There's no other way to say it: Books have changed my life in a dramatic and positive way.
Actually, if I’m being honest, sometimes just a single sentence or idea from a book has been enough to completely change my direction or focus. Usually, this change sends me down a path that leads to bigger and better things.
I think of books as on-the-go “pocket mentors.” And because of their relatively cheap price tag, they are by far one of the best return on investments you can make in your personal development, along with continued learning programs like specialized online courses, etc.
Above: Me chillin' with some of my favorite friends ;) Photo: Kristen Curette
Why are books so powerful?
The power of books comes from their concentration of information. They are crystallized thought. A good book is the result of clear, well-structured thinking. So when you read a well-written book, you are consuming information that has been sifted through, refined, and organized in a way that allows for optimum transfer of information to your brain. This process usually requires months or even years of effort on the author’s part.
Learning from those who have gone before me has been an invaluable part of my journey and learning process. And being able to revisit these perspectives and insights whenever I feel like it is a gift I will be forever grateful for. It’s also a huge reason why I’ve been able to create a business around my passion: personal development.
On that note, below are some of the books I read/revisited last month.
Book Recommendations for April
7 Habits of Highly Effective People (Stephen Covey)
This was the very first book on personal development I was ever exposed to. It was the catalyst for my life long love of personal development. During my Junior year of high school, my psychology teacher, Mr. Corner, used it as the basis for an entire semester’s worth of curriculum. I was hooked.
The 7 Habits are an excellent foundation for creating personal change in your life. The author Steven Covey is a highly effective teacher and communicator and clearly lays out why these fundamental principles are important and how to apply them to your life.
Tip: The abridged version on Audible is fantastic if you want to get a distilled version of the book. Steven Covey is a dynamic speaker and effectively communicates the main ideas of his book in about 3 hours.
Your Illustrated Guide to Becoming One With The Universe (Yumi Sakugawa)
This book is such a fun, yet powerful intro to basic spiritual concepts, becoming more connected, and developing inner peace. What I love most about the book are the super cute drawings throughout. Not only are they fun to look at, they also help give the reader a better grasp on the sometimes abstract concepts discussed throughout. Great starter book for someone who is just getting into the world of personal growth/spirituality, etc.
A New Earth (Eckhart Tolle)
This book is essentially a more in-depth exploration of the concepts discussed in the abovementioned book, as well as introducing additional ideas. The greatest gift this book has given me is an understanding of who I am from a cosmic, big picture perspective. It has helped me draw the distinction between my personality and my true self. It has also given me a framework to better understand where the undesirable behavior of others originates as well as where my own undesirable behavior originates from.
One of Tolle’s main strengths is translating very deep spiritual concepts and principles from arcane texts and ancient philosophies into modern day language. Even so, it is a rather dense read and probably not a good “starter book” if you’re new to this kind of information. Having said that, it does have some very powerful insights that can completely shift your consciousness and way of thinking if you are ready for it.
What to Say When You Talk to Yourself (Shad Helmstetter)
This book deals with similar concepts as The Power of Your Subconscious Mind in the sense that it views internal dialogue and repeated messages to our brain as the root cause of how we behave and the beliefs we have about ourselves.
I first read this book when I was about 19 years old. It was the first book that exposed me to these concepts and I was absolutely stunned. I had no idea that many of my behavior and thought patterns were unconscious and a result of past programming I had received and accepted subconsciously.
When I first read it, I actually went as far as recording myself saying positive things to myself. I would fall asleep to this recording and have it on in the background as I did my daily chores. Although I don’t do this anymore, the concepts in this book have been guiding principles of mine for many years.
Rich20Something (Daniel DiPiazza)
I first connected with Daniel, the author of this book, through Instagram in early 2015. We were on similar paths in slightly different niches so we cheered each other on as we worked toward our respective goals.
Then in late 2015 he got a six-figure book deal with a major publisher. I knew he had been hustling, but I didn’t realize he was going that hard!
A few months later he reached out to me and asked me if I wanted to be included in the book as a case study.
When I asked him what the book was going to be about, he said, “It’s a no-BS guide to help people turn their talents into a business they’re passionate about. And I’m also gonna have insights from a bunch of badass entrepreneurs.”
My response: “Count me in!”
Well, that book was released today. Daniel put his heart and soul into this book and as you can imagine, I’m thrilled and honored to be a part of it.
Daniel shares tons of valuable insights from a variety of entrepreneurs who have turned their talents into businesses they are passionate about.
You’ll read about people from all different industries who are dominating their field. Some are in their twenties. Some are in their sixties. Some are in the beginning stages but absolutely crushing it. Some are multi-millionaires who’ve been around the block.
And you’ll also hear from me!
If you’ve ever thought about starting your own business or have already ventured out on your own, this book will serve as a powerful tool and a great investment to help you on your journey.
