10 Books That Shaped My Learning Journey in 2024

Reading feeds the soul, expands the mind, and opens us to new ways of thinking. Nonfiction books challenge our perspectives, influence how we interpret the world around us and shape how we show up as business leaders.

Every year presents an opportunity to learn, evolve, and grow. In 2024, my learning journey was profoundly shaped by a mix of books that challenged my thinking, sparked new ideas, and provided practical insights for my personal and professional life. These books have left a lasting impact, from timeless leadership principles to strategies for scaling a business and mastering personal growth.

I read or listened to more than fifteen books last year. In this post, I share the 10 that had the most significant impact on my journey. Whether you're a business owner, leader, or someone seeking personal development, I hope these books inspire you as much as they did me.

Ready to dive in and discover the key lessons and takeaways from each one?

Who's In Your Room? The Question That Will Change Your Life by Stewart Emery and Ivan Misner, with Doug Hardy.

This is primarily about understanding why we allow people into our lives and that once they are in our room (our mind), what do we do with them if we do not want them there anymore? They cannot leave the room because the room has a one-way door. Once they are in, they are in forever. This book teaches us how to manage the relationships we choose to have and even those we do not get to choose, and once read, it will change how you approach any new relationship. That is if you decide to implement what you learn! I decided and now have clarity on who I allow into my room, how I interact with the people I want there and how I manage those I wish were not there.

The Success Principles. How to Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be by Jack Canfield.

In this masterful book, he takes us through sixty-four succinct success principles in life, business and relationships. It is a potent reminder of how we do the little things is how we do everything and that when we live a principled-centred life, leadership comes naturally in all that we do. Principles related to discipline, commitment, gratitude, focus, presence, trust, values, serving, empowering, resilience, persistence, belief, responsibility and being proactive are all covered in this fantastic book. This is a constant reference in my library for my life and how I can help others.

Essentialism. The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown.

This book holds the key to doing less to achieve more. Learning when to say yes and when to say no is vital to navigating the overwhelming amount of information, opportunities and activities that want to demand our time. The relentless pressure to have it all and do the right thing can lead to burnout. Knowing what to say yes to is important, and being able to say yes to critical choices requires us to say no to the unimportant. A key insight in this book is that "A non-essentialist thinks almost everything is essential. An essentialist thinks almost everything is non-essential." This book reinforced for me the power of saying no to what is not essential in my life and has led to a lot of clarity and decluttering of my mind and physical space.

Profit First. Transform Your Business from a Cash-Eating Monster to a Money-Making Machine by Mike Michalowicz.

This book challenges traditional accounting approaches to how business financials are managed to achieve a better outcome and pay yourself first! It is a fascinating read, and the learnings may take a while to implement fully. The principle of paying yourself first is an excellent hack as it forces a focus on creating profit to be able to do so. This book made me realise that it is crucial to understand different ways of approaching business financials and that there is no one-size-fits-all.???????

Amplify Your Influence. Transform How You Communicate and Lead by René Rodriguez

This is an excellent blueprint for applying principles in your leadership and communication techniques. It can transform how you communicate and lead others with actional tips, valuable frameworks, and simple exercises for lasting behaviours that influence how others perceive and understand you. The primary outcome is that your communication, critical thinking, and ability to persuade others will improve. In leadership, our ability to inspire and influence others is key; therefore, communicating in the way that works for them is paramount. This is another book in my library as a go-to reference.

The 12 Week Year. Get more done in 12 Weeks than others do in 12 Months by Brian P Moran and Michael Lennington.

What I loved most about this book is that it validated our belief in our business about the power and impact of what we call 'Quarterly Planning.' Moran highlights 12-week blocks in this book, allowing for a stop-and-start planning approach. I am not a fan of this because consistency is key, and having a rhythm and flow to how we show up every day is an integral part of our planning. Quarterly Planning allows for the breaks, the holidays, the slowdowns, and the interruptions to be built into the planning, and this is the approach we advocate at Leaders Network. We even have a whole program that teaches people how to do it!

The Wealth Money Can't Buy. The 8 Hidden Habits to Live Your Richest Life by Robin Sharma.

As someone who has read many books on wealth creation where so often the focus is solely on financial wealth, which is essential, this book takes the whole concept of wealth to a better level, which I love. Sharma is a consummate storyteller who shares his eight wealth habits in this book through this mode of writing: engaging, captivating and impactful. If you want to know more about living a rich life, read this book. This book has changed how I approach many aspects of life, and if you let it, it can also transform your life.

The Gap and The Gain. The High Achievers Guide to Happiness, Confidence and Success by Dan Sullivan with Dr Benjamin Hardy.

I read this book after reading a previous one that Sullivan and Hardy had written called ‘10X is easier than 2X’. If I had read The Gap and The Gain first, the 10X book would not have been so daunting. Both books provide incredible insights into how to be in business, and the key takeaway from ‘The Gap and the Gain’ is to always measure yourself backwards from where you have come and not against the goals or the ideal you are going after. I have not achieved the goals I have set for myself for 3 years. However, when I compare the progress over those 3 years, I know that I have achieved more than just goals or ideals. It is all about progress, not perfection.

Man's Search for Meaning. The classic tribute to hope from the Holocaust by Viktor E. Frankl.?

I had to include this one as it goes to the heart of being human. The ability to choose how we deal with adversity in the face of incredible trauma and survive is a testimony to the human capacity for resilience. This is a deep read and may not be right for everyone; however, everyone would benefit from reading it. It is not a big book but has a lot in it. For me, it highlighted the power of choice and meaning in life and that how we approach these two aspects, which we have control over, profoundly influences our lives.

The 5 AM Club. Own Your Morning, Elevate Your Life by Robin Sharma

As someone who is already a fan of early rising, I was blown away by the power of this book to reinforce what I already believed in. Again, Sharma has used storytelling in the most powerful way to highlight the benefits of early mornings and the richness that this habit can bring to our lives. In a previous book he wrote called 'The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari, ' Sharma highlighted the power of presence, truth, and knowing what is important in life. The 5am Club has brought this learning home even more practically and meaningfully. If early mornings are not for you, that's OK. The principles still apply, so have a read and learn how to elevate your life in a way that works for you!

I share what I learned from these books to help others understand the power of constantly reading, learn more, and highlight some great books. Most of these books were recommended, and I always listen to them first while driving or walking. We have such a short time on this planet, and the power of making the most of every opportunity daily is profound. Use your time well to learn and grow because that is what we are here to do, and in doing so, we can make a difference in the world.

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