It’s the start of 2024, which means it’s time for Gail’s Top Ten books to read in 2024. These are Gail’s favorites from 2023, many of which she read multiple times! There are valuable lessons and insights to be gained from all of these books, and Pearl Collective highly recommends them.
Personal Development
Personal development is one of the keys to a happier life. It isn’t easy to change, but if you embrace the temporary discomfort of change, you’ll find peace and fulfillment unlike you’ve experienced before.
Areté: Activate Your Heroic Potential – Brian Johnson
I read this book on Kindle and ordered the hardback version to sit on my nightstand. Read a few chapters every day and change your life. [1,000+ pages, but immensely readable.]
The Tools: 5 Tools to Help You Find Courage, Creativity and Willpower—and Inspire You to Live Life in Forward Motion – Phil Stutz
Rather than just motivation, you’ll learn five valuable tools that you can use to change your behavior and your mindset. Just remember that consistency is key. If you’re serious about making a change or 5, read this book.
Coming Alive: 4 Tools to Defeat Your Inner Enemy, Ignite Creative Expression & Unleash Your Soul’s Potential – Barry Michels and Phil Stutz
Brian Johnson recommended this book and The Tools [along with over 400 other books] in Areté. Ready to change? Be sure to read/listen and experience transformation.
Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things – Adam Grant
We’re the best people to believe in ourselves, and when we do, others will believe in us.
Mindset: The New Psychology of Success – Carol Dweck
You can have both fixed and growth mindsets. Dweck explains the difference which helps you identify where you’re stuck so you can use The Tools and Coming Alive to change your life experience.
Atomic Habits: Tiny Changes, Remarkable Results: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones – James Clear
Though change is hard, it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Pick one and make that your focus for the next month. Pick the hardest one first! That’s eating the frog.
Business
Burn The Boats: Toss Plan B Overboard and Unleash Your Full Potential – Matt Higgins
Wow! Loved this book. And even better, catch my podcast with Matt coming out soon. He’s inspiring and authentic. I’ll be rereading this book again and taking notes.
All In: How Great Leaders Build Unbeatable Teams – Mike Michalowicz
Mike streamlines the process of hiring and building a great team. His tools will shortcut your process and help you avoid the pitfalls that most new managers make. He will also be on our upcoming season of the Creative Genius Podcast!
Your Next Five Moves: Master the Art of Business Strategy – Patrick Bet David
I’ve read this book twice in the last year. Lots of powerful insights to think differently.
The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable – Patrick Lencioni
I have enjoyed most of Lencioni’s books, and I’ve read this one three times… so far. Think about your own business and where you’re stuck. As someone said before. Most business problems are people problems. Find out which ones are holding you back from success and how to fix them.
Gail’s Reading Tips:
- Underline or highlight
- Margin markings:
- B = book
- P = person
- W = website
- C = company
- R = resource
- This is not my idea, and it doesn’t work for my learning style, but read and also listen on Audible.
- Take notes with a Remarkable or laptop and save them in a Book Summary file. Share the notes with your team. Set a reminder to review the notes occasionally. Add “To Do”s on your calendar for big insights you want to apply.