Six books that can help you discover who you are, what you want and how to achieve it.
1. THE CODE OF THE EXTRAORDINARY MIND – by Vishen Lakhiani
10 Unconventional Laws to Redefine Your Life & Succeed On Your Own Terms
The Code of the Extraordinary Mind is a blueprint of laws to break us free from the shackles of ordinary life. It makes a case that everything we know about the world is mostly decided not by rational choice but instead by conditioning and habit. But what if you could remove these outdated ideas and start anew? What would your life look like if you could forget the rules of the past and redefine what happiness, purpose, and success mean for you?
Blending computational thinking, integral theory, modern spirituality, evolutionary biology, and humor, personal growth entrepreneur Vishen Lakhiani provides a revolutionary 10-point framework for understanding and enhancing the human self. Lakhiani developed this framework based on his personal experiences, the five million people he's reached through Mindvalley, and 200 hours of interviews and questions posed to incredible minds, including Elon Musk, Richard Branson, Peter Diamandis, Ken Wilber, Dean Kamen, Arianna Huffington, and Michael Beckwith.
2. YOU’VE GOT THIS – by Dr. Margie Warrell
The Life Changing Power of Trusting Yourself
Written with heart and humour but grounded in research, You've Got This! is a handbook for unleashing our untapped potential and passion, creativity and courage, to thrive in today's uncertain world. Filled with compelling stories and hard-won wisdom, author Margie Warrell draws on her background in business, coaching and doctoral studies, as well as her challenges raising four children while living and working around the world.
Applying the practical advice and twelve powerful principles in this book will help you:
* Defy negative self-talk and take the bold actions you've been putting off *
* Become your greatest cheerleader, not your loudest critic *
* Embrace vulnerability and trust your intuition *
* Combat stress and thrive amid uncertainty *
* Amplify your power as a leader and 'change maker' *
3. DARE TO LEAD – by Dr. Brené Brown
Daring Greatly and Rising Strong at Work
Leadership is not about titles, status, and wielding power. A leader is anyone who takes responsibility for recognising the potential in people and ideas, and has the courage to develop that potential. When we dare to lead, we don't pretend to have the right answers; we stay curious and ask the right questions. We don't see power as finite and hoard it; we know that power becomes infinite when we share it with others. We don't avoid difficult conversations and situations; we lean into vulnerability when it's necessary to do good work. But daring leadership in a culture defined by scarcity, fear, and uncertainty requires skill-building around traits that are deeply and uniquely human. What can we do better? Empathy, connection, and courage, to start.
Four-time #1 New York Times bestselling author Brené Brown has spent the past two decades studying the emotions and experiences that give meaning to our lives, and the past seven years working with transformative leaders and teams spanning the globe. In Dare To Lead, Brown uses research, stories, and examples in the no-BS style that millions of readers have come to expect and love.
4. THE SUBTLE ART OF NOT GIVING A F*CK – by Mark Manson
A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life
For decades, we've been told that positive thinking is the key to a happy, rich life. Mark Manson, however, doesn't sugar-coat or equivocate: "Let's be honest, shit is f**ked and we have to live with it," he says in his wildly popular internet blog. With profane, ruthless humour, The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F**k is a refreshing slap in the face if that is what you need. Backed by both academic research and filled with entertaining stories, Manson makes the argument that improving our lives hinges not on our ability to turn lemons into lemonade, but on learning to stomach lemons better. It's time to recalibrate what it means to be happy: there are only so many things we can give a f**k about, so we need to figure out which ones really matter.
5. MINDSET: THE NEW PSYCHOLOGY OF SUCCESS – by Carol Dweck
How We Can Learn to Fulfill Our Potential
After decades of research on achievement and success, world-renowned Stanford University psychologist Carol Dweck, explains why it is not just our abilities and talent that bring us success - but whether we approach them with a fixed or growth mindset. In Mindset, Dweck explores why praising intelligence and ability doesn't foster self-esteem and lead to accomplishment, and how it may actually jeopardise success.
With the right mindset, we can motivate our kids and help them to raise their grades, as well as reach our own goals – both personal and professional. The growth mindset is based on the belief that our basic qualities are things we can cultivate through our efforts. Although many people may differ in every which way - in their initial talents and aptitudes, interests or temperaments - everyone can change and grow through application and experience. Dweck reveals what all great parents, teachers, CEOs, and athletes already know: how a simple idea about the brain can create a love of learning and a resilience that is the basis of great accomplishment in every area.
6. EVERYTHING IS FIGUREOUTABLE – by Marie Folio
A Pragmatic Philosophy of Self-Empowerment
While most self-help books offer quick fixes, Everything is Figureoutable will retrain your brain to think more creatively and positively in the face of setbacks. In the words of Cheryl Strayed, "it's a must-read for anyone who wants to face their fears, fulfill their dreams, and find a better way forward". If you're having trouble solving a problem or reaching a dream, the problem isn't you. It's that you haven't yet installed the one belief that changes everything. Whether you want to leave a dead end job, break an addiction, learn to dance, heal a relationship, or grow a business, Everything is Figureoutable will show you how.
Named by Oprah as a thought leader for the next generation, in this revised and updated edition, Marie Folio teaches you: The habit that makes it 42% more likely you'll achieve your goals. How to overcome a lack of time and money. How to deal with criticism and imposter syndrome. It's more than just a fun phrase to say. It's a philosophy of relentless optimism. A mindset. A mantra. A conviction. Most important, it will make you unstoppable.
DISCLAIMER: The content in this article represents the individual ideas of the writer alone and outlines general advice only. It does not replace individual, independent or personal advice, mental health treatment and/or crisis support. Coaching does not prevent, cure, or treat any mental health disorder and does not substitute for therapy from a licensed professional if necessary. Should you require emergency crisis support, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or see your GP to discuss a mental health care plan which can help you access the support you need.