… and maybe even changed it (the latter statement is a pure speculation and yes, I’m absolutely aware about it).
I’m an avid reader and below are the books, which have influenced me the most.
The books are listed in a non-particular order. One day, maybe, if I feel like doing it, I might re-list them in the order they were appearing in my life and maybe I even do a list by their importance for me personally.
Without a further ado, here is the list of the books:
- “Outliers” – (2008 book) by Malcolm Gladwell
The book is about the importance of continuous doing. If you invest 10.000 hours into something you’ll ultimately end up becoming great at it. This book really gives hope and entices you to believe that the grind eventually pays itself off, even if not in money, then at the very least, in experience.
- War of art
- Turning Pro
and
- Do the work
by Steven Pressfield
These books are about the importance of ignoring the Resistance in your life as a creator and how you can overcome it.
- “Refuse to choose” by (now deceased) Barbara Sher.
An amazing book about scanners – people with multitude of interests. The book lists the types of scanners and equippes you with the instruments and tools for a life with awareness of who you are and how you can live with that.
- “Writing down the bones” by Natalie Goldberg
There are many great books about writing – this one was the one which was recommended to me and I’m glad that I found and read it.
- “Non-violent communication” by Marshal Rosenberg
- “Radical honesty” by Brad Blanton
- “Loving What Is” by Byron Katie and Stephen Mitchell
This book has taught me not to take everything by the face value.
- “Getting things done” by David Allen
I guess the title itself tells what the book is about.
Productivity “bible” in it’s purest form.
- 7 habits of highly effective people
- First things first
- The third alternative
- The 8th habit
by Stephen Covey.
Books by Stephen Covey are not an easy and leisure read. They require your full attention and they are very practical and useful.
- “Emotional intelligence” by Daniel Goleman
His books are also not easy to read however they really prepare you for life – for a conscious life.
- Flow
and
- Funding flow
by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. There are many books about the subject of happiness and how one can live a life full of happiness and the Flow books prepare you for such a life in one of the best possible ways. Getting comfortable with being uncomfortable, because it has to be us, who should raise the bar for what dreams we have and what we want to achieve and once we achieved them, there should be ready the other more complex one replacing the ones we have already achieved / they came true. If we don’t have the goals, which terrify us and which are worthy of our time and efforts, then ultimately it is (going to be) a life, which (un)disputably is not worth of living, like the unexamined one.
- “Fair game” by Eve Rodsky
This book is very much suitable for projects at your work, too, not only within a family household.
- “Why does he do that” by Lundy Bancroft
This book helps you
a. to recognise abuse
and
b. teaches you where you can get help and what you can do about it.
Amazing book, for all people, who live in a(ny) relationship(s) i.e. for pretty much all of us.
- “Influence” by Robert B. Cialdini
is amazing book about human psychology.
- The power of now
- New Earth
by Eckhart Tolle.
- “The Celestine Prophecies”
is a novel by James Redfield
- Veronika decides to die
- Eleven minutes
- Alchemist
by Paolo Coelho.
These books are quite different to each other and yet, they all are somewhat applicable to my life.
- Rich dad, poor dad
- Cashflow quadrant
and some others by Robert Kiyosaki.
- “One minute millionaire” by Mark Victor Hansen and Robert G. Allen
Very uniquely written book.
The book outlines several key rules for achieving financial success, including:
- Transforming Restraining Forces into Driving Forces: Learn how to turn obstacles into opportunities for growth and success.
- Creating a Millionaire Mindset: Develop a mindset that is focused on abundance and prosperity.
- Investing for the Future: Learn how to invest your money wisely and create a secure financial future.
- Building Multiple Income Streams: Create multiple sources of income to ensure financial security and freedom.
- “Richest man in Babylon” by George S. Clason
This book in the form of very easy to read fables and stories teaches one, how one should manage money and build wealth. An absolute recommendation. Along with the next one.
- “Who moved my cheese” by Spencer Johnson
An amazing book for personal change management.
- “The likeability factor” by Tim Sanders
If you want to be liked, this book is for you.
- “Never eat alone” by Keith Ferrazi
A book about importance of relationships and staying in touch.
- “Color me beautiful” by Carole Jackson
is an introduction into skin types, where all skin types are classified into 4 seasons. The book helps you to dress better by choosing the clothes in the right colors and color tones.
- “Feelings buried alive never die” by Karol K. Truman
Psychosomatics and how not processed feelings deeply buried in our psyche / brains affect our health and life longevity. P.S. There is also a very good book which I read quite recently, which is also great and touches slightly on somewhat similar topics – “The body keeps the score” by Bessel van der Kolk. (and the other one is “Outlive” by Peter Attia, which I’m currently reading, as I update this post)
- “The way of the superior man” by David Deida
The author and spiritual teacher has written several books, which rotate around sex and sexuality.
- Awaken the giant within
- Unlimited power
by Anthony (Tony) Robbins.
Introduction into NLP (neuro-linguistic programming) and generally solid life advice.
- “The power of habit” by Charles Duhigg.
One of the best books on habits formation (from my personal point of view) and how to change and / or eliminate habits.
- Made to stick
- Switch
by Chip Heath and Dan Heath.
The brothers Heath have written several books in various areas from change management to decision making, etc. I really like the way the books are written.
- “Systemisches Konsensieren” by Georg Paulus, Siegfried Schrotta, Erich Visotschnig
This and the next book below are the books showing us how we can use the math and psychology in various simple and not so simple and rather complex frameworks to find optimal solutions to various tasks and problems at hand.
- “Selling blue elephants” by Howard Moskowitz and Alex Gofman
- “Tribal leadership” by Dave Logan, John King and Halee Fischer-Wright
There are various levels of leadership on different levels and the books perfectly demonstrates this.
- “Duct tape marketing” by John Jantsch
The book describes the ways of developing a marketing strategy that is as reliable as duct tape: simple, effective and affordable.
- “Marketing Judo” by John Barnes and Richard Richardson
- “Solitude” by Anthony Storr
Solitude is a thought-provoking book that challenges readers to rethink their assumptions about the importance of relationships in achieving happiness and fulfillment. Storr’s arguments are based on his extensive knowledge of psychology and his insights into the lives of creative individuals. The book is a must-read for anyone interested in the psychology of creativity, personal growth, and the human condition.
- “Love”
and
- “Loving each other”
by Leo Buscaglia
