Part of developing a growth mindset means learning from the success and experience of others. Books are a great way to learn about different outlooks, strategies, and mindsets for life. It truly is incredible what just one book can do to change one’s perspective of the world around us. This post, made through the collaborative effort of professionals and undergraduate students, details an ever-changing list of life-changing books that everyone should read at least once.
Our List for the most Life-Changing Books You Should Read
Here’s our list of the most life-changing books you should read. Click on any of the links to get a quick synopsis of each book.
Principles - Ray Dalio The Art of Happiness - The Dalai Lama and Howard Cutler, M.D. The Millionaire Next Door - William D. Danko, Ph.D. and Thomas J. Stanley, Ph.D. Think and Grow Rich - Napolean Hill The Happiness Equation - Neil Pasricha The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People - Stephen R. Covey Start With Why - Simon Sinek Search Inside Yourself - Chade-Meng Tan Principle-Centered Leadership - Stephen R. Covey The Millionaire Mind - Thomas J. Stanley, Ph.D. Thanks for the Feedback: The Science and Art of Receiving Feedback Well – Douglas Stone and Sheila Heen
Principles – Ray Dalio
Written by one of the most successful businessmen and investors of all time, Principles by Ray Dalip provides a straightforward approach to decision-making and life. Ray Dalio talks about the importance of aligning one’s work with their passion. He discusses how to build a great culture filled with like-minded individuals and how to collaboratively create consistent outcomes that match your goals. Finally, he stresses the importance of developing a growth mindset as well as the importance of reflection in our daily lives.
The Art of Happiness – The Dalai Lama and Howard Cutler, M.D.
Finding true happiness in a world filled with so many obstacles is a truly daunting task. Yet despite having suffered many catastrophes in his life the spiritual leader of Buddhism, the Dalai Lama, remains unconditionally happy. Together with the help of psychiatrist Howard Cutler, this book explores how one can defeat anxiety, insecurity, anger, and discouragement. The Art of Happiness explores how happiness is a state of mind, influenced by our own outlook on life, rather than a direct result of one’s circumstances. From relationships, loss, and the pursuit of wealth, this book covers many facets of achieving happiness in daily life.
The Millionaire Next Door – William D. Danko, Ph.D. and Thomas J. Stanley, Ph.D.
Financial literacy is an important skill that everyone should have. The Millionaire Next Door, a book summarizing the research of two Ph.D.s, teaches the reader about simple spending and saving habits that everyone should know to live a life that is financially independent. It also discusses the most critical mistakes many make and how to avoid them on one’s road to financial freedom.
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People – Stephen R. Covey
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey is a book that teaches important skills that each person should learn on their own path to success. This book is based on the belief that in order to change a given situation, we must first change ourselves and our perception of the world. Stephen Covey discusses the importance of self-mastery and becoming independent, the importance of collaboration and communication, and continuous growth.
Think and Grow Rich – Napolean Hill
Napoleon Hill spent 20 years of his life studying the habits of the 500 most successful people in life. Think and Grow Rich is his personal curration of the 13 most common habits of these wealthy and successful people. He discusses the importance of having an unshakeable belief in yourself and how one can use the teaching and expertise of others to propel themselves forward in life.
The Happiness Equation – Neil Pasricha
The Happiness Equation discusses what Neil Paricha believes is the fatal flaw in life which most people believe, that first one must have success and then they may have happiness. Neil Parischa discusses how happiness must come first, and that comes through appreciating the things we have now. In his book Niel discusses topics such as Ikigai, which means “reason for waking up in the morning” and how one can achieve happiness through doing what they love.
Start With Why – Simon Sinek
Simon Sinek uses real life examples of the world’s greatest leaders to create life lessons that each person can use to inspire others into action. Start With Why stresses the importance of having a reason for the things we do in life. He discusses how greater leaders firstly communicate with why they do the things they do and follow it with how they go about doing so. It is only after those around them are inspired and excited to make a diffference that one can figure exactly what one must do to make change.
Search Inside Yourself – Chade-Meng Tan
In a world so fast paced and outwards looking, Search Inside Yourself, discusses the importance of mindfulness and looking within. Chade-Meng Tan, one of Google’s earliest engineers, delves into how emotional intelligence is exceptionally important in a workplace setting. He discusses how meditation is a key to developing emotional intelligence and how happiness stems from your passion and sense of purpose.
Principle-Centered Leadership – Stephen R. Covey
We live in a time where change is abundant and the world is quickly evolving. This begs the questions “how can individuals and organizations survive in a time of tremendous change?” In Principle-Centered Leadership Stephen R. Covey demonstrates that the answer to these questions as well as other dilemmas lies in having principle-centered leadership. By understanding one’s own goals and ethic and using an inside-out approach to develop a team dedicated towards a common goal one can create a more rewarding and effective life.
The Millionaire Mind – Thomas J. Stanley, Ph.D.
In this book Thomas J. Stanley remarks on how children have naturally picked up habits from the world around them which has influenced the way they spend money. Yet oftentimes these habits are not conclusive to a successful and financial free life. The Millionaire Mind encourages its readers to take charge of their own finances, break through our own mental barriers, and learn from the habits of those who are financialy successful in the pursuit of wealth.
Thanks for the Feedback: The Science and Art of Receiving Feedback Well – Douglas Stone and Sheila Heen
Throughout our entire life, we will constantly be giving and receiving feedback. And that feedback can often be off-base, unfair, poorly delivered, or given when you’re frankly just not in the mood. Yet feedback is vital to the learning process and we must learn to be willing and able to absorb feedback from others if we are to effectively learn from them. Thanks for the Feedback discusses the art and science of recieving feedback well so that you can improve in all situations.
Further Life-Changing Books
Our list of life-chagning books is not exhaustive and by no means inclusive of all meaningful publications. We would love to hear your list of life changing books and add to our ever growing list above. If you have something you’d like to add feel free to leave a comment or contact us below. Happy reading!