Contracting Plus

Welcome to BOOST our Network
for Contractors and The Self-Employed

Here you will find monthly book and podcast recommendations to BOOST your knowledge, motivation and performance, and where we will let you know about exclusive networking events hosted by Contracting PLUS.

We also encourage you to share your own recommendations.

If you have come across any resources that helped make your self-employed life simpler or have any tips that helped your performance, we would love you to share them with others using the form on this page.

April is Here!

Some of the most important conversations in life are often the ones we avoid – sometimes professional, sometimes personal. Whether it’s addressing a misunderstanding, setting boundaries, or resolving a conflict, difficult conversations can feel uncomfortable but they’re often where real progress happens.

For many self-employed professionals, good communication skills are essential and navigating conversations with clients and colleagues requires clarity, confidence, and the ability to stay calm when tensions rise.

That’s why, this month’s BOOST recommendations focus on tackling those hard moments head-on and learning how intentional conversations can strengthen relationships, reduce conflict, and lead to better outcomes.

This Month’s Recommended Listen

On Purpose with Jay Shetty – Jefferson Fisher: The #1 Communication Mistake People Make in Arguments

In this episode of On Purpose, Jay Shetty sits down with Jefferson Fisher to explore a different perspective on why the conversations we avoid often have the greatest impact on our lives.

Fisher explains that most arguments escalate not because of what’s said, but because people feel unheard. By slowing conversations down, pausing before responding, and focusing on understanding rather than reacting, it’s possible to reduce tension and create more productive discussions.

It’s a great reminder that better communication isn’t about avoiding conflict but about learning how to handle it with regard for the other person, both professionally and personally.

This Month’s Recommended Book

The Next Conversation by Jefferson Fisher

In The Next Conversation, communication expert Jefferson Fisher explores how the way we approach difficult conversations can shape our relationships and outcomes.

Drawing from his experience as a trial lawyer, Jefferson explains that communication isn’t about winning arguments but it’s about creating understanding between you and the other person. The book offers practical strategies to help readers stay calm, listen more effectively, and approach challenging discussions with more intention.

The ability to navigate tough conversations with confidence can make all the difference, both in business and in everyday life.

Our Next BOOST Event Coming Soon! 

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for our free in-person BOOST event last October, specially designed for contractors and freelancers! It was an incredible evening filled with valuable insights from all our wonderful guest speakers on Contracting Trends, What’s New for Clients, Mortgages, and Financial Investment for your future, 1:1 clinics, great networking opportunities, and plenty of surprises.

We hope to see you at our next event. In the mean time follow our Eventbrite to know when our next event goes live!


Have a Recommendation or Idea?  Share it with the community here!

Previous Boost Recommendations

All previous recommendations will always be available on this page. You can check in any time to see what was recommended for any month.

April 2026 

For April our recommendations are The Next Conversation by Jefferson Fisher and On Purpose with Jay Shetty – Jefferson Fisher: The #1 Communication Mistake People Make in Arguments

March 2026 

For March our recommendations are Make Your Bed – Small things that can change your life… and maybe the world and

February 2026
For February our recommendations are The High Performance Podcast with Dan Burn: Pressure Management Techniques that Turned Newcastle into Winners and Who Better Than You? by Will Packer.

January 2026
For January our recommendations are How to Manage Your Emotions – Solved with Mark Manson and Deep Work by Cal Newport

November 2025
For November our recommendations are “From Strong Start to Finish: Keeping Momentum at Work” – The Better Workday Podcast with Niamh Moynihan and Slow Productivity by Cal Newport

October 2025
For October our recommendation is How to Listen by Katie Columbus.

September 2025 
For September our recommendations are How To Actually Build Discipline from Modern Wisdom Podcast with Gen. Stanley McChrystal and Obsessed by Johnny Sexton

August 2025
For August our recommendations are “Hope for Cynics” from with Dr. Jamil Zaki The Psychology Podcast, and Outliers by Malcom Gladwell. 

July 2025
For July our recommendations are “Should Leaders Be Feared or Loved?” from Worklife with Adam Grant, and The Inner Game of Tennis: The Classic Guide to the Mental Side of Peak Performance by W. Timothy Gallwey.

June 2025
For June our recommendations are The Number One Reason You’re Not Succeeding from Diary of a CEO with Simon Sinek, and Building a StoryBrand by Donald Miller.

May 2025
For May our recommendations are The Speaking Coach: The One Word All Liars Use! by Diary of a CEO Podcast with Jefferson Fisher and Supercommunicators by Charles Duhigg

April 2025
For April our recommendations are Turn Chaos into Opportunity by Your World Within Podcast and Born to Run by Christopher McDougall.

March 2025

For March our recommendations are 3 Truths You Need to Hear and The Let Them Theory both by Mel Robbins. 

February 2025
For February our recommendations are The Surprising Secret to Happiness (It’s Easier Than You Think) – Mo Gawdat, and Time to Fly by Neil O’Brien

January 2025
For January our recommendations are How to Reinvent Yourself & Make The Greatest Comeback Of Your Life (At Any Age) by Mel Robbins, and The Power of Fun – How to Feel Alive Again by Catherine Price. 

December 2024

For December our recommendations are the insightful read Just One Thing: How Simple Changes Can Transform Your Life by Dr. Michael Mosley, and “How to Breathe Correctly for Optimal Health, Mood, Learning, and Performance” by Huberman Lab.

November 2024

For November our recommendations are the inspirational read The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, and The Happiness Expert That Made 51 Million People Happier: Mo Gawdat, Diary of a CEO. 

October 2024

For October our recommendations are Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss to better our negotiation, along with the High Performance Podcast with John McAvoy: It’s not where you’re from, it’s where you’re at that counts.

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