The Essentials
Leaders are readers, but not all readers are leaders. Knowledge is not power, but potential power — only applied knowledge is power. Reading is useless unless you apply it and make changes in your life.
Man's Search For Meaning
Viktor Frankl
Written by Viktor Frankl as a reflection on living through the Holocaust. His insight on why some survived and others did not. This is a must read.
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As A Man Thinketh
James Allen
This short essay from 1904 is still just as relevant today. Much of the content was ahead of its time, as neuroscience is currently reinforcing these principles.
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Grit
Angela Duckworth
Duckworth goes into how the preconceived human instinct of talent over hard work is wrong, challenging how we assume someone wins from luck or natural talent.
The Obstacle Is The Way
Ryan Holiday
This book is amazing. Some of the principles are simple, yet incredibly strong. Understanding how to talk to yourself as if you were your friend is so strong.
Relentless
Tim S. Grover
This is a behind-the-scenes look at how some of the greatest people became that way. Grover's philosophy is that different habits of athletes are applicable to more in life than sports.
Onward
Howard Schultz
This is about the struggle, passion, and vision for what Starbucks is and could be. Understanding the struggle behind the business ... it's no wonder it has been such a success.
Start With Why
Simon Sinek
The foundation of a great company is not just what they do for the industry, but why they do it. Understanding your "why" is key.
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The Power Of Habit
Charles Duhigg
Duhigg goes deep into how strong habits are for humans. He provides tools to change and create new habits. A must read to understand how habits form you.
Good To Great
Jim Collins
The definition of great isn't short-term success, but growth continually over the long term. Collins dives into why some companies achieve greatness while their competitors cannot.
Zero To One
Peter Thiel
Thiel is a genius when it comes to startups and growing in the future. Read this book to understand future growth and how to adapt.
Eleven Rings
Phil Jackson
I am not a huge basketball fan, but grew up with every Lakers game on the TV. One thing I can remember is how excellent of a coach Phil Jackson was, and his legacy is astounding.
The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership
John Maxwell
This is one of the books that started me on my growth journey. Law One had me curious for years!
Can't Hurt Me
David Goggins
Disclaimer: The language is rough, but this man's story shows the capabilities of the human mind. His perspective on mental toughness is amazing.
Atomic Habits
James Clear
Written as a follow-up to Duhigg's Power of Habit, Clear goes deep into building and breaking habits, using Duhigg is a foundation for the book. A must read after Power of Habit.
Mastery
Robert Greene
Greene explores the art of mastery, and how anyone can be a master in their field if they follow a few principles.
Limitless
Jim Kwik
This book was a game-changer for me. Learning the different memory and reading hacks has been essential for the amount of reading I do.
The Art Of War
Sun Tzu
There is little difference between business and war. Understanding the principles at play in a free market is essential.
Free To Focus
Michael Hyatt
Many people are continually trying to figure out how to do things faster so they can fit more into their lives. This book outlines how to be more efficient in work and life — a real game-changer!
Here are a short list of the books that inspired my blog. The things I've become passionate about from reading as much as I do is: being creative, choosing to grow, doing something rad for your life and take a second to enjoy life. I spend years as a freelance photographer, loved every minute of it, not I focus on business growth through advertising and blogging about choosing growth.