The Power Of Reading

It is not a secret that I have a life-long desire for learning. I have spent countless hours reading books, attending seminars and taking courses - all with the hope of improving who I am as a person.  Personal growth is not for everyone, but for those who are interested, these are some of the books that have had a massive influence over me in one way or another.  If you’re looking for a good read over March break, these are all books that I have learned from immensely.

The Slight Edge by Jeff Olson is a powerful self-help book that emphasizes the importance of small daily actions and habits in achieving long-term success. The author argues that success is not achieved overnight, but rather through consistent effort and a commitment to daily improvement.  The biggest take away I had from this book is the idea that “it’s easy to do and easy not to do.”  

Olson uses a variety of examples and anecdotes to illustrate his point - from successful business people to everyday individuals who have achieved their goals through consistent effort. He also provides practical tips and strategies for developing positive habits and overcoming obstacles.

The Slight Edge is an inspiring and motivating read for anyone who wants to achieve their goals and make positive changes in their life. The message of the book is clear and actionable and the examples and strategies provided are applicable to a wide range of goals and pursuits.

Unlimited Power by Tony Robbins is a self-help book that provides strategies and techniques for achieving personal and professional success. The book covers a wide range of topics from goal-setting and motivation to communication skills and relationship-building.  I have had the pleasure of attending multiple live events with Tony and they all were amazing and life changing experiences.

Robbins draws on his own experiences as a life coach and motivational speaker, as well as insights from psychology, neuroscience and other fields. He emphasizes the importance of taking action, adopting a growth mindset and building strong relationships with others.

Throughout the book, Robbins provides practical exercises and strategies for readers to apply in their own lives. He also shares inspiring stories of individuals who have overcome challenges and achieved success through the principles outlined in the book.

Unlimited Power is a comprehensive and motivating guide for anyone looking to improve their personal or professional life. The book provides practical tools and strategies that readers can use to achieve their goals and unleash their full potential.

The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle is a spiritual guidebook that emphasizes the importance of living in the present moment. The book argues that the mind is constantly trapped in thoughts about the past and the future, which creates stress and prevents us from fully experiencing the present.

Tolle provides practical exercises and techniques for readers to develop mindfulness and focus their attention on the present moment. He also explores the nature of consciousness and the role of ego in shaping our perceptions of reality.

Throughout the book, Tolle uses simple language and anecdotes to explain complex concepts, making the book accessible to readers of all backgrounds. He also draws on a variety of spiritual traditions, including Buddhism and Christianity, to provide a holistic perspective on the nature of reality and human consciousness.

The Power of Now is a transformative and enlightening book that encourages readers to cultivate a deeper connection with themselves and the world around them. The book provides practical tools and strategies for living a more fulfilling and peaceful life.

The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy is a self-help book that focuses on the power of small daily actions in achieving long-term success. The book argues that success is not the result of one big breakthrough or lucky break, but rather the accumulation of small habits and choices made consistently over time.

Hardy provides practical strategies and exercises for readers to develop positive habits, eliminate negative ones and stay motivated over the long-term. He also emphasizes the importance of tracking progress and adjusting course as needed to stay on track.

Throughout the book, Hardy uses real-life examples to illustrate the power of the compound effect, from successful entrepreneurs to everyday individuals who have achieved their goals through consistent effort. He also provides insights from psychology, neuroscience and other fields to explain why small actions can have a big impact.

The Compound Effect is an inspiring and practical guide for anyone who wants to achieve success in any area of their life. The book provides actionable strategies and tools that readers can use to make positive changes and achieve their goals over the long-term.

High Performance Habits by Brendon Burchard is a self-help book that provides strategies and techniques for achieving high levels of performance in all areas of life. The book is based on Burchard's research of high performers in various fields and outlines the six habits that these individuals share in common.  This book was so impactful for me that I decided to be one of Brendon’s High Performance Coaches.

The six habits are: clarity, energy, necessity, productivity, influence and courage. Burchard provides practical exercises and strategies for readers to develop these habits in their own lives. He emphasizes the importance of setting clear goals, managing energy effectively, taking action on what's necessary, focusing on high-impact tasks, building strong relationships and developing the courage to take risks and face challenges.

Throughout the book, Burchard provides real-life examples and anecdotes to illustrate the power of these habits, from successful business people to Olympic athletes. He also shares insights from psychology and neuroscience to explain why these habits are so effective in achieving high levels of performance.

High Performance Habits is a comprehensive and motivating guide for anyone looking to improve their performance in any area of life. The book provides practical tools and strategies that readers can use to achieve their goals and reach their full potential.

Becoming Supernatural by Dr. Joe Dispenza is a self-help book that explores the relationship between the mind and body, and provides practical techniques for achieving a more fulfilling and transformative life. The book draws on neuroscience, quantum physics and ancient wisdom traditions to explain how individuals can tap into their innate power to create a life that is aligned with their true desires.

Dispenza provides practical exercises and meditations for readers to develop their ability to focus their attention, change their beliefs and shift their emotional states to create a new reality. He emphasizes the importance of cultivating a coherent heart-brain connection and shares insights on the science of meditation and visualization.

Throughout the book, Dispenza provides real-life examples and anecdotes to illustrate the transformative power of these techniques, from individuals who have overcome chronic pain and illness to athletes who have achieved peak performance through mental training.

Becoming Supernatural is a transformative and inspiring book that provides practical tools and strategies for anyone looking to achieve a more fulfilling and transformative life. The book provides a holistic approach to personal transformation that is grounded in science, spirituality and practical application.

I had the opportunity to spend a week with Dr. Joe learning his meditation techniques and this was a very powerful experience for me.  His meditations can be difficult to follow without the training, but I highly encourage his work - especially if you are dealing with some type of chronic stress or illness.

The Biology of Belief by Dr. Bruce Lipton is a groundbreaking book that challenges traditional beliefs about the role of genetics in human biology. The book argues that genes do not control our behavior and health, but rather our beliefs and perceptions do.  We had the pleasure of having Dr. Lipton as a guest lecturer at chiropractic college and it was the first time we had heard that genes do not control everything related to health.

Lipton provides a comprehensive overview of the science of epigenetics, which explores how environmental factors and personal beliefs can influence gene expression and impact health outcomes. He argues that the mind and body are deeply interconnected and that our thoughts and beliefs can have a profound impact on our health and well-being.

Throughout the book, Lipton uses simple language and real-life examples to explain complex scientific concepts, making the book accessible to readers of all backgrounds. He also explores the implications of this new science for medicine, psychology, and spirituality.

The Biology of Belief is a transformative and enlightening book that challenges traditional beliefs about human biology and offers a new paradigm for understanding the mind-body connection. The book provides practical tools and strategies for anyone looking to improve their health and well-being by changing their beliefs and perceptions.

As you’ve heard me say so many times before, perfection is not the goal.  Personal growth/development books will encourage a lot of reflection.  When you look back, do so to measure how far you have come, not how far you have to go.  The human mind will be satisfied as long as we focus on progress.  Forward is forward - the size of the steps does not matter.