10 Books That Will Change Your Life

We are a little over halfway through the year. Your New Year’s Resolutions did not pan out as intended. Allow yourself some grace. As humans, things do not go as planned but do not give up. Life experiences provide the best learning lessons, but sometimes you can feel complacent in the daily routine of inconsistency and minimal effort. That train stops here, it is time to rebuild and align yourself. 

For others, this year has been everything you’ve imagined and more but you are looking for ways to expand and grow. Both realities coexist and deserve to be recognized. Regardless, there is always room to improve your life, finances, thought process, etc. I’ve compiled a list of books that will help you elevate to the best version of yourselves. It’s time for a transformation. Here are 10 books that will change your life. Heal your soul, change your mindset, and grow your pockets. Thank me later. 

 

The Four Agreements By Miguel Ruiz

“The Four Agreements” should rest on the corners of everyone’s nightstand. This is the kind of book that requires self-evaluation of one’s life choices. Ruiz shares a transformative guide on how we view others and how people influenced our life decisions.

Through action-based lessons, Ruiz breaks down each step into four agreements that we are to give ourselves. Be impeccable with your words, don’t take anything personally, don’t make assumptions, and always do your best. “The Four Agreements” challenges how we think, how we perceive what others say to us, and how we respond to them.

The Final step connects our childhood to our adult habits. It is important to unravel our childhood teachings because they are what render how we perceive the world and our morals. We think we’ve conjured up our standards through our own interpretations when in reality, our parents hold a lot of influence on our point of view. Ruiz emphasizes the significance of breaking those “Old Agreements” and developing new ones. Once we’ve become knowledgeable then can we consciously live a meaningful life. This book is suitable for those who prefer a short yet profound read.

What Happened To You By Oprah Winfrey and Dr. Bruce Perry

Brain Development and Trauma Expert, Dr. Bruce Perry joins in conversation with Oprah Winfrey to break down the true stages of trauma and the healing process. The book breaks down the experiences of our childhood and how our choices as adults are influenced by a past event, good or bad. Through these events, we either develop healthy on non-healthy habits.

These habits can be contributing factors to mental health issues that later develop in adulthood. They can also be a key component to discovering the problems that arise within relationships and life choices.  A key point that Dr. Perry stresses is changing the question from “What’s wrong with you? ” to “What Happened To You?”

Along with this realization comes the vulnerability to face yourself with the trauma that has been subconsciously suppressed. These traits are found through observations of one’s behavior. The audiobook highlights the most significant detail which eliminates “self-blaming” and “self-sabotage” which leaves room for “healing.”

Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki 

“Rich Dad, Poor Dad,” tells the story of Kiyosaki’s two fathers. His biological father lived a very poor life while his best friend’s father did not. The book follows the thought process and conceptual ideas of the two regarding finances and investing. The book also details the comparison of financial health within both mindsets. Those who are not wealthy work for money while those who are wealthy create ways for money to work for them.

The wealthy do this by generating accruing wealth instead of incurring debt. The book also emphasizes the value of attaining the most powerful resource, our mind. When we become knowledgeable of certain financial factors, then can we attain financial wealth. We must educate ourselves on the differences between being poor and “broke.” Also understanding the process of “cash flow.”

This book will help you unlock financial freedom by providing a guided lesson to understanding the importance of financial literacy. One part of the text I find to be meaningful is the idea of minding your own business and creating a financial foundation. This book is great for millennials who are attempting to survive through inflation while balancing low-income jobs. 

The Power Of Discipline: How To Use Self-control And Mental Toughness To Achieve Your Goals By Daniel Walter

Self-Discipline has to be a top five critical skill set when building your business, or just overall creating a better lifestyle for yourself. Throughout his book, Daniel Walter identifies a guide to overcoming mental limitations for a successful outcome to become more self-aware and self-motivated. Walter also highlights the invisible yet powerful force of the status quo that hinders you from achieving your full potential.

Once you are able to relinquish negative influences that can keep you stagnant then are you able to achieve your goals. The main key is to build a habit for yourself and create space for meditation or stillness. If there are intrusive thoughts and feelings such as anger, it will allow you to process sed feelings that aren’t useful. However, he teaches one’s ability to utilize that feeling to ignite a positive shift and analyze why it exists. Emotions are inevitable, it is a human reaction.

However, we can’t allow those human responses to control us, and hinder our ability to reach our goals. To be disciplined creates a routine, and allows time for things that will help us produce the best versions of ourselves while keeping our sanity. Discipline is the key to achieving the most authentic, and rewarding versions of ourselves.

 

Think and Grow Rich By Napoleon Hill

 

Napoleon Hill delves into the philosophy of manifestation and its benefits for professional and personal growth. Hill breaks down the concept that if you have a strong desire for something and that desire is vigorous you must be willing to “raise the stakes.” Raising those stakes leaves no room for doubt or (to summarize) imposter syndrome. It is important to focus on your goals and have faith that you are capable, which will produce confidence. Also, it is necessary to create a routine for yourself.

That way your routine becomes a part of your daily subconscious. Hill also states the importance of imagination followed by organized planning and lack of procrastination. Procrastination is the killer of dreams. If we are to get into the habit of procrastination then it will affect our overall success. It is imperative that we not only devise a routine and stick to that plan. To be persistent and fight the overbearing feeling to quit. There is so much power in the mind and that power we have over ourselves will determine our development of life. 

The Alchemist By Paulo Coelho

“The Alchemist” is another book that I believe should be a part of your home reading essentials. This story carries you through the life of a young shepherd named Santiago as he goes on a quest to find lost treasure. The book begins with Santiago placed underneath a Sycamore tree set beside an abandoned church. Santiago has a dream about a child who enlightens him of treasure located at the Egyptian Pyramids and encourages him to go find it.

Along his journey, Santiago encounters a prophet, thieves, an Englishman, a lover, and the Alchemist. There is strong symbolism with each interaction that fall into life’s real encounters of dreams, love, religion, fate, etc. There is a correlation between life’s voyages and the many people we may encounter along the way.

There’s a section in the book that addresses the notion of doubt. Santiago has finally gotten back on his feet after losing everything and ponders the thought of ending his voyage early leaving his treasures behind. Through a moment of doubt, he musters the faith to proceed not knowing what he would find in the end. He has a vision, and his vision was worth the journey. That speaks highly of our goals and career through the eyes of failure. Are we truly willing to persevere after multiple attempts and defeat? This book serves as a teacher of life and illustrates the different paths we take and how our outcomes are determined by the choices we make and what pushes us to finish the race.

The 48 Laws of Power By Robert Greene

This book in particular is packed with layers of valuable information that can be applied to your career, friendships, and life’s obstacles. Robert Greene has compiled a wide range of events in history and extracted 48 laws to acquire power. To be honest, some of the laws do contradict others. However, I do believe that the reader must be conscious of what can be applied to their life. Overall, Greene instructs how one can truly reach full success through manipulation, persistence, strategy, and Confidence.

One thing that stands out within the 48 laws is the ability to determine what is worth your time and what is not. Knowing when to react, and when is the right time to speak is essential. Saying less unless necessary, and guarding your intentions in life are also key components. I find it interesting how Greene pushes the idea of toying with your enemies, poking at their weaknesses, and being ahead of the game as a high point of the text.

The book focuses heavily on how to manipulate people into dependency and never accept things that are considered “Free.” These sharp, straightforward, and cold intentions have played as foundations for many artists in their trajectory to fame. Some may call this a must-have book for achieving true success. Others make call it dark power. Nevertheless, it is filled with powerful information that has a track record of success.

 

Finish What You Start: The Art of Following Through, Taking Action, Executing, & Self-Discipline by Peter Hollins

If you suffer from procrastination, this book is for you. Peter Hollins takes on a different objective of achieving productivity through the lens of psychology and science. Hollins concentrates on the essential stages that are required to have profitable outcomes such as self-discipline, setting realistic and achievable goals, and creating a space with limited distractions. One chapter highlights the concept of setting rules for one’s self.

In order to set those rules, one must be extremely critical, and not be afraid to face your flaws head-on in order to achieve a constructive outcome. Within setting realistic goals and rules, Hollins states the significance of having “mindset” rules. These rules set proper expectations for yourself and leave room for decompression if feeling overwhelmed.

Becoming extremely overwhelmed leads to overthinking and overthinking is self-sabotage. To combat these things the book magnifies practical concepts such as having a daily system for success. Daily systems include a proper routine that allows room for rest and work. Setting a specific time to work on your goals without distractions and knowing the difference between expectations and realistic goals. Hollins does a great job of setting up a detailed plan to help achieve a productive a rewarding lifestyle. 

 

Good Vibes, Good Life: How Self Love is The Key To Unlocking Your Greatness By Vex King

Vex King’s approach may be a little different than those listed above. One of the main takeaways from this book can be sourced back to one word. vibration. King focuses primarily on the law of attraction. Your thought process contributes to what you’ll receive from the world.  He uses the concept of low and high vibrations. If you are easily tempered producing negative thoughts, that is a low vibration. Nothing good will come to those who think negatively, but if you think positively the world will provide you with the necessities for a joyous life.

However, King does illustrate that does may not happen all the time but it is a greater chance. Vibrations are made up of Atoms and if we radiate joy and positivity, then we’ve achieved what King calls, the Law of Vibration. The Law of Vibration can only be attained once you’ve taken control of your own vibrational frequency. This includes distancing yourself from toxicity and controlling your surrounding and actions. By becoming conscious of your thought then are you able to unlock a high vibrational reality.

The Art of War By Sun Tzu

“The Art of War” shares similar ideologies to “The 48 Laws of Power” which references the need to eliminate your enemies and know when to show signs of strength and weakness. in this book, Sun Tzu, a military strategist and Philosopher, enforces a blueprint rooted in military tactics by selectively choosing your battles. One main attribute is knowing when to attack and when to react. This realization can be achieved once you have total awareness. Self-awareness misinforms your enemies to think you are incapable and will consider you to be unprepared for “war”. Tzu views that as a perfect position because your attack will be least expected.

In addition, Tzu talks about the aspects of leadership.Your role as a leader is to guide your team as if they were one person. Even if your team is larger, breaking down your teams into smaller groups can be sificantly beneficial. A lot of entrepreneurs attach to this method because of it’s correlation to the business module for most companies. If you are starting a business but do not know how to guide your team, this book is for you.