10 Books that Can Change Your Life
Most people can point to specific experiences that have changed their lives. In my case, I can point to ten books that have played pivotal roles in changing my outlook on life and have lead me down a path of personal success.
1. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Convey
This was the first book that I read that had a major impact on the way I viewed life. It was from this book that I learned to shape my environment by taking responsibility of my circumstances.
I still read this book today and recommend it to everyone. If you have kids, have them read the teen version. It is never too early for them to gain an understanding of themselves and work and build a positive and successful mentality.
2. Mindfulness by Ellen J. Langer
Initially, I was looking for a book on the Buddhist concept of mindfulness and ended up with this book (which had very little to do with the Eastern concept) by accident. What a fortunate accident! This book helped me understand how automatic behaviors are shaped by childhood experiences. Since birth, we subconsciously gather experiences that later affect our behavior as adults. Although, we cannot change our childhood, as adults, we can make new choices, thus change our future.
3. Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl
Victor Frankl. I can't say enough about the man. Once a prisoner in the Auschwitz concentration camp during WWII, he saw family and friends die at the hands of the Nazis. Yet, he survived and from his experience he came to the belief that no matter how dyer one's circumstances, we all have power over the way we respond in any situation, even at a concentration camp. Who can argue with that. I have never been in such a horrible situation and therefore have no excuse for not taking control of my life. Thank you Frankl! Watch the video below for an introduction to Viktor Frankl.
4. Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
This book is a classic! Don't worry about the cheesy name. The lessons and principles instilled in this book work! Napoleon Hill was commissioned by Andrew Carnegie to interview dozens of successful people and reduce their experiences into key principles that made them successful. Thanks Hill! You did all the hard work for us.
This book is so old that you don't even need to buy it. Click here for a free pdf I found online.
5. Getting Things Done by David Allen
I am a creative person by nature, however, organizing my ideas into functional actions can be a painful process. Luckily, I found this book one day at the bookstore. Getting Things Done (GTD) is one of the leading books on organizational and time management - I think it might be the only one. Without the lessons I've learned from this book, I would still be running all over the place from idea to idea without a working process of how to organize and efficiently manage my deas.
6. 48 Laws of Powers by Robert Greene
This book is a mammoth read. However, if you ever wanted to learn how to manipulate others or protect yourself from being manipulated, this is the book to read. Consider it a modern day version of The Prince by Machiavelli. I must warn you. The power in this book can be used for good or for evil. Muhahahahaha! It's really up to you. But in either case, it is a great book with many useful lessons to can be applied to any area of your life.
7. As a Man Thinketh by James Allen
I can't remember how I came to find this little treasure, but I am glad I did. We have all heard the adage "As a man thinketh, so he is. As a man continue to thinketh, so he remains"". It came from James Allen. This is a very short read (I would consider it more of an article than a book) that breaks down the fundamental condition of man and what it takes to change one's circumstances. This "book' helped me identify the weaknesses in myself and others.
Again, this is a free pdf. So, click here to check it out!
8. The War of Art by Steven Pressfield
If you ever wanted a no nonsense guide on how to excel over procrastination, this is the book for you. I love this book. It is short and to the point. It thought me how to identify the resistance in my life that kept me from achieving my creative aspirations (writing this blog).
9. I Could Do Anything If I Only Knew What it Was by Barbara Sher
Barbara Sher, where have you been all my life. At least that is what I thought right after reading this book. Sher spits in the face of those who say you must only have one goal in life. You can have as many goals as you want and do them all.
We often think that we are unable to go after all our interest, and must give some up for others. However, Sher reveals that all our interest can be achieved over time. And that is the key, "Over time".
Once I was talking to a yong man who didn't know what he wanted to do with his life. I asked him what he wanted to be and he told me a chef, a boxer and a writer. He couldn't possibly be them all he told me. He was so surprised when I told him he could be them all. He could take boxing lessons as a way of exercise, become a critic who writes about food or a chef who writes about cooking. He did not have to give up any of his dreams and neither do you
10. Writing with Power by Peter Elbow
I used to be afraid of writing (I am still a bit nervous when I go through the process of starting from a blank page). Unlike some of my friends, I have always found it difficult to write my thoughts in a clear and coherent manner. I remember once when I was in a special summer scholars program, we had to write essays on various subjects. I would spend hours panicking and writing multiple drafts while my suite mate in the next room would sit back in his chair with his hands clasped behind his head and listen to reggae for hours. Then he would sit up and blast out a perfect well reasoned article in about an hour. An hour! I couldn't believe it. I was spending about six to eight hours on an essay. You could image how frustrated I was. I thought something was wrong with me. However not being the type to not search for answers, I did some online research on how to overcome my writing deficit. That is when I found Elbow's book.
It was from this book that I learned that writing is revision. Most people have problems writing their ideas down in a perfect first draft. You have to rework your writing by continually revising it. It is similar to sculpting. You have to chip away at it until it becomes the figure you want. Once I learned this, I no longer compared my writing process to others. So what if it took me much longer to create a perfect draft than my friend. Life is not about comparison but developing oneself. I just kept my head down and worked with the tools and abilities I had. And look at me now, I am writing blog posts. Five points for me! If you have similar concerns about your writing, this book will liberate you!
I hope that someone of you will find these books as helpful and life changing as I did. Please feel free to comment or leave your book recommendations.
