Great Books I’ve Found Helpful in Everyday Life

Here are some books I’ve enjoyed reading recently. I’ve added my thoughts and ideas below based on what I’ve learned. Reading, like financial decisions, is personal as everyone has their own preference of what they like to read and why. I love fiction but have gotten more from reading nonfiction. It prompts me to review and revisit my beliefs and my thought processes while expanding my curiosity. It also adds perspective and depth to various areas of my life.    

Deep Work, Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World by Cal Newport

I reworked my calendar, chunked out my email so I’m viewing and responding three times a day, and implemented a shutdown process discussed in the book. I discovered deep work by swimming long distances in the pool so I could work through, over, and around challenges and opportunities in my head without distractions. This can also be done on land; a complete game changer for me. Additionally, following a shutdown process each evening and not thinking about work or reading financial literature has helped me loosen my grip on business at the end of the day.

Company of One, Why Staying Small is the Next Big Thing for Business by Paul Jarvis

Knowing your most convenient size as a company and thinking not about scaling but staying small with intention. More is not better, in fact it can be counterproductive to your growth, both personally and professionally. Having the right mindset and systems to reflect on, as you slow down and really get clear on what matters, and what doesn’t.

Losing the Signal The Untold Story Behind the Extraordinary Rise and Spectacular Fall of Blackberry by Jacquie McNish & Sean Silcoff

I still have my original Blackberry circa 2000s; I loved it! It’s a nice reminder that just because you’re killing it today in business, leadership, writing, sales, whatever … doesn’t mean you’ll be relevant tomorrow. If you don’t remain flexible and adapt while staying humble life can become challenging. This is true personally and also at a company level.    

The Comfort Crisis Embrace Discomfort to Reclaim Your Wild, Happy, Healthy Self by Michael Easter

Don’t get comfortable. Challenge yourself and do hard sh*t that will force you to grow and become more than you think is possible. There is so much we learn about ourselves not through our victories but in the trenches of life doing hard things.  

When Breath Becomes Air What Makes Life Worth Living in the Face of Death? by Paul Kalanithi

I cried reading this book. There, I’ve said it. It’s beyond words. Following years of training and hard work to become a neurosurgeon only to be diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer and becoming a patient. An unbelievable journey and sacrifice by Paul and his family, friends, mentors, and patients. Simply incredible.

How Not to Invest The Ideas, Numbers, and Behaviors That Destroy Wealth-And How to Avoid Them by Barry Ritholtz

I really like Barr. Never met the guy, but his passion for behavioral finance and investing, including his love for boats and exotic cars is spot on. He’s been on CNBC for years, a writer for major publications, Bloomberg radio host of a wildly successful podcast, and earned a Master’s in Business. In simple understandable language Barry stares stories on how investors make mistakes. He sets investors up for success in his last chapter on what to do and why. So many great real-life lessons to learn from other people’s money mistakes in this book.

The 5 Types of Wealth a Transformative Guide to Design Your Dream Life by Sahil Bloom

Breaking down the definition of wealth and describing it in five types. Your wealth in terms of your time, social interactions, mental strengths, physical abilities, and of course financial wealth. Looking beyond the numbers and defining wealth across a spectrum of inputs not just the digits in your account. A theme close to home as our firm has been encouraging clients to do this for years. A great holistic approach all investors should embrace.

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