I’ve recently published a list of 100 books that changed my life. You can read that post here.
The books that I have listed below are books I think every person who wants to improve their life should read. I hope you enjoy them.
Entrepreneurship & Business
The 4-Hour Work Week by Tim Ferriss
The modern entrepreneur’s bible. This book changed my perspective on doing business. Tim Ferriss has influenced thousands of people over the world who have gone to start companies themselves. Ferriss is also an angel investor or an advisor to Facebook, Twitter, Evernote, and Uber, and other tech companies. This is a must read for anyone who desires financial freedom.
Zero To One by Peter Thiel and Blake Masters
Peter Thiel is mostly known as the co-founder of PayPal and the first outside investor to Facebook. Zero To One is a book that discusses the motives behind entrepreneurship. It covers essential topics such as history, human behavior, competition, creativity, and how new tech companies change the world. Zero To One is a necessary read for every entrepreneur or anyone who is interested in learning about the rise of startups.
Marketing
This is one of the best books on marketing and Seth Godin is considered as one of the best marketing minds in the world. The book’s message is simple: if you want to stand out from the crowd, you have to be remarkable. Purple Cow is a must-read for every business owner and marketer. I also encourage you to read Godin’s personal blog. He posts a thought-provoking article every single day. Now, that is remarkable.
When you want to have massive marketing success with a limited budget, read Contagious by Jonah Berger. It is an excellent book with a thorough analysis of viral campaigns, and why they catch on. Jonah Berger is a Marketing professor at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and uses scientific research to back up his findings. His writing style, however, is far from academic and very enjoyable.
Stoicism
Meditations by Marcus Aurelius
Marcus Aurelius (emperor of Rome A.D. 161-180) is one of the three famous modern Stoics, the two others are Seneca and Epictetus. As the ruler of the largest empire of the world, Aurelius had great responsibility and power. He wrote Meditations for his personal use. It consists of lessons he learned and notes he made to himself about living and dealing with people. This book changed the way I look at life. I have always been a stoic person—I’ve always looked inwardly for happiness and motivation—but reading this made a better thinker and recognize that we have less control over many things than we think. In fact, we do not control anything but our own actions and response. A must read for every human being.
On The Shortness Of Life by Seneca
Seneca rose to prominence in Rome while pursuing a career in the courts and politics. He spent eight years in exile, allegedly for an affair with an emperor’s sister. When he was recalled in AD 49, he was appointed tutor to the boy who would become the emperor Nero in AD 54. In his time as emperor, Nero appointed Seneca as an unofficial chief minister. In AD 65, Seneca was compelled by Nero to commit suicide because of an alleged plot against Nero. In the Shortness Of Life, Seneca writes about the art of living. This short book is highly recommended for everyone. Seneca teaches us that life is short and that we have to live our life to the fullest.
The Obstacle Is The Way by Ryan Holiday
Inspired by Marcus Aurelius’ Mediations, Ryan Holiday wrote an excellent book about how we can turn our adversity into advantage. The book is full of stories about how icons of history dealt with their obstacles. Ryan argues that we should not shy away from obstacles, but rather deal with obstacles as a way of life. Hence, the title of the book, “The Obstacle Is The Way”. This book is well written and is a modern take on stoicism.
Personal Growth
The Motivation Manifesto by Brendon Burchard
After surviving a car accident, Brendon dedicated his life to helping others find their purpose, or what he calls “The Charge”. He is also a marketing expert and trains people to become experts in their fields. This book is his most complete book yet, filled with wisdom. The Motivation Manifesto is a full guide to motivation and consists of 9 declarations that can help you to get power over your life.
How To Win Friends And Influence People by Dale Carnegie
An all time classic when it comes to personal development. This book is an essential read for everyone—particularly for people getting out of college. Carnegie writes about how you can increase your popularity, persuade people, make friends, enable you to win new clients and customers, become a better speaker and boost enthusiasm among your colleagues. He gives advice that is crucial for your success in the professional world. This book teaches you techniques that you can use in social interactions with other people. Whatever we want to do in life, we need to work with other persons. Carnegie shows you how to deal with people in an effective way.
The Greatest Salesman In The World by Og Mandino
While the title sounds like a sales book, The Greatest Salesman In The World is more a philosophy book. The first part of the book is a parable set in the time just prior to Christianity. The second part consists of 10 scrolls that teach you to believe in yourself and the work you are doing. It is a book that also shows you how to create a habit. Og Mandino writes that you have to reread every scroll, three times a day, for a month. That will take you ten months to complete this book. This book is an excellent example of the power of priming and positivity. Academy Award winner Matthew McConaughey said this book changed his life and got him into acting.
Finances
Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki
Unfortunately, we do not learn how to deal with money at school. Rich Dad, Poor Dad is required reading for anyone who starts making money. The younger the better. Moreover, for adults, if you think that your house is an asset, Robert Kiyosaki tells you to rethink that. He claims that a house is a liability. Making money is one thing, keeping it and growing it something else. This book teaches us financial literacy.
Creativity
The War Of Art by Steven Pressfield
Being creative requires discipline. Steven Pressfield argues that ‘resistance’ stands in the way of people who want to create something in life. The book discusses this enemy that every one of us must face. Pressfield presents a battle plan to conquer this internal foe and shows how to achieve success. The War Of Art is excellent reading for writers, entrepreneurs, actors, dancers, painters, photographers, filmmakers, and other creative people.
The Icarus Deception by Seth Godin
The world has changed, and conformity no longer leads to security. Seth Godin argues in The Icarus Deception that creativity is scarce and more valuable than ever. Godin encourages everyone to make art. By adopting an artistic attitude, we can add value to other people’s life. We have to be problem solvers, and conformity does not solve problems. Creative thinking does. An exceptional book to adopt the creative mindset.
Biography
Man’s Search For Meaning by Victor Frankl
Viktor Frankl was a psychiatrist before the war. His ability to observe the behavior of his fellow prisoners in Auschwitz resulted in Man’s Search For Meaning. This unique book describes how we choose our attitude in any given set of circumstances. Even during the horrible conditions of a concentration camp, humans can endure the suffering and find meaning in living because of inner decisions. This outstanding work offers us a peek into human suffering and in the art of living. The book consists of two parts. The first part is a memoir while the second part describes Frankl’s Logotherapy. This is a treatment he used on his patients and described ways to find meaning in life.
Total Recall by Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s story is remarkable. A boy from a small town in Austria turned into a bodybuilding champion. A bodybuilder turned into one of the biggest Hollywood stars in history. An actor turned into Governor. This unique story is worth reading. Schwarzenegger also shares his life lessons in Total Recall. A great read for anyone who wants to get a glimpse into how the mind of a successful person works.
Fitness & Health
Bigger, Leaner, Stronger by Michael Matthews
The only book you need for improving your fitness. Matthews has written a complete book that focusses on simplicity. We all hate complicated fitness and eating regiments. Bigger, Leaner, Stronger is based on a few simple methods and destroys many popular fitness myths.
Everyone knows that exercise is good for our health. However, it can also transform your mind. This book is based on scientific research and teaches us how to boost brain cells, protect ourselves against mental illness and dementia, and ensure success in exams and the workplace. A great read that inspires us to live an active lifestyle.
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