10 BOOKS THAT CHANGED HOW I THINK
Personally, I don’t have much time between work, family life and personal time, So when I choose certain books, I’ll start reading a few pages and then decide if this is something for me or not. So over the past few years, I have only picked up a handful of books. Some I read cover to cover, others I keep coming back to. All of them have had some impact. This is my personal shortlist. No faffing’ round, 10 books I genuinely love and say: read these.
(book #9 is a very personal :p)
01 HEALTH & LIFESTYLE
THE GRAIN BRAIN WHOLE LIFE PLAN
DR. DAVID PERLMUTTER
If you have ever wondered how what you eat affects how you feel, focus and function, this book connects the dots in a way that is hard to ignore. Dr. Perlmutter breaks down the link between diet, brain health and everyday wellbeing with real clarity. One of those books that makes you rethink your plate entirely.
02 HABITS & MINDSET
ATOMIC HABITS
JAMES CLEAR
Probably the most practical book on behaviour change ever written. James Clear makes the case that it is not about big, dramatic shifts... It's about the 1% improvements that compound over time. The step-by-step guides on breaking old habits and building new ones are incredibly clear to apply in real life, from day one.
03 PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
LIMITLESS. EXPANDED EDITION
JIM KWIK
I am still reading this one as I write this and I am hooked. I did not expect it to be this good. Jim Kwik takes complex ideas around learning, memory and focus and breaks them down into things you can actually act on. If you want to learn faster, retain more and operate at a higher level, this is it.
04 MARKETING
THIS IS MARKETING
SETH GODIN
Whether you are launching a new brand from scratch or growing an established one, this book is packed with thinking that applies in any direction. Seth Godin cuts through the noise and gets to what marketing is really about.. Serving people.
05 COMMUNICATION
TALK LIKE TED
CARMINE GALLO
I read the whole book and then listened to the audiobook. That is how much I got out of it. It is not just about public speaking. It is about building confidence, beating impostor syndrome and learning to communicate ideas in a way that actually lands. Highly recommend both formats.
06 MINDSET & CLARITY
THINK LIKE A MONK
JAY SHETTY
If your day-to-day life feels hectic and you are looking for some mental clarity and grounding, this book is for you. Jay Shetty draws on his time as a monk to offer a genuinely calming perspective on purpose, stress and how to quiet the noise. I discovered it a few years ago, and some things have really stayed with me. Example:
"Open your phone first thing in the morning and you hand control of your focus, mood, and priorities to everyone else before you’ve even decided what your own day stands for."
I mean... he is so right.
07 PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
THE CODE OF THE EXTRAORDINARY MIND
VISHEN LAKHIANA
Blown away. That is genuinely the best way I can describe this one. Vishen Lakhiani challenges almost every assumption you have about how life is supposed to work and gives you the tools to rewrite your own. A big, bold read that leaves you thinking differently about everything.
08 MONEY AND FINANCE
I WILL TEACH YOU HOW TO BE RICH
RAMIT SETHI
Yes, it is written from an American perspective, but do not let that put you off. The money management principles in here are universally useful, at any age and in any country. Ramit Sethi makes personal finance feel accessible and even enjoyable. A solid foundation for anyone wanting to get smarter with money
09 CULTURE AND PHILOSOPHY
THE TAO OF WU
RZA (WU-TANG CLAN)
A personal one. As a massive Wu-Tang fan, I picked this up not knowing what to expect and it is genuinely one of the most fascinating reads I have ever come across. Philosophy, street wisdom, martial arts and music all woven together. I finished it faster than any other book on this list. (Yes, really.)
10 BUSINESS ESSENTIALS
HBR 20-MINUTE MANAGER SERIES
HARVARD BUSINESS REVIEW PRESS
10 mini books in one: Managing Projects, Running Meetings, Creating Business Plans... Compact, no-nonsense guides that give you a solid foundation in core business skills. Brilliantly structured and easy to digest, whether you are starting or levelling up.
