representative sentence: The main cause of poverty or financial struggle is fear and ignorance, not the economy, the government or the rich.

While the lack of detail on investing is disappointing and the perspective is often quirky and sometimes questionable, all three books offer sprinklings of solid counsel: Eliminate debt. Live below your means. Look for ways to supplement your income.

Thats always good advice.

As is this, which came from my immigrant grandfather: Dig your well before youre thirsty.

What he meant was prepare for the inevitable while you have time.

These books are flawed, but if they teach people that much, they have real value.

Originally posted here:
Reconsidering the Advice in 3 Popular Personal Finance Books - The New York Times

1. A Simple Plan by Scott Smith

This is the one book I always recommend, and have for many years. The characters in the book are perfectly normal people, the type you meet every day in your personal and business life, acting in perfectly normal ways. But then the opportunity to reap a tremendous amount of money by just breaking a few laws that will hurt nobody appears, and the novel becomes a darker tome on human nature as everything spirals out of control. What will otherwise law-abiding honest people actually do to get very, very rich? The point of Smiths book is you may think you know the answer--but perhaps you dont.

--Steven Schragis, founder of One Day University, and former national director of the Learning Annex, founder, CEO and publisher of the Carol Publishing Group, cofounder and publishing director of Spy Magazine

2. The Darkside of the Lightchasers by Debbie Ford

The book is based around the premise of us as individuals diving into ourselves to face and listen to our shadows, meaning those different aspects of ourselves that make us uncomfortable and in turn are aspects in other people that make us uncomfortable. It was life-changing for me personally. Through facing and exploring our shadows, we not only open up understanding about our own lives, we open up understanding of the people and world that surrounds us. In the book she says, When we come face-to-face with our dark side our first instinct is to turn away, and our second is to bargain with it to leave us alone. Ironically, its these hidden aspects weve rejected that need the most attention. I first read this book when going through my recovery from anorexia nervosa, but have recently reread it due to everything going on in our nation today. I feel everyone in the U.S. should read this book together at this time to work on ourselves, each other and our communities.

--Ryan K. Sallans, who has provided hundreds of keynotes, presentations and training to corporations, health care institutions, federal agencies, nonprofit organizations, and colleges and universities nationwide and author of Transforming Manhood: A Trans Mans Quest to Build Bridges and Knock Down Walls and Second Son: Transitioning Toward My Destiny, Love and Life

3. Creative Selection: Inside Apple's Design Process During the Golden Age of Steve Jobs by Ken Kocienda

"This book gives a fascinating peek into the work behind creating the device that has gone on to define the 2010s. It was an extremely important read for me as a startup founder to see how one of the world's most innovative companies sets goals and delivers a great user experience when there is no preset benchmark. For example, how did they describe or know what a good enough keyboardless keyboard experience was when they didnt have anything that predates it to compare it to? I found this to be a thought-provoking read."

--Keith Ryu, cofounder and CEO of Fountain, an employee hiring and contractor vetting platform that is backed by over $11 million in venture capital and used by companies including Uber, Safeway, Deliveroo and Grubhub

4. The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni

In this parable of a VC-backed Silicon Valley tech company, [the author] lays out a model for diagnosing and combating organizational dysfunction. The storytelling style employed allows the reader to draw strong parallels to real life career moments and apply the concepts to ones day-to-day. I found the material instrumental in how I think about my executive team and how we imprint the organization as a whole with a strong operating philosophy.

--Ryan Disraeli, cofounder of TeleSign, a global software company that protects online websites and users through various mobile identity services which has raised $78 million in funding, has annual revenues of more than $100 million and employs hundreds of people

5. The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership by Jim Dethmer, Kaley Klemp and Diana Chapman

When I stepped into the Executive Chairman role at Terminus, I really challenged myself to model conscious leadership, as presented in this book. Conscious leaders are present and intentional, emotionally intelligent, and genuinely open to alternative interpretations of challenges; they take personal accountability for company outcomes and embrace each challenge as a learning opportunity. In contrast, unconscious leaders lack personal accountability, cling to old models or past experiences, and see themselves as victims of their circumstances. These 15 commitments have inspired our team to think openly and creatively as we continue to grow rapidly, and have really helped me to set a tone of flexibility, agility, and curiosity throughout our organization.

--Tim Kopp, executive chairman and CEO of Terminus, a marketing platform which ranks No. 61 on the 2019 Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies in the U.S.

6. Good to Great by Jim Collins

"The 'Flywheel Effect' concept within [this book] was one of the biggest influences while starting my company. Collins asks the reader to picture a 5,000-pound, 30-foot wide wheel. The task is to roll the flywheel on its axle as fast and for as long as possible. It takes a lot of effort to roll the wheel even an inch. But as you push, the wheel continues to move, until it has built enough momentum to complete a full rotation. The lesson is this: a good-to-great transformation doesn't happen overnight, or with a single action. For Kissflow, gaining our first 100 customers was like a team moving the flywheel one inch at a time. You have to keep pushing it in an incremental effort to move the wheel faster."

--Suresh Sambandam, founder and CEO of Kissflow, digital workplace software that more than 10,000 customers across 121 countries use to manage and automate work

7. The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle

This book answered a lot of questions about my thoughts, the past and my worries about the future. I found it to be quite enlightening and spiritual at the same time with many aha moments. Being a self-critiquing, type A personality type who drives myself to be the best at what it is I do, this book explains why the past is the past and the future is the future and there is nothing I can do about either other than take a new perspective on what my thoughts and worries really mean. This book really drives home the fact that worrying about the future or agonizing over the past is just wasted time and causes distraction from what you can achieve now.

--Dax Cornelius, partner and CEO of Bastion Collective, a marketing solutions company with more than 260 employees

8. Being Peace by Thich Nhat Hanh

When working with employees and customers, its important to have patience and an open mind because you work with a wide range of personalities, backgrounds and traditions. [The authors] experience and take on the world has really helped me see the world differently. I immediately became aware of how little I understand about the people and the world around me. As a result, I have more compassion for myself and others and I am less quick to judge and jump to conclusions. These traits have helped me professionally when communicating with partners and growing [my company] globally with customers all around the world.

--Jason Tan, cofounder and CEO of Sift, a San Francisco-based technology company that fights online fraud with machine learning which is used by more than 34,000 sites and apps

9. Outsizing by Steve Coughran

Strategy is always easy to talk about but can be much more difficult to execute in practice. [This book] offers a great perspective on how to drive strategic thinking, strategic planning, and most importantly strategic actions across all areas of a business, from startups to established organizations [Its] a great playbook for any growth-focused team in an evolving industry.

--Clayton Bain, cofounder and CEO of Salucro, a worldwide healthcare payment technology and fintech company serving over 500 organizations

10. Stories of Your Life and Others by Ted Chiang

No book makes imagining the future more fun, alarming, delightful, and wonderful all at the same time. This collection of short stories is really a collection of thought experiments played out in narrative form: What would happen, if in the near future Not only is this sci-fi at its best, but it inspires us to give thought to where we are headed as a civilization, giving us permission to both imagine what is next and be proactive in designing new products, spaces and experiences. In addition to being a go-to, Chiangs eponymous short story inspired the film Arrival which is also one of my favorites in the genre.

--Noah Waxman, founder and head of strategy for Cactus, a design innovation firm that has worked with Nike, Mount Sinai Hospital, Facebook and others

11. The Tao of Pooh by Benjamin Hoff

My journey into a healthy lifestyle came from the 80s aerobics movement. When studying to become a certified instructor, I became grounded in how proper exercise and eating fueled a healthy body and lifestyle. I would say mindfulness was a different story. I began to learn mindfulness from reading and studying the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Mahatma Gandhi in grad school for their non-violent approach to social change that was deeply grounded in Buddhist teachings. The Tao of Pooh was the book that opened up a gateway to other writings about mindfulness, and I return to it as a reminder to stay present, happy and calm.

--Randy Fiser, CEO of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) which has 25,000 members

12. Lone Soldier by Alex Gordon

"This soon-to-be published book by Alex Gordon, details the experience of a 'lone soldier,' which is a term given men and women from all over the world who voluntarily choose to join the Israeli army. For me, Alex's story exemplifies selflessness and how the act of giving can actually be receiving. After experiencing the profound loss of his mother when he was a teenager, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery, first to darkness and then on to find that serving others can bring purpose and fulfillment. His journey as a troubled teen from the streets of Manhattan to the role of an elite Israeli paratrooper in the mountains of Lebanon is an inspiring celebration of love for family, heritage and self-worth. [This book] reminds me that even through the day-to-day hustle of the world it's important to give back to not only our loved ones but also to humankind, as with servitude comes great self-joy.

--Leena Jain, global chief marketing officer of Humanscale, a privately-held workplace furnishings company with $500 million in revenue and more than 1,200 employees in 50 offices around the world

13. Legacy by James Kerr

The book is about how the most successful sports team in the world, the All Blacks, can teach us how to be better business leaders. The book gave an insight on tactics and psychology that could be used in a business environment to improve performance. A typical takeaway from the book, for example, is about embracing expectation, rather than being intimidated by it. By embracing expectation, you learn to thrive under the challenge, to aim higher, and to avoid crumbling under pressure and delivering a mediocre outcome. Business is a game just like Rugby, and it is all about winning and beating your competition.

--Derek Paton, VP of international sales at Zinwave, an in-building wireless telecom equipment manufacturer with more than 600 installations in 26 countries

14. Brave, Not Perfect: Fear Less, Fail More and Live Bolder by Reshma Saujani

I recently read this book after watching Reshma Saujanis TED Talk. It has inspired me to change how I approach various daily interactions in my life, from tough contract negotiations to family conversations. Its a great reminder that perfect is boring and that in order to grow, you must take risks and learn from your failures. I get a little less perfect and a little braver every day.

--Ingrid Kelly, strategic alliances at HP and chairperson of the steering committee at Mopria Alliance, a non-profit organization formed to provide standards and solutions that enable print and scan to be universally compatible and consistently easy for users

15. The Peregrine by J.A. Baker

On the surface its a field study on falcons, but almost immediately the author immerses you in the lives and environment of his subject matter. You feel every little detail and appreciate the smallest nuance. I read it as a reminder that everyone I interact with -- customers, family members, people I pass on the street -- are all the leading characters in their own books, with stories that are full of detail, nuance, happiness, tragedy, complexity and everything else, and certainly worth taking the time to appreciate.

--Ben Vaught, CEO of DemandStar, an online network which connects hundreds of local and state government procurement offices with hundreds of thousands of local and national suppliers

16. Pitch Anything by Orin Klaff

This is an exceptionally daring look at owning the frame in any meeting. What I love about this book, is that Orin teaches and prepares the person walking into the room with the exact behavior that will get a yes every time. And what he has tested and proven over and over is that when you learn how to pitch anything, the CEOs, Netflix executives and bosses end up pitching you, because the delivery of what you have to offer becomes irresistible.

--Tricia Brouk, internationally award-winning director, film maker, executive producer of Speakers Who Dare, curator of the Speaker Salon, founder of The Big Talk Academy, and former producer of TEDxLincolnSquare

The opinions expressed here by Inc.com columnists are their own, not those of Inc.com.

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16 Great Books for Anyone Who Wants to Get Ahead in Life - Inc.

CEOs have some specific skills and habits that make them successful business leaders. The rest of us can take a few pages from their playbooks to make our retirement plans a success as well.

In my 33 years as a financial professional, Ive been privileged to meet and get to know a number of CEOs.

What Ive found is, as you might expect, they tend to be smart people. But Ive also discovered something else about them when it comes to investing: They have different habits than many other clients.

They fall into the category of what I affectionately call busy clients. They take an active role in all aspects of their investments and leave little to chance. One of these busy clients routinely calls me to ask: What can we be doing differently? Another will wonder: What is the smart money up to?

The point is they arent passive, letting their retirement plans be buffeted by whatever economic winds blow through. They are thinkers, taking the same traits, habits and vision that make them effective in running a company, and applying those to the way they manage their investment portfolios.

What works for them also can work for you. You can (and should) be the CEO of your retirement. Here are a few tips for getting started in that direction:

CEOs know things dont just happen. They understand their company and the individuals within it all need performance goals if they and the business expect to thrive. You need goals with your retirement planning as well. Maybe its a particular retirement age youre aiming for. Maybe its a specific amount of savings you need to make retirement work. You should set goals and, like any good CEO, be prepared to make adjustments if your expectations arent being met.

CEOs like to ask questions because they need information lots of information to make decisions that will affect the health and future of the organization. Being inquisitive is important to you and your retirement as well. So ask away. Whats the performance history of your investments? What fees are you paying and how much are they? Is there an investment strategy you havent tried thats worth considering? How much should you expect to withdraw each month from your savings during retirement?

A successful CEO needs to be open to new ideas and new concepts; otherwise, they get left behind while their competitors flourish. You arent so much worried about competitors when it comes to your retirement, but you do need to be willing to adapt when necessary as factors related to you specifically, or the economy in general, change. For example, as you age, youll want to look at reducing the risk in your portfolio. The aggressive investment strategy that made sense when you were 35 is probably too big of a gamble when you are five to 10 years away from retirement.

You can bet CEOs take what they do seriously. (One study by Harvard professors found CEOs work an average of 62.5 hours per week.) No, you probably dont need to put in 62.5 hours a week planning your retirement. But you do need to take things seriously as you consider investment options, your retirement timeline, when its best to begin drawing Social Security, and anything else that might come into play. After all, its your retirement and future at stake.

Its easy to let whatever is happening at the moment command your attention. This problem needs solving now. That opportunity presents itself now. But top CEOs arent just preoccupied with the present. Far from it. They spend as much as 50% of their time thinking about the long-term future. You might not need to divide your time in quite the same way, but you do need to give serious thought to a few topics that will be part of your long-term retirement future. If things like health care, insurance and estate planning have been in the junk drawer of your financial plan, ignored while you deal with pressing issues of the day, its time to take them out and do a deep dive into them. You might be surprised what improvements you can make.

The bottom line is CEOs do things differently; thats one of the reasons they end up being CEOs. They are charged with creating and maintaining the success of a company, so if they dont develop certain habits and ways of thinking they risk failure.

In much the same way, even when you seek the advice of a financial professional, you ultimately remain in charge of your retirement. As the CEO, it falls to you to make sure you achieve the success you need to make retirement a fulfilling and relaxing time.

Eric Springer of Brookstone Investments in Grand Rapids, Mich., has more than three decades of experience as a financial professional. His firm offers both wealth management and business financial planning. Eric is a fiduciary and holds Series 6, 63 and 65 securities licenses.

Comments are suppressed in compliance with industry guidelines. Click here to learn more and read more articles from the author.

This article was written by and presents the views of our contributing adviser, not the Kiplinger editorial staff. You can check adviser records with the SEC or with FINRA.

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Be the CEO of Your Retirement - Kiplinger's Personal Finance

WESTERVILLE, Ohio (AP) Just a month has passed since the last presidential debate, but the state of the Democrats' 2020 race has shifted.

The political world is suddenly consumed by an escalating impeachment inquiry, one of the leading Democratic presidential hopefuls is recovering from a heart attack and Joe Biden is no longer the only front-runner. The evolving storylines will play out on national television Tuesday night in battleground Ohio, where the largest debate group in modern history 12 candidates will share the stage less than four months before the first 2020 primary votes are cast.

Six big questions heading into the debate, to be carried on CNN:

CAN BERNIE'S HEART ATTACK BECOME A POLITICAL ASSET?

Less than two weeks after being rushed to the hospital, 78-year-old Bernie Sanders must convince voters that he's physically strong enough to survive the intense campaign ahead and, more importantly, one of the world's most demanding jobs. Supporters suggest the Vermont senator can use the health crisis to his advantage by refocusing the conversation on health care. Others are hopeful he can use the experience to open up to voters on a more personal level, something he tried to do early in the year with little sustained success. Health is a delicate issue, but Sanders was aware that his age was a political liability even before his recent health scare.

HOW WILL WARREN HANDLE THE FRONT-RUNNER FOCUS?

According to polls, Elizabeth Warren enters the night as a front-runner for the first time, essentially tied with Biden. If recent days are any indication, she could be in line for far more scrutiny than she received in the first three debates. She has an opportunity to stand up to her critics, which could help improve the perception that she's among the least electable Democrats in the race. It's no small task. On one side, she's getting hit for being too liberal. On the other, she's getting hit for being a capitalist. She's also facing new questions about her biography that strike at the core of any successful candidacy: authenticity.

HOW WILL BIDEN DEFEND HIMSELF AND HIS FAMILY?

Biden enters the night already on his heels, having lost his sole claim to front-runner status thanks to Warren's rise. At a pivotal point, he must now execute an effective strategy to move past baseless allegations fueled by President Donald Trump about Biden's son's business dealings abroad. Should Biden fail to navigate the delicate issue, he risks being haunted by the controversy into the general election should he be the nominee. In Biden's way is his own temperament. The 76-year-old Democrat is well known for being defensive when challenged. Look for him to get some help from fellow Democrats, like Julin Castro or Beto O'Rourke, who have lashed out at Trump's tactics against Biden recently. But there are also wildcards onstage who may lean into questions about the younger Biden's work for a Ukrainian energy company while his father was vice president. If he loses his cool onstage, Biden could win the argument and still walk out a loser.

WHAT IS THEIR FOREIGN POLICY?

Foreign policy has often been an afterthought in the previous debates, which has allowed candidates with little experience on the world's stage to breeze past a hugely consequential subject. Recent events in the Middle East will almost force that dynamic to change Tuesday night. The Turkish invasion of Syria, a move apparently blessed and then condemned by Trump, is still ongoing. Democrats and Republicans alike have condemned Trump's uneven leadership on the issue, but there will be new pressure on the Democratic presidential contenders to outline their own specific plans for the region and beyond. A lack of foreign policy experience took a toll on Sanders in his first presidential bid, while Warren has devoted the vast majority of her detailed plans to domestic issues. Biden's team sees foreign policy as a strength given his extensive experience on the world's stage, but he's also hobbled by several foreign policy missteps not the least of which is his 2002 vote to authorize the use of force against Iraq.

IS 12 TOO MANY?

Even with only 10 on the stage in past debates, moderators have been challenged to foster meaningful exchanges that help voters navigate differences among the candidates. Will two more make it even worse? Some candidates certainly think so. So far, the crowded stages have largely produced status-quo debates in which few candidates have enough time to help or hurt themselves significantly. That's been good news for the top-tier candidates and not-so-good news for those struggling near the bottom. Given that this could be the last opportunity for several lower-tier candidates on the debate stage because of tougher qualification thresholds, those in the bottom of the pack must find enough oxygen to break out any way they can.

IT HAS CONSUMED WASHINGTON, BUT WILL IMPEACHMENT CONSUME THE DEBATE?

All the candidates onstage have endorsed the impeachment inquiry into Trump, which has consumed much of the political world in recent weeks. But some Democrats have embraced the divisive process more reluctantly than others. Warren, for example, called for Trump to be impeachment nearly six months ago, while Biden announced his support for impeachment only last week. Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard was also late to sign on, warning that the impeachment process would further split an already divided nation. It's unclear how impeachment may shape the debate on Tuesday, but what Democrats say or don't say about removing a sitting president less than a year before the election could come back to haunt the party when Democrats eventually take back the White House.

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Six questions that loom over the crowded Democratic debate - Chattanooga Times Free Press