I’ve been an avid reader since I was about 10 years old and will always choose inspiring books over the television, Well, I would say that as I don’t own a television! I haven’t owned a T.V in about ten years. This literally blows some people’s minds. For news, I happily read the daily Financial Times.
Our teams at Mantra from the UK to Japan have achieved a lot over the past year with establishing our stronghold in Kyoto and more recently Tokyo. Our team has grown exponentially and it looks like we’re entering the fortune 500 client list which is completely unexpected, but happily received. I think one of the reasons we’ve had such a good year is due to our collective philosophy of ‘good things in, good things out’. I try to apply this in every area of life but more on that in another post. So here are my top five inspiring books for motivation and success in 2017.
1) As a Man Thinketh (James Allen)
This is a very short read by a somewhat obscure English writer a couple of hundred years ago. It’s one of the most beautifully written books I’ve ever read. Easily comparable in style to Blake’s ‘Marriage of Heaven and Hell’ or Milton’s ‘Paradise Lost’. It can easily be read in an afternoon but I like to take my time over it and consider the points written and how one can apply the considerations to our daily life. It is considered one of the first books on visualisation and positive intention leading to success.
2) The Monocle Guide to Good Business (The Monocle)
For those with a fetish for the aesthetic, this is possibly one of the most beautiful books ever written. The mixture of gorgeous photography and illustrations with sound business advice makes this a book not to be ignored. There are more business books in the world than there will ever need to be and most of them are complete rubbish, usually written by people that have never actually run a business. This is completely different. The owner of the Monocle Magazine Tyler Brule has launched cafes, retail stores, a design agency and a 24/7 radio station, all very successfully too, so the advice in this book comes from what I consider a very reliable source. It’s a very easy one to pick up again and again.
3) Think and Grow Rich (Napolean Hill)
Perhaps this is suggested too much and has become a bit of a cliche but I know many people that have never read it all the way through. The first time I read this book was when I was 21. It was suggested to me by a very successful businessman that owned a British Radio station and had made his fortune five times over throughout his life. It’s very easy to read but can take time with lots of very interesting and thought-provoking exercises to help you find your way or your ‘purpose’. I loved the sentiment that it’s what you create in the world as value for others that creates return as value back. It has driven my approach to business in a big way of ‘the more we can give, the more we can grow’.
4) Notes from a Friend (Anthony Robbins)
This is another quick read, unlike most books written by Mr. Robbins, and has a wonderful flow. It’s an activity-driven book and the profits from the purchase of the book go directly to feeding homeless people so every time you buy the book, you feed someone. How wonderful is that?! It’s a feel-good book that celebrates individuality and drives you to run towards doing what you think will bring you joy in life and work. I’ve given this book to many of my friends over the years, and still pick it up every now and again for reminders.
5) The Conquest of Happiness (Bertrand Russell)
If you only read one book in 2017 make it this book. It really is a wonderful book for looking at life with a little more common sense and thinking about your happiness in a practical way. Here’s one of my favourite quotes from the book – ‘Of all forms of caution, caution in love is perhaps the most fatal to true happiness’. Read this book, you won’t regret it.
There you have it. Five inspiring books that have had a profound influence on me and I highly recommend trying them to give a boost and inspiration to your 2017. For more recommendations, just get in touch.