I recently posted a blog about the ten books that shaped the way I view Leadership.
Knowing that leadership topics are not the end-all-be-all of human development, I decided to give you a few more suggestions in some other categories of interest to me.
Am I missing any great books? Comment and let me know.
If a book below looks interesting to you, I've included links to buy them on Amazon - I've found that if I wait too long to purchase something that will improve my quality of life, I tend to forget. Get one of these books today - your future self will thank you.
The lists below are my top five book recommendations in the categories of:
Entrepreneurship
Financial Growth and Money Management
Happiness
Entrepreneurship
1. Crushing It - Gary Vaynerchuk
Have some wild ideas but aren't sure if they are worthy of being a "business" or not? This is your book. Gary Vee shares stories of people in the exact same position, how they got started, and how they have thrived in this social media driven business world.
2. Start with Why - Simon Sinek
Don't know where to start in your entrepreneurial journey? The title of this fantastic book indicates where you might want to begin. Finding a strong "Why" is not always easy - Simon Sinek breaks down the importance of having a driving purpose behind your business.
3. The 4-Hour Workweek - Timothy Ferriss
While Timothy Ferriss put in a whole lot more than 4 hours per week to get his company started, he does give some amazing tips on automation and scalability in this classic read. This book encourages readers to unshackle themselves, remove stress, and live the life they truly want to live. I've implemented several strategies from this book into my own businesses and can attest to this book's ability to make life a little easier while being an entrepreneur.
4. Running Lean - Ash Maurya
Have you started your business already? Congratulations! This is your book to get a strategic plan in place that will truly take you to new levels. More of a practical guide than a book, Ash Maurya walks readers through phases of planning that will help you grow your business without a huge budget.
5. Zero to One - Peter Thiel
How do you get your first customer? Peter Thiel, the founder of PayPal, offers some great ideas and guidelines to get your business off the ground. If you have a product, but aren't sure how to lock in your initial clients or customers, this is your book.
Financial Growth and Money Management
1. Rich Dad, Poor Dad - Robert Kiyosaki
Honestly, this book changed my life. Do you want to build financial wealth and stability for yourself? The very least you have to do is pick up this book. The book is so good because you don't have to know a ton about finances to understand it. It is simple and straightforward, and it will help absolutely anyone on their path to financial independence and freedom.
2. Unshakeable - Tony Robbins
This is a great book if you're starting to manage your money. From finding the right financial advisor, to avoiding ridiculously high fees, this book provides insight that every young professional should know. Also, if you're someone who just "doesn't like thinking about money," this is a must-read; it's not that long, and it will help you avoid years of frustration revolving around your money later on.
3. Think and Grow Rich - Napoleon Hill
A timeless classic, Napoleon Hill wrote Think and Grow Rich in 1937. When principles in a book are still relevant over 80 years from when they were written, there must be something right about them. This book is not simply for entrepreneurs or business people - it is for people who would like to think a little differently about money. Sometimes a simple change of mindset can change a lot about one's finances.
4. MONEY Master the Game - Tony Robbins
What? Two books by the same person on one list? Yes. That's correct. And fair warning, this book is NOT for the average person when it comes to money - it is very long; it may even be longer than the Bible. However, if you read this entire book you will never look at your finances the same way again. It is not for the faint of heart, but if you choose to pick this book up and make it all the way to the end, your finances will forever be grateful.
5. The 5 Mistakes Every Investor Makes and How to Avoid Them - Peter Mallouk
If you read, Unshakeable, you can skip this book as a lot of the concepts overlap. However, if you're a recent college graduate or someone who is starting to think about saving for retirement, this is a great read. Peter Mallouk includes historical data to solidify his points that are easy to follow, and his advice is in line with people like Warren Buffet when it comes to investing strategies. It is a good read, but if you are checking out book 2 or 4 on this list, you'll get some of the same tips as you'll find here.
Click here to get The 5 Mistakes Every Investor Makes and How to Avoid Them by Peter Mallouk on Amazon.
Happiness
1. The Happiness Advantage - Shawn Achor
I'd be willing to bet there isn't a funnier Harvard professor than Shawn Achor. Shawn presents his research on happiness in a hilarious and uplifting way. He gives practical tips on how to improve your happiness and live your best life - this is a must read.
2. The Untethered Soul - Michael A. Singer
Are you interested in mindfulness? Do you ever react emotionally to things and wonder why or what you can do about it? The Untethered Soul describes thoughts, feelings, and emotions in a deep yet highly relatable way. If you want a journey into your own mind and why it functions the way it does, this is the book for you.
3. The Alchemist - Paulo Coelho
The Alchemist is an absolute classic. Be ready for a deep and thoughtful tale that will open your eyes to the world outside you may be missing and the treasure right under your own nose.
4. Love Does - Bob Goff
Bob Goff's storytelling ability is absolutely fabulous. The only book that may make you smile more than Love Does is Bob's second book, Everybody Always. After reading Love Does, I called my mom and told her I was taking her on the trip to Ireland she had always wanted to go on. Love Does not only made me see the world differently, it made me act on my new vision of how the world should be. (This book has Christian themes - take that how you will).
5. Joy on Demand - Chade-Meng Tan
If you're looking to dive more thoughtfully into mindfulness or meditation, this is your book. Chade-Meng Tan is the Co-Chair of "One Billion Acts of Peace," which was nominated in 2015 for the Nobel Peace Prize. He was also a software engineer at Google. His book is an interesting intersection of new age relevance and age-old wisdom.
Am I missing any must-reads? Comment and let me know.
Happy reading.
(Disclaimer - this site uses affiliate links. If you click through this blog and purchase a book, the author of this blog will get a commission from Amazon on the sale of the book.)