Some of my favourite books of 2024

Although 2023 had its highs and lows, at the start of 2024 I had lots of ideas to build on and plans for the next 5 years. Well as the saying goes, failing to plan is planning to fail, and something I definitely agree with. However, plans do change and the only thing in my opinion one can do is focus on what you have control over. Reflecting on the year gone by and looking back at 2024 to see what lessons learned and actions taken resulted in outcomes achieved. I would say to myself, “myself you need to take more action” so that is definitely going to the top of my list for 2025, but this is not a post on New Years Goals but a reflection on lessons learned. One of which was from the books I’ve read or reread during 2024, not quite all the books on my reading list I found useful as some felt like irrelevant information or someone else’s stories repackaged so not worth discussing further at this point.

The ones I enjoyed and got the most value from this year are; my to 5 must reads for 2024, which has been moved onto the shelf with my 5 must read books from the previous two years.

1.??????? The 12 week Year, by Brian Moran

When it comes to goalsetting you will find many book, all singing the same tune. But instead, Brian, challenges traditional annual goal-setting by advocating for a 12-week cycle to boost focus, urgency, and productivity. In this book it is all about achieving more with less time, through focusing on clear actionable priorities consistently.

2.??????? Your Next Five Moves, by Patric Bet-David

This book takes a strategic approach to building a business using a chess player approach, where you think a couple of moves ahead. DEFINITELY! a must read, as it equipes you with practice strategies to make better decisions.

3.??????? The 50th Law, by 50 Cent and Robert Greene

For me this book was a biography of 50 Cent and what I took to heart was his relentlessness to embrace adversity, take calculated risks, and harness self-reliance to succeed with personal and professional endeavours. Not just a book to read or listen to once, but read and listen a few times then do a deep dive and study some of the principles imbedded in the book into your own personal plan.

4.??????? What it Takes to be #1, by Vince Lombardi

This book was written by Vince Lombardi Jr, as a reflection on his fathers’ life. I read this book shortly after my father passed away, which helped me reflect on my father and like Lombardy impacted football with his philosophy on leadership teamwork and personal excellence and the relentless pursuit of greatness. Out of this reflection the book also helped me identify a personal no compromise value.

5.??????? The Creature from Jekyll Island, by Edward Griffin

This book provides an in dept understanding of the monetary system, the hidden mechanisms of central banking, and question the implications of central banking, on economic policies as well as personal and societal freedoms.

The other favourites from 2024, which I would say will remain on my reading shelf but did not make it into my top 5 are:

6.??????? 12 Rules for Life, by Jordan Peterson

I might be a bit biased towards Jordan Peterson as a lot of what he advocates resonates with me and I struggled to keep this book out of my top 5. It’s what one would expect from Jordan, full of practical principles rooted in philosophy, psychology and timeless wisdom. ??

7.??????? Mafia Democracy, by Michael Franzese

Michael draw parallels between the principles of organised crime and politics, but for me this also highlights some behaviour from “toxic managers” I’ve worked for on corporate assignment during my career, so generally a good book to better understand and identifying behaviour of those driven for power manipulation and control.

8.??????? Change your Questions Change your Life, by Marlee Adams

This one was a bit challenging but to use the books terminology that might be because of my "Judger" mindset and definitely brought home that sometimes I might benefit more from shifting into a "Learner" mindset by becoming more self-aware as this would enable me to ask better questions.

9.??????? The new Nature of Business, by Andre Hoffmann

I was fortunate to attend Andre Hoffmann and Peter Vanham book discussion in Cambridge on Tuesday, 26th November 2024. Hosted by the Cambridge Conservation Initiative (CCI) in the Babbage Lecture Theatre of the David Attenborough Building. Interesting debate and thought-provoking discussion on climate change and biodiversity loss further explored in the book that highlights where things could go with ESG measures in the years ahead.

10.? The Salesperson’s Secret Code, by Ian Mills

The book explores the mindset and behaviours of top performing salespeople, emphasesing that success is driven by applying actions, aligned with personal values and professional goals.

I’m always looking to grow my reading list and if have any must read book, I would appreciate your sharing it in the comments below and adding why you believe that is a must-read book in your opinion so we can all grow our knowledge and collective experience.