Last Updated on March 30, 2022 by Stephanie
I have always loved to read, but admit that life got in the way the past few years. I could make excuses for why I wasn’t reading. I’m not going to though, because it was all on me. Playing on my phone, cruising the internet… all of those things had more appeal. My goal for 2021 was to read 50 books, and I achieved it on November 26th of that same year.
I don’t say this to brag or say that everyone needs to do this, but did you know that some of the most successful people in society are those that read the most? Did you also know that American’s, on average, only read one book a year? We DEVOUR social media and news on our phones like crazy, but we only read one book a year? That astounded me.
Listening to Books Changed My Reading Life
It is not cheating to listen to a book! I thought this for years but decided to listen to a book on my phone while taking a longer road trip this year. What I did not expect was that it would turn into something I loved. Why not turn dead time into productive time? When you’re driving, listen to a book. When you’re walking, listen to a book (I often do this in the morning!). Listen while you are doing a mindless task like folding your laundry, crafting, etc. This came up in several different books I’ve read as something successful people do. The idea of using your commute as prime inspiration and learning time is amazing!
If you want to be inspired, you want to be more productive or want to learn about something new, read a book. A book can be an absolute mentor for you and provide you with great resources and knowledge to help you achieve your goals.
Before you read about these five awesome books, check out my digital book logs! A place to log and review 100 books, this hyperlinked PDF is AWESOME to keep track of your reading goals. Click on the picture below to head over to my shop and check it out!
5 Great Books to Read
This list is a great starting point for books to read that will inspire you and help you think about your process, your habits, and your goals. I have personally read each one of these and will give my honest review of what I thought and why I read it!
1. Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity – David Allen
This book absolutely changed my life. I am a creative person and I have a lot on my plate and a lot in my mind. Sometimes I get overwhelmed with understanding how I should spend my time. David Allen has a very cool system and gives several different tips that can change how you accomplish things during your day. My two biggest takeaways from this book are:
- If it will take you two minutes or less, don’t write it on a list, just do it right then and there.
- Practice a weekly review where you review things like your upcoming calendar, your project lists, things you are waiting on from others, etc. (this is a GAME-CHANGER) Read my post about my weekly review here!
2. The 5AM Club – Robin Sharma
Okay, this one is interesting. It got me to start my practice of waking up early and keeping a morning routine, so it did kick start a fantastic life-changer for me. However, the delivery of this book is weird. There is no other way I can describe it but weird. The information within is amazing and the ideas are awesome, but the storyline that is accompanying it is an odd, fictional, not believable story. Look past that and you will come out of the book with AMAZING ideas and find yourself waking up early and getting a crazy amount of stuff accomplished.
3. The 10X Rule: The Only Difference Between Success and Failure – Grant Cardone
If you can, listen to this one. Grant Cardone to some may come off as kind of an arrogant jerk, but I loved every moment of this book. He is one of the reasons I write down my goals every day. His beliefs on taking your dreams and creating your goals and having max-effort towards those things are amazing. My biggest takeaway:
- Whatever your goal is… cool, but shoot for 10X that goal.
- Whatever you think it is going to take to get something done… that’s fine, but work at a level 10X higher than that.
This idea may seem strange and obvious, but the way he presents it makes so much sense and will motivate the crap out of you.
4. Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX, and the Quest for a Fantastic Future – Ashlee Vance
Reading this was a result of another book that talked about reading books and devouring information about people you believe are successful and people who have a lifestyle that you want. Now, Elon Musk has a phenomenal brain and such vision and is often mentioned by others as one of the most successful people in the world. I didn’t know much about him, so I figured that I would add this to my list of books to read. I’m so glad I gave the book a chance.
I think it is possible for ordinary people to choose to be extraordinary.
– Elon musk
Learning more about why he did certain things and the way he thought about certain things is something that will completely get your brain moving in a productive direction.
5. Unfu*k Yourself: Get Out of Your Head and Into Your Life – Gary John Bishop
Do you want someone to tell things like they are? Do you like having someone who is the realist in your life? Gary John Bishop is this person. The way he talks about how we talk to ourselves and our inner dialogue will resonate with everyone. There’s swearing, there are great tips, and there’s tons of inspiration in this book.
Now go read or listen to all five or even just one of these and be inspired.
Do something extraordinary today!
Have you read any of these? Let me know in the comments what you thought about any of these books. Are you planning on reading one? Which one sounds like your cup of tea?
If you are up for a real challenge. Check out my post about my 30 book challenge and read something new! Grab the freebie digital book log for the challenge while you’re there!
