What someone reads says a lot about them. How they apply it says even more. I see books as tools. I see books as portals. I see books as skill sharpeners. If you read with no drive, no passion.. Performance wise, you retain less, you read slower, you fall asleep more.
Continuous learning requires a humble ego. Even after following me and seeing this, 99% of people won’t take reading seriously.
Here are the books I wish I had discovered earlier in life.
Table of Contents
Mind Programming
Honestly, I would recommend any book on the subconscious mind. People want to consciously change, but subconsciously stay stuck & self sabotage.
Recommended books:
- Psycho-Cybernetics by Maxwell Maltz
- Ask and It Is Given by Esther and Jerry Hicks
- Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself by Dr. Joe Dispenza
These books teach you how your subconscious really works and help you stop using your awful past to predict the future.
Action Killers
I read books that kill procrastination. Books that make action taking easier. The right books will make you bolder, more driven, and confident.
Recommended books:
- Don’t Believe Everything You Think by Joseph Nguyen
- Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
- Eat That Frog! by Brian Tracy
These books don’t just motivate—they systematically destroy procrastination and make taking action feel natural.
Time Leverage
Read books that make you effective, decisive, & buy back your time.
Recommended books:
- The Effective Executive by Peter F. Drucker
- Crucial Conversations by Kerry Patterson
- Buy Back Your Time by Dan Martell
Time is your most valuable asset. These books teach you how to make better decisions faster and create systems that work without you.
People Protection
Read books that protect you from the wrong people.
Recommended books:
- The 48 Laws of Human Nature by Robert Greene
- Body Language by Allan and Barbara Pease
- The Sociopath Next Door by Martha Stout
- Modern Man in Search of a Soul by Carl Jung
Understanding human nature is crucial. These books help you identify toxic people before they can damage your life. Knowledge is your best defense against manipulation.
Focus Building
In our distracted world, focus is a superpower. Read books that build focus.
Recommended books:
- ADHD 2.0 by Edward M. Hallowell and John J. Ratey
- Focus by Daniel Goleman
- Hyperfocus by Chris Bailey
These books teach you how to train your attention and maintain deep work when everyone else is scattered.
Growth Reality
Reading builds growth if you make the time. But if you’re a doom scrolling loser that can’t even experience delayed gratification to guarantee personal growth I will pray for you.
Let me address the excuses I hear constantly:
“Reading is not a priority”
It’s a priority to Dan Martell. A CEO worth over $100M. Who’s right, you or him?
“I don’t have time to read”
You have time to eat though, right? Food gives you energy, and you have a HUNGER for food. If you don’t have time to read, it’s not a priority, simple as that. Your brain does not HUNGER for new ideas, new insights.
“Reading makes me fall asleep”
You lack excitement to read or you’re a slow reader. Both solvable problems.
“I forget what I read so what’s the point?”
This can also be solved. Next question.
“I’m a slow reader”
I also used to be a slow reader. Then I changed that. I trained my brain so now I read what used to take me 5 hours to read in 1 hour.
“I prefer audiobooks not books”
Studies show readers retain and comprehend more than audio listeners. Do you listen to books to actually become smarter, you may want to read.
“Reading just isn’t a priority for me”
You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink. I’d recommend getting a coach to help you make it a priority, or go pray lol.
Conclusion
Reading isn’t optional if you want to level up your life. The books you consume today shape the person you become tomorrow. Every successful person I know prioritizes learning, and reading is the fastest way to download decades of wisdom in hours.
Stop making excuses. Start reading strategically. Your future self will thank you.
Complete Book List
Here are the specific books I wish I had read earlier in life:
Mind Programming:
- Psycho-Cybernetics by Maxwell Maltz
- Ask and It Is Given by Esther and Jerry Hicks
- Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself by Dr. Joe Dispenza
Action & Productivity:
- Don’t Believe Everything You Think by Joseph Nguyen
- Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
- Eat That Frog! by Brian Tracy
Effectiveness & Leadership:
- The Effective Executive by Peter F. Drucker
- Crucial Conversations by Kerry Patterson
- Buy Back Your Time by Dan Martell
Understanding People:
- The 48 Laws of Human Nature by Robert Greene
- Body Language by Allan and Barbara Pease
- The Sociopath Next Door by Martha Stout
- Modern Man in Search of a Soul by Carl Jung
Focus & Attention:
- ADHD 2.0 by Edward M. Hallowell and John J. Ratey
- Focus by Daniel Goleman
- Hyperfocus by Chris Bailey
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