Finding Human Potential Part 1: Books. Tips for Reading More, Personal Anecdotes, and 26 Awesome Books.

Background

Turning 26 in March lit a fire under my ass to be better, something about being over a quarter way to 100. I was already working hard but deep down everyone knows there is always room to do more. Will I ever push harder? I got tired of asking myself and made a change. Now, not never.

This series of posts will cover the quest to find my own human potential, and stretch its limits. Convincing yourself to do new things is difficult, plain and simple. I'm going to start sharing my experiences pushing myself to be the best that I can be, so others know they can do it too. Since turning 26:

I set goals for my routine, including waking up at 4:20am on weekdays to workout / sauna / meditate in the morning before work both for mental / physical wellness and to maximize my productivity both during and after work. I've been doing this for about a month now - future article to come on this topic.

I took 'biohacking' with food and supplements up a notch, also for mental / physical wellness and productivity (something I've been into for ~5 years now - future articles to come on these topics as well). Fun fact: I want to live to be at least 150 years old.

A lot of other stuff on this list to get into at some point, in some future article (e.g. giving back). For now, back on point:

I'm reading a book for every year of life thus far before my next birthday (about one every two weeks) - this article will be about these books, and the habits that will make this possible. Hopefully you get the desire to read more, a list of books to populate your list, and tips to get going!

Why read more? For me personally it comes back to pushing myself harder. I've had this Theodore Roosevelt quote up on my wall for a while now, which was passed down from my grandfather (Stanford alum, Marine captain, Hero of mine, and all around impressive human) when he passed away over a decade ago:

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.” 

Knowledge in any career is a prerequisite to the arena - shield, armor, weapon, you name it. Why wouldn't you arm yourself to the teeth?

I picked a mix of books for business, self-improvement, and pleasure. I left out technology because I've found that it changes so fast the best way to keep up is online and through podcasts (perhaps another couple articles in the making). Hope you enjoy!

Tips for Setting Yourself Up for Reading Success

Now I'm not a habit or reading expert, but I work on it. These tips worked for me, some version of this might work for you. Don't take me at my word, try it - and add your own twist!

#1 Set Incremental, Consistent Goals

Habits are easier to form when you start small. The idea of sitting down to read for an hour is daunting, but if you say you'll read for 5 minutes a day for the first two weeks anyone can do that. Week 3 and 4? 10 minutes a day. Don't set a timer, but know the minimum time on the clock you need to read to until your goal is hit - you'll quickly find you read extra.

Don't forget to make long-term goals in addition to your short-term goals. What do you want knowledge of in a year? How many books is that going to take? How much time do you have? How fast do you read? How many times do you have to reread passages (what's your comprehension)? What do you want knowledge of in 5 years? 10 years? 15? How many books is that going to take? To build in the right direction you have to know where you're going.

#2 Make Books Hard to Ignore

Tricking yourself into starting is key. Make it easy! Place books everywhere. Where do you sit in your kitchen normally? One there. Favorite spot on the couch? One there (hide the TV remote!). Office? One there. Bedside table? You guessed it. Keep your Kindle on you any chance you get. Don't have one? Download the app, put it in a place you can't miss it (iPhone users, great app to dock to the bottom near your thumb).

Not only is this a good way to get going on more than one book at once, but it might even help with comprehension by attaching different books to different settings and visual backdrops (this will make sense if you get into speed reading, see #6).

#3 Don't Force Feed

Another benefit of reading multiple books at once is you don't have to feel stuck on a book you feel like you're trudging through. If a book sucks, ditch it - but replace it with something else. Try switching genres, picking an extra light read - anything to keep pace, because slow and steady wins the race. If you're ditching every book, look inward. Regardless, hit your daily goal; if for some reason you can't, double it the next day!

#4 Have a Plan, Make a List, Check it Twice

Have a short-term and long-term plan to attack your short-term and long-term goals. Before bed ask yourself, when am I going to get my ten minutes of reading in tomorrow? IF that doesn't work, what's my backup plan? Go to bed with your plan!

Build a dynamic book list, keep it over 25 so you can effortlessly populate your different reading spots. Constantly add new books, remove books (at a point, finish them, or forget about it), and reshuffle which you care about finishing first. Go with your gut. Don't forget to check out online ratings before investing your time, and better than anything else - ask someone you consider brilliant what their favorite books are.

#5 Make Notes, Fold Pages, Highlight

This does not apply to books of pleasure of course, but if you're reading to learn - make a splash! Even if you never go back it'll help imprint the key points in your brain.

#6 Improve Your Reading Speed and Efficiency

At a point you only have so many minutes / hours / days you can dedicate to reading. You can accept how many books you can finish in your lifetime (more on this in #7), or you can up your intake and storage.

Speed reading is the idea that you can increase your words per minute consumption (sometimes 5x) while maintaining comprehension by employing tricks such as turning off the voice in your head (reading only with your eyes), and chunking words and concepts into images for storage in your brain. I read this book, practiced for a month or so, and about doubled my reading speed - something I'm looking to increasingly focus on. I'll sum it up in an article at some point, but it boils down to practice.

#7 Consider the Big Picture

Your time on earth is limited. How many books can you read in your lifetime at the rate you're going? Can you put a number on it? That might motivate you.

Tim Urban put a number on it (here's the blog post - the entire site is gold, one of my favorites). If you're 34 like he is, read 5 books a year, and live to be 90, that's about 300 books you have left to read.

Outro + Follow Up

I am happy to discuss any of the books I've read, am reading, or plan to read (all below), and the tips - and would love to hear from you with book recommendations, or things that have helped you read more (or faster with better comprehension). I'm going to need them - I plan on doubling the count to 52 next year and holding that pace indefinitely (at least, that's the plan). Looking at this list I'm particularly interested in more books written by women to get a better balance (though of course all great book recommendations are appreciated).

Anyone care to join me? If I can do it, you can too. You can follow me on Instagram and Twitter both @GavSays for a look inside the week to week and day to day respectively, if you're curious.

Already Read:

#1 Be Here Now by Ram Dass

About the Book (from Amazon - most of the 'About the Book' sections will be): In March 1961, Professor Richard Alpert – later renamed Ram Dass – held appointments in four departments at Harvard University. He published books, drove a Mercedes and regularly vacationed in the Caribbean. By most societal standards, he had achieved great success... And yet he couldn’t escape the feeling that something was missing. 

During a period of experimentation with psychedelics, Alpert peeled away each layer of his identity, disassociating from himself as a professor, a social cosmopolite, and lastly, as a physical being. Fear turned into exaltation upon the realization that at his truest, he was just his inner-self: a luminous being that he could trust indefinitely and love infinitely.

And thus, a spiritual journey commenced. Alpert headed to India where his guru renamed him Baba Ram Dass – “servant of God.” He was introduced to mindful breathing exercises, hatha yoga, and Eastern philosophy. If he found himself reminiscing or planning, he was reminded to “Be Here Now.” He started upon the path of enlightenment, and has been journeying along it ever since. Be Here Now is a vehicle for sharing the true message, and a guide to self-determination. 

Why I Read It: Originally I read this book for the first time my junior or senior year of college because it was a Steve Jobs favorite, but I have continued to read it once a year since because I find extremely powerful for self-reflection. What's the point of it all anyway? Read to find out.

Thoughts: Be Here Now will always be a favorite of mine, and I can't recommend it highly enough. Do note that there is some sensitive material in there.

#2 The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro

About the Book: This is Kazuo Ishiguro's profoundly compelling portrait of Stevens, the perfect butler, and of his fading, insular world in post-World War II England. Stevens, at the end of three decades of service at Darlington Hall, spending a day on a country drive, embarks as well on a journey through the past in an effort to reassure himself that he has served humanity by serving the "great gentleman," Lord Darlington. But lurking in his memory are doubts about the true nature of Lord Darlington's "greatness," and much graver doubts about the nature of his own life.

Why I Read It: Simple for this one, it is a Jeff Bezos favorite.

Thoughts: This book came out about 4 years before Bezos officially founded Amazon and I have a hunch it may have been part of his decision to quit his prior job; the book is about self-reflection, and regret - plus Jeff is on the record saying he used a regret minimization framework for making that decision. Anyhow, a bit sad, but a good book for anyone questioning their life's purpose.

#3 Discipline Equals Freedom by Jocko Willink

About the Book: Jocko Willink's methods for success were born in the SEAL Teams, where he spent most of his adult life, enlisting after high school and rising through the ranks to become the commander of the most highly decorated special operations unit of the war in Iraq. In Discipline Equals Freedom, the #1 New York Times bestselling coauthor of Extreme Ownership describes how he lives that mantra: the mental and physical disciplines he imposes on himself in order to achieve freedom in all aspects of life. Many books offer advice on how to overcome obstacles and reach your goals―but that advice often misses the most critical ingredient: discipline. Without discipline, there will be no real progress. Discipline Equals Freedom covers it all, including strategies and tactics for conquering weakness, procrastination, and fear, and specific physical training presented in workouts for beginner, intermediate, and advanced athletes, and even the best sleep habits and food intake recommended to optimize performance.

Why I Read It: I already read Jocko's first book Extreme Ownership (highly recommend it as well), each chapter goes through the sequence of 1) crazy Navy Seal battle scenario 2) simple principles that kept them alive 3) executing those principles in business. It compelled me to read this one too.

Thoughts: While Extreme Ownership was a more 'traditional' book, Discipline Equals Freedom was a light read with pictures. I loved every bit of it, and it's about as motivating as a book can get - a huge part of why I started waking up early.

#4 Tao Te Ching by Laozi

About the Book: Laozi was an ancient Chinese philosopher and writer. He is known as the reputed author of the Tao Te Ching and the founder of philosophical Taoism, and as a deity in religious Taoism and traditional Chinese religions.

A central figure in Chinese culture, Laozi is claimed by both the emperors of the Tang dynasty and modern people of the Li surname as a founder of their lineage. Laozi's work has been embraced by various anti-authoritarian movements as well as Chinese Legalism.

Why I Read It: Back when I was an intern at Amazon I would get in early before everyone and write a quote up on the whiteboard outside the elevator on my floor to inspire for the day. On my last day of work a coworker came by, knowing it was me, and dropped this book off to take with me. 5 years later, finally felt compelled to read it.

Thoughts: I loved it. Short, sweet, and powerful tidbits that remind you to relax, and keep in mind the big picture of life.

#5 The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene

About the Book: Amoral, cunning, ruthless, and instructive, this New York Times bestseller is the definitive manual for anyone interested in gaining, observing, or defending against ultimate control. 

In the book that People magazine proclaimed “beguiling” and “fascinating,” Robert Greene and Joost Elffers have distilled three thousand years of the history of power into 48 essential laws by drawing from the philosophies of Machiavelli, Sun Tzu, and Carl Von Clausewitz and also from the lives of figures ranging from Henry Kissinger to P.T. Barnum.

Some laws teach the need for prudence (“Law 1: Never Outshine the Master”), others teach the value of confidence (“Law 28: Enter Action with Boldness”), and many recommend absolute self-preservation (“Law 15: Crush Your Enemy Totally”). Every law, though, has one thing in common: an interest in total domination. In a bold and arresting two-color package, The 48 Laws of Power is ideal whether your aim is conquest, self-defense, or simply to understand the rules of the game.

Why I Read It: There have been points in my life where I've felt others have been "up to something" but haven't been able to pinpoint it. I originally wanted to read this as self-defense - knowledge about what to look out for, and at the very least knowledge to avoid digging myself into any holes.

Thoughts: This was a long read, but I found it worthwhile. I learned about why some things I've done in the past put me at a disadvantage (and corrected them). Some laws are super useful while others I wouldn't practice if you paid me (morally, they don't feel right to me). If you ever feel like things are happening outside of your control with other people, this book is for you.

#6 The Founder's Mentality by Chris Zook & James Allen

About the Book: Three Principles for Managing—and Avoiding—the Problems of Growth. Why is profitable growth so hard to achieve and sustain? Most executives manage their companies as if the solution to that problem lies in the external environment: find an attractive market, formulate the right strategy, win new customers.

But when Bain & Company’s Chris Zook and James Allen, authors of the bestselling Profit from the Core, researched this question, they found that when companies fail to achieve their growth targets, 90 percent of the time the root causes are internal, not external—increasing distance from the front lines, loss of accountability, proliferating processes and bureaucracy, to name only a few. What’s more, companies experience a set of predictable internal crises, at predictable stages, as they grow. Even for healthy companies, these crises, if not managed properly, stifle the ability to grow further—and can actively lead to decline.

The key insight from Zook and Allen’s research is that managing these choke points requires a “founder’s mentality”—behaviors typically embodied by a bold, ambitious founder—to restore speed, focus, and connection to customers: an insurgent’s clear mission and purpose, an unambiguous owner mindset, and a relentless obsession with the front line.

Based on the authors’ decade-long study of companies in more than forty countries, The Founder’s Mentality demonstrates the strong relationship between these three traits in companies of all kinds—not just start-ups—and their ability to sustain performance. Through rich analysis and inspiring examples, this book shows how any leader—not only a founder—can instill and leverage a founder’s mentality throughout their organization and find lasting, profitable growth.

Why I Read It: This book was gifted to me by an Amazon executive, and I was told it's a common read among leadership there.

Thoughts: This books shows exactly why Amazon has been successful to this point and also directly applies to why my new company, T-Mobile, has had so much success with the UN-CARRIER movement. Great read for anyone that is currently the leader of an organization, or wants to be in the future.

Currently Reading (yes, chaotic, I know):

Before we get started here I'd like to call out that it's probably a little bit nuts to be reading so many books at once. I do this for one main reason: it keeps me entertained. I'll read a book until the fire to read fast isn't there anymore, then switch. At some point, I come back and try to rekindle the fire. How do you do it?

#7 Seeking Wisdom (From Darwin to Munger) by Peter Bevelin

About the Book: Peter Bevelin begins his fascinating book with Confucius' great wisdom: "A man who has committed a mistake and doesn't correct it, is committing another mistake." Seeking Wisdom is the result of Bevelin's learning about attaining wisdom. His quest for wisdom originated partly from making mistakes himself and observing those of others but also from the philosophy of super-investor and Berkshire Hathaway Vice Chairman Charles Munger. A man whose simplicity and clarity of thought was unequal to anything Bevelin had seen. In addition to naturalist Charles Darwin and Munger, Bevelin cites an encyclopedic range of thinkers: from first-century BCE Roman poet Publius Terentius to Mark Twain-from Albert Einstein to Richard Feynman-from 16th Century French essayist Michel de Montaigne to Berkshire Hathaway Chairman Warren Buffett. In the book, he describes ideas and research findings from many different fields. This book is for those who love the constant search for knowledge. It is in the spirit of Charles Munger, who says, "All I want to know is where I'm going to die so I'll never go there." There are roads that lead to unhappiness. An understanding of how and why we can "die" should help us avoid them. We can't eliminate mistakes, but we can prevent those that can really hurt us. Using exemplars of clear thinking and attained wisdom, Bevelin focuses on how our thoughts are influenced, why we make misjudgments and tools to improve our thinking. Bevelin tackles such eternal questions as: Why do we behave like we do? What do we want out of life? What interferes with our goals? Read and study this wonderful multidisciplinary exploration of wisdom. It may change the way you think and act in business and in life.

Why I'm Reading It: Who wouldn't want to be wiser? This book got rave reviews from a podcast I listen to (don't remember which one) so I decided to give it a go. The "about the book" sold me.

Thoughts Thus Far: So far this is an insightful book, but I will say it seems more like a summary of other works than anything unique itself. With that said, it's a faster way to get the key insights of a few other books.

#8 Poor Charlie's Almanack by Charles T. Munger (edited by Peter D. Kaufman)

About the Book: If Warren Buffett is Batman, Charlie Munger is Bruce Wayne. Charlie served as Buffett's longtime right-hand man. The model for Poor Charlie's Almanack is, of course, based on Ben Franklin's Poor Richard's Almanack. This book is a survey of Charles T. Munger: his approach to learning, decision making, investing, his speeches, his "zingers," and more.

Why I'm Reading It: A nice chunk of the above book Seeking Wisdom was based on this book. As someone who likes to dive deep, I wanted to go straight to the source (Seeking Wisdom's pieces on Munger have been particularly eye opening so far). I also wanted at least one book with investment advice, who better to turn to than the guy in Warren Buffett's ear?

Thoughts Thus Far: This might be the book on this list that takes me longest to read, but that also provides the most value. It's a solid ~550 pages and about the size of a textbook - I've already started sticking post it notes throughout, there is a ton of value in here. Highly recommend.

#9 Moonwalking with Einstein: The Art and Science of Remembering Everything by Joshua Foer

About the Book: An instant bestseller that is poised to become a classic, Moonwalking with Einstein recounts Joshua Foer's yearlong quest to improve his memory under the tutelage of top "mental athletes." He draws on cutting-edge research, a surprising cultural history of remembering, and venerable tricks of the mentalist's trade to transform our understanding of human memory. From the United States Memory Championship to deep within the author's own mind, this is an electrifying work of journalism that reminds us that, in every way that matters, we are the sum of our memories.

Why I'm Reading It: Memory is one of the single most important ingredients of success in life, without it how would you ever learn and improve? Especially given I'm upping my knowledge intake, I want to make sure it doesn't all go to waste.

Thoughts Thus Far: Great book so far, and thoroughly enjoying it. Full of tricks to improve memory. I don't need to be done with it to know everyone can benefit from this book.

#10 Blue Ocean Strategy: How to Create Uncontested Market Space and Make the Competition Irrelevant by W. Chan Kim and Renée Mauborgne

About the Book: A landmark work that upends traditional thinking about strategy, this bestselling book charts a bold new path to winning the future. Consider this your guide to creating uncontested market space―and making the competition irrelevant.

In this perennial bestseller, embraced by organizations and industries worldwide, globally preeminent management thinkers W. Chan Kim and Renée Mauborgne challenge everything you thought you knew about the requirements for strategic success. Recognized as one of the most iconic and impactful strategy books ever written, Blue Ocean Strategy, now updated with fresh content from the authors, argues that cutthroat competition results in nothing but a bloody red ocean of rivals fighting over a shrinking profit pool.

Based on a study of 150 strategic moves (spanning more than 100 years across 30 industries), the authors argue that lasting success comes not from battling competitors but from creating “blue oceans”―untapped new market spaces ripe for growth. Blue Ocean Strategy presents a systematic approach to making the competition irrelevant and outlines principles and tools any organization can use to create and capture their own blue oceans.

Why I'm Reading It: I actually read this in college for a class, but felt compelled to re-read it given it is directly applicable to my new role at T-Mobile.

Thoughts Thus Far: Having read this once for theory, and now re-reading to put it into practice, I am thoroughly impressed with this book and think it's especially valuable for anyone looking to build something new or challenge the status quo.

#11 Staying Focused in a Hyper World by John Gray Ph.D.

About the Book: Without focus, communication breaks down in all relationships and frustration increases. Without focus in romantic relationships, passion is lost and there is an increase in breakups and divorces. Without focus at work, people are increasingly dissatisfied and bored, often feeling unappreciated, distracted, exhausted or overwhelmed. Without focus, our lives lose purpose, we are easily distracted, forgetting what we are here for or never realizing what is most important in life.

John Gray has devoted the past 20 years to researching mental health and its effect on our relationships. He has reviewed thousands of medical studies and traveled the world to find ancient remedies for improving one’s mind, mood and focus. Staying Focused In A Hyper World: Natural Solutions For ADHD, Memory And Brain Performance shares these findings and offers practical strategies for increasing focus, clarity, memory, motivation and sustaining positive moods. 

Gray explains what causes ADHD in children and how it is the underlying cause for many health issues later in life, including dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease and even Parkinson’s Disease. He details the varied forms of ADHD, from hyperactivity to daydreaming and he provides step-by-step protocols for treating a number of common ailments with natural supplements and lifestyle changes.

Why I'm Reading It: Back in sixth grade I was diagnosed with ADHD, and prescribed Adderall starting my sophomore year of high school - which I continued to take through my junior year of college. Around that time, I looked for alternatives outside of prescription medication (what led me to 'biohacking' mentioned above). While at this point I have my ADHD on lock with established mechanisms to overcome its pitfalls and maximize its benefits, I'm always looking to disrupt myself.

To be clear: I view ADHD as an advantage, not a detractor, when managed correctly. This book may be more ammo for a future article I'll be writing on dominating distraction and procrastination after I get a few others written first - sounds ironic, I know, but I'm not procrastinating - I'm prioritizing :)!

Thoughts Thus Far: So far this book is a pretty unique approach to tackling ADHD, and differs in some ways from what I've read before. That makes me like it - because I love experimenting with new approaches - however, nothing yet that's made a ginormous difference for me (though I'm still early). While this book does dip into improving focus, memory, mood, and motivation, I'd only recommend considering it if you're ADD or ADHD (not sure yet if I'll recommend it when I'm done).

#12 The Code of the Extraordinary Mind: 10 Unconventional Laws to Redefine Your Life and Succeed On Your Own Terms by Vishen Lakhiani

About the Book: This book challenges conventional ideas of relationships, goal-setting, mindfulness, happiness, and meaning. In a unique fusion of cutting-edge ideas, personal stories, and humorous irreverence, and not to mention, humor and napkin diagrams, this framework combines computational thinking with personal growth to provide a powerful framework for re-coding yourself—and replacing old, limiting models that hold you back with new, empowering beliefs and behaviors that set you on the path toward an extraordinary life. A life of more happiness and achievement than you might have dared to dream possible. The about the book on Amazon is much longer than this, I trimmed it - feel free to read the rest there.

Why I'm Reading It: "Disrupt yourself or die" doesn't just apply to companies, it applies to people. Reading this book to ensure I'm continuing to thoroughly disrupt myself, and I believe I heard about it through a podcast.

Thoughts Thus Far: So far it's interesting, but there doesn't seem to be a ton of depth and the concepts aren't exactly brand new - hoping this will change as it progresses. Don't know yet whether I'll recommend it yet.

Books to Read Before 27 (in no particular order):

#13 Work Rules! Insights from Inside Google that will Transform How You Live and Lead by Laszlo Bock

About the Book: From the visionary head of Google's innovative People Operations comes a groundbreaking inquiry into the philosophy of work-and a blueprint for attracting the most spectacular talent to your business and ensuring that they succeed.

"We spend more time working than doing anything else in life. It's not right that the experience of work should be so demotivating and dehumanizing." So says Laszlo Bock, former head of People Operations at the company that transformed how the world interacts with knowledge. 

This insight is the heart of WORK RULES!, a compelling and surprisingly playful manifesto that offers lessons including: Take away managers' power over employees; Learn from your best employees-and your worst; Hire only people who are smarter than you are, no matter how long it takes to find them; Pay unfairly (it's more fair!); Don't trust your gut: Use data to predict and shape the future; Default to open-be transparent and welcome feedback; If you're comfortable with the amount of freedom you've given your employees, you haven't gone far enough.

Drawing on the latest research in behavioral economics and a profound grasp of human psychology, WORK RULES! also provides teaching examples from a range of industries-including lauded companies that happen to be hideous places to work and little-known companies that achieve spectacular results by valuing and listening to their employees. Bock takes us inside one of history's most explosively successful businesses to reveal why Google is consistently rated one of the best places to work in the world, distilling 15 years of intensive worker R&D into principles that are easy to put into action, whether you're a team of one or a team of thousands.

WORK RULES! shows how to strike a balance between creativity and structure, leading to success you can measure in quality of life as well as market share. Read it to build a better company from within rather than from above; read it to reawaken your joy in what you do.

Why I'm Going to Read It: Recommended to me by a mentor, and I think it's always good to learn from the best. Clearly Google got people operations right for the most part. Wanting to build an organization one day should involve thinking through it first and hopefully this book will help!

#14 Algorithms to Live By: The Computer Science of Human Decisions by Brian Christian and Tom Griffiths

About the Book: What should we do, or leave undone, in a day or a lifetime? How much messiness should we accept? What balance of the new and familiar is the most fulfilling? These may seem like uniquely human quandaries, but they are not. Computers, like us, confront limited space and time, so computer scientists have been grappling with similar problems for decades. And the solutions they’ve found have much to teach us.

In a dazzlingly interdisciplinary work, Brian Christian and Tom Griffiths show how algorithms developed for computers also untangle very human questions. They explain how to have better hunches and when to leave things to chance, how to deal with overwhelming choices and how best to connect with others. From finding a spouse to finding a parking spot, from organizing one’s inbox to peering into the future, Algorithms to Live By transforms the wisdom of computer science into strategies for human living.

Why I'm Going to Read It: This was recommended to me by the same mentor as above, and I am definitely into optimizing strategy for human living.

#15 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Book 7) by J.K. Rowling

About the Book: Do I really need to say it? Harry Potter, Book 7. That's it.

Why I'm Going to Read It: It's hilarious to me that I'm over here talking about beating procrastination and yet I've waited almost a decade to read this book after reading the first 6 back when they came out. Finally making it a priority, for pleasure - and because it's important to dream of impossible things to be able to create something new. Magically no one has ruined the ending for me (yet)!

#16 A Separate Reality by Carlos Castaneda

About the Book: In 1961 a young anthropologist subjected himself to an extraordinary apprenticeship to bring back a fascinating glimpse of a Yaqui Indian's world of "non-ordinary reality" and the difficult and dangerous road a man must travel to become "a man of knowledge." Yet on the brink of that world, challenging to all that we believe, he drew back.

Then in 1968, Carlos Castaneda returned to Mexico, to don Juan and his hallucinogenic drugs, and to a world of experience no man from our Western civilization had ever entered before.

Why I'm Going to Read It: This book was a gift and recommended by my Dad, whose opinion of course I have to trust not only by nature but because he's recommended my favorite sci-fi book (Ender's Game - the original, way better than the movie) among other awesome books over the years.

#17 Astrophysics for People in a Hurry by Neil deGrasse Tyson

About the Book: What is the nature of space and time? How do we fit within the universe? How does the universe fit within us? There’s no better guide through these mind-expanding questions than acclaimed astrophysicist and best-selling author Neil deGrasse Tyson.

But today, few of us have time to contemplate the cosmos. So Tyson brings the universe down to Earth succinctly and clearly, with sparkling wit, in tasty chapters consumable anytime and anywhere in your busy day.

While you wait for your morning coffee to brew, for the bus, the train, or a plane to arrive, Astrophysics for People in a Hurry will reveal just what you need to be fluent and ready for the next cosmic headlines: from the Big Bang to black holes, from quarks to quantum mechanics, and from the search for planets to the search for life in the universe.

Why I'm Going to Read It: Neil deGrasse Tyson is absolutely amazing in the show Cosmos, where I first heard of him. This show motivated me to take a bigger interest in Astrophysics and I think this will be a good introduction. I also thoroughly enjoy following him on Twitter (@NeilTyson).

#18 The Urban Monk by Pedram Shojai

About the Book: We all struggle to discover satisfaction and contentment in the modern world and yet the more technology we use, the more things seem to get worse. What are we all missing? What will it take for us to find our centers? Pedram Shojai shares how the calmness of Zen masters is attainable in today's fast-paced world, and with practice, you too can stop time, refuel, and focus on the things that really matter.

The Urban Monk, a New York Times bestseller, reveals the secrets to finding an open heart, sharp mind, and grounded sense of well-being, even in the most demanding circumstances. Shojai’s no-nonsense life mastery program brings together clear tools and exercises that can elevate your existence. Learn to honor your body with nutrition and shake free from addictions to toxic substances and experiences. Let your body and mind unwind each day with evening meditations, loosening exercises, and resting rituals that will keep any stress or unfinished business out of the bedroom, helping you sleep better so that your body can rejuvenate. 

The Urban Monk is filled with priceless practices that you can use in your daily life, right here and now. It is designed to be your companion in this crazy world we live in. Get it dirty, mark it up, and take it around with you on your journey to becoming an Urban Monk. There’s no need to move or drastically change your current life. You can find peace within, and The Urban Monk will teach you how to calm the chaos in your head.

The world needs you to step up and live your life to the fullest. Pedram Shojai is the Urban Monk who can show you how to drink from infinity, find peace and prosperity, and thrive in a modern world.

Why I'm Going to Read It: Recommended to me by a groomsman of my upcoming wedding who is an author himself. This book fits in with the theme of always looking to get the most out of your day, while raising the bar on 'the most.'

#19 The Talent Code: Greatness Isn't Born. It's Grown. Here's How. by Daniel Coyle

About the Book: What is the secret of talent? How do we unlock it? In this groundbreaking work, journalist and New York Times bestselling author Daniel Coyle provides parents, teachers, coaches, businesspeople—and everyone else—with tools they can use to maximize potential in themselves and others.

Whether you’re coaching soccer or teaching a child to play the piano, writing a novel or trying to improve your golf swing, this revolutionary book shows you how to grow talent by tapping into a newly discovered brain mechanism.

Drawing on cutting-edge neurology and firsthand research gathered on journeys to nine of the world’s talent hotbeds—from the baseball fields of the Caribbean to a classical-music academy in upstate New York—Coyle identifies the three key elements that will allow you to develop your gifts and optimize your performance in sports, art, music, math, or just about anything. 

Deep Practice; Ignition; Master Coaching. These three elements work together within your brain to form myelin, a microscopic neural substance that adds vast amounts of speed and accuracy to your movements and thoughts. Scientists have discovered that myelin might just be the holy grail: the foundation of all forms of greatness, from Michelangelo’s to Michael Jordan’s. The good news about myelin is that it isn’t fixed at birth; to the contrary, it grows, and like anything that grows, it can be cultivated and nourished. 

Combining revelatory analysis with illuminating examples of regular people who have achieved greatness, this book will not only change the way you think about talent, but equip you to reach your own highest potential.

Why I'm Going to Read It: What better way to get better at learning than to teach? It sounds like this book has a great blend of hands on learning best practices, and ways to teach others in easier ways for them to learn - plus it has great reviews. If a book can boost your productivity even one minute per day long-term it's almost always worth it from a time used to time saved perspective - positive ROI in under a year on a 6-hour read.

#20 Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas: A Savage Journey to the Heart of the American Dream by Hunter S. Thompson

About the Book: This cult classic of gonzo journalism is the best chronicle of drug-soaked, addle-brained, rollicking good times ever committed to the printed page.  It is also the tale of a long weekend road trip that has gone down in the annals of American pop culture as one of the strangest journeys ever undertaken.

Why I'm Going to Read It: Also recommended by my Dad as a great book for pleasure. Wanting to make sure I keep enough of these in the list that I stay balanced and continue to enjoy!

#21 Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst by Robert M. Sapolsky

About the Book: From the celebrated neurobiologist and primatologist, a landmark, genre-defining examination of human behavior, both good and bad, and an answer to the question: Why do we do the things we do?

Sapolsky's storytelling concept is delightful but it also has a powerful intrinsic logic: he starts by looking at the factors that bear on a person's reaction in the precise moment a behavior occurs, and then hops back in time from there, in stages, ultimately ending up at the deep history of our species and its evolutionary legacy.

And so the first category of explanation is the neurobiological one. A behavior occurs--whether an example of humans at our best, worst, or somewhere in between. What went on in a person's brain a second before the behavior happened? Then Sapolsky pulls out to a slightly larger field of vision, a little earlier in time: What sight, sound, or smell caused the nervous system to produce that behavior? And then, what hormones acted hours to days earlier to change how responsive that individual is to the stimuli that triggered the nervous system? By now he has increased our field of vision so that we are thinking about neurobiology and the sensory world of our environment and endocrinology in trying to explain what happened.

Sapolsky keeps going: How was that behavior influenced by structural changes in the nervous system over the preceding months, by that person's adolescence, childhood, fetal life, and then back to his or her genetic makeup? Finally, he expands the view to encompass factors larger than one individual. How did culture shape that individual's group, what ecological factors millennia old formed that culture? And on and on, back to evolutionary factors millions of years old. 

The result is one of the most dazzling tours d'horizon of the science of human behavior ever attempted, a majestic synthesis that harvests cutting-edge research across a range of disciplines to provide a subtle and nuanced perspective on why we ultimately do the things we do...for good and for ill. Sapolsky builds on this understanding to wrestle with some of our deepest and thorniest questions relating to tribalism and xenophobia, hierarchy and competition, morality and free will, and war and peace. Wise, humane, often very funny, Behave is a towering achievement, powerfully humanizing, and downright heroic in its own right.

Why I'm Going to Read It: To understand human behavior is to gain further control over your actions. The more control you have, the more you can do with your time! This is a best seller according to the New York Times, Washington Post, and Wall Street Journal.

#22 Head Strong: The Bulletproof Plan to Activate Untapped Brain Energy to Work Smarter and Think Faster in just Two Weeks by Dave Asprey

About the Book: For the last decade, Silicon Valley entrepreneur Dave Asprey has worked with world-renowned doctors and scientists to uncover the latest, most innovative methods for making humans perform better—a process known as "biohacking." In his first book, The Bulletproof Diet, he shared his biohacking tips for taking control of your own biology. Now, in Head Strong, Asprey shows readers how to biohack their way to a sharper, smarter, faster, more resilient brain.

Imagine feeling like your mind is operating at its clearest and sharpest, and being able—possibly for the first time in your life—to do more in less time? What it suddenly became easier to do the very hardest things you do? Or if you could feel 100% confident about your intellect, and never again fear being the person in the room who just isn’t smart enough, or can’t remember something important? How would you treat people if the mood swings, short temper, and food cravings that disrupt your day could simply disappear?

In Head Strong, Asprey shows us that all of this is possible—and more. Using his simple lifestyle modifications (or "hacks") to take advantage of how the structure of your brain works, readers will learn how to take their mental performance to the next level. Combining the latest findings in neuroscience and neurobiology with a hacker-inspired "get it done now" perspective, Asprey offers a program structured around key areas of brain performance that will help you: Power the brain with exactly what it needs to perform at its best all day long; Eliminate the sources of "kryptonite," both nutritional and environmental, that make the brain slower; Supercharge the cellular powerhouses of our brains, the mitochondria, to eliminate cravings and turn up mental focus; Reverse inflammation to perform better right now, then stay sharp and energized well into your golden years; and Promote neuron growth to enhance processing speed and reinforce new learning—hotwiring your brain for success.

Asprey’s easy to follow, two-week program offers a detailed plan to supercharge brain performance, including: which foods to eat and which ones to avoid, how to incorporate the right kinds of physical activity into your day, a detox protocol for your home and body; meditation and breathing for performance, recommended brain-boosting supplements; and how to adjust the lighting in your home and work space to give your brain the quality light it thrives on. A better brain—and a happier, easier, more productive life—is within reach. You just need to get Head Strong.

Why I'm Going to Read It: As mentioned early on in this post, I'm into biohacking. Dave Asprey gets credit for getting me into it ~5 years ago with his Bulletproof Blog, long before he ever sold anything. While my own views have grown to take on opinions of many others, I can always count on something interesting coming from Dave. My thinking is the more I squeeze in books now about performing more effectively, the more time I'll have to: read (while increasing the value of that time), and do other self-growth activities. Creating foundations to go fast long-term.

#23 Principles: Life and Work by Ray Dalio

About the Book: In 1975, Ray Dalio founded an investment firm, Bridgewater Associates, out of his two-bedroom apartment in New York City. Forty years later, Bridgewater has made more money for its clients than any other hedge fund in history and grown into the fifth most important private company in the United States, according to Fortune magazine. Dalio himself has been named to Time magazine’s list of the 100 most influential people in the world. Along the way, Dalio discovered a set of unique principles that have led to Bridgewater’s exceptionally effective culture, which he describes as “an idea meritocracy that strives to achieve meaningful work and meaningful relationships through radical transparency.” It is these principles, and not anything special about Dalio—who grew up an ordinary kid in a middle-class Long Island neighborhood—that he believes are the reason behind his success.

In Principles, Dalio shares what he’s learned over the course of his remarkable career. He argues that life, management, economics, and investing can all be systemized into rules and understood like machines. The book’s hundreds of practical lessons, which are built around his cornerstones of “radical truth” and “radical transparency,” include Dalio laying out the most effective ways for individuals and organizations to make decisions, approach challenges, and build strong teams. He also describes the innovative tools the firm uses to bring an idea meritocracy to life, such as creating “baseball cards” for all employees that distill their strengths and weaknesses, and employing computerized decision-making systems to make believability-weighted decisions. While the book brims with novel ideas for organizations and institutions, Principles also offers a clear, straightforward approach to decision-making that Dalio believes anyone can apply, no matter what they’re seeking to achieve.

Here, from a man who has been called both “the Steve Jobs of investing” and “the philosopher king of the financial universe” (CIO magazine), is a rare opportunity to gain proven advice unlike anything you’ll find in the conventional business press.

Why I'm Going to Read It: I heard about Ray originally from someone who worked with him directly. Discussing this book when it came out, this someone made a comment to the effect of "some billionaires believe all their own shit even if it's ridiculous." It made me want to read it more (I love ridiculous shit, and don't always see eye to eye with this someone who made the comment). When I later heard Ray on the Freakonomics podcast (released 4/8/18), I had to add the book to the list.

#24 Way of the Peaceful Warrior by Dan Millman

About the Book: Way of the Peaceful Warrior is based on the story of Dan Millman, a world champion athlete, who journeys into realms of romance and magic, light and darkness, body, mind, and spirit. Guided by a powerful old warrior named Socrates and tempted by an elusive, playful woman named Joy, Dan is led toward a final confrontation that will deliver or destroy him. Readers join Dan as he learns to live as a peaceful warrior. This international bestseller conveys piercing truths and humorous wisdom, speaking directly to the universal quest for happiness.

Why I'm Going to Read It: Plain and simple, this book was gifted / recommended to me by both my Mom and Dad. Easy sell!

#25 The Lean Product Playbook: How to Innovate with Minimum Viable Products and Rapid Customer Feedback by Dan Olsen

About the Book: The Lean Product Playbook is a practical guide to building products that customers love. Whether you work at a startup or a large, established company, we all know that building great products is hard. Most new products fail. This book helps improve your chances of building successful products through clear, step-by-step guidance and advice.

The Lean Startup movement has contributed new and valuable ideas about product development and has generated lots of excitement. However, many companies have yet to successfully adopt Lean thinking. Despite their enthusiasm and familiarity with the high-level concepts, many teams run into challenges trying to adopt Lean because they feel like they lack specific guidance on what exactly they should be doing.

If you are interested in Lean Startup principles and want to apply them to develop winning products, this book is for you. This book describes the Lean Product Process: a repeatable, easy-to-follow methodology for iterating your way to product-market fit.

It walks you through how to: Determine your target customers; Identify underserved customer needs; Create a winning product strategy; Decide on your Minimum Viable Product (MVP); Design your MVP prototype; Test your MVP with customers; and Iterate rapidly to achieve product-market fit.

This book was written by entrepreneur and Lean product expert Dan Olsen whose experience spans product management, UX design, coding, analytics, and marketing across a variety of products. As a hands-on consultant, he refined and applied the advice in this book as he helped many companies improve their product process and build great products. His clients include Facebook, Box, Hightail, Epocrates, and Medallia.

Entrepreneurs, executives, product managers, designers, developers, marketers, analysts and anyone who is passionate about building great products will find The Lean Product Playbook an indispensable, hands-on resource.

Why I'm Going to Read It: I read this book right before I moved into product management, but want to re-read it now that I'm a few years in to re-evaluate. While I do read about product management, I find it refreshing that in this field you don't have to read as much directly because you can look at literally anything and think about the product decisions that were made going into its creation - it allows you to constantly learn.

#26 Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth

About the Book: In this instant New York Times bestseller, pioneering psychologist Angela Duckworth shows anyone striving to succeed—be it parents, students, educators, athletes, or business people—that the secret to outstanding achievement is not talent but a special blend of passion and persistence she calls “grit.”

Drawing on her own powerful story as the daughter of a scientist who frequently noted her lack of “genius,” Duckworth, now a celebrated researcher and professor, describes her early eye-opening stints in teaching, business consulting, and neuroscience, which led to the hypothesis that what really drives success is not “genius” but a unique combination of passion and long-term perseverance.

In Grit, she takes readers into the field to visit cadets struggling through their first days at West Point, teachers working in some of the toughest schools, and young finalists in the National Spelling Bee. She also mines fascinating insights from history and shows what can be gleaned from modern experiments in peak performance. Finally, she shares what she’s learned from interviewing dozens of high achievers—from JP Morgan CEO Jamie Dimon to New Yorker cartoon editor Bob Mankoff to Seattle Seahawks Coach Pete Carroll.

Among Grit’s most valuable insights: Why any effort you make ultimately counts twice toward your goal; How grit can be learned, regardless of I.Q. or circumstances; How lifelong interest is triggered; How much of optimal practice is suffering and how much ecstasy; Which is better for your child—a warm embrace or high standards; and The magic of the Hard Thing Rule.

Winningly personal, insightful, and even life-changing, Grit is a book about what goes through your head when you fall down, and how that—not talent or luck—makes all the difference.

Why I'm Going to Read It: As mentioned earlier I listen to the Freakonomics Podcast, and there was a great episode with Angela Duckworth on it (rebroadcast released 2/8/17) that inspired me to read her book. Thought process being: want to be a high achiever? Learn from high achievers.