5 books which I always recommend
We all know how important it is for us to read books!
Reading books can help in improving our knowledge about all spheres in life. Be it developing our perspectives about different things going around us, or help us understand the nuances of the language.
Being an Ikigai and Public Speaking coach, people keep asking for my book recommendations.
So, I will be sharing some of the books that helped me in shaping my personality.
1) Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life – by Hector Puigcerver
My book recommendation list is incomplete without this book.
It unravels the secret of Japanese people to a longer and happier life.
When translated to English, the Japanese word Ikigai means “One’s reason for being.” The concept of Ikigai originated from the people living on the island of Okinawa, Japan. Ikigai can be described as an intersection of 4 vital elements that constitute life:
- Passion- Doing what you are good at and what you love.
- Mission- Doing what you love and what the world needs.
- Vocation- Doing what the world needs and what you can get you paid.
- Profession- Doing what can get you paid and what you are good at
In simpler words,
To find the reason for your existence.
To find your reason for being.
To find the reason why you wake up every day.
It is another book that I absolutely adore!
The entire book can be summarised in a single line,
There are two kinds of people in this world,
those that have a fixed mindset, and those that have a growth mindset.
People with a fixed mindset assume talent is everything. They think that if they don’t have the capacity to do something, they think they will surely fail. Such people don’t want to improve at all!
On the other hand, people with a growth mindset believe that whatever they want to accomplish they can work hard towards it.
The book shows how attitude is more important than aptitude!
(3) How Luck Happens by Janice Kaplan
Luck.
A four-letter word, but still so mysterious!
I loved how they explained the concept of ‘luck’:
Luck is the intersection of chance, talent, and hard work.
Do you also feel the same?
I liked these 3 concepts from the book that changed my life!
Firstly, if you’re changing the status quo, you will need to endure until people learn to see. Secondly, one needs to chase the path of opportunities, even if it leads to a place far away. Thirdly, combine the power of other people to expand your own and get what you want. In short, delegate tasks and form a team!
(4) Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki
One of the best books on money, Rich Dad Poor Dad is about Robert Kiyosaki and his two dads—his real father (poor dad) and the father of his best friend (rich dad). This book talks about how both men formed the author’s views about money and investing.
It teaches you that either you can work for your money or
let your money work for you. I always recommend this book because I feel that our education system fails to impart financial literacy.
The line I liked the most is:
“There is a difference between being poor and being broke. Broke is temporary. Poor is eternal.”
(5) The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*CK by Mark Manson
This book is definitely an attention grabber.
The title itself explains the message of the book,
stop giving importance to things that are not important to you!
The Subtle Art Of Not Giving A F*CK is not like the preachy self-help books. It does not preach about positive psychology, instead asks us to walk the no-bullshit passageway. By doing this, we can live a life that might not always be happy, but meaningful and focused only on what’s important to us. Not giving a f*CK is about being comfortable with being unique and caring about the important things rather than unimportant ones.
‘Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counsellors, and the most patient of teachers.’
-Charles W. Eliot
Have you read any of these books?
Comment below!
Till then,
Stay Awesome. Stay Productive.
– Divas Gupta
It’s so nice that u mentioned books…and what liked most is u gave a short description abt content of each book along with what u liked in that book..it helps to select a book for self. Ty
Reading books always motivates us to learn new things and cultivate good habits and apply them in day-to-day life and get rid of bad habits.
I was searching for some good books and I found your awesome post on the this. Thanks for these book recommendations
I am heater of reading books, but reading the description of this made me enthusiastic to read them thanks for the book recommendations