17 Books That Can Help You Become An Amazing Human Being in 2023 And Beyond
A friend of mine asked me recently for book recommendations that have a similar theme to James Clear’s Atomic Habits.
There are tons of books like that out there. Below are a few of my suggestions (both old and relatively new, popular and not-so-well-known) along with a short review of each title, starting with Atomic Habits.
1. Atomic Habits by James Clear
Atomic Habits is a comprehensive guide to establishing good habits and breaking bad ones. He covers a lot of ground, from the science of habit formation to the psychology of motivation, and he does so in a way that is both informative and engaging.
Clear makes a strong case for the importance of habit formation, and he offers practical advice on how to go about it. He also debunks some common misconceptions about habit formation, such as the idea that it takes 21 days to form a habit.
The book is full of helpful tips and examples, and it’s clear that Clear has a lot of experience in this area. If you’re looking for a practical guide to forming better habits, Atomic Habits is a great choice.
2. Principles by Ray Dalio
In Principles, hedge fund manager and billionaire investor Ray Dalio shares his unique vision for how to be successful in life and in business. Based on his own experience, Dalio outlines a set of principles that anyone can follow to achieve their goals.
Dalio is a great storyteller, and he weaves together many personal anecdotes to illustrate his points. He is also brutally honest about his own mistakes, which makes his advice all the more credible. His advice is sensible and down-to-earth, and it’s clear that he truly believes in the power of following one’s principles.
Overall, Principles is an inspiring and practical guide to achieving success. Dalio’s advice is sound, and his stories are motivating. This book is a must-read for anyone who wants to improve their life or their business.
3. 12 Rules for Life by Jordan Peterson
In 12 Rules for Life, psychologist and professor Jordan Peterson offers readers a life-changing approach to self-improvement, drawing on lessons from across history and disciplines to provide a spiritual roadmap for living a meaningful life. With clarity and wit, Peterson breaks down each of his 12 rules, offering advice on everything from how to deal with difficult emotions to how to pursue success without sacrificing your integrity. He provides insights on everything from the merits of confrontation to the dangers of procrastination, and shares revealing stories from his own life that illustrate each rule in action.
Peterson’s 12 rules are based on common sense and a deep understanding of human nature, making them easy to follow and apply to your own life. His approach is refreshingly honest and down-to-earth, without any of the usual self-help platitudes. Whether you’re struggling with personal problems or simply looking for some guidance on how to live a more fulfilling life, 12 Rules for Life is essential reading.
4. Beyond Order by Jordan Peterson
In his new book, Beyond Order, Jordan Peterson expands on his previous work, 12 Rules for Life, and explores the importance of order and disorder in our lives. He argues that both are necessary for us to function properly and that we need to find a balance between the two.
Peterson provides many examples of how order and disorder can play out in our lives, both on an individual level and on a societal level. He offers insights into human nature and the way we interact with the world around us. His writing is engaging and thought-provoking, and he brings up some valid points about the importance of finding a balance between order and chaos.
Overall, Beyond Order is an interesting and thought-provoking read. Peterson provides some valuable insights into the importance of both order and disorder in our lives. If you’re a fan of his previous work, you’ll likely enjoy this book as well.
5. Discipline Equals Freedom by Jocko Willink
In his book, Jocko Willink lays out his framework for achieving success in any area of life. He borrows from military discipline to demonstrate how anyone can achieve freedom through self-control.
Willink’s book is brutally honest but it’s also full of useful information for people who want to get their lives in order. He lays out his case clearly and concisely and provides plenty of actionable advice.
If you’re looking for a tough-love approach to life management, Discipline Equals Freedom is a great place to start.
6. The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg
The Power of Habit is a book about, well, the power of habit. In it, Charles Duhigg explores the science behind why we do what we do, and how we can change our bad habits and make better ones.
There’s a lot of fascinating stuff here, like how habits are formed and how they “hijack” our brains, and how we can use this knowledge to change our lives for the better. Duhigg also provides concrete examples of people and companies who have used the power of habit to achieve amazing things.
Overall, this is a really interesting and eye-opening book that is sure to change the way you think about habit formation and change. If you’re looking to make some positive changes in your life, this is definitely a book worth checking out.
7. So Good They Can’t Ignore you by Cal Newport
In “So Good They Can’t Ignore You”, Newport makes a compelling case that the old adage “Do what you love” is not only bad advice but is actually harmful to your career.
He points out that the vast majority of people don’t have any clue what they’re passionate about, and even if they do, passion is often something that develops over time through experience, not something that you can just declare from the get-go.
Instead of “Do what you love”, Newport advocates for a “work first, love second” approach, where you focus on becoming so good at your job that you can’t be ignored. Once you’ve reached that point, then you can start thinking about what you love, and how you can align your career with those passions.
It’s an unconventional approach, but it’s one that makes a lot of sense, and Newport backs it up with plenty of research and real-world examples.
If you’re looking for a different take on career advice, “So Good They Can’t Ignore You” is definitely worth a read.
8. Deep Work by Cal Newport
Deep Work is a book about the importance of focus and concentration in the modern workplace. The author, Cal Newport, is a professor of computer science at Georgetown University and he has written a number of other books on the topic of productivity.
Deep Work makes the case that the ability to focus and concentrate is becoming increasingly rare in the modern world, and that this is having a detrimental effect on our ability to think deeply and creatively. The book offers a number of strategies for increasing your ability to focus, and argues that deep work is essential for success in the 21st century.
Overall, I found Deep Work to be an interesting and thought-provoking read. I particularly liked the section on the importance of focus in the digital age. The book includes a number of useful tips and tricks for increasing your concentration, and I would recommend it to anyone who struggles with distractions or who wants to improve their productivity.
9. Work Rules by Laszlo Bock
In Work Rules!, Laszlo Bock shares insights from his time as Google’s SVP of People Operations. He explores what it takes to create a great workplace, and how companies can use data and technology to improve the employee experience.
Bock’s insights are valuable for any business leader who is looking to create a more innovative and effective workplace. He offers a clear vision for how companies can use technology to improve the employee experience, and shares stories from Google’s own journey to becoming a more data-driven organization.
Overall, Work Rules! is a thought-provoking and inspiring read that offers valuable insights for any business leader looking to create a more innovative workplace.
10. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People is one of the most popular self-help books of all time. It has sold over 25 million copies and has been translated into 38 languages.
The book is based on the premise that successful people have certain habits that they do on a regular basis. The seven habits that Covey covers in the book are:
- Be Proactive
- Begin with the End in Mind
- Put First Things First
- Think Win-Win
- Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood
- Synergize
- Sharpen the Saw
Covey provides readers with insight into each of these habits and how they can be applied in order to improve the quality of their lives. The book is well-written and easy to follow, and it provides readers with practical advice that can be implemented immediately.
Overall, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People is a great book that can help anyone to become more successful in all areas of their life.
11. Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink
If you’re looking for a book that will motivate you to be a better leader, then you need to read Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink. In this book, Willink shares the unique leadership style that he developed during his time as a Navy SEAL. He explains how anyone can become a great leader by taking full responsibility for their teams and always putting the mission first.
Willink’s book is full of inspiring stories and practical advice that will help you become a better leader in any situation. Whether you’re running a business, leading a team, or just trying to improve yourself, you’ll find valuable insights in Extreme Ownership.
12. Leadership Strategy and Tactics by Jocko Willink
Leadership Strategy and Tactics by Jocko Willink is a book that every leader should read. Jocko is a highly experienced military commander who has applied his leadership skills to business with great success. In this book, he shares his leadership insights and provides clear guidance on how to be an effective leader.
One of the key insights that Jocko provides is the importance of leading from the front. He explains that leaders need to be willing to get their hands dirty and do the hard work themselves. This is a great way to build trust and respect from your team. Jocko also stresses the importance of remaining calm under pressure, making decisions quickly and decisively, and always putting the team first.
Overall, this is a fantastic book that provides valuable insights into what it takes to be a successful leader. If you are looking to improve your leadership skills, this is a must-read.
13. Can’t Hurt Me by David Goggins
Can’t Hurt Me is an inspirational and motivating story of David Goggins, who is a former Navy Seal and now a successful ultra-marathoner. The book chronicles Goggins’ life, from his childhood in a tough inner-city neighbourhood to his time in the Navy SEALS and beyond.
Goggins’ story is one of enduring against the odds and never giving up. He overcame a difficult childhood, including being bullied and beaten up regularly. He joined the Navy SEALS as a way to challenge himself and prove to others that he was not a victim. Goggins’ training was incredibly tough, but he persevered and became one of the best.
In addition to his time in the Navy SEALS, Goggins has also competed in ultra-marathons, including the Badwater 135, considered one of the toughest footraces in the world. He has also set multiple world records for endurance challenges.
Can’t Hurt Me is an inspiring story of what is possible if you set your mind to it and never give up. Goggins’ story is one of determination, courage, and resilience. If you are looking for a book that will motivate and inspire you, then Can’t Hurt Me is a must-read.
14. The Score Takes Care of Itself by Bill Walsh
In The Score Takes Care of Itself, Bill Walsh details the lessons he learned during his Hall of Fame career as the head coach of the San Francisco 49ers. He shares his insights on what it takes to be a successful leader and how to create a winning culture within an organization.
Walsh’s philosophy is based on three principles: building a team of individuals with complementary skills, fostering a culture of competitiveness and excellence, and always looking for ways to improve. He applies these principles to both on-field and off-field situations, and provides examples of how they helped him turn the 49ers into a dynasty.
Overall, The Score Takes Care of Itself is a must-read for any aspiring leader. Walsh’s insights are valuable and timeless, and his ability to distill complex concepts into simple principles is impressive. This book is sure to help anyone looking to build a winning team or organization.
15. Excellence Wins by Horst Schulze
Excellence Wins is an inspiring book about transformation and success. Horst Schulze, co-founder of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, shares his wisdom and experience in achieving excellence in business. He provides practical tips and strategies for leaders to create a culture of excellence within their organizations.
Schulze’s message is clear: excellence is a choice. It is not an accident or a lucky break. It is the result of hard work, dedication, and determination. Leaders must be committed to creating an environment where excellence can flourish. This requires setting high standards, providing opportunities for growth and development, and recognizing and rewarding success.
Excellence Wins is an empowering book that will motivate readers to pursue excellence in their own lives and businesses. It is a must-read for anyone who is serious about achieving success.
16. Getting Things Done by David Allen
If you’re looking for a productivity system that will help you get organized and get things done, then you should check out David Allen’s Getting Things Done. This book is full of practical advice on how to establish a productive workflow and how to keep on top of your tasks.
Allen’s system is based on the idea of “capturing” everything that you need to do in a central place, so that you can clear your mind and focus on the task at hand. He provides helpful advice on how to set up a system that works for you, how to prioritize your tasks, and how to deal with email and other communication.
Getting Things Done is an extremely helpful book for anyone who feels like they’re always juggling too many balls. Allen’s system is easy to understand and implement, and it can really make a difference in your productivity.
17. How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
“How to Win Friends and Influence People” by Dale Carnegie is one of the most famous self-help books of all time. In it, Carnegie outlines how to build strong relationships, how to handle difficult conversations, and how to be a better communicator overall. There is a reason this book has sold millions of copies and has been translated into 37 languages — it is truly a timeless classic. While some of the language and examples may feel dated, the underlying principles are as relevant as ever. If you are looking for a book that will teach you how to build strong and lasting relationships, this is it.
And that’s it! What other titles can you recommend?
