The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck by Mark Manson: Delightfully engaging, funny, and meaningful. I’d recommend this book to everyone. This book was my introduction to The Paradox of Suffering, in which we suffer all the more because we think we’re supposed to be happy all the time. Another big idea? One that has continued to evolve in my mind and in my life: Pick a few things to give a fuck about, and forget all the rest. You can only make real, lasting progress in a limited number of areas, so choose carefully. Specifically, choose things that you can control, and that will matter in 10 years. Third, consider not what you want (as most people want basically the same things, like money, “that’s why they call it money!”) but the manner in which you are willing to sacrifice to get it. Will you live ultra-frugally? Work harder? Be more courageous? Wait longer? Risk your wealth? Risk your health? What can you bear that other people can’t? That’s your superpower.
Never Split The Difference, Negotiating as If Your Life Depended On It. By Chris Voss: An FBI hostage negotiator shares stories from his career, using a new, less aggressive style of engagement. Really amazing insights. What sticks in my mind though, is how much people will open up to you if you just shut up and listen. When they do so, the point is not to immediately use that information against them, but to use that information to better understand what they really want, and help them get it in a way that is satisfactory for everyone. Often, the key resource is dignity. Don’t be fooled by the soft stuff though, these are some really thrilling tales.
The War of Art by Stefen Pressfield: Ever wonder why some many people are working on a book, or some other creative endeavor, yet so few have written a book or finished a project? Or maybe you’re wondering why you yourself are so good at starting, relative to finishing. Pressfield has the elixer of creative production, which is both stern and inspiring. If there’s even an ounce of creative juice in your dried-up, bored brain, make sure you read this and give it to someone who is on their own journey.