If you can’t tell, reading is a big thing around here. I’ve shared a few posts on my recent reads and today I wanted to share the best books I’ve read that have changed my mindset or helped me to become a better professional/friend/all around person. If you’re looking for some books to pick up this summer to level up, I’ve got you covered.
How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
This is by far the best book I have ever read on personal development and quite literally changed my life. My father bought this for me when I was in middle school and having trouble making friends, and I’ve read it countless times since then. I even wrote my college essay about what an impact this book had on the way I conduct myself.
One of the lessons I think of most often is how to handle a disagreement. It is best to always keep an open mind (duh), but it’s even more important to put the other person at ease and make sure they realize they are being heard. Carnegie recommends using a phrase such as, “I could be wrong, I often am. Let us examine the facts.” This puts you on the same team, seeking the answer together.
Read this book. Highlight this book. And re-read it often.
Also by Dale Carnegie is How to Stop Worrying and Start Living. Definitely also worth checking out!
You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero
This book is my most recent read that my aunt recommended to me. I was talking with her about a big decision I needed to make and the self doubt I was feeling (more to come on this big decision soon!), and she pointed me to the audiobook narrated by the author. I liked it so much that I bought the physical book and read it again!
While it can be a bit woo woo at times, I appreciated the messages of trusting in your abilities and how to maintain and really believe in a positive mindset.
Who Moved My Cheese by Spencer Johnson
This is another book that helps with decision making. One of my colleagues gifted this book to me and it was so insightful! It’s a quick read that illustrates its points by telling the story of mice in a maze. You can think about which personality you relate to and figure out what your blindspots may be.
The Slight Edge by Jeff Olson
This book is all about how slight adjustments make a huge difference in your results. It’s another short book that gets you thinking with some examples and then leaves it to you to apply to your life. When I first read it I found myself thinking about my incremental improvements, but have fallen out of it. I think I’ll pick it up again or refer to my notes as a refresher soon!
Simple Rules by Donald Sull and Kathleen M. Eisenhardt
Another recommendation from my father. Along similar lines as The Slight Edge, this book discusses how businesses and individuals can leverage “simple rules” to govern their life and decision making. While the rules are up to you, consciously considering and mapping out the rules that make sense to you can enable you to be more confident, timely, and get better results out of the decisions you make. While the authors could have gotten their points across in 50 pages instead of 200+, it’s absolutely worth the read.
What books have made an impact on your life? Have you read any of these suggestions?
-AJF
Leave a Reply