Die Empty: Unleash Your Best Work Every Day

What comes to your mind when I say the words Die Empty? Whenever you think about death or dying, it is hard not to feel the weight of the words. So when I picked up Todd Henry's book, Die Empty: Unleash Your Best Work Every Day, many years ago, I was immediately intrigued by the idea that thinking of death can move us into action, to start working now towards creating an impact. Die Empty is a tool for people who aren't willing to put off their most important work for another day because we eventually run out of tomorrows.

Todd Henry explains the forces that lead to stagnation and introduces practices that will keep you on a true and steady course. To avoid mediocrity and achieve a full life, purposely engage in three types of work: Mapping (Planning things out), Making (Taking action and doing your work), Meshing (Improving your skills, being curious about the world around you). The key is embracing the idea that time is finite, so you should focus on the unique contribution to the world that only you can make. Todd shows how to sustain your enthusiasm, push through mental barriers, and unleash your best work each day.

To die empty means fully completing your mission and emptying your tank of all you want to put out into the world. It may seem dark, but it is really powerful. As stoic philosophers would say, memento mori, "remember that you [have to] die," so get living!

Check it out here.