Books for inspiration, challenge and growth.
I am regularly asked by clients for book recommendations.
So here I’ve started putting together a list of books that I’d recommend, each very powerful and insightful in its own right but together, as a body of work, that’s where the real strength lies. Maybe a bit like life, its not just one thing (or one book, or one genre of books) but everything that we do and believe that makes us who we are. In this curated list I believe that It’s the compound effect of all the diverse and complementary knowledge that makes the difference, no one aspect lives in isolation. Take the compound effect, read them all and power your peak.
Every now and then I’ll add a new title.
“How will you measure your life?” Clayton M. Christensen. It is a good idea to understand and determine how to value how you live your life. What is important, what’s not so important? We spend so much time valuing and assessing everything, except that which is most valuable - our life.
“The Hard Thing About Hard Things: Building a Business When There Are No Easy Answers” Ben Horowitz The Indian sage Patanjli talks of yoga asana as a strong and steady seat. This means that each asana (yoga posture) is composed of apparently opposing ideas, flexible and strong, fluid and structured, expansive and contracted. A bit like a good business and a good leader.
“Being Mortal” Atul Gawande The value of living versus being alive and avoiding technology for technology’s sake.
“Principles: Life and Work” Ray Dalio Whether you’re in the groove or stuck in a rut, work out what your principles are. Especially true if you are living a fast paced ever changing life, often we don’t really have time to work out how to respond on the fly. What expectations do you have of others and what should they have of you? What do you stand for or maybe what’ll you stand?
“Man’s Search For Meaning” Viktor E Frankl Inner strength, kindness and the power of relationships in the face of unbelievable suffering.
“The Lean Startup” Eric Ries As simple as it can be, as complex as it needs to be, just try and see what happens. As true for the 21st Century global economy as it was for 14th Century England. Perhaps even more so.
“The Creative Act: A Way of Being” Rick Rubin Listen and look, there are ideas, beginings and music everywhere.
“Quiet” Susan Cain Pay attention to all inputs, irrespective of their levels of volume, sophistication or energy. Be wary of your inner bias.
“Grow a new body” Alberto Villoldo You are constantly replacing the cells in your body. About 330 billion are replaced daily, around 1% of all your cells. After 80 to 100 days, 30 trillion cells will be new and even though some cells can last for up to 50 years, 30 trillion is equivalent to a whole new you. Invest in your body and spirit, it’s always changing and its all connected.
“The Mindful Body” Ellen J. Langer We spend so much time trying to work out the right decision that we often neglect to make that very same decision right. It sounds so simple but if we focussed as much energy, attention and thought into making our decisions work as we do on analysing and stressing about those decisions we might just enjoy a more satisfying, healthy and productive life. That is the premise of The Mindful Body. We should strive everyday to recognise the extraordinary power our mind exerts on our body. What are you thinking?