My Top 6 Book Recommendations for 2020

2019 was a roller coaster.

It was my first full year in Las Vegas, and it definitely had it's unexpected wins and equally gut-wrenching obstacles and "opportunities to learn."

I went to some great conferences, went through a divorce, changed careers, launched my first independent solo event in Vegas, had my heart broken, met someone special, and I even DJ'd some weddings. I became the City Leader for Bunker Labs, a program to inspire, equip, and connect Veterans and their spouses with resources to start and grow businesses. I became a Certified Coach with Impact a Hero, a Veteran organization in Houston that is helping Veterans change the narrative to "Post-Traumatic Growth."

I did all of this without a car. (#WHYNETWORKING TIP: Catching Lyft or Uber is a great way to meet people, especially in a city like Las Vegas.)

To say that it was an adventure would be an understatement.

One thing that was always consistent, was growth.

The biggest win for the year came in the final quarter of 2019. I took a role as Content Curator to one of the largest professional and personal development libraries on the planet, Lightspeed VT. Now, it's actually my job to swim around in a large pool of incredible courses, and take learning to an entirely different level.

I haven't stopped learning. I haven't stopped seeking advice and mentorship. I have continued to have great coaches in my corner.

Here are some of the top reads that kept me going in 2019. Some I read for the first time, some I had re-read. Either way, they have all been foundational in my growth, and I believe they will be great reads into the next decade. Enjoy!

1. The Infinite Game by Simon Sinek: This is HANDS DOWN the best conversation our generation can have regarding business. As a fan of Simon Sinek for years, and as a Facilitator of the Why Discovery Course, it may come off as a biased opinion I'm sure. But, this book tackles some very big topics around the way that companies lead their people and where the popular "let's lay everyone off so we meet our goal" just won't work anymore. IT WON'T WORK, but some companies are still being led and measured as if they can "win." "I wrote this book not to convert those who defend the status quo, I wrote this book to rally those who are ready to challenge that status quo and replace it with a reality that is vastly more conducive to our deep-seated human need to feel safe, to contribute to something bigger than ourselves and to provide for ourselves and our families." - Simon Sinek
2. Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss: This was re-read. It is written by the lead FBI Hostage Negotiator, Chris Voss. He takes real world experiences from his professional life and applies the psychology to how it pertains to you in the world of business. When you have 10 hostages, you don't settle for 3. This year I had a phenomenal opportunity to work on a project with a very large influencer who wishes to remain nameless. The project was to build a sales program, and launch two small teams internationally. One team would be in Dubai, and the other here in Las Vegas. It was a $10M sales projection in the first year, and I sought the expertise and guidance of my mentors and this book came highly recommended. I made the mistake of thinking "It's cool, I got this," and with that my salary request on the project for $105K plus commission was countered with $36K, NO COMMISSION. It's a cold world out there kids. If you ever have to put a price tag on your services, READ THIS BOOK! After the debacle that happened this summer, I re-read this book, twice, and it served me in landing the biggest and best opportunity just a few months later.
3. Friend of A Friend by David Burkus: This one may be another biased opinion, but trust me, it's worth it. While it is true that David and I share the same initials, he is also a friend from back home in Tulsa, OK. He has written several great books, but this one has grabbed me by the soul. With a passion for building great relationships in my pursuit to bring #WHYNETWORKING to life, there are few books that have a full focus on the power of relationships. The big idea that really resonates with me in "Friend of a Friend" is the idea of dormant relationships. So often, when people network they approach new relationships with the intention of "how can this person help me in my current role?" For dormant relationships, like many of the incredible connections I have made in my life as a whole, the idea is more of a "I cannot wait to see how this random connection serves me 6 years from now we are both carrying around different business cards, with new titles, and new networks of people around us.
4. Total Focus by Brandon Webb: This was another re-read. It is written by a Navy Seal, Brandon Webb. While Jocko, David Goggins, and Mark Divine are some of the more popular Navy Seal authors out there, I will say that Brandon Webb is in a totally different league when it comes to a holistic approach to how he has taken the principles of being a Navy Seal and applied them to business. He wasn't just a Navy Seal, he was a Sniper. He wasn't JUST a Navy Seal Sniper, but he actually helped re-write the Navy Seal Sniper Training Program. I read it originally in 2017, just before the a whole season of life chaos began for me. I listened to it twice that year on Audible, and as I made the shift this year from a private coaching and consulting practice to joining a team, this book helped me make yet another transition. I am no longer chasing everything all over town or over the U.S., and I have a hyper focus on what I am building over the next few years. This book isn't just about execution and decision making. It also explores company culture, team building, and how to focus on what is most important. He gives examples from his personal life, his time as a Navy Seal, and his experience running multiple 7 and 8 figure businesses. This is such a phenomenal read, and I highly recommend this be on everyone's shelf.
5. Can't Hurt Me by David Goggins: I'm not sure I would have made it through this year without this book. That's a bold statement, I know. As a Veteran, this title comes up quite a bit, and people have often asked my opinion. Here it is: "David Goggins is waking up and entire generation of growth that we have never seen before." There are so many great influencers, speakers, and authors out there that are waking people up to a new way of thinking. That's great. When you compare them to the depths that David Goggins is pulling people up and out of their own personal hell, what some of those guys are doing would be nothing shy of "cute." I sincerely believe that over the next few years, we will start to see a whole generation of some of the baddest, most influential influencers and business leaders rise to power. On a total side note, I also saw David running in South Las Vegas in November. It was absolutely inspiring to catch him in his element, and it's amazing to see him living out the principles of this life-changing book.
6. Finish by Jon Acuff: This book makes the list every year. If you have ever set goals, READ THIS BOOK. If you have ever fallen short of your goals, don't worry. 82% of people will give up on their new years resolutions by the 3 week of January. But if you fall in to that category, or you ever have, READ THIS BOOK. Jon is one of the most impactful authors of my life, and his approach to finishing goals is amazing. This book is smart, funny, and life-changing. In fact I have said more than once, "Jon makes me laugh so hard I cry. And, he makes me think so hard I change the world around me."

I have a pretty intense list of books I am looking to work through in the first few months of 2020. Some I will be reading with a group, and some are more for my personal and professional growth.

If you are an avid reader, feel free to connect and let me know what you are reading, or if you need a good recommendation, I am always happy to share some more favorites.