The Top Ten Books That Have Changed My Life Recently

I’m often asked what books I would recommend for personal growth.  These are my top ten favorites I’ve read recently:

Limitless by Jim Kwik.  I read a lot of books. I consume a lot of information. But it’s not very useful if I forget it.  This book is filled with amazing insight into learning how to learn and learning how to remember what you learn.  I have taken several online classes from Jim Kwik and was thrilled to finally have a book! This book is inspirational and fundamental for gaining the skills you want to have and remember with everything else you learn in life.

Atomic Habits by James Clear.  This book altered my life path. Literally. My entire mentoring program, Mastering the Art of Showing Up, is founded on a little idea I read in one of these chapters. The concept of small and simple things turning into something great is the premise of this entire book. It’s masterful and amazing.

The Compound Effect by Daren Hardy. Another brilliant read on the principle of small and simple things turning into something great. There is not a single class I teach that I don’t quote from this book.

Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport. This book transformed my relationship with social media and technology.  Based off the minimalist view that it is possible to use technology for it’s very best uses and let go of the rest. Thus, the reason that I’m not on social media, often leave my phone home, and go on solitude walks every morning. To say that these practices have changed my life is an understatement. It is the only reason that I feel I have an original idea in my brain to contribute to the world, because I’m not always connected to the minds and ideas of everyone else. 😉

Essentialism by Greg Mckeown.  Another amazing minimalist book on the concept of filling our lives only with that which is essential. Our time, our commitments, our relationships, even our possessions.  This book has helped me filter my commitments to only be what is most important and helped me see what isn’t.

Turning Pro by Steven Pressfield.  Honestly, the title of the book changed my life before I even read it. This is a short easy and powerful read. My entire work life completely changed from this simple idea of “Turning Pro”.  I spun my wheels for years in trying to move forward in a business based in personal growth but made no progress.  When I wrote my goals this year I wrote down “Turn Pro”. I realized that I hadn’t been approaching my work as a pro at all.  I’d justify missing a week or several weeks of doing a podcast or creating a class. If I had been working for a real boss I would have been fired by now. I wasn’t showing up consistently at all.  I recommitted to be a professional and show up and hold myself accountable. I broke out of a 4 year rut, started making money for the first time in years, and have over 10x’d my podcast in less than a year. Turning Pro is a concept that can be used in more than just a career. It’s the principle of truly committing yourself to something. You could be a pro in motherhood, in your relationships or a cause or a career. We all have something we could be more pro at. Currently I’m working on being a pro Homemaker 🙂

Loving What Is by Byron Katie.  I’ve had this book for years but didn’t read it until I took an online course from Byron Katie a few months ago.  The concepts she teaches about not arguing against reality and learning to “Love What Is” led me on an enlightened search to find out how the Gospel supports this idea.  And wow did I find the connection! Come join my mentoring group if you’d like to learn these concepts from a Gospel perspective. This ability to love and allow the agency of others and everything that happens to us is probably the most fundamental shift I’ve had this year (if not ever).  I kind of feel like it’s one of the secrets to the universe.  We dedicate an entire month to this idea in my mentoring program.

High Performance Habits by Brendan Bruchard. Loved this book.  Brendan did a study of thousands of high performers and found the common habits they have.  He gets specific on what habits will make the greatest difference in being the best version of yourself that you can be. I was excited to see I was already doing many of them, and came away with a few more that I have added in that have made a big difference.

Stillness Is The Key by Ryan Holiday.  This was a delightful read.  This book is filled with inspiring stories of great world leaders, celebrities, and athletes that illustrate different principles of stillness (for good and bad).  I consider myself a person who has already cultivated a lot of stillness in my life (I’m a digital minimalist, I practice and teach meditation, and I’m naturally an introvert) and I still came away with new ideas. I cried through his whole chapter on Leisure (which was a sign that I needed to seek for more leisure in my life! ha!).  Brilliantly written, as is to be expected of Ryan Holiday.

You Can Heal Your Life by Louise Hay.  Louise was one of the pioneering thought leaders about the power of words and affirmations.  Her book is a powerful insight into the mind body connection words have upon us.  Very inspiring.

This is my favorites list for 2019.  Already excited for the stack of books I have for next year! Hooray for awesome books!

Delightfully,

brooke

P.S. Cheesy sidenote that once upon a time I wrote a book too🙂  Currently on sale for $9 on Amazon and I think it’s pretty smart and useful.  I share all my favorite practical tools that help you Live In Your True Identity.