As a former software engineer, I know the grind all too well. But breaking out of the rat race requires developing skills far beyond coding—skills they don’t teach in computer science programs.
My friend Dima and I put together this carefully curated list. He’s a software engineer who, after working with me, started reading voraciously and has seen his life transform dramatically as a result.
Here are the five essential books we recommend for any software engineer ready to break free from the 9-to-5, build something meaningful, and make 2025 a life-changing year.
Table of Contents
Watch the Full Discussion
If you want to see Dima and me dive deep into these recommendations, watch our full conversation on YouTube, or watch it below.
Buy Back Your Time by Dan Martell
This is our #1 recommendation.
This book teaches you everything about time management, but more importantly, it shows you how to delegate effectively. You’ll learn how to hire the right person for the right position and understand the “replacement ladder”—the strategic order in which you should hire to free up your time for higher-value tasks.
The key insight: your first hire should handle your emails and calendar. As a software engineer, you understand systems. This book provides the complete system for reclaiming your most valuable asset: your time.
The author, Dan Martell, is a $100 million CEO who built his fortune in software and has read over 1,200 books. He knows what he’s talking about.
$100M Offers by Alex Hormozi
My entire business is built on the principles in this book. It’s a practical workbook that Dima says could easily be his #1 pick too. This is for anyone who wants to create products or offers that people actually want to pay for.
If you struggle with asking for money or feel uncomfortable charging premium prices, you need this book. It teaches you how to build a “Grand Slam Offer” that’s so compelling, people would feel foolish saying no.
The core concept is building such a strong stack of value and evidence that potential clients think, “Of course I would pay for this!” They feel confident and secure in their decision.
This book helped me 5x—even 10x—my prices because I learned how to create offers that truly solve my clients’ problems.
Don’t Believe Everything You Think by Joseph Nguyen
This is a short read you could finish in a day, but its impact is profound. It teaches you how to think clearly and organize your thoughts effectively. If you’re prone to overthinking or procrastination, this book is essential.
The main takeaway: just because a thought enters your mind doesn’t mean you have to accept it as truth. We create our reality through our thoughts, and this book shows you that negative, limiting thoughts are like passing clouds—you don’t have to grab onto them.
It will help you create the life you want by freeing you from the thoughts you don’t need.
The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene
This is a classic and a critical addition to any ambitious person’s library. Understanding power dynamics is crucial whether you’re navigating corporate politics, starting a business, or dealing with clients.
It’s a dense read, but the insights on human interaction and strategy are invaluable for anyone looking to level up professionally.
Power vs. Force by David R. Hawkins
This book introduces the “maps of consciousness” concept. It explains that when you’re stuck in emotions like fear, shame, or guilt, you’re operating at a very low level of consciousness. The book assigns numerical values to these levels, and anything below 200 represents a state that holds you back.
To truly succeed and have the energy to build something meaningful, you need to raise your level of consciousness. This book breaks down what separates genius from average performance—and it’s not just logical knowledge. It’s about emotional intelligence and operating from a higher state of being.
It’s a fascinating read that will fundamentally change how you see yourself and the world around you.
Conclusion
These books aren’t just for reading—they’re for building a new version of yourself.
Quick reference:
- Buy Back Your Time by Dan Martell
- $100M Offers by Alex Hormozi
- Don’t Believe Everything You Think by Joseph Nguyen
- The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene
- Power vs. Force by David R. Hawkins
As a software engineer, you’re already a natural problem-solver. The next set of problems to solve are in sales, leadership, marketing, and your own mindset.
These books are your cheat codes.