Looking for your next inspiring read? These 10 books impacted the way I think about success and life. Many have been read more than once!
1. Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth
Explains why we should do hard things and why it is good to embrace challenges rather than fear them.
I read this book after a career change and six months into my first software developer gig. Half a year was plenty of time to realize that I hated software development. Doing hard things is important, but you should also know when to quit. Grit talks about sticking to the difficult thing until the natural ending point. This helps increase your grittiness, but doesn’t prolong your misery longer than necessary. I decided to give that job a year, for the experience, and then looked for something that better suited my personality.
2. Your Brain at Work: Strategies for Overcoming Distraction, Regaining Focus, and Working Smarter All Day Long by David Rock
An in-depth look at how the brain sorts, prioritizes, organizes, and acts on information. Shows why certain tasks, like prioritizing and switching between tasks, can be so draining. Also, gives practical tips on how to make our brains work smarter.
Learning about sections of the brain like the basal ganglia and prefrontal cortex, was enlightening. Now I know why my brain does certain things! Super cool read if you find the brain fascinating.
3. The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing by Marie Kondo
The basic premise – get rid of everything that doesn’t spark joy. Outlines how to deal with your material belongings and keep only the items that matter.
If you feel stuck, reading this and putting into practice its recommendations, can help you get unstuck. Helped me clear my mind and redefine my goals
Tip: Read this book before you move. If you do, you will own less, and moving will be much easier.
4. Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown
How to filter out the nonessential, and focus on what truly matters.
This was one of the books that made me think about changing careers when I worked in accounting.
Favorite quote:
“If you don’t prioritize your life, someone else will.”
5. The Obstacle is the Way – by Ryan Holiday
Pulling from the philosophy of stoicism, this book explores the idea that the obstacles we face shape us. Therefore, those obstacles should be embraced as opportunities for growth.
As someone who doesn’t like change, but thrives on routine and security, The Obstacle is the Way challenged how I perceive challenges.
6. Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle by Emily Nagoski and Amelia Nagoski
A great book on emotional burnout. Geared specifically towards women and how their burnout is unique. Looks at stress and how people get stuck because they can’t complete the stress cycle.
Two big takeaways from this book were: the importance of exercise and sleep to reduce stress and the idea of human beings versus human givers.
7. The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich by Timothy Ferriss
The book that launched many digital nomad dreams. At its core, this book is about lifestyle design and how to work more efficiently.
Reading this book made me realize that there was another way to live and that I should dream bigger. This was the second book that prompted a career change in my thirties.
8. Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear
A book about small, but important habits. It outlines how to create good habits, using methods like habit stacking. This book is a fantastic audiobook, which is read by the author and begins with a gripping story of the author’s own life.
I have read many books on habits, and this one is my favorite! Very practical and inspiring. I like to read it every couple of years, or whenever I need to change my habits.
9. Rising Strong: The Reckoning. The Rumble. The Revolution by Brene Brown
We are all going to fall or fail. That is a given. This book is about what happens after that fall.
One summer I cried multiple times every week. After a really difficult year, which ended in disappointment, this book helped me get back up again. It was instrumental in learning to dream again.
10. Word by Word: a daily spiritual practice by Marilyn McEntyre
A book of meditations on individual words. Broken into weekly sections. Sometimes I need a whole week to think about what it means to “listen”, or “dare”. This book is inspiring and comforting, and after many reads, has become like an old friend.
maryghawley 