The right book can change your life. Between those pages rest perspectives that can radically shift how you approach life. Within the covers, sit strategies you can implement to change your patterns of behavior (and as a result, your life). The following books were chosen for their life altering potential. These aren’t tips to improve your social media engagement or write better emails. These go much deeper than quick strategy – they challenge everything we know about business and life.
At the same time, the following books are fun to read. No one wants to spend the cold months forcing their attention to read through dull and dense business theory. These books are meant to be enjoyed and engaging for you to read (while giving you knowledge that can shift your world upside down in an effective manner)
So grab that blanket and curl up on the couch and get to reading!
1. The Dip By Seth Godin
One sentence summary: Discover how to know when to quit and when to keep pushing through.
What you’ll learn: The Dip is a really short book guiding readers to change how they approach decision making differently. Our culture praises the hard worker who sacrifices day after day to make their dream happen, which The Dip questions the merits of this mindsight. Sure, sometimes you need to push through. Other times, you need to quit. This book helps you know when to do which.
Who should read it: Anyone thinking of embarking on a new career path, developing a new skill, launching a new product, or setting out on a new venture. This will help you figure out 1) if it is worth pursuing at all and 2) when you should quit it.
A gold nugget of a quote: “Strategic quitting is the secret of successful organizations”
2. The 4-Hour Work Week by Timothy Ferriss.
One sentence summary: Hack your life to work as well as possible while working as little as possible.
What you’ll learn: This book challenges the notion that successful entrepreneurs need to log 60 hour work weeks. The author explores our changing work landscape, especially remote work, and advocates for deviating from the 9-5 grind. You’ll walk away with a new approach to work and strategies to implement today.
Who should read it: Anyone who is unsatisfied with their current work situation, particularly overworking and not enjoying life to its fullest.
A gold nugget of a quote: “What we fear doing most is usually what we most need to do”.
3. Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us by Daniel Pink
One sentence summary: Figure out what motivates people so you can better motivate yourself and your employees.
What you’ll learn: Dive into the world of human psychology to discover what really motivates people. By understanding motivation, you can better understand what conditions facilitate a rewarding and efficient work atmosphere. This knowledge helps you overcome your own procrastination and task anxiety, as well as better motivate your employees. The end result is better work and more fulfilled individuals.
Who should read it: Anyone who is in a leadership position.
A gold nugget of a quote: “Human beings have an innate inner drive to be autonomous, self-determined, and connected to one another. And when that drive is liberated, people achieve more and live richer lives.”
4. Mindset: How You Can Fulfill Your Potential by Carol Dweck
One sentence summary: We can hold one of two mindsets- and the right one will lead you to the best possible version of yourself.
What you’ll learn: People adopt one of two mindsets: a fixed or a growth mindset. These are often ingrained in us from childhood by our parents, teachers, and society. Many of us unfortunately get the limiting one unintentionally thrust upon us – and we are forever held back and less happy because of it. This book guides you to understanding the mindsets and helps you adopt the ideal one, unlocking the ideal version of yourself.
Who should read it: Anyone who ever wished they were more confident and feels like they are capable of more (but are just unsure how to get there)
A gold nugget of a quote: “Becoming is better than being”
5. Predictably Irrational by Dan Ariely
One sentence summary: Understand all the ways your brain makes mistakes so you can outsmart yourself.
What you’ll learn: This book enters the world of human psychology to discover all the ways our brains are irrational. You’ll find common fallacies and shortcuts our brains take when making sense of the world, the ways these can harm us, and the ways we can be on our guard against them.
Who should read it: Anyone willing to honestly evaluate their thinking patterns ready to make a change.
A gold nugget of a quote: “We usually think of ourselves as sitting in the driver’s seat, with ultimate control over the decisions we made and the direction our life takes; but, alas, this perception has more to do with our desires-with how we want to view ourselves- than with reality.”
6. The Happiness Hypothesis by Jonathan Haidt
One sentence summary: Rounding up insight from cultures around the world and across time, this book guides the reader to creating happiness.
What you’ll learn: Happiness is something everyone wants to feel, yet often doesn’t. This book takes in the wisdom from different ancient civilizations and modern scientific research to shed light on how we can create true happiness.
Who should read it: Anyone currently discontent with their life and wanting more happiness
A gold nugget of a quote: “Happiness is not something that you can find, acquire, or achieve directly. You have to get the conditions right and then wait.”